Oman Hockey Association to host Men’s Asian Games Qualifier 2018

Dhaka (Bangladesh), 15 October, 2017: Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) on Saturday signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Hockey Association who have been chosen as the host nation for the Men’s Asian Games Qualifier 2018. Present at the occasion held during the ongoing Hero Asia Cup 2017 were Tayyab Ikram, Chief Executive (AHF), Elisabeth Fuerst, Event and Sport Director, Dr Khamis Salim Al-Rahbi, Secretary General, Oman Hockey Association and Shakir Munir, International Relations Manager (OHA).

The Qualifying round for the 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta will be held between March 2 and March 10 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat. “The AHF’s goal is to ensure we have 12 participating nations at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta as there have never been more than ten teams and this time, we want to ensure the full quota is utilized in hockey. With Oman’s great history in hockey, we are confident the Oman Hockey Association will ensure the best conditions for the event,” expressed Tayyab Ikram, Chief Executive (AHF) on signing the MoU with Oman.

Oman has nearly 92 years of hockey history and with the people of Oman taking keen interest in the sport, hosting the Qualifier Round will mean that the competition will boost Oman’s performance in international hockey significantly. “We thank Asian Hockey Federation for giving us the responsibility of hosting the Men’s Asian Games Qualifier 2018 and their continued support in developing hockey in Oman and the rest of Asia. We are happy to host the participants aspiring to make the Asian Games qualification and look forward to hosting a successful event,” stated Dr Khamis Salim Al-Rahbi, Secretary General, Oman Hockey Association.

Shakir Munir further added that the event will contribute significantly in the promotion of the sport in Oman. “Hosting this event will not only boost the performance of Oman national team but it will also inspire young people in our country to follow and take up our sport and equip Oman to host further international hockey events,” Munir said.