Nikitin on Nizhny Novgorod sports successes
Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin said on Match TV that the region is a hockey region but expressed faith in the future of football. He noted the struggle of Parí NN to maintain its place in the top division and the ambitions of Torpedo in the KHL.
Apr 24, 2026 0
Nikitin shared his views on the region«s sports development on national television.
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An interview with Governor Gleb Nikitin dedicated to the region«s sports life was published by the Match TV channel. In it, the head of the region stated that the Nizhny Novgorod region is first and foremost a hockey region, but he does not lose hope for progress in football.
“It«s just a fact — we are of course a hockey region. We are working on this very actively, we are not giving up. I believe that football will also become a successful sport for us. For now, we have been just surviving in the top division in recent years. On one hand, this situation is a bit annoying. On the other hand, we should be glad that we are surviving. This year we are doing everything to survive as well,” the TV channel quoted Nikitin as saying.
The governor described the Torpedo hockey team as “bright and daring,” emphasizing its notable success in the media space. In his opinion, the Nizhny Novgorod club is already ready to compete for the KHL«s main trophy — the Gagarin Cup. Nikitin also said that by the 2026/2027 season, the hockey players should start playing at a new ice arena, construction of which is nearing completion.
As of now, HC Torpedo is in sixth place in the Continental Hockey League standings. The day before, the Nizhny Novgorod team won a match against the Admiral club.
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