State-of-art telecast facilities at new hockey stadium in Al Amerat

Muscat: The hockey arena has been designed by well-known Muscat-based consultants – Design Group Engineering Consultants LLC, the company that also designed the Oman Cricket Academy pavilion.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Damodar Katti, Design Group managing director said: “It is a matter of pride for us to design the world-class hockey arena in Al Amerat where Oman will host the first edition of the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup. A total of 32 teams, 16 men and 16 women will be taking part. We have designed to cater the needs of the tournament.”

The arena will boast 4 changing rooms with lockers for players, dedicated washrooms, including an ice tub facility.

The changing rooms will open to the pitch, providing easy access to the players. There is a medical treatment room including a drug-testing area.

One of the highlights will be state-of-the-art rooms for telecasting and broadcasting agencies that will cover the World Cup in a high-definition mode.

Katti said: “The first floor of the main hockey arena will provide a gallery for a good viewing experience and will also have an area for VIP hospitality.

There will be lifts for VIPs and for physically challenged spectators while the second floor will comprise a royal box that will  have provision of lifts for the dignitaries including for the handicap spectators.

Second floor is a royal box otherwise called a red box which is designed to give the whole of the stadium a majestic look.

The floodlit stadium will have 2 LED large screens to display replay and scores.

Katti said that the 5s pitch will be converted to a regular 11-a-side pitch after the World Cup and another 11-a-side pitch will be added after the hosting of the World Cup.

The managing director of Design Group added: “We have also designed and project managed the Oman Cricket pavilion, which hosted ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers in September 2021. We were instrumental in getting the complete infrastructure required in a record time of less than 90 days under the able guidance of Oman Cricket chairman Pankaj Khimji.”

Katti said: “We are hopeful that once the hockey arena, which boasts of world-class facilities, is completed, it will be a desired arena to host top-class series and events.”