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Dubai: Adam Barnes, who took charge as the manager of the World Hockey Academy that will be based at the Dubai Sports City, is hopeful of promoting and popularising the game in the UAE.
"The facilities here are terrific and Dubai will soon become the natural home of the game in the region," Barnes told Gulf News.
Barnes, who has been involved with Hockey Australia for the last four years as their games development co-ordinator, has a Level One accreditation in both coaching and officiating hockey.
"We are keen to make the sport affordable and fun for the kids to get engaged. Plans are on to provide excellent coaching at all levels of the game," said the British-born expert.
The Dubai Sports City hockey stadium is set to be ready soon with its water-based artificial surfaces.
"Enough research has been done to ensure that the surface is maintained well. We are making sure that the surface remains clean and adaptable to the weather here," said Barnes, who launched the popular Hook in2 Hockey Programme and introduced the sport to more than 10,000 juniors across Australia.
"We will introduce a similar programme here. We will also ensure the creation of the right environment for youngsters taking up the game for the first time," he said.
Barnes also revealed that emphasis would be given on staging of tournaments.
"We will organise schools, junior and club tournaments. We are also gearing up to stage the Asia Cup and will stage many FIH international events here," he said.
The World Hockey Academy will soon appoint top class internationally accredited coaches and promote the game through junior development programmes and local leagues.
The Academy will also focus on providing the international teams with the best facility for training camps.
Facility
First of its kind
The World Hockey Academy is the first facility of its kind anywhere in the world.
Through a partnership between Dubai Sports City and the International Hockey Federation, the World Hockey Academy will provide coaching at the highest professional level from seasoned hockey coaches, many of whom have represented their countries in the international arena.
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