Ice hockey world championship 2014 to be held in Belarus

It was decided at a congress of the International Ice Hockey Federation in Switzerland.

Belarsu was supported by 75 delegates, 24 votes were given to Hungary, 3 for Latvia, and 2 for Ukraine, one delegate abstained.

As “Pressball” newspaper reports, competitors of Belarus focused attention of public on technical aspects. In particular, the audience could learn that 5500-seat ice arena will be constructed in Kyiv next year and Ukraine will build 12,000-seater arena by 2012 if the country wins bid. The Latvian delegation said 8,000-seat arena would be constructed in Riga in 2011. The Hungarians said Alba Volan would build new 7,500-seat arena.

The application by Belarus was presented first. The delegation showed a film about ice hockey infrastructure development. Video clips were combined with speeches by Uladzimir Navumau, head of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association (BIHA)), and Glen Hanlon and young defender Kiryl Hatavets, who assured he would become a leader of the national team in five years.

As representative of the BIHA in Berne Uladzimir Hancharou told a “Pressball” correspondent, the Belarusian delegation received many questions. Uladzimir Navumau and his aides guaranteed construction of a 8-000 seater would be started this year in Chyzhouka district, and said Belarus would become a visa-free country for a period of the championship, open for all visitors.

It should be reminded that the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association is lead by Uladzimir Navumau, former minister of internal affairs, suspected by the international society of kidnapping and killing of opposition leaders and a journalist. He is banned entry to the EU and US.