Press releases

MINSK, 3 April (BelTA) – Over 80 international sports events will take place in Belarus in 2017, Belarus’ Sports and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko told a press conference hosted by BelTA on 3 April.

The minister stressed that the introduction of visa-free rules had a positive effect on the number of big sports events held in Belarus. “This year the country will host more than 80 big international sports events,” he stressed.

Alexander Shamko said that the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup will take place in the country in April. In May Belarus will host the 2017 IFMA World Championships, the 2017 European Sambo Championship and also the 2017 European Individual Chess Championship. “Apart from that, in 2017 Belarus will host a number of big tournaments in rhythmic gymnastics, taekwondo and fencing,” he noted.

According to the minister, the visa-free entry will encourage more international sports conferences to take place in Belarus. “A delegation of the International Fencing Federation paid a visit to Belarus not long ago, and we suggested hosting its sports conference,” he said.

Alexander Shamko noted that the possibility to visit Belarus visa-free encourages business activity as well. “The country hosts more business events both at the governmental level and in private business. It creates good conditions for tourism and economic development,” he added.