By Stalin Joseph

DAMMAM — Saudi Strikers Hockey Club, under the patronage of Saudi Olympic Committee, finished runner-up at the recently-conducted UTSC Gulf Hockey Tournament-2018 in Muscat.

The two-day Gulf Hockey Fiesta was organized by the United Thalassery Sports Club (UTSC) in association with Oman Hockey Association. The tournament was recognized and sanctioned by Asian Hockey Federation.

In a closely fought final, Pak Falcons defeated Saudi Strikers 2-1.

Great skills and talents were showcased in two days for hockey lovers by UTSC at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. It was an electrifying atmosphere and it looked like a hockey fraternity meet, rather than a tournament.

In the semifinals, Pak Falcons defeated Qatar Wanderers 1-0, while Saudi Strikers routed Young Star Bahrain 7-1.

The attraction of the tournament was the presence of international players from India and Pakistan. They produced some brilliant hockey. A total of 12 teams, including 6 from other GCC countries, took part in the event, which was officially inaugurated by Captain Talib Al-Wahaibi, Chairman of Oman Hockey Association.

List of awards:

Best Goalkeeper — Gassan of Team Coorg-Oman, Best Defender — Qaiser Raza of Saudi Strikers, Top Scorer — Savio of Qatar Wanderers, Man of the Tournament — Hammad Butt of Pak Falcons.

Indian School Al-Maabela excelled in the inter-school meet, which was part of the Gulf Hockey Fiesta.

In the boys final, IS-Maabela beat Indian School Wadi Al-Kabir 3-1.

The girls’ final was an all IS-Maabela affair in which A team beat B 2-1.

Mementos were presented to the chief guest, all the teams, other dignitaries and sponsors.

Saudi Strikers Hockey Club captain Stalin Joseph expressed his gratitude to the team sponsors Kabit-Bahay Restaurant and Fawri Money Transfer services for their support. Saudi Strikers club is eyeing for more honors in the UTSC Saudi chapter hockey tournament coming up in Jeddah this April.