Wednesday 01 / May / 2024
Muscat: Oman Hockey Association (OHA) is gearing up for the big-ticket FIH Hockey 5s World Cup in January next year on all fronts. From building a new Hockey Arena in Al Amerat to preparing the national teams to put up a strong show at the inaugural World Cup, various initiatives are on.
On Wednesday, the OHA announced the hosting of the first Oman Hockey 5s International Women’s Tournament, which will be held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex from November 24-26.
A total of eight teams, including three from India and one each from the UAE and Egypt, along with three teams from Oman will compete for the top honours. The tournament will serve as a good warm-up match for the Oman women’s side too as they would gain good exposure against much more experienced rivals.
In total, 64 skilled players will participate in the tournament, supported by a dedicated technical and administrative staff of 32 professionals, along with a team of 10 referees.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, OHA chairman Dr. Marwan Al Juma said, “Our primary goal with this tournament is to raise the skill set of the Omani women’s national hockey team. We aim to provide them with a platform to refine their skills and gain invaluable experience through challenging competition. This tournament serves as a crucial preparation phase for our participation in the Hockey 5s World Cup 2024, a momentous event that Oman will proudly host from January 24-21 in 2024.”
Al Juma further added, “The tournament is a testament to the Sultanate’s commitment to fostering the growth of women’s sports and showcasing the nation’s warm hospitality on an international stage. The Oman Hockey Association invites fans, supporters, and enthusiasts to witness this exciting tournament, where the spirit of competition, unity, and excellence will take centre stage.”
The Omani women’s team was formed in January 2022. Continuous training and an experimental tournament in 2023 paved the way for the team’s preparation for the Hockey 5s World Cup. OHA has also collaborated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth to establish eight preparation centres for girls to nurture players for future international competitions.
Also present at the press meet was Divya Narang, spouse of Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman. She congratulated Oman Hockey Association for hosting the international women’s tournament and wished Oman teams’ success.
Participating teams: Republicans, Don Bosco Academy, Mumbai, Hustle Hockey Club (all from India), Fap Oman Team, Al Nahla Team, Magzi Team (all from Oman), Dubai Hockey Club, and Egypt Team.
