Tuesday 26 / November / 2024
There are the common sights in Oman and there are the uncommon ones. Football, basketball or even cricket is common. What’s relatively rare is the sight of people skating on ice or playing ice hockey. While it seems like a contradiction in an arid desert country, the sport is growing in Muscat with many locals and expats getting hooked into it.
What with almost eight months in the year with temperatures above 40 degrees, this is one of the best sporting activities that children as well as young adults can indulge in without getting exhausted.
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The 1,100 square metre ice rink, Oman’s only one so far, located in the Fun Zone at Qurum is abuzz with aspiring ice skaters as well as professional figure skaters making a bee line. The ice rink, which hosts casual skating, as well as ice hockey and figure skating is a good place for those who are not so steady on their feet.
“The ice rink opens at 9am and closes at midnight and there is no lunch or afternoon break. Each session is for one-and-a-half hours. After each session there is a break for cleaning the surface. Owing to the popularity we are opening another Fun Zone with ice rink in Nizwa,” said Syed Aamir, operations manager at Fun Zone.
On almost every day the ice floor is busy with skaters whizzing past on the ice in front of the watching area. There are kids tottering around the rink with the aid of a metal skate ‘helper’, their little feet clad in bright coloured skating boots. Gliding in between them are the teens, more experienced skaters, showing off with flamboyant turns and spluttering ice everywhere as they skid to a stop. The coolest place in Muscat.
At OMR4 for 90 minutes skating for anybody, it’s good value for money and is guaranteed to keep most kids excitingly engaged and blade the ice that the parents find it difficult to take them home later on.
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You might be surprised to learn that despite being a desert land, Oman has its own national ice hockey team, which received official status and competes in GCC competitions. While still a growing sport in the Sultanate, moves are afoot to get more schoolchildren involved in playing ice hockey.
Morning time in the ice rink is abuzz with groups from schools and other educational institutions. “Morning we have special packages for schools. Groups from schools come for day out visit. We give 50% discount for all educational institutions,” said Syed Aamir.
There are individual classes as well as classes for groups. If you take pleasure in the company of other people, class lessons are significantly less pricey and give a great opportunity to look at the actual mistakes of some other skaters and avoid them yourself. Private sessions may end up being best if you are a more experienced skater who desires one-on-one instruction with immediate, personalised feedback.
Instructions from a professional provide basic safety, info, and he makes sure your ice skating begins and remains a risk-free and fun experience. Your qualified accredited teacher at the rink offers years of skating experience. Consequently, you gain from a mixture of knowledge as well as professional skills. Classes are generally designed for almost all ages as well as skating capabilities.
Up to 175 adults can be accommodated at a time in the rink. For novices metal support is there. The group classes involve 10-15 students per batch. Five classes of 30 minutes will cost you OMR35. For individual classes, the charge is OMR45. The class timings are from 8am till 11am.
“Any child above five years old can enter the ice rink. Most children can learn skating during the first session itself. It is very easy for children to learn. For adults it is a different story, depending on the height and weight and many other factors. Normally children can start gliding during the first session, says the passionate Syed.
Apart from school groups, corporate groups also come for a day out in the ice. We have discounts for them as well, he said.Another important initiative is the LTP (learn to play) ice hockey programme. It is a programme under the auspices of IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation).
“Every Friday morning in association with the Oman Ice Sports Committee (OISC) we are conducting coaching for ice hockey. This is for children below 12 years old. The OISC is providing the coaches and we provide the equipment and ice rink, coming together it is a good chance for the children to pursue the world’s fastest and coolest game. We aim for the children to get attracted and get into ice hockey, and we also have adult hockey programmes. We have teams here who play on regular basis. Anybody can join them. Many people think that ice hockey is a dangerous sport, but once they step inside the rink, they will get hooked to it. Once you know how to slide and how to glide, you are hooked,” says Syed.
“We have a team named Khanjar team, for adult beginners. We have Muscat team for adults intermediate. Based on the performance, players from these teams are being selected to the national ice hockey team. For one who wants to become an ice hockey player we have training programmes in cooperation with the OISC,” Syed added.
And this is the only mall in the Sultanate which provides ladies’ only day. Every Monday from 9am till 6pm the zone is open exclusively for ladies. A good way to beat the summer heat — blade the ice. [email protected]
Regular Ticket for 90 Minutes Ice Skating Session OMR4 Per Person
1-on-1 Private Coaching Classes
5 Classes: OMR45
Group Coaching Classes
5 Classes: OMR35
LTP (Learn To Play) Ice Hockey For Kids Under 12 Years
Every Friday 8am-10am OMR30 per month
Call: + 968 9696 2422 / + 968 2466 2928
Email: [email protected]
