Opinions & Interviews

Team captain: Participation in Christmas tournament contributes to ice hockey promotion in UAE

Juma Al Dhaheri (center)

MINSK, 3 January (BelTA) – Participation in the Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the Prize of the President of Belarus has contributed to the promotion of ice hockey in the United Arab Emirates, UAE Team captain Juma Al Dhaheri told BelTA.

UAE Team started the tournament with a win over Balkans Team 9:5. According to the team captain, his side did well. Compared to the previous season the UAE Team players have improved their skills significantly. “It is very important for us to take part in the tournament in Minsk. We are happy to win the opening match. Every year we learn something new in Minsk. Our team meets serious players at the tournament who were high-profile players in the past. We look at the organization of the tournament, learn how everything works. It is very important for the development of ice hockey in the UAE. We are grateful to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and the organizers of the tournament who invite our team for the Christmas tournament every year,” Juma Al Dhaheri said.

In April, the UAE national team will play a home qualification for the World Championship Division III. “Belarusian specialists work with our teams in the UAE helping us hone up our skills. In previous years, we met many professionals in Minsk who are now working in the UAE. These are Artem Senkevich, Sergei Zadelenov who are well-known players in Belarus. We have built a clear system for training young players. I am pleased that children in our country actively take up ice hockey,” Juma Al Dhaheri noted.

The 15th installment of the Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey for the Prize of the President of Belarus will continue with the opening ceremony (17.30) and two matches: Germany vs Finland (18.30, small ice rink) and Belarus President Team vs IIHF Team (19.00, big ice rink).

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