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Temperatures will be rising in the local sporting scene as medical students in Bahrain mark their mark and inject added adrenaline to the latest indoor competitive craze with the launch of an indoor hockey initiative tonight.
Bahrain Hockey and The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) have partnered together to promote and develop the sport in the kingdom.
Jude D’Souza of Bahrain Hockey said: “Indoor hockey is fast catching up in the region as a preferred format due to its intense and skilful nature.
“Due to many factors such as extreme weather, lack of full-size outdoor facilities, indoor hockey provides an ideal solution for players who are looking to develop further in the game.
“We are very excited to partner with RCSI Bahrain to take forward our vision of spreading the game across the kingdom.
“We would like to invite as many RCSI students as possible to start participating in our beautiful game!”
The Bahrain hockey community, its teams and supporters have been invited to join organisers this evening at 7.30pm for the indoor hockey launch at RCSI in Busaiteen,
An exhibition game will be held and a registration desk will be set up for those interested to play at RCSI Bahrain as a team, volunteer or to sign up for the planned weekly training sessions.
Coaches and playing enthusiasts will introduce and promote the sport to students, with an aim of creating fully active teams from the university able to compete across the island.
Bahrain Hockey will provide technical and training assistance by organising clinics and workshops.
Indoor field hockey, or indoor hockey, is a variant of ‘traditional’ outdoor field hockey and is a recognised World Cup format under the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The indoor hockey differs from the outdoor activity in a number of ways. There are fewer players in an indoor hockey team with teams comprising of a maximum of 12 players with only five, including the goalkeeper, allowed on the pitch at any one time and up to seven substitutes.
The field of play is much smaller, with boards along the sidelines that prevent the ball from going out of play at the side.
Indoor hockey has emerged as one of the biggest indoor team sports in the Western world and Europe. The game is fast catching on in Asia which traditionally plays outdoor field hockey. The Middle East is warming up to this version and Bahrain Hockey aims to make Bahrain a standout nation in respect to this format
RCSI Bahrain boasts a state-of-the-art indoor sport facility complete with high quality playing surfaces, changing room facilities, spectator seating, a coffee shop and a lounge.
Under this initiative, these world class facilities will be provided to Bahrain Hockey at no cost for all Bahrain hockey teams to train and play. This is part of a bigger aim to introduce an indoor hockey league in the kingdom and sustain regular hockey activities.
Chief Operating Officer Stephen Harrison-Mirfield added: “RCSI Bahrain is committed to combining successful academic achievements with healthy lifestyle, as part of our overall objective of advancing human health in Bahrain and further afield.
“Through our purpose-built, multisport complex, we provide a full programme of extracurricular fitness and sporting activities and we are continually striving to enhance and expand the programme to suit the needs of our students.
This collaboration with Bahrain Hockey not only allows us to add another element to our sporting activities but also means we can help with the promotion of the sport in the wider community.”
The Bahrain Hockey move follows a recent partnership with Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Janabiya, as reported in GulfWeekly, and regular training sessions are staged at St Christopher’s Senior School in Isa town.
For more information, call 39658618 or email hockeybahrain@gmail.com
Social media users can also check out Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube under BahrainHockey
