On 10 September 2007 the National Olympic
Committee of the Republic of Belarus arranged a reception of Boris Skrynnik,
President of the Federation of International Bandy. The NOC of Belarus was also
visited by Nikolai Baryshnikov, President of the ice-hockey club “Dinamo”. The
guests were welcomed by NOC Secretary General George Katulin, First Deputy
Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Aleshkevich,
state coach Gennady Petrozhitsky. The Belarusian Bandy Federation was
represented by Chairman Viktor Plyats and Vice-Chairman Alexandre Aleinikov.
Participants of the meeting discussed ways of
bandy development in the Republic of Belarus, Russia and all over the world.
At present FIB is in contact with the IOC
regarding the matter of including bandy in the Olympic Winter Games Programme.
In order to implement it, it’s necessary that minimum 25 federations promoted
bandy in countries of four continents.
Now there are already 21 bandy federations. The Belarusian bandy team is
among top six teams of the world and takes part in the top division of world
championships. The participants also talked about participation of the
Belarusian team in the Championship of Russia.
Besides, the Russian guests supported the
Belarusian suggestion of organizing in Minsk the 2010 Bandy World Championship.
By that time the sports center “Minsk – Arena” (with a skating rink appropriate
for bandy competitions) will have been constructed.
After the meeting the parties exchanged their
opinions and answered journalists’ questions.
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