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International Hockey Federation

Els van Breda Vriesman, made her first visit as president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to the United Arab Emirates from 21-23 January 2004.

UAE has been identifed as a country with potential for significant hockey development and has been closely monitored by FIH since the appointment of its new president, Mr Ismail Ali Albana in 1998.

During the three day visit, meetings were held with Dr Ali Sharhan, Minister of Education and Youth; Mr Kassim Sultan, Director of Dubai Municipality and Ismail Ali Albana. A central aim of the meetings was to request the
assistance of the local authorities to identify an administrative home for hockey in UAE.

On the invitation of Dubai Sports City, FIH also discussed the inclusion of a, possibly covered, hockey stadium capable of holding major events, with Mr Khalid Al Zarooni and Mr Balasubramaniam, respectively president and CEO of the organisation. Dubai Sports City was recently announced as a major sports development to build several high quality stadium, sports academy and training facilities on the outskirts of Dubai.

Mrs Vriesman was accompanied in the meetings by Tayyab Ikram, FIH Continental Development Officer for Asia and Steven Morris, Marketing & Communications Manager.

Els van Breda Vriesman commented, “Further to Ismail Ali Albana ‘s mandate to develop hockey in UAE schools and sports clubs, the time is appropriate for FIH to offer its technical expertise to assist the UAE Hockey Committee
and local government to increase participation in the sport. FIH’s global development strategy demands that we increase the FIH’s membership of national associations and also strengthen hockey’s footing in key territories.

“FIH has demonstrated its commitment to the task ahead by sending such a strong initial delegation to UAE. Following our positive meetings, which established very good relations we look forward to further efforts from both
UAE hockey, it’s municipality and FIH’s development team to realise the potential of hockey in United Arab Emirates.”

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