MINSK, 30 September (BelTA) - Chairman of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation Aliaksandr Bahdanovich commented on the decision of the IIHF Congress on the mechanism of Belarus' return to the system of world championships, BelTA has learned.
At the semi-annual congress of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) taking place in Belek, Turkiye, a concept for the return of the national teams of Belarus and Russia to the world championship system was presented. The national ice hockey teams of Belarus and Russia will return to the system not earlier than May 2023, but will retain their positions.
“It is gratifying that the IIHF has finally voiced a clear position on our national teams and the mechanism for their return to the world championships program. Now not only we but other members of the world hockey family understand how it will happen. As we can see from the voting results, other federations support our return. Therefore, our teams will continue their training to approach our reintegration in good shape, because the performance of all our teams in the top division of the world championships is extremely important not only for the current athletes but also for the prospects of hockey development in Belarus,” said Aliaksandr Bahdanovich.
