HELSINKI, Finland ● Qatar and Jamaica became the 71st and 72nd members of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) after they were accepted during the Annual Congress in Helsinki.
Jamaica joined as an associate member while Qatar, as a full member, under the precondition of an audit.
Ice hockey is gaining in popularity despite being a relatively new sport in Qatar
After gaining Test status in field hockey earlier this year, Qatar has become a full member of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Ice hockey in Qatar is played mostly by Canadian and American expatriates, with five teams involved in the national league.
The Qatar Ice Hockey Federation was founded in 2010 to develop programs for senior and junior players and becomes the third country from the Gulf region after the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait to become an IIHF member.
The country of less than two million inhabitants has two ice rinks, both located in the capital of Doha: the Villagio Ice Rink in the Aspire Zone and the City Center Ice Rink at West Bay.
The national league, which kicked off in the 2010/2011 season, includes five teams and 70 players are affiliated with the Qatar Ice Hockey Federation. As well, there’s an ice hockey school with more than 100 registered participants.
The Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation was founded last winter. The Caribbean country can boast one ice rink and currently has just 20 players.