President Alexander Lukashenko has attended the ceremony of official opening of the 6^th Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of the President of Belarus. The ceremony took place at the Palace of Sport in Minsk. In his remarks, the President said that this traditional sporting event has helped Belarus win the bid to host the 2014 world ice hockey championship.

"In terms of its age, this festival of health and beauty is still very young, it is only six years old; yet, it has already become a good tradition and become quite popular both in this country and abroad. Every year, on Christmas Eve, true fans of what is one of the most popular and mass games on the planet – his highness ice hockey – come together from around the world in the Belarusian capital. I think this tournament has played a big role in helping Belarus win the bid to host the 2014 world ice hockey championship," said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President said, the teams participating in the Christmas tournament feature great players who have already excelled in high-profile tournaments and will now show their exceptional skills on the Belarusian ice.

Addressing the guests of the tournament, the Head of State said they had great opportunities to get to know Belarus during these tournament days, to feel the hospitality and good disposition of the Belarusian people. "We are proud that Belarus is considered a sport nation. We seek to make sport an integral part of everyone’s life. Sport is one of state priorities in Belarus. The state will continue to do everything possible to promote it," he said. "A sports centre has been built in Baranovichi lately; the construction of the new imposing sports centre Minsk-Arena has just been completed."

President Alexander Lukashenko has wished Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to the spectators and participants of the tournament.

The first game that the team of the President of the Republic of Belarus played in the tournament was against the team Switzerland. The Belarusian players won the game with the score 10:3.