Let's play the game

Two hockey legends are gearing up for their first visit to Bahrain, where they hope to inspire children to take up sport and start exercising instead of spending all their time on electronic devices or watching television.

As previously reported in GulfWeekly, Mark Knowles and Jamie Dwyer will be hosting clinics for children, adults and coaches from October 20-22 as part of the Icons For All initiative.

Knowles, the current captain of the Australian hockey team, currently ranked world No 1, said: "We are very excited to come to Bahrain. For us it’s amazing that we can spread our love of hockey and healthy lifestyles and try and influence young peoples’ lives."

Dwyer, regarded as the greatest player of the modern era with both an Olympic and World Cup gold medal under his belt, alongside six Champions Trophy gongs and five ‘World Player of the Year’ crowns, added: "I’m very excited to be coming to Bahrain. I’ve never been there before and I’m super excited to see the country and coach some enthusiastic hockey players."

On October 21, the duo will be hosting a ‘Coach the Coaches’ session at the Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School in Zayed Town, before running a free junior clinic (eight to 15 years) and a senior workshop in the afternoon.

Knowles explained: "Icons for All is a fantastic initiative. We are very lucky to be part of this and really hope it’s the start of a great relationship with Bahrain and the region. We have been able to achieve all that is possible in our chosen field and to be able to give something back to the next generation is what we love doing.

"We want to advocate healthy, active lifestyles and also encourage others to try their best to achieve their goals. We won’t always be able to achieve everything we want in life, but hopefully we can pass on a few tips in getting closer.

"Our love of the game, leadership and role model work is something we are very passionate about and feel it helps people of all ages in all parts of the world."

In the evening of October 21, there will be a parent’s workshop called ‘Children Today, Champions Tomorrow’ at the S Hotel in Seef. Dwyer believes that educating parents to support their children to engage in physical activities is just as important as encouraging the children themselves.

He explained: "We hope that we are able to make an impact in any small way, whether it be with the parents or the youngsters. People should be able to see we are normal young men who love sport and being active and are willing to give back some of our experiences. We hope to make some lifelong friends and provide a link between young people, parents and elite athletes."

On October 22, there will be an opportunity to fans to meet the two stars at a breakfast at Jones the Grocer in Amwaj Islands. Surprisingly, Knowles and Dwyer are just as excited to meet fans as supporters are to meet them.

Dwyer said: "Meeting fans around the world is always fun. Playing a sport like ours gives us the opportunity to visit places like Bahrain and meet new people with similar interests.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the participants get something out of us being there. Seeing them smile and have fun makes us happy."

Knowles echoed these thoughts, and hopes that this will be the first of many such occasions in Bahrain.

He explained: "This trip is about continuing to grow hockey as a sport and to show to young people how you can make a life out of it. We play professionally in Holland and India, for example, and also travel the world.

"This should be a fantastic trip and hopefully it will be valuable for all involved."