MINSK, 19 January (BelTA) - The decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to strip Minsk off the right to host the 2021 IIHF World Championship matches is a sad one, Secretary General of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation, Viesturs Koziols told TASS, BelTA has learned.
On Monday, 18 January, the IIHF Council stripped Belarus off the right to host the matches of the IIHF World Championship scheduled for 21 May- 6 June in 2021. The decision was due to safety and security issues which are “beyond the control” of the international federation. Now all 2021 IIHF World Championship matches can be moved to Latvia that was due to co-host the tournament with Belarus.
“I have never been happy about something being taken away from someone, be it chocolate, an award or a world championship. It is always bad,” said Viesturs Koziols.
Latvia might co-host the 2021 IIHF World Championship together with Denmark or Slovakia. The decision will be made within two weeks.
