Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran (centre) centre is seen with Qatar Hockey Federation (QHF) President Hassan Al Qadi (right) after winning the Asian Champions Trophy title in this file photo take in Al Rayyan Stadium in December 2012. Pakistan beat arch-rivals India to win the title. At left is Mohammed Abdul Nazer, Secretary General of QHF.
DOHA: Qatar Hockey Federation (QHF) is planning to organise a new event called Arabian Dream League featuring top teams from the world, a senior official said yesterday.
QHF Secretary General Mohamed Abdul Nazer said: “We have plans to organise the Arabian Dream League, similar to premier leagues are that conducted by countries who are members of the International Hockey Federation (IHF).”
Hockey will come out of the shadows and shine in the floodlights if QHF succeeds in organising such a league besides hosting major national and regional tournaments in Qatar, Nazer said.
“If our dream turns into reality, such tournaments will spur the development of hockey in Qatar as well as the region and I’m optimistic that many Qatari youth will excel in this sport in the future,” Nazer said.
Appreciating the role played by Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) in promoting the sport, Nazer said: “QOC Secretary General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was surprised at the huge turnout of spectators at one of the international matches which he witnessed. We have good spectator support and top sports infrastructure so there is immense potential for growth of hockey in Qatar.”
QHF recently announced plans to have a new hockey stadium that would cater to fans and players of the sport.
“In fact the construction plans and drawings for the proposed 5,000-seater international hockey stadium are ready,” Nazer said.
Talking about future plans for hockey in Qatar, QHF President Hassan Al Qadi said: “We want Qatar to be a hub for field hockey in the Arab sports world. There is a lot of potential in Qatar. We are a sport-loving country.”
Al Qadi added: “We have successfully held so many major international tournaments. We have the best sports infrastructure. We are a small country, but with a big heart for sports.”
QHF has been organising tournaments in Qatar featuring international teams at its hockey stadium in Al Rayyan over the last few years.
Starting with the Friendship Hockey Series in 2008, featuring Air India and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and the two top teams from hockey giants India and Pakistan, the QHF staged a series between Pakistan and Holland in 2009.
The QHF had a busy schedule in 2012 first with Qatar national team’s two matches against Sudan, followed by the Gulf Cup that was won by Oman and the World Hockey League involving hosts Oman, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan and hosts Qatar (who finished a creditable second, losing the final to Azerbaijan, ranked 39th by IHF). Holland is currently ranked number three in IHF’s men’s national team rankings while eight-time Olympics champions India ranks 11th, three places below Pakistan.
Germany is the current number one team in the world.
Only two teams from the Middle East figure in this elite ranking - Egypt, ranked number 24 and Oman, ranked 36th. QHF’s major programme later this winter, from November 18 to 22, includes the Doha Hockey Friendship Festival featuring top teams from Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Qatar.
“Eight matches in four days will be played at the Rayyan Hockey Stadium,” Nazer said. QNA
