The Ice Hockey World Championship is a mega event: both a grandiose sporting festival and an opportunity to show the whole world our country, our people, history, culture and traditions

The Ice Hockey World Championship is a mega event: both a grandiose sporting festival and an opportunity to show the whole world our country, our people, history, culture and traditions

The fact that Belarus has secured the right to hold such a championship says many things about us: about our contribution to the development of this sport, about the existence of world level ice arenas, about our star players and our big army of fans.

And it is very symbolic that the opening of the championship took place when one of the most solemn and life-asserting holidays — Victory Day — was also commemorated.

The World Championship-2014 has begun, but the best is yet ahead. The hockey matches on Minsk’s ice promise to be hot. And let the battles be obstinate, uncompromising and honest! And may the best team win!