Press releases

MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – The chances of Belarus and Latvia of winning a bid to co-host the 2021 IIHF World Championship are high, Alexander Lukashenko said at the meeting with the members of the public, representatives of the Belarusian and foreign mass media on 3 February, BelTA has learned.

“According to the latest data, the chances may be high. One of my friends who is directly involved in hockey in Latvia, told me that there are people at the state level and also in business who are willing to submit a joint bid if there is support from the President of the Republic of Belarus. The proposal came from Latvia and was not advertised,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The head of state said that he agreed with this proposal. Belarus filed a bid during the Olympic year. “It is clear that hosting the championship during an Olympic year is a big responsibility. We have had the experience. We understand that the teams taking part in it are the future of hockey. However, I would like it to be different somehow. I supported the co-hosting idea but asked the partners to consult us, where necessary, lend a helping hand. The process is well underway and the chances of Belarus are as good as of any other country or maybe even slightly higher,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Maksim Ryzhenkov opined that co-hosting attracts more fans. Each of the counties hosts the teams that are more popular with their fans. The projects that develop relations between peoples, between states are more preferable for Europe. “Our joint bid would look more appealing in this way. We have agreed with Latvia that if our bid is supported Latvia will host the teams that are more interesting for the northern region. They, first of all, would like to host Team Finland. For us it will be important to host the games with Russia. With Team Russia here, we will have a sold-out arena,” said Maksim Ryzhenkov.

He added that certain agreements have been reached with Latvia. If the two countries are to co-host the event special services of the two states will secure a cross-border corridor for fans, participants and officials. They should be able to cross the border in any direction freely and as many times as needed. “The International Ice Hockey Federation supports the idea of co-hosting the championship by Belarus and Latvia,” Maksim Ryzhenkov stressed.