On May 8th, the State Flag Square of the Republic of Belarus hosted formal flag-raising ceremony of participating countries of the 78th IIHF World Championship
Belarus’ Prime Minister, Mikhail Myasnikovich, who heads the tournament’s organising committee, welcomed all the hockey delegations, who attended the event. He thanked the leadership of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and its President, Renй Fasel, personally for the opportunity of holding the world championship and promised its participants and guests the most hospitable acceptance. The PM also noted that, for the host country, this tournament wasn’t merely a sporting event, but also a landmark and historical event, which would be able to bring a greater number of people towards a more sporting and healthier lifestyle. Mr. Myasnikovich wished victories for all the teams and medals in a fair and beautiful struggle.
IIHF President, Renй Fasel also wished the national squads — the entrants of the world forum — brilliant victories and wished spectators and the mass media an interesting and spectacular event.
The Chairman of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation and Head of the Directorate for 2014 IIHF World Championship, Yevgeny Vorsin, drew a line under the solemn ceremony. He expressed his confidence that the strongest hockey teams of the world will give their fans a fantastic sporting holiday. Moreover, he was convinced that the world tournament in Belarus would become a landmark event in the history of world hockey.
Then, anthems of the participating countries of the tournament were performed and all hockey delegations were presented with gifts from the organisers. In the end, a song-anthem was performed by the Litesound band, dedicated to this landmark hockey event.
