World u20 Championship in Barcelos

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The World u20 Championship 2011 (11-17 September) has been presented today in Barcelos. With the presence of local and rink-hockey authorities, the Championship has been officialy announced. Vitor Grilo, from the Portuguese Federation, indicated that 14 countries have already applied to the Championship:

Portugal
Spain
Italy
Chile
Argentina
France
Switzerland
Brazil
England
Germany
Australia
South Africa
USA
Angola

Prof. Ilidio Torres, from the municipal sports administration, presented some historical appointements about the first moments of roller hockey development in Barcelos, since 1947, and the growing importance that Barcelos got in the promotion of the sport. José Paulo Matias, President of AP Minho, stressed the relevance of this competition after 25 years of absence of great international competitions in Barcelos, connecting this event with the growing of roller hockey activity in all the region of Minho. Domingos Pereira, vice-President of the municipality of Barcelos announced the support given to the Championship, whishing that it will be an important element for the promotion of hockey and Barcelos worldwide.

A promoting video has been presented as well as the logo of the Championship developed by staff and design students of IPCA (Polytechnics Institute of Cavado and Ave).

Cristiano Pereira, twice World Champion for Portugal (1974 and 1982), remembered the relevance of Barcelos in the promotion of roller hockey, and enhanced the importance of diffusing more and more our sport in all the World.

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