Lukashenko took part in the opening ceremony of the National Football Stadium

Outside an entrance to the stadium the head of state was greeted by government officials and female athletes, who presented a bouquet of flowers to the President according to the established tradition. The first question Aleksandr Lukashenko asked those present was “Will we win? When?”

Not far from the entrance the President stopped near a sculptural composition depicting football players with a ball. The head of state remarked that it would be appropriate to place a monument to China President Xi Jinping at this location. Because it is thanks to top-level agreements of the leaders of Belarus and China that the massive football stadium has been built in Minsk.

The head of state was briefly informed about the project’s realization and prospects of the stadium’s operation. Attention was drawn to the fact that the facility has been built in compliance with requirements of the international football organizations FIFA and UEFA and the procedure for acquiring the necessary accreditations has already begun. Today’s match is a necessary test.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “We are opening this magnificent sport facility. For our country, for Belarus it is the greatest event. Just like the new international-level swimming pool this outstanding arena has been designed and built by our friends from the People’s Republic of China.”

The head of state expressed gratitude to China President Xi Jinping as well as to all the Chinese partners for building this facility: Belarus’ largest and most up-to-date football stadium that combines national traditions and cutting-edge engineering solutions. The Belarusian leader addressed special words of gratitude to Chinese football players and fans: “We will do everything for you to like your stay in Belarus!”

“I am convinced that the stadium will become yet another recognizable symbol of our hero city of Minsk and a symbol of strong Belarusian-Chinese friendship,” the President stressed.

The National Football Stadium meets the highest world standards. “I hope that in the near future in addition to friendly matches, matches of the national championship we will be able to host official international matches and enjoy the performance of the world’s best football players here,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

In anticipation of the stadium’s opening Minsk residents have beautified the nearby park named after the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution and have renewed the infrastructure of the Traktor Stadium. Thus, this green corner of the capital city has become a modern sport city block for fans of outdoor activities literally over the course of five years, the head of state noted.

“But it is not the end. We have to invest a lot of work in it to flood this stadium with greenery and flowers. The city administration has been given the relevant task,” the President stated.