Oman, Saudi Arabia forge hockey development alliance

MUSCAT: A strategic partnership between the Oman and Saudi Hockey Federations marks a new step towards advancing the sport across the Gulf region. In line with efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and develop the sports system, the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) has signed a partnership and cooperation agreement with the Saudi Hockey Federation to enhance technical, administrative, and organisational aspects of the sport and open new horizons for its regional development.
The agreement was signed by Dr Marwan bin Juma al Jumaa, OHA Chairman, and Abdulilah bin Mansour al Maimoun, CEO of the Saudi Hockey Federation, in the presence of board members and representatives from both sides. The signing reflected a shared desire to strengthen collaboration and advance the sport.

The agreement includes a comprehensive cooperation programme that encompasses the exchange of expertise between coaches and referees, joint training camps, tournaments and development courses, as well as collaboration in sports management, marketing and player and technical staff development programmes. This partnership represents a significant milestone in the sports relations between the two countries, paving the way for an integrated system that will help qualify national talents and enhance the competitiveness of Gulf national teams in continental and international events.
The new partnership also sets the stage for joint initiatives such as hosting friendly tournaments, training programmes, workshops and the exchange of technical and administrative expertise. It aims to strengthen the presence of hockey in the Gulf, reflecting the strong ties between Oman and Saudi Arabia. The agreement also provides a platform to expand the reach of the sport across the region and create quality opportunities for the development of players, coaches and referees in line with international best practices.

Ahmed al Darmaki, OHA Board Member, stated that the signing of the agreement marks a continuation of Oman’s efforts to develop the sport, which is considered one of the oldest in the country and enjoys a strong status on the Gulf, Arab and Asian levels. He noted that the coming phase will focus on expanding the sport’s presence across the Gulf and supporting federations that show genuine interest in establishing and strengthening hockey programmes in their countries.
Al Darmaki added that growing the sport at the Gulf level will positively influence its development in Oman, emphasising the need for regular Gulf championships similar to other sports, as they play a vital role in raising the technical level of teams and players. He highlighted the strong willingness and cooperation shown by the Saudi side and affirmed that Oman is committed to sharing its expertise and resources, including coaches, referees and players, to support the growth of hockey in both countries.
Abdulilah bin Mansour al Maimoun, CEO of the Saudi Hockey Federation, emphasised that the agreement with Oman aligns with Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts to support athletes and fulfil their aspirations in line with the Kingdom’s vision for sports development and quality of life. He explained that selecting Oman as a strategic partner comes as a result of its successful and effective implementation of development programmes that produce fast and tangible results.
He added that the partnership continues the strong sporting relations between the two countries and aims to exchange expertise and services, transfer technical and administrative knowledge, and support national talent development. He stressed that the shared ambition between both sides is to elevate the sport and its athletes to a level that reflects the capabilities and aspirations of both nations.