MUSCAT OCT 11
Five teams comprising more than 50 players are representing Oman at the 2026 Union Classic ice hockey tournament in Al Ain, UAE, with the competition offering a test for emerging talent alongside the country’s men’s and women’s squads.
Running from October 10 to 17, the tournament forms part of the Oman Skating Sports Committee’s programme to develop players across different age groups and provide regular opportunities to compete beyond domestic ice.
Oman’s delegation includes children’s, junior and youth teams, as well as the men’s and women’s sides. Their participation reflects the committee’s efforts to broaden the sport’s player base and help young players progress towards higher levels of competition.
Matches for the younger age groups are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, while the youth, men’s and women’s competitions extend across the week.
Beyond the results, the tournament provides an opportunity to assess the teams’ technical and physical development, strengthen teamwork and identify areas requiring further attention. Facing opponents with different playing styles will also test the players’ ability to adapt during matches.
Ali al Sulaimani, a member of Oman’s children’s team, said the competition offered younger players a valuable chance to sharpen their skills and gain experience against other teams.
He explained that the standard of opposition encouraged players to work harder and produce their best performances, while regular tournament appearances helped them improve both individually and collectively.
Al Sulaimani said the challenges increased as players moved through the age groups, making continued training and competitive experience essential to their development. He added that the team’s ambitions extended beyond participation, with players determined to compete for the leading positions and carry what they learnt into future tournaments.
Junior player Aya al Mahrouqi highlighted the value of facing teams whose players brought different sporting backgrounds and levels of experience to the ice.
She said those differences added to the challenge and encouraged Oman’s players to raise their standards. Their enthusiasm for the sport and determination to represent the country well, she added, were central to their approach.
Al Mahrouqi said the team wanted to demonstrate its ability to compete and deliver performances that reflected the players’ potential. Exposure to different opponents would also help them respond more confidently to changing situations during matches.
The women’s team’s participation provides another opportunity to strengthen the presence of Omani women in ice hockey through regional competition. Al Firdaus al Kindi captains the side, with Khulood Ambusaidi serving as assistant captain.
Enad al Balushi leads the men’s team, assisted by Talal Ambusaidi, while Ibrahim al Ghabshi captains the youth side alongside assistant captain Muhannad Rakho.
The delegation is accompanied by the committee’s technical director, Greg Cameron, and chairman Eng Saud al Aufi, who are following the teams’ performances and supporting their participation.
The committee hopes the experience gained in Al Ain will help build squads better prepared for upcoming competitions. With players represented across several stages of development, the tournament offers an opportunity to assess progress and guide the next phase of preparation.
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