Qatar latest Gulf state to eye ice hockey glory

Qatar has become the 72nd member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, it was announced at the organisation’s annual congress this weekend. The Qatar Ice Hockey Federation was founded in 2010 and is the third Gulf state to join the winter sports federation, following the UAE and Kuwait. Qatar is currently home to just two ice rinks, both located in the capital of Doha: the Villagio Ice Rink in the Aspire Zone and the City Centre Ice Rink at West Bay. The Qatari national league, which kicked off in the 2010/2011 season, includes five teams and 70 players affiliated to the Qatar Ice Hockey Federation. In addition, an ice hockey school with more than 100 registered participants has been established. The Gulf state was added along with the Caribbean nation of Jamaica. “The dream is to once participate at the Olympics like the Jamaican bobsled team in Calgary 1988 that became famous in the film 'Cool Runnings',” the IIHC said in a statement.