I hope the World Championship in Hradec sparks true ball hockey fever, says Pavlína Springerová

We want to open Hradec more to the world and modern trends

What does hosting the Junior Ball Hockey World Championship mean for the city of Hradec Králové?

In recent years, Hradec has seen an increase in events with exceptional international status. This aligns with the goals I set when I took office as mayor. We want to open Hradec more to the world and to modern trends that will help attract attention to the city and, at the same time, revitalize the local atmosphere. Hosting the Junior Ball Hockey World Championship definitely fits into this vision. And it’s not just about sports – last year, for example, we hosted triathlon races under the Ironama brand – but also about major cultural events and outstanding music festivals.

How do you perceive the choice of Hradec Králové as the host city for this international sports event?

Hradec is undoubtedly well-suited to hosting such an international event, and it fits into the broader context of the many events now taking place in our city. Hradec has extensive experience in organizing such occasions and has always managed the organizational, safety, and transportation aspects of events that have drawn tens of thousands of visitors. For the city, such an event strengthens and spreads its good name throughout the Czech Republic and abroad, and for local residents, it offers the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences or to transform visitor interest into benefits for tourism, especially in hospitality and accommodation sectors.

Does the city aspire to become a regular host of similarly significant sports events?

Yes, this aligns with our ambition to make Hradec a vibrant, open city in the long term – one that can attract great interest from visitors across Europe and beyond. At the same time, I would like to see the transformation of Hradec continue and become a lasting trend that the citizens of Hradec will appreciate and embrace. I believe that not only do they wish for this, but they truly deserve it.

I hope everyone enjoys not only the great sports experience but also our beautiful city

What benefits do you see in hosting this event in terms of youth sports development and support for sports infrastructure?

Having the chance to see top-level performances in any sport firsthand can be inspiring for anyone. Encouraging the youngest generation to move and develop a passion for sports is, in my view, one of the key roles of elite sport. In Hradec, we have several high-quality training centers for various sports – from football to canoeing to field hockey. That said, we must be honest and admit that we still lack adequate facilities for many sports, including ball hockey. But we are in contact with local clubs, and we are trying to address all of these infrastructure needs gradually. Among other things, we have significantly increased the city’s subsidy program dedicated to the maintenance and development of sports infrastructure.

What message would you like to send to the fans attending the championship, and perhaps even to the players themselves?

I would love for the World Championship in Hradec to spark true ball hockey fever, because I know firsthand how thrilling this sport can be. I wish everyone to enjoy not only a fantastic sports experience but also our beautiful city, which this year is celebrating its 800th anniversary.

Do you have a personal connection to ball hockey, or have you had any close encounters with the sport?

I grew up in a cottage settlement where we had a playground we barely left as kids. Very often, someone would hand me a – back then quite heavy – hockey stick, and we’d be chasing a tennis ball around on the ground. Later came the era of floorball, which I still really enjoy playing today. So yes, a hockey stick and a ball are definitely not foreign to me.

The Junior World Championship in Hradec Králové will kick off at ČPP Arena on June 25. Photo source: Mountfield Hradec Králové.