Oman

The Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Hockey Pitch saw a unique spectacle that more than 200 school boys and girls drawn from Omani Schools and PDO School had an opportunity to learn the basic skills through renowned coaches and experts as well as play an 8 Aside Hockey tournament.

The participates were divided in to 3 age groups.

• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years

The stadium looked as a festive spot as the exited children were thrilled by the environment. The children were keen and eager to exhibit their skills.

The enthusiasm of the young participants guided by coaches truly served the slogan of FIH’s 'Hockey For Every One and Every Where'. 

The Pocari Sweat drinks and a dinner box to all participates. Were distributed the two teams of veteran XI were awarded different colors.  

The group in-charge coaches Mr. yasser Shazli, Mrs. Kooper, Mrs. Fossen aught and demonstrated the participates the basic skills of how to hold the sticks ? how to hit the ball ? how to receive the ball? How to dribble? How to push? How to scoop? How to swipe the ball and drag flicks ect.

It was amazing to find the young talent already possessing some of the skills and utilizing them admirably.

Coming back to the main attraction which was eagerly awaited by the crowd was the OHA veteran’s vs PDO veteran’s XI. It was an exiting affair. The score suggest that 6-3 result as most convincing for the PDO XI who had some brilliant players from Holland. The exuberant performance of OHA vetern's can not be ignored and old stalwarts like Khalifa Obaid Al-Salami, Hamdan Darweesh,  Mohammed Shambeh AlRaisi, Turmah Abdul Husain Al-Ajmi had demonstrated their determination and fight back tooth and nail.  In this absorbing tussle tough PDO had better scoring prowess but the credit to OHA veteran must be given for their sterling performance.

The veterans’ friendly was a fitting finale to host of activities organized during the evening between 5 to 9 am. At the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex

The International Hockey Federation Hockey Global Youth Hockey Marathon was a thumping success according to Eng. Dawood Ahmed Ali Al-Raisi, Chairman Oman Hockey Association who had given his impression.

The Chief Guest Shiekh Salim Al-Naabi was highly impressed and congratulated the OHA for its wonderful imitative.

The chief guest Shiekh Salim Al-Naabi- Presented the mementos to the participants and specially Trophy was presented to PDO schools team.

Eng. Dawood Ahmed Ali Al-Raisi – proposed a vote of thanks to chief guest.

The Mr. Tayyab Ikram FIH Coaching Manager and Development officer (Asia) had made arrangement with the 'Ten Sports Dubai' to cover the event. Unfortunately the officials while traveling form Dubai to Muscat had a road accident and the driver was hospitalized, so they could not reach in time.

The local media has given extensive coverage in English and Arabic press.

OHA has made arrangements and recorded the event and photographs were taken which are being enclosed.