Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 May (BelTA) - Belarus and Latvia will fight to host the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in 2021, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said when talking to the media on 9 May, BelTA has learned.

“The competition is strong - Finland. But the question is not whether our bid wins or not. We would bid and lose in the past. But finally we got the right to host the IIHF World Championship in 2014. Therefore, we must do our best. If we do not host the tournament in 2021, then we will in 2022 or in 2023. We will bring the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship to Belarus,” Alexander Lukashenko promised.

The head of state noted that hosting international tournaments helps Belarus improve its image and attract tourists. But the main important thing is that it gives an impetus to the development of the sports sector. “Most important is the development of sport in our country,” he said.

For example, in 2018 Belarus will host the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World Cup. “Do you think this will bring us many tourists? Unlikely. But it will definitely give a boost to the development of the sport,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.