The election was not without controversy. Steblin's detractors harshly criticized him for the federation's allegedly poor performance and for the team's failure to score resounding victories in the international arena. But they had no candidate strong enough to challenge the incumbent. They ended up advancing Sergei Makarov, but he eventually withdrew his candidacy, citing the lack of equal opportunities for those running.
After his reelection in the post, Steblin announced the planned establishment of a board of trustees, for the government to be able to regulate the Hockey Federation's work. Speaking of the federation's priorities for the five years ahead, he singled out programs to train young coaches. Three training centers are to be set up in Russia for the purpose, in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Omsk. Also, the construction of modern ice rinks will soon get underway in some of Russia's largest hockey hubs, including Moscow, Togliatti, Magnitogorsk, Nizhnekamsk, and Omsk. Also, the federation has decided to form an amateur hockey league and to resume national championships among student teams.
Immediate priorities include the 2005 World Cup. It kicks off in Austria April 30. During Steblin's first term, the national squad won silver at the 2002 World Championships and at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and took bronze at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. The new head coach, Vladimir Krikunov, does not guarantee the team will take home gold this time. Steblin, too, is cautiously optimistic.
He is well aware that in the event of defeat, mercy will be given to neither the squad nor the federation. Once, reflecting on the negative impact of lack of competition, he pointed out that the federation president was not going to hold the post forever and that people aspiring to take over some time in the future should come forward and voice their criticisms. "Perhaps we are not yet through the transitional period-the socio-political situation in this country is such that it'll be some time before hockey and sports could be given due attention." But the recent changes in the soccer leadership indicate that this period is history now.
