UAE perched for historical take-off into hockey realm
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| Gulf News |
August 5, 2003
Gulf News
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This is history in the making. Despite the fact that it has taken a historically long time of over two decades for such a thing to materialise. The UAE's first-ever team of national hockey players will depart in the early hours tomorrow for a one-week tour of Pakistan.
"It's better late than never. Today is a day to celebrate," remarked tour co-ordinator, Raza Abidi as the 22 youngsters gathered to meet Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, the patron of the UAE Hockey Committee.
"It's going to be tough. But a lot has been achieved since the involvement of the UAE Education Ministry," added in Lynn Bengston, who is accompanying the squad as the coach.
During their one week stay in Pakistan, the UAE juniors will be playing three matches starting against the Railway School juniors on August 8 and ending against the Habib Public School on August 11.
"This tour is going to be an enriching experience for the players. We're definitely not looking at winning or losing here," Abidi said.
"This is indeed a historic moment for hockey in the UAE. But it's also an incredible moment, one for which we've waited patiently for so long," admitted Lt. Col. Saeed Al Suweidi.
"But we have the experts now to guide us. And this makes all the difference. Success is not in our hands. But at this moment, we remain optimistic for the future," he added.
"At least 80 per cent of the children are UAE nationals and the others are children of Arab origin. This just goes to show the efforts that have gone into coming up with a squad," Al Suweidi stated.
Head coach Rach is realistic about his chances in Pakistan. "We will be nailed there for sure. But it will be a learning experience, and one that will help us for the future," Rach said.
"These boys have the talent. They need to be looked after just like a small plant needs to be watered," the German added.
Bengston, who has been actively involved with the talent spotting and training of youngsters, is hopeful of a better future for the game. But the base of the spread of the sport will be this tour of Pakistan. "We have some seniors who will hopefully be able to tour Pakistan by the end of the year," she said.
Deira City Centre is the main sponsor, while London Crown Hotel is the official hotel and Emirates Airline the official carrier. ABN Amro and Mehran Hotel, Karachi are the co-sponsors.
The team will immediately leave for a tour to Oman after their return from Pakistan.
"This will be the best thing that can happen to a young side like this one," coach Rach observed. "We need to compete and win against teams like Oman first as they have a more acceptable standard," he added.
Tour programme
Schedule: (August 6-7) Training from Iftikhar Syed at UBL complex; (August 8) Match vs Railway School at Defence Stadium; (August 9) Match vs Sir Syed School at Defence Stadium; (August 10) Tour of Karachi; (August 11) Match vs Habib Public School.
Squad: Nasser Saeed Saif Abdullah Al Shamsi (Capt.), Fares Mubarak Al Nuaimi (Vice-Capt.), Mahmoud Walid Tawfiq Al Totangi (GK), Mohammed Shaheen Al Nuaimi, Omer Al Shayib Al Azizi, Ahmed Saleh Al Kubati, Khalil Saeed Mattar Al Nuaimi, Bakhit Jouhar Al Naaimi, Sultan Rashid Mubarak Al Khatri, Khalfan Eid Mubarak Al Naaimi, Sultan Rashid Al Yahyee, Saeed Rashid Mubarak Al Khatri, Hazaa Hasher Salim Al Naaimi, Suhail Saleh Mussalam Al Ketbi, Mohammed Juma Al Azizi, Mubarak Eid Mubarak Al Naaimi, Abdullah Salem Al Azizi, Abdul Rahim Tanafa Al Naaimi, Salim Masaood Hammad Al Khanbashi, Sultan Ali Mohammed Al Naaimi, Fahad Rashid Khamis Al Yahyaai, Musabbeh Manea Hamdan Al Azizi; Abdul Rahim (Head of Delegation); Osama Fatehullah (Team Manager); Gerhard Rach (Head Coach); Lynn Bengston (Coach); Safdar Cheema (Asst. Coach); Osama Taha (Physio); Raza Abidi (Tour Co-Ordinator).
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