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Last Minute Change Could Mean Laois Will Host 2022 World Ploughing Contest

Friday, 4 March 2022 08:51

By Ellen Butler @LN_but

Russia was due to host this year's event.

The World Ploughing Contest could be coming to Laois this year.

The 67th edition of the international event was scheduled to be hosted by the Russian Ploughing Organisation in St. Petersburg on 13th and 14th August.

However, the World Ploughing Organisation has taken the decision to cancel that in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The organisation's executive held an extraordinary meeting last night to consider the developments.

Ireland was due to host the contest last year, before the pandemic disrupted things, and is scheduled to play host next year.

As a result, the WPO is now considering a bid from the Irish National Ploughing Association to move that forward to 2022.

While host countries ordinarily have years to prepare for such an event, Anna-Marie McHugh from the NPA says they're willing to take it on.

In a statement, the WPO says it strongly condemns Russia and its leadership for its "clear violation and breach of international law" through its invasion of Ukraine.

It says it must not allow itself to be associated with the current Russian leadership.

Let Peace Cultivate The Soil

The poignancy of the WPO's motto was not lost on the board as they met last night.

Russia's conduct is in direct contradiction with the Latin phrase 'Pax Arva Collat', which translates to 'Let Peace Cultivate the Soil'.

Anna-Marie, who was present at last night's meeting, says the Russian Ploughing Organisation also condemned Vladimir Putin's actions and accepted the WPO's decision;

"They're very traumatised by it too. They made it very clear that they're totally anti-war...it's completely contrary to what their ethos would be. It was a very sad night for them."

The cancellation of Russia's hosting of this year's event is a final one, Anne-Marie added. She confirmed they would not be reinstated as 2022 hosts, regardless of how events in Ukraine evolve.

Russia competitors are also banned.

Unchartered waters

Huge preparations are required for an event of this magnitude - something Anna-Marie is well-aware of.

But the Laois woman says the team in Ireland is eager to take it on. 

In the event of a cancellation, the protocol suggests the next year's hosts are automatically considered.

A final decision on whether or not Ratheniska will play host will be confirmed by the end of this month.

Anna-Marie says her mother, Anna-May, who's Managing Director of the NPA, is "gone away with the team here to see what's possible."

"When you think of it, we were to have the worlds last year. Then, we were to have it next year. And now it appears it's on the table that we might have it this year. It's just such changing times. But if it can happen, absolutely we will try to make it happen.

"For the nationals to come back after a break of two years and then to come back with a world contest too, it'd be some event to have in Ratheniska!"

If successful in the bid, the World Contest would be held on the final two days of the National Ploughing Championships.

The popular festival is due to return to Ratheniska in Laois on 20th to 22nd September, although the competitors are expected to start arriving up to three weeks before the event.

Listen back

You can listen in full to Anna-Marie McHugh outlining the latest developments with Midlands 103's Ellen Butler here:

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