Gothia Innebandy Cup is cancelled
Gothia Innebandy Cup that was supposed to be held January 6-9th in Gothenburg, is forced to cancel.
The organizers have made this decision based on recommendations and indications of further restrictions communicated in the last couple of days. With only two and a half weeks until the scheduled start date, the organizers want to give all participating teams, volunteers and other stakeholders imminent information, and have therefore had to make the difficult decision to cancel.
After cancelling last winter’s Gothia Innebandy Cup, there were high hopes of once again organizing one of the world’s largest youth floorball tournaments in the beginning of January 2022. The organization has for a long time worked on plans for how the tournament could be adapted in terms of matches, the audience in the sports halls and the accommodation and cafeterias at the schools, where most of the teams are accommodated. Gothia Innebandy Cup has followed the Swedish Public Health Agency’s advise on how to avoid crowding in public spaces at the event, and informed all registered teams on how to avoid spreading the virus during the tournament. Last week we got positive signals from the Swedish Public Health Agency, when they announced that it was still allowed to arrange youth tournaments. The Swedish Public Health Agency promised clarifications about what infection control measures were required but has as of yet not published any further information.
With only 2,5 weeks left until the tournament, Gothia Innebandy Cup is therefore forced to make the decision to cancel based on the indications and recommendations the government officials have shared over the last couple of days. The organizers are deeming it probable that we would be seeing additional regional and national restrictions in place by the time of the tournament at the beginning of January.
“It feels devastating and sad, especially considering all the youth who have been looking forward to finally playing tournaments again. We feel a great responsibility towards them, we want our youth to continue to feel the joy and desire to their sport, and therefore we have worked really, really hard to be able to execute Gothia Innebandy Cup. However, with the current recommendations that we are receiving this won’t be possible, says Tournament Director Lena Rännefors.
All registered teams will get their payments refunded. Gothia Innebandy Cup will send an email to all the teams with instructions for the refund.
Gothia Innebandy Cup regrets the negative information but hopes for your understanding of the situation and that we all – players, leaders, referees, officials, cooperative clubs, partners, and suppliers – will meet in January 2023 instead.
Gothia Innebandy Cup will be held January 5-8, 2023.
