Yerevan: The Kuwait national ice hockey team is set to begin its Armenia 2025 Division IV World Championship journey with a challenging match against Uzbekistan in Yerevan. The week-long competition will see a total of six teams battling it out.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the head of the Kuwaiti delegation, Fahed Al-Ajmi, who also serves as the President of the Kuwait Winter Sports Club, expressed that the "Blue Hockey" team is fully prepared for the tournament. This championship is under the full supervision of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and offers the winner promotion to Division III for the next World Championship.
Al-Ajmi detailed the team's preparation, which included rigorous training sessions at the club's rink and a 10-day training camp in Al Ain, UAE. During this period, the team played three friendly matches against top teams from the UAE Pro League, which were crucial for their readiness.
He highlighted the players' commitment and seriousness, which suggest a promising performance in the tournament. The championship follows the IIHF's single round-robin format, with Kuwait scheduled to play Indonesia on Monday, the host nation Armenia on Wednesday, Malaysia on Thursday, and concluding against Iran next Saturday.
Al-Ajmi emphasized the team's determination to start strong and secure a victory in the opening match, despite facing an experienced opponent in Uzbekistan. He expressed confidence in the Kuwaiti team's capability to deliver a commendable performance.
He also acknowledged the substantial support from the Public Authority for Sport, which was instrumental in overcoming challenges and ensuring the team was well-prepared for this significant event. Additionally, he lauded the Armenian Ice Hockey Federation for their excellent organization and warm reception of the Kuwaiti delegation upon their arrival in Armenia.