Dubai: Hockey officials and clubs finally get back to the table  x3
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| Planet Field Hockey |
July 17, 2003 
Gulf News
> Page Views 3225
In a major boost to the sport in the UAE, hockey clubs and the UAE Hockey Committee (UAE HC) have finally decided to work together for the promotion of the game.
Fourteen clubs in Dubai and Sharjah have appealed to the UAE HC to organise a tournament.
Following the request, Ismail Ali Al Banna, President of the UAE HC, convened a committee meeting on Wednesday to take immediate steps for the promotion of the game.
The meeting was attended by Khalid Ismail, Vice President, Lt. Col. Saeed Al Suwaidi (secretary), Major Atiq Juman (member), Raza Abidi (co-ordinator) and Mohammed Manji (technical advisor).
The committee accepted a suggestion from Raul Fernandes, representing 14 teams from Dubai and Sharjah, to organise a tournament. They appointed Ahmed Al Sayegh, treasurer of the UAE HC and UAE national team skipper, and Mohammed Manji as the UAE HC's representatives in the organising committee of the tournament.
The UAE HC revealed that they were expecting the tournament to be well organised, especially with their representatives in the organising committee who will have to be informed of all the progress.
Leading coaches Gerhard (from Germany), Lynne Bengston (UAE junior team), Osama (Al Ain School), Mohammed (Ajman School) and Waqar Ahmed (Marketing representative) attended the UAE HC meeting as special invitees.
Al Banna announced that 20-member UAE juniors team will tour Pakistan for a week and attend a four-day training session as well as play two friendly matches.
He also revealed that the tour will be supported by Emirates, ABN-Amro Bank and London Crown Hotel.
The team would be selected from schools in Ajman, Dubai and Al Ain. Three selection matches have been arranged at the Dubal ground from July 21. The team will be selected by coach Lynne, Osama, Mohammaed, Gerhard, and Manji.
This tour would also be supported by Sheikh Hasher Maktoum, Dubai Director of Information.
Lynne presented Al Banna with flowers for his efforts to promote the game.
Gerhard also briefed the committee of a proposed hockey festival here in 2004.
The committee also entrusted Atiq Juma to present documents to the Dubai Munucipality for securing a hockey ground.
However, the future of hockey in the UAE rests on the extent of co-operation between the clubs and the committee members from now on.
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