Oman’s national under-18 side is arriving in Pakistan on September 15 to play a series of four matches against Pakistan’s under-18s. The two teams are preparing for the 4th Under-18 Asia Cup scheduled in Dhaka from September 24-30.

It is really heartening to see the return of international hockey to Pakistan after a long period.

Oman might not be a world beater but the Gulf nation’s affiliation with the game of hockey is the longest as well as the deepest in their region.

It was early last century when the game was introduced in the capital Muscat by the Asians, mainly the people from the sub-continent.

The game was gradually taken up by the native population as well. Hockey spread to all the places. Despite substantial activity at home, it took some time for Oman to make the international debut. This is understandable if seen in the context of Oman becoming a member of the United Nations only in 1971.

Oman Hockey Association was formed in 1973. Soon, OHA was part of the international hockey family: became a member of the Asian Hockey Federation in 1977 and the FIH in 1978. Next was participation in the international arena. Interestingly, the maiden appearance in a major tournament was the 1982 Asian Games, in India; the migrants from that country had introduced hockey in the gulf state. In fact, the team was also coached by a well-known Indian hockey personality, Sibtain Naqvi.

Later drafted into the newly-formed Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), also in 1982, Naqvi remained the technical director of the OCC for almost two decades and has lived in the gulf country since then. Hockey remained his special love throughout.

Oman has made five more appearances in the Asiad. It has become a regular participant in the continental competitions. Apart from the last three Asian Games, Oman also figured in the Asia Cup for the first time in 2013 and appeared in the last two editions of the Asian Champions Trophy as well.

Its under-21 side appeared in the 2015 Junior Asia Cup after finishing second to the hosts at the qualifiers in Bangladesh.

Oman is placed 30th in the latest FIH rankings; its highest standing has been 21. In the Arab world (22 countries), Oman is second to Egypt.

Football is the most popular sport in the country, but if any discipline can be given the next place, it has to be hockey. The game is played in many parts of the country but the two main centres are Muscat and Salalah. The national championship is acknowledged as the top competition of the entire Arab world. The royal family has always been greatly interested in the sport. In 1971, King H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said graciously donated a trophy to be contested among the hockey clubs for the national championships. This season, nine teams appeared in the final round in Muscat in what is popularly known as His Majesty Cup. They qualified from the two preliminary competitions in Muscat and Salalah. The cup carries very lucrative prizes for the top three teams.

Ahle Sibab, the winners last season, walked away with no less than 45,000 Omani riyals equivalent to Rs12 million.

For the final and the semi-finals, the 3,000 capacity stadium was jam-packed; they were also televised live.

The hockey clubs are mostly patronised by the well-to-do Omani people.

There is a Dhori League, also an important tournament. As in the HM Cup, there were preliminaries in Muscat and Salalah. Five teams qualified for the main round and Al Nasr club were the eventual winners.

The resourcefulness of many clubs means players from countries such as Pakistan, India, Egypt and Bangladesh have been plying their trade in Oman. These include big names as well. This season saw Pakistan’s goalkeeper Imran Butt, Aleem Bilal, M Irfan Jr and Rizwan Jr. The first three played for Al Nasr who won the league.

It is pertinent to mention that each club is allowed a maximum of three foreign players. The Ahli-Sidab, the winners of the HM Cup, had three Indian internationals on their roll, one of them played at the 2016 Olympics.

Most of the clubs also have academies to nurture young talent. These club academies receive financial help from the national association.

FIH’s remarkable venture, the Hockey World League, held over two years, is a wonderful event for the lesser hockey nations to have meaningful competitive international hockey.

Oman competed in both the HWL held so far and surprised many by reaching the second round each time.

In the last edition, 2014-15, when Oman had hosted the first round, they almost reached the semi-final stage. Oman lost the 3rd position match; the top three made it to the semifinal round.

The federation hired Germany’s Oliver Kurtz to prepare the team. Kurtz, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist, had served as the head coach of Bangladesh and assistant coach of India.

He had a former Pakistani junior international Shakir Munir as the goalkeeping coach.

Kurtz remained with the Oman team for three years. Shakir is still with them.

Right now, Oman’s national team is in Turkey for the first round of 2016-17 Hockey World League.

Shakir is currently also working as the international coordinator with the Oman Hockey Association.

Last month, to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day, in collaboration with the Social Club in Pakistan, he organised a match between Oman’s national team and PIA (a leading Pakistani team).

The widely attended match turned out to be a well contested affair and PIA were lucky to come out with a 3-3 draw.

Oman’s junior team’s visit will bring joy to hockey fans of Pakistan who will witness international hockey after a very long time. Exciting display is expected between the two sides who are at the peak of their preparation for the under 18 Asia Cup.

All the four matches are to be played at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on September 16, 17 (floodlit), 19 and 20 (floodlit).