Friday 26 / April / 2024
MUSCAT: With just over a year left for the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, the visiting International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has expressed satisfaction over the preparations of the tournament. The quadrennial world championship for men’s and women’s is scheduled to be held in Muscat in January, 2024.
Ikram, who is making his maiden visit as a FIH supremo, visited the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex after his arrival on Saturday and held discussions with the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) chairman Marwan Al Juma. The world hockey chief is due to meet the top officials at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY) and the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) before heading to India where the FIH World Cup is due to begin on January 13.
In an exclusive chat with Times of Oman, Ikram, said: “I am delighted to be back in Oman as president of world hockey. I have closely followed the progress of Oman hockey and find the journey similar to mine. The hosting of the inaugural edition of Hockey5s World Cup is a great opportunity for the Sultanate of Oman to make a mark in world hockey.
“Oman has seen me in all my roles – from a FIH Masters coach to Asian hockey chief executive to now FIH president. I believe that Oman hockey has developed over the years and the hosting of the 2024 Hockey5s World Cup will be a new glorious chapter in Oman.”
Ikram, who has been a strong advocate for Hockey5s format, said: “The fast-paced game in a short space is the next big thing. “Even at FIH, we are looking forward to the World Cup as this is the first one. We only had one FIH Hockey5s event in Lausanne in Switzerland last year.
Ikram said he expected a spectacular event in Oman as it will be the venue where different cultures from across the world will meet. A total of 32 teams (16 men and 16 women) will take part in the first Hockey5s World Cup. “I am happy with the decision that Oman has been awarded the rights to host the World Cup as it underlines FIH mission of universality and inclusivity. Young sporting nations like Oman are given a chance to host the World Cup,” he said.
Ikram opined that the event will give a big boost to Oman. “It will be a big experience and a great opportunity to host an event of such a magnitude. The World Cup will also be an example of sustainability with the option of using dry artificial pitches during the event. I hope a strong legacy is left behind with Oman that has a long history of the game. I wish community involvement for the World Cup brings in more youngsters to pick up the game.”
The FIH president said that Oman could also gain commercially with the hosting of the World Cup as FIH has kept doors open for the host nation on the number of contracts they could secure locally. “There are a lot of tangible and intangible benefits with the hosting of a World Cup. I am hopeful that Oman will deliver a mega event in style.”
“In Oman, I have been briefed about the infrastructure plans and I am happy that the progress is as per the timeline. I am satisfied with the preparations and I am confident Oman will deliver an iconic tournament.”
Ikram said he expected a spectacular event in Oman as it will be the venue where different cultures from across the world will meet. A total of 32 teams (16 men and 16 women) will take part in the first Hockey5s World Cup. “I am happy with the decision that Oman has been awarded the rights to host the World Cup as it underlines FIH mission of universality and inclusivity. Young sporting nations like Oman are given a chance to host the World Cup,” he said.
Ikram opined that the event will give a big boost to Oman. “It will be a big experience and a great opportunity to host an event of such a magnitude. The World Cup will also be an example of sustainability with the option of using dry artificial pitches during the event. I hope a strong legacy is left behind with Oman that has a long history of the game. I wish community involvement for the World Cup brings in more youngsters to pick up the game.”
The FIH president said that Oman could also gain commercially with the hosting of the World Cup as FIH has kept doors open for the host nation on the number of contracts they could secure locally. “There are a lot of tangible and intangible benefits with the hosting of a World Cup. I am hopeful that Oman will deliver a mega event in style.”
