Oman’s junior hockey team arrived in Pakistan Oman Hockey Association is grateful to the PHF for accepting our request “We are very happy to visit Pakistan. Omani team’s manager Mohammad Abdullah Al-Batrani
Report by:Asghar Ali Mubarak
LAHORE-The Oman’s junior under 18 hockey team reached Lahore Pakistan to play a 4-test matches series against Pakistan. All matches to be played at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore started from today with opening ceremony followed by day light match at 4:30pm.Soon after the arrival, Oman junior team’s manager Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Al-Batrani told the media,
“We are very happy to visit Pakistan. Playing against a strong team like them so close to the Boys U- 18 Asia Cup (starting from September 24) will be the best preparation for Oman. Oman Hockey Association is grateful to the PHF for accepting our request. ‘In fact, Oman/Pakistan hockey relations have a long history. Pakistan greatly helped us when we were getting ready for our maiden appearance in a big event, the 1982 Asian Games. Oman’s national team had two month training in Karachi. We surprised everyone by finishing as high as 6th at those Asian Games. That cooperation has continued ever since. Oman hockey is grateful to Shakir Munir, a former junior Pakistan international. Shakir, who is accompanying the squad, has rendered great service as Oman’s goal keeper coach for last so many years. Presently, he is also working as the international coordinator with the OHA. He was instrumental in arranging this tour. Only last month, he had arranged a match on Pakistan’s Independence Day between the Oman’s national side and the star studded PIA from Pakistan. In addition, a number of Pakistani hockey stars, mostly internationals, have been appearing in Oman’s domestic events, the H.M.Cup and the League.”Speaking on the occasion, on the behalf of the PHF, World Cup winner Naveed Alam, Director PHF Development & Domestic, welcomed the Omani team and wished them a happy stay in Pakistan. He further said, “PHF’s endeavor to bring international hockey to Pakistan has finally been successful. This should encourage other countries also to send teams to Pakistan. That, along with already enhanced activity at all the levels, junior, senior and women, should go a long way in the revival of the sport in the country.”
About: Oman: The Sultanate of Oman (سلطنة عُمان Salṭanat ʻUmān), is an Arab country in the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Oman is an absolute monarchy. The Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Saidhas been the hereditary leader of the country since 1970. Sultan Qaboos is the longest-serving current ruler in the Middle East, and seventh-longest current-reigning monarch in the world.
Holding a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the nation is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west and Yemen to the south and southwest, and shares marine borders with Iran and Pakistan. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam exclaves are surrounded by the UAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz (which it shares with Iran) and Gulf of Oman forming Musandam’s coastal boundaries.
From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar (today part of Tanzania, also former capital).As its power declined in the 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also among the most important trading ports of the Indian Ocean. Oman’s official religion is Islam.
Oman has modest oil reserves, ranking 25th globally. Nevertheless, in 2010 the UNDP ranked Oman as the most improved nation in the world in terms of development during the preceding 40 years. A significant portion of its economy is tourism and trade of fish, dates, and certain agricultural produce. This sets it apart from its neighbors’ solely oil-dependent economy. Oman is categorized as a high-income economy and ranks as the 74th most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index.
