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Chudy: KHL in Poprad Would Boost Tourism in High Tatra Region
Tuesday 20 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Poprad, July 20 (TASR) - If Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) matches are played in Poprad (Presov region) during the upcoming season as has been indicated, this will boost tourism not only in the town itself but also in the entire High Tatra mountain region, High Tatra Tourism Association (ZCR) director Peter Chudy told TASR on Tuesday.
Until now the KHL has been made up of teams from former republics of the Soviet Union, but the League last week confirmed that it has accepted Czech team HC Lev, with the club supposed to play its home matches in Poprad. The Slovak town will therefore become the first place outside the former Soviet Union to host league matches.
"If matches of the world's second most distinguished ice-hockey league are played there, this will strongly promote the entire region and the attention of the public will be directed towards this part of Slovakia," said Chudy.
"Of course, Poprad-Tatry international airport would have to organise more charter flights, and more private flights would head to Poprad," he said.
The Slovak Ice-Hockey Association (SZLH) is rather unhappy with the move, however, as this may affect "the interests of Slovak Extraliga clubs". SZLH further stressed that the consent of the International Ice-Hockey Federation (IIHF) is still necessary.
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