A total of 337 participants will take part in event, which concludes on Saturday (July 15).

This includes officials from countries which do not have a rich ice hockey tradition such as Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand and The Philippines.

Ice hockey training sessions and leadership development programmes are due to be held during the camp.

The event will also be used as a platform to launch the IIHF’s development and education programmes, aimed at assisting each National Association to achieve their objectives.

Other activities include a series of IIHF-run presentations, which will cover topics such as anti-doping and integrity, swimming and ice hockey matches.

"For the IIHF it’s really important that you act as missionaries when you come back to your countries, that you implement what you learned here and share it with your fellow teammates or coaches,” said IIHF Development Committee chairman Petr Briza in a welcome address to the camp. 

“We need more players and we need to grow, and I hope you will get the information of you need to continue to build the sport globally.”

Seven development programmes are due to be in operation during the event, according to the IIHF.

It includes those for coaches, players and officials who want to get into leadership roles within the sport.

"Player development is not the main objective of the camp," camp director Aku Nieminen said.

"The main priority is the development of National Association representatives attending the leadership programmes.

“We invite players to attend the camp in order to facilitate education for the adult participants through real-life working experience. 

"The know-how gained from the camp is then to be further distributed in each country to ensure player development.”