Dubai Sandstorms strive to promote Ice Hockey in UAE

Dubai: The Dubai Sandstorms Ice Hockey Club has been striving hard to promote the sport in the UAE and they got a big boost yesterday with the opening of the Dubai Mall Ice hockey rink.

They staged their first match at the venue between Canadians and Maple Leafs, which ended in an exciting 4-4 draw.

“We are delighted that one more ice rink has come up in Dubai. It is bigger, and has got better ice. The windows are also safer for the players. We are happy to have been given the opportunity to use this rink,'' remarked Isabelle Jones, President Dubai Storms to Gulf News.

“Our season had started in September and will go on till the end of March. We have over 12 teams with players between the ages of 5 to 17. Over 20 nationalities play in our league,'' she added.

Thursday's match was keenly fought with Jack Day scoring three goals for the Canadians while his teammate Parker Vander Staak scored one goal with three assists.

For Maple Leafs, Megan Forest and Ethen Berry scored two goals each. The match was officiated by Drew Gibson and Matt Jones.

“We have five divisions and we play tournaments in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. We are gearing up for a tour of Finland in December for the 11 to 12 year old players and in April we play in Latvia with our 14 to 17 year old players,'' said Jones.

Right now, 166 players are members of the Dubai Sandstorms Club. “We want to attract more players into the game and is expecting more sponsorship support too. Plans are on to stage an international Under-18 and Under-15 Dubai Ice Hockey tournament on January 16 and 17 with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada and teams from Europe expected to participate,'' said Jones.