MUSCAT: Ice skating is one of Kumail al Lawati’s hobbies. It started in 2009 and led to a dream to join the Oman national team in ice hockey which became a reality in 2012. Kumail al Lawati is one of the most successful players and team leaders in Oman Ice Sports Committee. He has participated in different games and competitions in the local tournaments, GCC countries, open league competitions and Asia Championship.
All the various medals he has won for himself and the country bring pride to his family, friends and his country at large. Kumail didn’t stop just as a player he started to coach on one of the international programme ‘Learn to play (LTP)’. This programme is delivered by the International Ice Hockey Federation with the head of Oman Ice Sports Committee — Anad al Balushi and the head coach Ibrahim Mohammed.
LTP is a programme that aims to recruit children aged 4-15, both boys and girls categories, to be part of the national team in the future. LTP is also an academy where parents can register their children to learn skating and ice hockey in a fun environment with skilful instructors.
Kumail perfected his skill at ice skating and soon became the head coach and head of the LTP Programme. Furthermore, he is the first Omani to get the international certification to be a referee for ice hockey. He has refereed in different leagues. Besides his prowess at ice-skating, Kumail pursued his education at Majan University College where he successfully earned a Bachelor’s degree in 2015.
During his studies, he was an active member of the student council, organising and participating in several activities. After graduation, Kumail did not give up his passion for ice-skating. He became a volunteer in Special Olympic Oman, coaching special needs youths. He later became selected to be responsible for the winter games in Oman.
A few years ago, he landed a job in the marketing department of his alma mater Majan University College. As a young working Omani, he was fully supported by the college to continue his further studies while gaining valuable experience. He is at the last stage of his post-graduate studies and will soon graduate with a master degree in the MSc Computer Science programme from the University of Bedfordshire.
He continues to play a leading role encouraging and supporting younger Omani students in discovering their potential. In 2017, he participated in the world winter games in Austria along with four special needs participants to represent Oman in snowshoeing.
The team returned to Oman with gold medals. Now he is a member and volunteer in the academic leadership for Special Olympics Oman.
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