Rene Fasel and Alma Holding: A Snapshot of Change in Global Ice Hockey and Agriculture
Rene Fasel, the former president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, has stepped into a new business role. He is now the principal owner of a major Russian apple producer, a development reported by Interfax. Fasel acquired a 54 percent stake in Alma Holding LLC last week, with the remaining 46 percent held by Volga Group Agro, a unit within the Volga Group led by businessman Gennady Timchenko. According to official records, Fasel is listed as a Russian citizen in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, with his status noted as of January 2022 as the owner of a sole proprietorship. Fasel served as president of the IIHF from 1994 until stepping down in 2021, a tenure marked by long-standing involvement in international ice hockey governance.
Alma Holding focuses on high-quality apple cultivation in Russia’s Krasnodar Territory, managing a network of approximately 400 hectares of orchards. The company’s agricultural footprint positions it as a notable player in the regional fruit market, contributing to supply chains that span domestic consumption and export potential.
Industry observers have highlighted the broader implications of cross-border investment in sports-linked figures. Simo Niiranen, a former Finnish agent, has suggested that the Continental Hockey League could attract European talent through financial incentives, reflecting a dynamic tension between competitive sports development in Europe and market-driven approaches seen in other regions. Niiranen’s stance underscores the ongoing dialogue about talent mobility and the economics of professional hockey across leagues in Europe and Asia.
Meanwhile, the IIHF has navigated sanctions and participation rules affecting Russian teams and players. The federation implemented a policy to exclude Russian hockey players from international tournaments, including cases where participation would be under a neutral flag. The organization also granted Russia the right to host a youth world championship in 2023, a decision that occurred amid a broader debate about eligibility and competitive fairness on the world stage. In July 2022, the IIHF disciplinary committee dismissed an appeal from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation regarding admission to certain international competitions, reinforcing the federation’s stance during a period of intensified scrutiny of the sport’s governance and eligibility frameworks.
Together, these developments illustrate how leadership transitions, agricultural investments, and sports governance intersect on the global stage. Fasel’s move into Alma Holding signals a diversification of interests beyond the rink, while Alma’s expansion underscores Russia’s ambitions in diversified agricultural production. The ongoing conversations around player eligibility, league dynamics, and cross-border investments continue to shape the landscape of international ice hockey and related industries. The evolving narrative of Fasel, Alma Holding, and the broader regulatory environment offers a lens into how sports figures, market players, and policy decisions influence each other across continents.