Muscat Women, Khanjar and Majan lead Omani success in Al Ain

MUSCAT: Omani teams concluded their participation in the Union Ice Hockey Tournament held in Al Ain, UAE, with commendable results that reflected the progress the sport has witnessed in the Sultanate of Oman. The tournament featured more than 30 teams from various countries around the world.
The Muscat women’s team delivered strong performances throughout the tournament and managed to reach the final match in Level A of the women’s category, where they lost to the Russian team Okralion after a highly competitive encounter. They deservedly took second place, showcasing the development of women’s hockey in Oman.
As for the Khanjar team, it secured second place in Level B of the men’s category after a tough match against the Canadian team Sand Storm, one of the championship’s strongest clubs. Despite facing high pressure and great speed, Khanjar displayed a heroic performance that confirmed their readiness to compete against global hockey schools.
Meanwhile, the Majan team clinched third place in Level C of the men’s category, after an impressive campaign that saw them defeat strong sides such as the Russian Galaxy King and the Emirati Owl team. Although they lost their final match against Abu Dhabi Storm B, their balanced play and fighting spirit made them one of the standout Omani participants.

NOTABLE YOUTH PARTICIPATION
At the youth level, Omani junior teams put on honourable performances. The Under-10 team finished in fifth place, while the Under-15 side also ranked fifth. These results reflect the grassroots work of the Oman Skating Sports Committee in building new generations capable of carrying the sport forward in the future.
Saeed al Aufi, Chairman of the Oman Skating Sports Committee(OSSC), said that the Union Classic Championship is one of the strongest tournaments in the region, given the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the wide participation this year, which exceeded 32 teams from different parts of the world. He added that the current edition was marked by fierce competition and varied levels, which positively impacted Omani teams and gave their players additional experience by competing against different schools of the sport.
Al Aufi noted that this was the third consecutive participation for the Oman Skating Sports Committee in the championship, stressing that the diversity of levels ranging from professionals and elites to amateurs adds a unique character to the competition and provides teams with more opportunities to gain exposure and hone their skills. He praised the continuous growth of the tournament, crediting the event’s organisers and participating players, especially with the increase in the number of teams and back-to-back matches that enhanced the championship’s technical and organisational value.

Al Aufi expressed pride in the achievements of the Omani teams in this edition, explaining that while winning the top titles was a legitimate goal, the nature of sports includes both victories and losses. He added that what is most encouraging is that most Omani teams were able to climb the podium.
Al Aufi concluded by stressing that ice hockey in Oman today needs an international-standard ice rink worthy of the country’s name, one that provides a suitable environment for preparing youth and nurturing talent similar to other regional countries that already have such facilities. He explained that the current rinks in Oman do not meet international competition standards, nor do they support entry into the Ice Hockey World Cup or the establishment of a proper youth training centre. “We believe that everything comes in its time,” he said, “and we will work diligently to elevate this sport and secure Oman’s presence on the global sporting map.”