MUSCAT, DEC 23
The Oman Hockey Association (OHA) and the Hockey5s World Cup organising committee kick-started the final campaign for the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup by unveiling the men’s and women’s trophies in Muscat on Saturday.
Chief guest Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary for Sports and Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, unveiled the new-look trophies of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 at a colourful function at Al Mouj Walk Way here on Saturday.
Other dignitaries present included Sayyid Idris al Busaidy, Director-General of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Oman Hockey Association (OHA) Chairman Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma, OHA officials and members of the organising committee of the Hockey5s World Cup.
Oman’s newly-built state-of-the-art hockey stadium at Al Amerat will play host to the first edition of men’s and women’s FIH Hockey5s World Cup matches from January 24 to 31, 2024.
On January 24, the 16 women’s teams from around the world will compete to become the first ever Hockey5s World Champions. The men will follow, on January 28, for another four days of intense competition.
“This is an exciting start to the final build-up for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup. The men’s and women’s trophies are unveiled here today and the organising committee along with the Oman Hockey Association will not spare any measures to promote this great event to be hosted by the Sultanate of Oman,” Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma, OHA Chairman, said.
“The trophy will have a tour around Oman, passing to public avenues, malls and schools to introduce the community to the great spectacle of hockey,” Dr Marwan added.
The trophy is commissioned by the world hockey governing body FIH with its headquarters in Switzerland. It is made in the shape of Hockey5s World Cup and represents modern Oman with its edgy curves.
Oman’s men’s and women’s hockey team captains posed with the chief guest and the OHA chairman along with the men’s and women’s Hockey5s World Cup trophies and mascots to kick-start the exciting run-up to the global showdown of hockey.
MUCH-AWAITED EVENT
Oman men’s team captain Salah al Saadi said he can’t wait for the World Cup to start.
“This is a great occasion for Oman and Oman hockey players. It marks a significant milestone in my hockey career too. I hope to make an impressive performance for Oman during the World cup,” the 36-year-old centre back told Oman Daily Observer.
Former veteran hockey coach of Oman and Seeb Club Abdulrahman al Raisi said the World Cup will see the rejuvenation of hockey in the country.
“A lot of youngsters are playing hockey in Oman. With the World Cup, it will make a major leap in terms of popularity and game awareness,” the 69-year-old said.
The organising committee hopes to attract the hockey lovers and general public to the World Cup which will have a minimal ticket price of RO 1 to enjoy the matches.
Organising committee member Zuhair al Ajmi said the committee will make every effort to ensure the World Cup is a grand success in terms of crowd participation.
“The OHA has built a great stadium in Al Amerat and people can enjoy world-class hockey matches in a great atmosphere. Hockey5s is a fast and exciting version of the game that attracts everyone,” he said.
Before the World Cup, the new hockey stadium in Al Amerat will open to international matches with an eight-team FIH Men’s Olympic Qualifier tournament from January 15 to 21, 2024. Three teams will qualify from the Muscat qualifiers to the Paris Olympics 2024.
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