The Kontinental Hockey League is an International League, set up in March 2008 to promote the successful development of hockey in Russia and other countries in Europe and Asia. The highest ranked Russian team will be proclaimed the Champion of Russia. The four divisions of the League are named in honor of famous players and coaches: Vsevolod Bobrov, Anatoly Tarasov, Valery Kharlamov and Arkady Chernyshev. 28 clubs from Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Finland, Slovak Republic and Croatia compete from August to April to lift the coveted Gagarin Cup.