Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 April (BelTA) – The ice arenas of Minsk are fully ready for the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, head of the Directorate for the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship Yevgeny Vorsin said in an interview to the Belarus 1 TV Channel, BelTA has learnt.

In his words, the Minsk ice arenas are 100% ready for the world sport forum. The same conclusion was made by inspectors of the International Ice Hockey Federation and its commercial partner Infront Sports & Media during a regular visit to Belarus. “Their assessment was high. They started their visit with Chizhovka Arena which had some issues regarding the video goal judge system and the VIP-zone position. They saw once again locker-rooms which had not been furnished during their previous visit. Their assessment is as follows: lockers are well-prepared, places for fans are provided with everything necessary,” Yevgeny Vorsin noted. As for Minsk Arena, according to him, all issues regarding this ice ground were solved long ago.

According to Yevgeny Vorsin, there is a range of issues related to the organization of the work which still has to be done. “For instance, we need to install a stage, we know where to take it and where to put it. We have conducted preliminary construction works on the placement of engineering network, water and electricity supply, and so on. Everything has been prepared, we just need to finish it,” he said.

As for the souvenir merchandise sales, Yevgeny Vorsin noted that about 25-30 international and domestic firms will be represented in the fan zone.

The IIHF inspectors also praised the readiness of Minsk International Airport to meet guests and participants of the championship.

The IIHF representatives visited the Victoria Olympus Hotel which is set to host the annual IIHF Congress, working meetings and official events as part of the world championship as well as meetings of the working group that is to decide on the schedule and calendar of the games of the IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic, Yevgeny Vorsin said.

“We took the IIHF delegation on a tour around our medical establishments. They saw our modern medical equipment and highly-qualified personnel. We will also have about 30 volunteers-medics during the championship,” he said.