Muscat, October 6 (ONA) - The His Majesty's Hockey Cup for the new season begins early next December and continues until mid-January 2021 after the sports associations received approval from the competent authorities for the resumption of sporting activity in the Sultanate.
Talib bin Khamis Al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Oman Hockey Association (OHA), explained that the final date will be set in coordination with the specialists at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, as all precautionary measures related to the safety of players and technical and administrative bodies will be taken in accordance with the health system specified in this regard.
Al-Wahaibi said in a statement to Oman News Agency that the OHA competitions for the 2021/2022 sports season will start after the conclusion of His Majesty's Cup Championship, as the date of the competitions will be determined after coordination with the clubs affiliated with the Oman Hockey Association before that, with the aim of reaching distinct competitions that serve the game and contribute to its development.
“The Association always seeks to have the largest number of clubs in its various competitions, which are 27 clubs, while the number of clubs that participate in activities and competitions ranges between 12 and 13 clubs, so the clubs must participate in the OHA competitions to contribute to the spread of the game and this is what the board of directors seeks to do during the coming period through communication and sitting with the clubs' administrations, members of the General Assembly, in order to participate in the Association’s programs and competitions.
Al-Wahaibi indicated that the current board of directors has prepared a clear strategic plan to develop the game until 2025, including the participation of our national teams in the upcoming tournaments, including the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, and the way to qualify for the 2024 Olympiad in Paris in the event of obtaining the necessary support from the competent authorities that help implement that strategy and programs for the national teams.
In his statement, he stressed that the preparation of the national teams will begin immediately after the conclusion of the Cup of His Majesty the Sultan, in preparation for the participation of the youth team in Uzbekistan during the month of April, in addition to the participation of the general team in the AFC Asian Cup and two other tournaments in which the national team will participate. The time and place of their residence have not yet been determined.
Talib bin Khamis Al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Oman Hockey Association concluded his statement by affirming that he will not run for the presidency of any association or club after the date of the General Assembly to elect a new board of directors next year after the elections were postponed this year, which was scheduled for next November. He pointed out that he has always supported the game of hockey and all athletes and sports in general in the Sultanate.
(ONA)