MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) - Belarusian ice hockey exists thanks to the Minsk teams Yunost and Dinamo, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a ceremony to award the winners of the 30th Belarusian Extraleague Ice Hockey Championship 2021-2022 on 25 April, BelTA has learned.
“These young guys standing here should remember one truth. No offense to you, you [Metallurg], of course, are great, and I am happy for you. But you have to remember that the Belarusian hockey exists thanks to the great Yunost Minsk and also thanks to another great Belarusian team – Dinamo Minsk,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“Wait, I have not said anything about Zhlobin and Gomel yet. Everything is ahead for you,” said the president responding to the loud support of Zhlobin's team. “You are doing really well! You have created such an atmosphere in this arena today that I don't remember anything like happen before.”
The head of state praised Metallurg's great performance, expressing the hope that teams from the regions would become championship winners more often. “I will be happy if every year we have a champion from regional cities, like Zhlobin,” he said. “I just ask you one thing: do not forget who was at the origin. It was before my eyes after the collapse of the Soviet Union. When one of the coaches came to me and asked to support Yunost. We saved that team, and they are doing really well, competing with young players who will replace them in the future, who will play even better. That is the development of our ice hockey.”
The Belarusian Extraleague final between HC Yunost Minsk and HC Metallurg Zhlobin took place in Minsk Arena on 25 April. HC Metallurg won the final series 3-0.
