Hockey Association responds to video published by Minister Rudolf Huliak

BRATISLAVA. The Slovak Ice Hockey Association responded with an opinion to Thursday’s video Minister of Tourism and Sport Rudolf Huliak, in which he criticized the level of Slovak hockey and announced financial control at the SZĽH.

« I am troubled by the situation with Slovak hockey. I get various indications and noise that the management of the hockey union is not with the church order. So I decided to do these speeches stop.

I give the initiative to the chief inspector of the sport to carry out control at the hockey union with the management of funds. The results of the Slovak hockey team have recently been very deplorable.

And I cannot get rid of the feeling that hockey in Slovakia is declining. And that the management of the Slovak Ice Hockey Association is responsible for this situation, « Huliak said in the video.

Video: Rudolf Huliak sends control to SZĽH

In response to the Minister, the Hockey Association reminded the Ministers that have achieved junior selections of up to 20 and up to 18 years of age.

« Never had previously fought the representation under 18 years in a row for a medal at the World Championships of this age category. Never had previously been a representation under 20 years in a row 6. The Junior World Championship, adding that twice was very close to the semifinals and the medal fight.

It has never happened that more than 80 debutants, which make up a new successor generation that we firmly believe – will make it fully exploited its potential at the Domestic World Championship 2029. « 

He also returned to the culmination of the highest home competition at the end of April, where after the last seventh final match between Košice and Nitra, Minister Rudolf Huliak also decorated the finalists on the ice.

The Hockey Association for the first time publicly objected to this and reminded the Minister his other recent video, in which he « strongly asked for the World Cup » that « as many KHL players as possible in the nomination for the championship.

« We do not agree with these claims (about the decline of Slovak hockey – ed.), As we disagreed with the behavior of the Minister, who despite our disagreement decided to hand over the medals after the 7th final match of the hockey extraleague between Košice and Nitra and who tried to influence politically nominations for the World Cup 2025. »

To the Minister’s initiative to send a financial control to the SZĽH, the Association said the following:

“The SZĽH has been operating in accordance with the applicable legislation and the principles of transparency for a long time, therefore respects the right of competent authorities to carry out any management and management of public funds.

We welcome that it is to be speeches and noise, which harm the public confidence in Slovak hockey, to « make a stop » through this control.

However, we regret that without any specific evidence or savings results, allegations and generalizing claims are presented in the public space that can harm the name of Slovak hockey.

Slovak sport needs systemic solutions, state support, long -term vision, stability and especially people who understand it – not a minister who abuses him for his political self -presentation. «