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Hockey lovers in the kingdom must be rejoicing after hearing the news that the kingdom could soon be inducted into the world body, International Hockey Federation (FIH), as well as the continental body, Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
The steps for the induction were initiated during a visit to Bahrain by AHF CEO and FIH-head of international relations, Tayyab Ikram, who met with Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) officials and presented an invitation to the Bahrain Hockey Association (BHA), the only recognised hockey body in the kingdom, to become a member of the FIH and AHF.
While speaking exclusively to GulfWeekly, Ikram said: “It’s my first time to visit Bahrain. It has always been our aim that we try to develop hockey in the Middles East and GCC countries. I have a lot of information of hockey activities in Bahrain and it is the objective of the FIH to make BHA an official member of FIH and AHF. Once your entry is formalised then it will open up doors for you to participate under an official umbrella and you can have more opportunities to interact with the rest of the global family.
“There is a process in place that gives an opportunity to teams of any level or any standard to play with the top hockey-playing nations. Initially, you will be meeting countries of your skill level and when you cross that boundary you go to World League format round two where you will have the opportunity to meet top teams.
“It is a logical progression for competitions that you are given an opportunity at your level and we don’t differentiate that you are a member of FIH for 20 years or a new entrant. You will be playing in World League round one.”
Once BHA’s entry into the FIH is formalised, Ikram said that it can participate in all tournaments. There will be development opportunities as well as support from the two federations in terms of equipment, youth development and educational programmes, he added.
“Top experts will also be coming to Bahrain to train the workforce for coaching, umpiring, technical officials and there will also be programmes for developing competitions. It is a whole set of resources which can be accessible after becoming a member of FIH and AHF.
“It is a process one has to enter after affiliation and then, the more you achieve the more you get back from FIH. We are more proactive now, we don’t wait for the countries to come and request for things. We try to help nations identify their own needs. In many cases people don’t know what their priorities and real needs are. It’s a traditional model and we are trying to change it. We look at those specific needs where hockey can grow. It is again up to the new members how they utilise it so that they can get maximum benefit.”
Ikram said that FIH is now opening up a lot of gateways which can suit the needs of new members like the Hockey 5s. “It is a new product and I think Bahrain is ready for that. It is not something that you have to start from scratch. You have already organised some nice tournaments the hockey 6s, and you have the experience of social hockey as well.
“I see a growth in Middle East with potential membership from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Qatar and UAE are already members and I see a clear role for Bahrain to play. Oman, which has been a member for a long time, is already doing its part to spread the game in the region.
Ikram also promoted the new Hockey 5s tool which the FIH is using. This short format needs a small pitch, so it can be used as a development tool, he said, which is more accessible and can enhance participation. “It reflects more incentive for youth development and it can be a showcase piece for youth competitions or as a professional-level senior competitons. If it is professionally presented it can be anything like in a top sports so Hockey 5s is scaleable in a way that it can easily fit into a nation’s needs.”
During his visit, he had the opportunity to see many of the facilities that Bahrain had to offer. “I’m very much impressed. As a country it is different than other Middle East nations, also different from Dubai and Doha. I saw a lot of open spaces and whenever I see something like this I think of a Hockey 5s stadium.
“I see a lot of opportunity here, specially with the facilities we visited. Clubs like Bahrain Rugby Football Club and a couple of others can offer a good home for hockey – as a social activity or a competition or opportunity for young people or local Bahrainis to participate.”
Ikram was also optimistic following meetings with government officials. “We had a productive meeting with general secretary of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Abdul Rahman Askar together with Abdul Jalil Assad (BOC’s executive director for sports affairs). It was well co-ordinated by BHA chief Jude D’souza. We left a good impression of the global game, Asian hockey and the potential GCC and Middle East had. They are very receptive of the idea that Bahrain can play a role in making the GCC or regional hockey move forward.”
BHA’s activities over the last five years has also been on the FIH and AHF radar. He said: “In Bahrain, hockey has been very proactive. I see this in the region itself, Bahrain Hockey Association has a nice digital impression on many of the audiences. We reported to AHF about Bahrain’s activities and because it was available online. Much more than other nations especially among the GCC.”
The BHA also organised a social exhbition game in honour of Ikram.
– With input from Bahrain Hockey Association
