Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia Karen Giloyan received Deputy Secretary General of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Head of the Tournament Department Hannes Ederer, to discuss the possibility of holding the Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV in Armenia in 2025.

President of the National Ice Hockey Federation of Armenia Vahram Sargsyan also attended the meeting.

Hannes Ederer arrived in Armenia to evaluate sports infrastructures, hotel conditions, and organizational issues.

The Armenian national team will participate in the Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV in 2025, which is scheduled for April 12-20, 2025. The national teams of Armenia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan will participate in 15 matches that will take place inside the championship framework. The Armenian national team last participated in the tournament in 2010 in the Division III.

RA ESCS Deputy Minister Karen Giloyan greeted the representative of the International Federation and gave an overview of recent developments in Armenian sports, touching upon the policy of the RA Government on holding major international tournaments.

Thankful for the reception Hannes Ederer welcomed the return of the Armenian national team to the World Cup, pointing out the importance of Armenia's past hosting experience as well.

President of the National Ice Hockey Federation Vahram Sargsyan emphasized that the Armenian Ice Hockey Championship has been held for the third year after a long break, which is an important requirement from the International Federation. The Armenian national team resumed its performances after a long hiatus at the Yerevan Nights international tournament, which took place in February this year. In the tournament held at the “Gazprom-Armenia” sports complex in Yerevan with the participation of 4 teams, the Armenian national team won confident victories over the Russian teams “Olympus”, “Sunny Bears” and “Rospress” and was recognized as the winner of the tournament.

“We made enormous efforts, as a result of which Armenia was granted permission to participate in the World Cup,” said Vahram Sargsyan.

The representative of the International Ice Hockey Federation visited Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, Yerevan Figure-Skating and Hockey Sports School, as well as the “Gazprom Armenia” Educational-Sports Complex to get acquainted with the infrastructure conditions.

The final decision on the World Cup venue will be made at the International Ice Hockey Federation Congress in Greece on September 26-27.