MUSCAT: The first ever Hockey5s World Cup to be hosted by Oman in January 2024 will revolutionise the popularity of the game worldwide, according to Asian Hockey Federation CEO Tayyab Ikram on Monday.
Ikram was speaking during the first media conference in Muscat after Oman won the bid to host the Hockey5s World Cup recently.
“The Hockey5s format is an exciting version of hockey and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and AHF are confident that this World Cup will hugely boost the popularity of the game and especially the fast and shorter version of hockey5s,” Ikram, executive board member of FIH, told Oman Observer.
“We firmly believe that this format will make quick inroads into the youth and sportsloving audience thereby seeing the overall interest in hockey,” he said.
The Men's and Women's Hockey5s World Cup 2024 will be held from January from 24 to 31.
Ikram appreciated the efforts of Sports Ministry and Oman Hockey Association (OHA) led by Talib al Wahaibi.
OHA Chairman Talib said Oman winning the hosting rights is result of a team work.
"Winning the bid is a great matter of pride for the Sultanate with the hard work of the Oman World Cup bid team bear fruits at the FIH voting. We express our gratitude to Tayyab Ikram for lending us support in this vital project to secure the rights to host the World Cup," Captain Talib said.
MUSCAT TO HOST ASIAN QUALIFIERS
Oman will also host the Asian qualifiers for the Hockey5s World Cup, the AHF chief announced.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the entire GCC region regarding the top events in the game coming to Muscat. We expect to involve the citizens and residents of Oman in this global event. Moreover, the AHF and FIH want the future young generation to take benefit from the experience," Ikram added.
Oman will participate in the both events in men's and women's sections, the OHA chief said in reply to a question.
"Our men's team is ready and team formation is not a concern. But we need to do a lot of work for the women's
team. We are trying to arrange a team with the help of a Indian women's coach. But there is a long way till we form a team for the international events," Talib said.
Shaikh Rashad al Hinai, Undersecretary for Sports at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, who headed the bid presentation team with the OHA chairman as the assistant, and Oman Olympic Committee Secretary-General Taha al Kishry were present on the occasion.
Others present included veteran hockey personality SAS Naqvi and OHA goalkeeping coach Shakir Munir.
SUITABLE FOR OMANI PLAYERS
Former Oman coach Tahir Zaman was among the guests and said the World Cup will be an exciting opportunity for Oman to showcase its hockey as well as tourism potentials.
"I believe the hockey5s format is very much suitable for the Omani players. I think they can excel in the format from my knowledge of coaching them in the past," the Pakistan great, who was in Muscat as part of AHF team, told Observer.
Zaman is yet to sign a contract with the Oman team as its head coach ahead of the World Cup.
On a query, Zaman said he is "very open and ready to head the Oman coaching team for the World Cup though the decision has to be taken by the OHA."
"I was among the members of AHF, who conceptualised the hockey5s format. So it is exciting for me to see to progress and I'm looking ahead to a wonderful World Cup," Zaman added.
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