The World Championship in Riga will be held without spectators, however, a few hundred seats in the stands will be reserved for guests of the organizations involved, including the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF), LHF President Aigars Kalvītis said on Monday in Latvian Television’s Morning Panorama. He stated that there were no non-hockey people among the LHF guests.
Even before the World Championship, it was known that there could be about 300 people in the stands in each game, Kalvītis said. Both the LHF and the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) and its media partner had the opportunity to invite their guests. A certain number of places is also provided for the championship teams.
“It is no surprise that a person from Latvia was also invited to the opening game,” said Kalvitis. “If we look at my guests, then the Foreign Minister [Edgars Rinkēvičs] represented the Government of Latvia, was the Ambassador of Canada, the Military Attaché of Canada, Uģis Magonis – former [Latvijas] President of the Hockey Federation and Helmut Balder, our hockey legend. Also the chairman of the Olympic Committee George Tikmer and the head of the organizing committee Edgars Buncis. “
Among other LHF guests, Kalvītis named current and former members of the LHF board, as well as owners of hockey clubs.
“I don’t see any reason to talk about this at all,” said Kalvitis. “I wouldn’t say that an outsider outside of hockey was particularly involved in this game.”
Kalvitis reminded that 24 hours after the relevant government decision, the organizers will be ready to ensure the admission of spectators to the championship arenas.
The organizers of the World Cup did not receive any remarks at the meeting of the tournament directorate on Sunday evening, in the presence of representatives of all teams.
All organizers and teams are satisfied – the feedback was positive, said Kalvitis. He hopes that the tournament will be able to maintain its unattended status until the next meeting on Wednesday evening.
All teams in the tournament strictly follow the Covid-19 protocol, and no cases of infection have been detected in the athletes’ “bubble” teams, the LHF president said. To promote emotional well-being for teams,
all national units will be given the opportunity to go for a walk in the fresh air in a pre-selected safe environment on game-free days.
The organizers will not name the chosen walking places in order not to cause a stir.
In the sports of the championship, Kalvītis sees that all teams are very competitive. The President of the LHF regrets that the Latvian national team failed to beat Kazakhstan, but stressed that victories in sports alternate with losses. Kalvītis added that after the match against Italy scheduled for Monday, the home team will have to prepare for the game against the USA on Thursday, which has proved to be a really good team in the tournament.
CONTEXT:
The World Championship in Riga lasts from May 21 to June 6.
Latvia, Canada, Finland, USA, Germany, Norway, Italy and Kazakhstan play in subgroup B “Arena Riga”. Subgroup A includes the team of the Russian Olympic Committee, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Belarus and the United Kingdom. Until June 1, the groups will play a round tournament, determining the four teams that will advance to the quarterfinals.
Highlight text and press Ctrl+Enterto send the text to be edited!
Highlight text and press Report a bug buttons to send the text to be edited!
