By Abdellatif Sharaa and KUNA
KUWAIT: The IIHF World Championship Division IV was launched yesterday with the opening ceremony under the patronage and presence of State Minister for National Assembly Affairs, Youth Affairs and Communications Affairs Dawood Maarafi, President of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chairman of Kuwait Winter Games Club Fuhaid Al-Ajmi, American Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Hideko Sasahara, US Deputy Chief of Mission James Holtsnider and diplomats of participating countries.
In his opening remarks Minister Dawood Maarafi welcomed delegations to its first international ice hockey event in Kuwait. He said that Kuwait Ice Hockey team already achieved good results in previous event for Kuwait and hope to win this championship title and move to Division III.Maarafi wished all participants success and urged fans to be in attendance to back their teams.
Meanwhile, Mongolia defeated Indonesia by the score of 9-3 earlier in the day, in a match that was dominated by the Mongolian team in most periods, particularly in the third when they scored seven unanswered goals. Kuwait play Malaysia in the second match of the day which was in progress when this report was prepared.Earlier, Franz Reindl, a council member in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), praised the preparedness of the Kuwait Winter Games Club, in all organizational and technical aspects.
In a statement to KUNA, he lauded the club for providing facilities to the teams, referees and members of the International Federation, and by equipping the rink with the necessary internationally approved arrangements.Reindl, who is also chairperson of the championships committee for the 2024 World Ice Hockey Championship Division IV, added that they aim to improve the game and in spreading it to a large number of countries.
Reindl revealed that the levels of the teams in Divisions III and IV have notably increased in the past few years, including Kuwait’s team that has improved greatly. Reindl expressed his pleasure of being in Kuwait, and the gratefulness of the International Ice Hockey Federation to Kuwait and the Kuwaiti organizing committee on their cooperation and presenting a good job. The tournament, being held at the Kuwait Winter Games Club’s ice skating rink in Bayan.