Speech by SCST at 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division IIIB (English only)
**************************************************************************************
Mr Petr Briza (Senior Vice President of International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and Tournament Chairman of 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division III, Group B), Mr Sherman Chan (Chairman of Hong Kong, China Ice Hockey Association), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening, everyone. Following the success of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, I am delighted to see the winter sports craze continues in Hong Kong. We are about to enjoy the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, presented by the Hong Kong, China Ice Hockey Association. Before the cool game begins, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all the participating teams and their supporters.
Having successfully hosted the 2015 Women's World Championship Division II Group B Qualification, we are proud and deeply honoured to bring this prestigious Ice Hockey Championships back to our city this year. What's more, this is the first time Hong Kong hosts three World Championships tournaments together - covering the Men's, Women's and Men's Under-18 categories.
The growing popularity of ice hockey in Hong Kong has been fueled by the remarkable achievements of our local teams in recent years. Hosting international ice hockey events allows our athletes to test their skills against world-class opponents, brings excitement to local ice hockey enthusiasts and attracts a wider audience to this dynamic sport.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Hong Kong, China Ice Hockey Association for its tireless efforts and dedication in securing the hosting rights for these tournaments, giving the people of Hong Kong the opportunity to experience the thrill of the games firsthand. Over the years, the Association has worked closely with its international partners to organise signature events and provide essential training and competition opportunities, enabling our young athletes to thrive and nurturing the next generation of sporting talent.
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region places great emphasis on sports development and has committed over $6 million to the Championships through the Arts and Sport Development Fund. We look forward to hosting more premier ice hockey events in Hong Kong, further elevating our city's status as a hub for major international sports events and fostering the growth of the sports industry.
In closing, I wish the tournament every success, and I hope all participating teams have a wonderful time exploring our dynamic and vibrant city during your stay in Hong Kong. Thank you very much.
Ends/Monday, April 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:00
Issued at HKT 21:00
NNNN