Dubai: Dubai will play host to the 45th International Hockey Federation (FIH) Congress from November 8-13, 2016.
Held in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and support of the United Arab Emirates Hockey Federation and facilitated by Falcon and Associates, the six-day event will comprise of meetings, social events, networking opportunities and presentations.
The main Congress meeting will take place on November 12, by which time new national associations will be welcomed and elections for executive board membership will take place.
With more than 300 delegates, representing over 80 affiliated countries, this is the ideal platform for the hockey world to come together to discuss the sport and its future. During the Congress, delegates will have the opportunity to hear more and ask questions about the Hockey Revolution, FIH’s 10-year strategy to drive hockey’s status as a global sport.
One year into the Hockey Revolution and already we are seeing hockey extend its global reach and attract a wider fan-base. At the Congress, delegates will learn about the next steps to be taken along this ambitious programme.
“Dubai is a global city and it recognises the value and importance of a flourishing sport sector not only in economic terms but for the benefit of society as a whole. Hosting the FIH Congress represents another positive step forward in Dubai’s ongoing strategy to not only attract new and influential sports to the region but to promote the world-class sporting facilities that exist here. With its strategic location between East and West, Dubai is easily accessible to delegates from all corners of the world and, while they are here, they can take the opportunity to enjoy everything Dubai has to offer,” Saeed Hareb, Secretary General, DSC, noted.
Esmail Ali Abdullah Al Banna, President, UAE HF, said: “There is huge potential to grow the sport of hockey in the UAE and across the Middle East. As a global sports family, we all have a responsibility to secure the future of the sport and the FIH Congress provides an ideal platform to do just that.”
FIH President Leandro Negre said: “I am delighted that FIH Congress will take place in Dubai in 2016. FIH is working to grow hockey with the DSC in Dubai and with the UAE Hockey Federation in the country. This is a clear and sure sign that we are making huge progress to that end. Dubai is an exciting, progressive city with a truly multinational outlook — the perfect setting for FIH Congress.”
