Bahrain Open Hockey 7s Tournament to Begin on June 1
Compiled by: Ronald D F D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain
Bahrain, May 28: The Bahrain Hockey Association is all geared up to open the 2012 hockey calendar in Bahrain in what could be a spectacular year for field hockey in Bahrain.
The Bahrain Open Hockey 7s Tournament, sponsored by Gulf Agency Company (GAC), is all set to be held on the June 1. The competition will be open to adults and will be played in a 7-a-side format with goalkeeper. Teams from Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, India, Pakistan as well as Bahrain are expected to participate.
The venue for the tournament is the excellent field hockey facility at the St Christopher School, Saar. The event will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, General Secretary, Bahrain Olympic Committee.
The tournament will witness two highly qualified professional referees from Mumbai, India – Stephen Pereira and Arthur Castellino. Pereira and Castellino come with a wealth of experience in refereeing having umpired tournaments for several high profile leagues in India.
They will be specially brought in to monitor the tournament to the international standards that will be followed throughout the competition. An umpiring workshop, which will be conducted by the Mumbai stalwarts, is also planned for the local referees.
"We are extremely delighted that the Bahrain Hockey Association is taking positive steps towards the professional management of hockey in Bahrain and it is our pleasure to be a part of it" said Pereira.
BHA General Secretary Jude D’Souza pointed out that the tournament will be an experience to enjoy for the teams and their families with food stalls, music DJs, professional shaded spectator seating and even interactive games for spectators.
Jude D’Souza also pointed out that more exciting hockey events are scheduled for 2012 as the association was serious about positioning itself as a professional hockey body through its activities.
Official Partners for the tournament are GAC, Redbull, Gulf Weekly, Mathias Tourism, Shoemart, Virgin Megastore, SixT, U Drive Car Rental, Magnum Travel Service, Writer Relocations, Bahrain Financing Company, Royal Bahrain Hospital, Coca Cola, Sign Inn Promotions. KIA , Al Osra and Inventhouse.
The tournament will commence at 8 am and will feature round-robin matches leading up to knockout stages and the finals. Tournament details are available on the BHA’s official facebook page www.facebook.com/bahrainhockeyassociation for any sponsorship / tournament / enquiries, please contact Jude D’Souza on +97339658618 or bahrainhockeyassocn@gmail.com.