Oman joined the IIHF as an Associate Member in 2014, and has sent a men’s team to several IIHF Asia and Oceania Championships. In 2017 they won a bronze medal in the Division I tournament. In 2023, Oman officially joined the ADIHIC, and in January, their men’s national team participated in Kazan Cup. Recall, that in 2023 the Russian city of Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, hosted the first international hockey tournament among Islamic countries. In 3 game days, men’s and women’s teams from 12 countries played 30 matches

We could say that the women’s team was built only about two years ago. When Canadian Scott Labonte moved from Qatar to Oman in 2018, the women’s program did not yet exist

The program initially started with just four players, and now has a mix of Omani citizens and expats. In 2021, Oman participated in the IIHF Women and Girls Ice Hockey Weekend for the first time. The group of around 30 players, ranging in age from 12 to late 30s, practice year-round (taking one month off for Ramadan), driven by a long-term vision of a prospering women’s hockey program

The team has organized mini tournaments, between small teams dividing the players to play against one another. Girls occasionally play against Oman’s boys team, but are exploring opportunities to compete with other women’s teams in the region. Only a few players have travelled to other countries for game experience

Off the ice, Oman’s women’s players are involved in recruiting new players and more. They also help to find some new ideas for further learning and development

While there are challenges, Labonte sees the hockey values he knows from playing and coaching in Canada—from teamwork and self-confidence to simply having fun—exhibited in Oman’s women’s players:

“It’s the passion. They’re there on time, they’re trying to bring new people in. They’re spending time on YouTube and trying to learn new things. They really want to make this successful in Oman. They’re realistic, they know right now that by the time they’re done playing, they’re not going to be going to IIHF tournaments. But they’re thinking long-term. They want to see this succeed in Oman long-term. They’re in it for the long haul.”

The material is taken from the official website of the IIHF