General Authority of Sports explores partnership opportunities with International Ski and Ice Hockey Federations to promote UAE’s competitiveness in winter sports

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports (GAS), met with Kim Jae-Youl, President of the International Skating Union (ISU), Aivaz Omorkanov, President of the Asian Federation and Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and Hamel Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, to assess partnership opportunities that will advance the UAE as a global leader in winter sports, such as skiing, ice hockey, and other events.

During the meeting, His Excellency bin Butti underscored the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support and develop winter sports, both locally and internationally. His Excellency also highlighted the importance of driving collaboration between the UAE’s Sports sector, International Skating Union, and the International Ice Hockey Federation in order to advance the overall winter sports segment in the UAE.  

His Excellency bin Butti said: "The UAE sports sector has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, particularly in ice sports, as a result of the support and guidance of our wise leadership. The country has achieved numerous accomplishments in ice hockey at the regional and international levels, most notably the Ice Hockey World Cup - Tier 2 (b) last April, as well as a gold medal in the third Gulf Games held in Kuwait.”

“As part of the partnership between the UAE Sports sector, International Skating Union, and the International Ice Hockey Federation, we intend to strengthen the UAE’s winter sports segment, while also promoting the country's appeal as an international destination for athletes. Our goal is to establish the UAE as a global hub for players and international leagues in skiing, ice hockey, and a range of other winter sports, especially given the country's world-class infrastructure and commitment to sustainability,” His Excellency added.

Praising the UAE efforts in winter sports, Kim Jae-Youl, President of the International Skating Union (ISU), said: “The UAE has achieved numerous milestones in ice hockey, displaying unparalleled brilliance in a short period of time. Furthermore, the UAE has been a pioneering model for women’s skating involvement, reflecting a distinct and positive image of women and their talents, further setting an example throughout the region of women’s success in this sport. The UAE has also provided essential support in the upskilling and developing talents of players in ice hockey and skating, which has resulted in excellent outcomes for Emirati sportsmen.”

Aivaz Omorkanov, President of the Asian Federation and Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation, lauded the progress of the UAE in ice sports, especially ice hockey. He said: " Our cooperation with the UAE side in ice sports assists us in increasing the prominence of the sport in Asia. The UAE ice hockey team has achieved exceptional milestones in recent years, and they have a chance to rise from the second division to the first one, in light of the UAE team's participation in the 2024 ice hockey world cup division II. The UAE national team further has the potential to win a continental title when it competes in the 2025 Asian Winter Games in China and the 2029 games in Saudi Arabia.”

Due to the UAE's leadership and advancement in sustainability, which is a key axis in the nation's vision for the future, the collaboration also highlighted the significance of relying on renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, in the infrastructure of ice sports facilities. In line with the vision and directives of the wise leadership, the UAE is keen on establishing sustainable ice-skating rinks that adhere to the best global practices and standards. Additionally, all parties reiterated the importance of encouraging winter sports participation and practice among school students in order to sharpen and develop athletes' skills at a young age.

The General Authority of Sports established the UAE Winter Sports Federation in June 2020, to promote the growth of winter sports in the country. As the first Arab nation to obtain membership in the International Ice Hockey Federation in 2013, the UAE has a competent national ice hockey team that participates in the Asian Winter Games every four years and the Ice Hockey World Cup every year.