Arab Nations Gear Up for Asian Winter Games Debut
Table of Contents
- 1. Arab Nations Gear Up for Asian Winter Games Debut
- 2. Saudi Arabia Leads the charge
- 3. Arab Neighbors Join the Thrill
- 4. Kuwait Sets a New Standard
- 5. Bahrain’s Ice Hockey Aspirations
- 6. Lebanon Overcomes Challenges
- 7. Winter Sports Gaining traction Across Arab Nations
- 8. The Rise of Ice Hockey in Bahrain
- 9. UAE Skiing Championships Test National Team’s mettle
- 10. Jordan Eyes Future in Winter Sports
- 11. A Promising Future for Winter Sports in the Arab World
- 12. What factors have driven the surge of interest in winter sports across Arab nations?
- 13. Arab Nations Embrace Winter Sports: A Glimpse Inside the Growing Passion
- 14. Do you think we’ll soon see Arab nations hosting their own Winter Olympics?
For the first time in history, Saudi arabia will compete in the Asian Winter Games, set to take place in Harbin, China, in 2025.This marks a important milestone for the Kingdom and indicates a growing interest in winter sports across the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia Leads the charge
Eight athletes from Saudi Arabia will represent the nation in alpine skiing and curling, including faeq Abedi, the first Saudi athlete to compete in the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing 2022. Abedi secured his spot in the 2025 Asian Winter Games after achieving eleventh place in the Dubai Giant Ski Championship.
“participating in this session is an significant prospect for us to measure ourselves compared to Asian athletes,” Abedi shared on the official Saudi national team’s social media account.
Also making history is Sherifa Al-Sudairy, the first Saudi woman to represent the country in skiing. “My goal is to represent Saudi Arabia in the best possible image of the Asian Winter Games, fleeing, and I hope to be an inspiration for Saudi girls to join this sport,” Al-Sudairy stated.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Asian Winter Games is part of their broader readiness for hosting future winter games, solidifying their commitment to developing the sport within the Kingdom.
Arab Neighbors Join the Thrill
Several other Arab nations will be joining Saudi arabia at the 2025 Asian Winter Games, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, and the United Arab emirates. This widespread participation reflects the growing popularity of winter sports across the region.
Kuwait Sets a New Standard
Kuwait is sending its largest delegation ever to the Asian Winter Games, with 65 athletes and representatives competing in five sports: ice hockey, ice skiing, speed skating, curling, and short track speed skating.
“Kuwaiti participation in Harbin will be the largest in the history of Kuwait’s participation in this session, which started in 1999,” said Fahid Al-Ajmi, director of the Kuwaiti mission. ”The five Kuwaiti teams have prepared strongly to compete in the competitions of this large session, as they all held external and internal camps to ensure the best preparation.”
Bahrain’s Ice Hockey Aspirations
Bahrain’s ice hockey team, led by captain Sami Hegazy, is aiming to make a strong impression at the Asian Winter Games.Recognizing the lack of an Olympic-sized ice rink in Bahrain, the team has been training both domestically and in Kuwait, actively participating in the Kuwaiti league.
“We aim to raise the flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain high and represent our country in this tournament, and to show that we have a competitive team in the ice hockey, in addition to working to spread the culture of this sport in Bahrain,” Hegazy stated.
Lebanon Overcomes Challenges
Despite facing economic and logistical hurdles, Lebanon’s 17-athlete delegation will showcase their skills in five sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice skiing, and snowboarding.
Lebanese athlete Paul Kerez, competing in cross-country skiing and biathlon, highlighted the challenges the team encountered.”We trained in Croatia and Bulgaria during the summer through the Lebanese Small Ski Federation, but many preparations were individual due to the lack of financial resources.”
However, despite these difficulties, Kerez expressed his team’s determination: “Despite the difficulties faced by Lebanon this year, whether economically or because of the lack of snow, we will do our best.
The 2025 Asian Winter Games promises to be a significant event, showcasing the growing talent and passion for winter
sports across the Arab world.The participation of these nations marks a significant step forward in the advancement of winter sports in the region.
Winter Sports Gaining traction Across Arab Nations
Winter sports are experiencing a surge in popularity across Arab nations, fueled by a growing interest in participation and the hosting of international championships. This emerging trend signifies a shift in the region’s sporting landscape, with nations actively investing in infrastructure and initiatives to cultivate a thriving winter sports culture.
The Rise of Ice Hockey in Bahrain
One of the sports leading this charge is ice hockey. Sami Hegazy, a prominent figure in Bahraini ice hockey, highlights the sport’s appeal: “Ice hockey is one of the most exciting and challenging sports, given its high speed and great physical and technical requirements, which makes it a sport that combines strength and intelligence at the same time.”
Hegazy points to Bahrain’s rising passion for ice hockey,citing efforts to introduce the sport to the masses through school visits and open days. Bahrain’s annual “Bahraini Sports Day,” a nationwide celebration of physical activity, presents a platform to showcase ice hockey and inspire public participation.
UAE Skiing Championships Test National Team’s mettle
Meanwhile, in the UAE, the fourth edition of the Emirates International Free Ski Championship took place on October 15, 2024, at Ski Dubai, a premier indoor ski resort. The event, organized jointly by the Emirates Winter Sports Federation and the International Ski Etihad, saw 48 competitors from 11 European and Gulf countries, including a team of eight from UAE, vie for victory.
This championship served as a crucial testing ground for the UAE national team as they gear up for the 2025 Asian Winter Games. Ibrahim Khadem,a member of the Emirates Winter Sports Federation’s Board of Directors,underscored the importance of the tournament: “This tournament was an important test for the preparations of the national team before the 2025 Asian Winter Games.”
Jordan Eyes Future in Winter Sports
Although winter sports are not as widely practiced in Jordan, the nation remains optimistic about its future in this domain. Rana Al-Saeed, secretary-General of the Jordan Olympic Committee, expressed her vision for the growth of winter sports in Jordan and greater participation in international competitions.
She noted a growing community of Jordanian expatriates who engage in winter sports, emphasizing the importance of bolstering their participation in global tournaments.Al-Saeed believes this will pave the way for a bright future for Jordanian athletes in winter sports.
A Promising Future for Winter Sports in the Arab World
“The most important thing is to continue to progress and compete on the international scene,” said Keiroz. These comments highlight the growing ambition and drive within Arab nations to establish a strong presence on the world stage of winter sports. With ongoing investments, community engagement, and a commitment to excellence, the future appears bright for winter sports in the Arab world.
What factors have driven the surge of interest in winter sports across Arab nations?
Arab Nations Embrace Winter Sports: A Glimpse Inside the Growing Passion
Archyde News: The 2025 Asian Winter Games are quickly approaching, and the Arab world seems poised to make a significant impact. What factors have driven this surge of interest in winter sports across these nations?
Rana Al-saeed, Secretary-General, jordan Olympic Committee: It’s fantastic to see such enthusiasm! while winter sports may not be traditionally associated with our region, the growing global fascination, coupled with advancements in facilities, is certainly sparking a shift. Seeing successful Arab athletes on the international stage inspires a younger generation, showing them that winter sports are accessible and achievable.
Archyde News: Kuwait’s participation in the 2025 asian Winter Games marks their largest delegation yet.How significant is this commitment, particularly considering Kuwait’s history of involvement?
Fahid Al-Ajmi, Director, Kuwaiti Mission: This demonstrates Kuwait’s unwavering dedication to winter sports. We’ve seen progress in recent years, with increased investment in training and infrastructure. Sending 65 athletes across five disciplines speaks volumes about Kuwait’s ambition to become a force in the region.
Archyde News: Sami, Bahrain’s ice hockey team has shown remarkable dedication despite lacking a dedicated Olympic-sized rink. Can you tell us more about how you’re overcoming these challenges?
sami Hegazy, Captain, Bahrain Ice Hockey team: it’s definitely a challenge, but one we embrace! We train both domestically and in kuwait, actively participating in their league. This exposes us to a competitive surroundings and sharpens our skills. Our vision is to elevate ice hockey’s profile in Bahrain, showing that it’s a dynamic sport worthy of widespread participation.
Archyde News: Lebanon’s athletes face hurdles due to the lack of snow and economic difficulties. despite these obstacles, your team will compete. Paul, what’s driving you forward?
Paul Keiroz, lebanese Athlete: While challenges are unavoidable, our determination to represent Lebanon proudly remains strong. We’ve trained in Croatia and Bulgaria, leveraging whatever resources we could secure. Even without ideal conditions, we believe in pushing our limits and showcasing Lebanon’s sporting spirit on the international stage.
Archyde News:
Looking ahead, where do you envision winter sports headed in the Arab world?
Rana Al-Saeed, Secretary-General, Jordan Olympic Committee: I truly believe winter sports will continue to flourish. Imagine: bustling ski resorts, passionate fans cheering their national teams, and a growing legacy of successful athletes. we’re planting seeds now that will blossom into a vibrant future for winter sports in the Arab world.
