MUSCAT: Oman will submit a bid to host the inaugural 2023 Hockey 5s World Cup, a top official informed on Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to The Arabian Stories (TAS), Captain Talib bin Khamis Al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) said 32 teams (16 Men and 16 Women teams) will take part if the Sultanate wins the bid to host the tournament. “OHA has received the approval to bid for the host and we will prepare the complete file related to hosting this tournament,” Al Wahaibi said.

The Hockey5s’ flagship event is a brand-new competition from International Hockey Federation (FIF). In 209, the FIH Executive Board decided to create an FIH Hockey 5s World Cup, with a view to further boosting the development of hockey globally through the promotion of its 5-a-side format.

“We are competing with four other countries and the bidding competition is going to be tough hut we are fully confident of winning the hosting rights,” he said.

Al Wahaibi thanked His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth for the support. “To bid for the World Cup itself is an achievement for us and Oman deserves to host this major tournament due to importance the country has given to hockey,” he added.