Preparations Are Slowly but Surely Wrapping Up, Says Jiří Cícha from Junior Championship Organizing committee

The final details are being fine-tuned – the major work is done!

What stage are the preparations at right now?
Preparations are slowly but surely wrapping up, and we’re gearing up for a fantastic event that—hopefully—will draw plenty of fans. We're fine-tuning the final details, but these are mostly minor. The main things are already completed.

What are your expectations for this year’s tournament in Eastern Bohemia?
I believe the championship will be as successful as the one in Liberec and that our Czech national teams will once again prove they’re aiming for medals. I hope at least one of those stays home in the Czech Republic.

How would you evaluate the cooperation so far in preparing for the championship?
Over the years, we've developed a rhythm and a style for organizing international events. That said, each event still shows us areas where we can improve, and we always strive to address those. Mistakes happen, but the important thing is that someone takes responsibility for them and doesn’t just ignore them.

A surprise is always better than disappointment

How satisfied are you with the promotion of the championship?
Promotion can always be better, but it depends heavily on the financial resources and capacities of the individual entities in each host city. Still, when I take a step back, I think the visibility of our sport is quite good, and I’m happy with it.

How many visitors are you expecting? Are you more of an optimist or a pessimist?
In this regard, I tend to stay grounded—because a surprise is always better than disappointment. I clearly saw that in Liberec. After two days, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how many tickets had been sold.

Are you excited for the championship to begin, or do you wish it were already over?
I’m definitely the type who looks forward to when it all kicks off. Whether it's the group of people working behind the scenes or the fans themselves, I love being part of it. I vividly remember the electric atmosphere our supporters can create—it gives you goosebumps. I was also a fan at the World Championship in Switzerland, and I know for a fact we made ourselves heard there.

Jiří Cícha believes the Hradec Championship will be just as successful as the one in Liberec. Photo credit: Milan Podpera.