The club’s budget is not disclosed yet, but it will not exceed 1.5 million euros. “It simply came to our notice then. Over the years, I have developed “Zemgali” by playing quite a lot with my guys. We give us the opportunity to work in a good base, we ensure a good training process, and as a result they can grow into the Latvian national team, ”reveals Zeltins. “In the Finnish project, I place a very important emphasis on the fact that the guys in the sight of the Latvian U-20 national team will play, whose careers are just beginning and need to be given a basis to develop.”
“From a geographical point of view, Finland is a good partner in the implementation of such projects, because it is a four-hour drive to Tallinn, a couple of hours by ferry, and we are in Finland,” says Zeltiņš about the logistics, noting that a bus would be cheaper and more convenient. “There are very few long-distance trips – 500 kilometers from Helsinki is one of two trips a season.”
“Jelgava Hall can accommodate one and a half thousand fans. There will probably be more people, but it is not planned to play in “Arena Riga”. There is still a “problem” such as a lack of tickets, “says the club’s director about the possible venue. “From the point of view of infrastructure – yes, there is a shortage of three – five thousand spectators in Latvia, but we have to leave the positions they are in.”
Even if the project “Mestis” is successful, “Zemgale” / LLU plans to continue to start in the Latvian championship at the same time, but Artis Ābols will remain the head coach. “Playing in Finland, we will not only create a team with U-20 guys. At least a couple of shifts should be experienced athletes, ”Zeltiņš outlines the possible composition.
It has already been reported that last week the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF) and the Finnish Hockey Association (FIHA) have agreed to cooperate, with three Latvian teams competing in the Finnish Youth Hockey Championships next season.
The cooperation between LHF and FIHA envisages that the U-16 team of the Hockey School “Rīga” (HS “Rīga”) will play in the “Mestis” U-16 Championship, but the “Zemgale” / JLSS U-15 and HS “Rīga” U-15 teams will start In the Finnish U-15 AAA tournament.
In addition to participating in Finnish tournaments, all three teams will also participate in the Latvian Youth and Children’s Championships (LBJČH).
The LHF and FIHA have also applied to host the 2023 World Hockey Championships, as well as a co-operation program for referees.
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