Switzerland Ice Hockey Federation
Together with the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Association, partner Eurobus and the Lake Constance Talent Campus, Swiss Ice Hockey brought 50 people from the Ukraine to Switzerland. The group arrived in Kreuzlingen on Thursday evening and were safely housed in Talent Campus accommodation.
The war that Russia is currently waging against Ukraine has been shaking the world for two weeks. The concern is also huge at Swiss Ice Hockey.
In order to help people in Ukraine and provide humanitarian aid, Swiss Ice Hockey, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Association and with the support of partner Eurobus, organized a coach that brought 50 people from Ukraine to Switzerland this week. These are young Ukrainian ice hockey players between the ages of 9 and 17 and their mothers and siblings.
The bus reached the Slovak-Ukrainian border on Wednesday evening. “People were accommodated in a heated tent when they arrived at the border. The organization at customs was very efficient and the group quickly found our bus,” says bus driver Dobrica Jeremic.
“It’s a nice feeling that we were able to help these people in an emergency and do a service.”
The group arrived in Switzerland on Thursday evening. The 50 people will be housed in the Lake Constance Talent Campus in Kreuzlingen: “They have a whole house to themselves here, the children and young people can continue to go to school and the players can continue to train,” says André Salamin, Head of the Lake Constance Talent Campus.
The relief campaign could only be realized thanks to the very fast and uncomplicated cooperation between Swiss Ice Hockey, the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Association, Eurobus and the Lake Constance Talent Campus. The aim was to get the group to safety in Switzerland as quickly as possible and to provide them with an environment where they are in good hands.
“We would like to thank everyone who supported this relief effort in any way. This campaign would not have been possible without the great willingness and flexibility of Eurobus and the bus drivers, the Lake Constance Talent Campus and its team and many volunteers,” says Patrick Bloch, CEO of Swiss Ice Hockey. The coordination and communication by those responsible for the Ukrainian ice hockey association was also central – who of course are also in an absolute emergency personally. “Sport stands together in difficult times,” says Patrick Bloch.
Swiss Ice Hockey’s thoughts are still with all people affected by the war in Ukraine. Swiss Ice Hockey is still in contact with the Lake Constance Talent Campus and the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Association and will provide further support wherever and whenever possible.
Anyone who would like to make a donation for the Ukrainian group in Kreuzlingen can send an email to Swiss Ice Hockey or contact the Lake Constance Talent Campus directly:
Source: m.sihf.ch/de/