ABU DHABI // The UAE will have their sights set on winning a championship on home ice when the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Challenge Cup of Asia begins on Saturday at Zayed Sports City.
The UAE won the Challenge Cup when they hosted the tournament in 2009 and regained the title in 2012 in India. Chinese Taipei are the defending champions and won it twice earlier – in the inaugural year of 2008 and again in 2010. Hong Kong were crowned winners in 2011.
The competition concludes March 22, and Juma Al Dhaheri, the UAE captain, is hopeful of regaining the title before home fans.
“It is very important for us to win at home, because it can do a lot of good for the sport in the emirates in terms of development and popularity,” he said yesterday.
“The sport received a massive shot in the arm when we won it for the first time when we hosted the championship. It was recognized by the government and since then, we have received their backing.
“Now we want to target the country’s youth and there is no better way than winning the championship and showcasing a sport in which they can achieve success.”
The Emiratis hone their skills in a domestic league.
“The local league is high-level competition with several top-class expatriate players from Canada, the United States and Europe, that we have to play against,” Al Dhaheri said. According to Aref Al Jachi, the technical director of the UAE Ice Hockey Federation and a UAE defender, the squad has added four youngsters this time around – Salem Al Rumaithi, Abdullah Al Harmoodi, Khalifa Al Maharooji and Mohammed Al Asri.
The hosts will be joined by Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Kuwait and Thailand.
Competition will be in a league format, and the nation with the most points will be crowned champion.
apassela@thenational.ae
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