Omani officials join IIHF development programme in Finland

MUSCAT, SEPT 8
Two Omani sports officials are taking part in an international development programme in Finland as the Oman Skating Sports Committee continues its efforts to strengthen national administrative and technical expertise.
Talal bin Faisal Ambusaidi, the committee’s age-group supervisor, and Al Firdous bint Ahmed al Kindi, supervisor of women’s skating sports, are attending the first phase of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s MNA Developer Programme in Vierumäki from September 6 to 13.
The four-stage programme will continue until August 2027 and is designed to strengthen the administrative capabilities of IIHF member national associations. It covers sports management, organisational development and strategic planning while allowing participants from around the world to exchange expertise and establish sustainable professional networks.
The Omani participation reflects the committee’s focus on investing in human capital and equipping national officials with the skills required to support the continued growth of ice hockey and other skating sports in the Sultanate of Oman.
EMPOWERING WOMEN
Al Kindi said the participation of Omani women in international development programmes reflected their growing role in sport at the Gulf, regional and international levels.
“Omani women are no longer merely participants in skating sports; they have become active partners in developing the sport,” she said.
She highlighted Oman’s contribution to the IIHF Global Girls’ Game, which secured a Guinness World Records title after 43 exhibition matches were staged simultaneously around the world.
Al Firdous al Kindi said the latest programme builds on several initiatives aimed at developing women’s participation, including international workshops, overseas competitions and training courses for female referees.
“The year-long programme provides an important opportunity to develop administrative and planning skills, gain experience in managing sports federations and committees, and establish new channels of communication with participants from different continents,” she added.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM
Talal Ambusaidi said his participation was driven by a desire to improve the committee’s administrative operations and acquire expertise that could support the future development of ice hockey and skating sports in Oman.
He added that his journey through ice hockey, his achievements with the national team and the team’s recent recognition by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth had provided further motivation to continue contributing to the sport.
Although the committee continues to operate with limited resources and does not yet have an international-size ice rink, Ambusaidi said these challenges had not diminished its ambitions.
He noted that the programme would provide an opportunity to examine economically viable, technically sound and administratively sustainable approaches to developing the committee’s activities.
“The programme’s duration allows for continuous learning and training while giving us access to discussions and expertise from specialists representing different international federations,” he said. “This experience can help establish more sustainable foundations for the development of ice hockey in Oman.”
Through the participation, the Oman Skating Sports Committee aims to build a national system capable of keeping pace with international developments, empower Omani officials in technical and administrative fields, discover emerging talent and prepare athletes capable of representing Oman in future international competitions.