Dumfries loses worlds event to Budapest

Ice Hockey UK (IHUK), along with Dumfries and Galloway Council, missed out in its bid to host the Under 20s section at Dumfries Ice Bowl with the competition from December 11 to 17 instead set to be held in Hungary.
IHUK general secretary Andy French said: “It is a shame we did not get the U20s in Dumfries, but we knew it would be difficult with four other countries also bidding.”
GB Under-20s will take part in Division 1B and travel to Budapest from December 11 to 17.
They will take on hosts Hungary, as well as Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine.
IHUK were successful in their big together with Belfast Giants and The SSE Arena to host Croatia, Estonia, Japan, Lithuania and Netherlands in Division 1B.
That tournament is likely to run from April 23 to April 29, although the dates are still to be ratified.
Great Britain U18 Women will take part in the newly-formed Division 1B.
This tournament will be held in Jastrzebie in Poland and GB will face the hosts, along with China, Denmark, Italy and Kazakhstan from January 7 to 14.
A decision on the venues for GB Women in Division 2A and GB U18 Men, also in Division 2A, has been deferred until the IIHF’s Semi-Annual Congress in September.
Korea have put in a bid to host both events and wish to use it as a taster for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Andy French, said: “It is so exciting we will be hosting the men’s tournament in Belfast.
“A lot of hard work has gone into the bid by IHUK, Belfast Giants and The SSE Arena.”
He added: “The Women and Under-18s situation is unique with Korea wanting to host both as a test event for their Winter Olympics.
“We will just have to wait and see on that one.”