Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of Belarus President kicks off in Minsk

The unofficial amateur world championship, the 15^th Christmas Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of the President of Belarus kicks off in Minsk. This year the competition welcomes a record high number of participants. 12 teams will meet in Chizhovka Arena. At 12.30 p.m. Slovakia will face Switzerland. In 30 minutes the UAE will take on the Balkans team at the main hockey rink of the arena. The official opening ceremony starts at 5.30 p.m. At 7.00 p.m. the current champions, Belarusians, will square off against the team of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The small ice rink of Chizhovka Arena will also host the final stage of the national junior ice hockey competition Golden Puck.