One of the most noteworthy and highly important sporting festivals, National Day Hockey 5s, a 2 day field hockey festival hosted and organised by Bahrain Hockey took place recently. It is the first turf Hockey 5s format in the Gulf in accordance with international rules and regulations of FIH (International Hockey Federation)
December 16 was an open adults tournament day and Dec 17 was free kids coaching and Junior Hockey 5s tournament. One of the major highlights was the Guest of Honour - Sam Ward, a Team GB & England Hockey forward - 49 caps and 18 goals who also happens to be a Rio 2016 Olympian. The December 16 tournament consisted of 10 teams , consisting of Ministry of Interior Bahrain, Bahrain Hawks, Naqi Strikers KSA, Al Arab Hockey KSA, KSA Field Hockey, Kuwait Expats Hockey Association (KEHA), Don Bosco Kuwait, Oman Hockey Association - Oman Veterans, Bahrain Hockey Developmental squad and Young Stars Hockey Club Bahrain.
The Finals saw Naqi Strikers KSA 7 ( Ali 3 Goals / Juned 4 Goals) beat Don Bosco Kuwait 1 ( Sneddon 1 Goal). And in the young tournament Panthers beat Baboons to win the Junior Hockey 5s tournament. Salim Elias , President of Bahrain Hockey, thanked all teams for coming to the tournament and congratulated the winners and runners up of the competition. He presented a special memento to Sam Ward and thanked him for his support for the event. General Secretary Jude D’Souza presented a special memento to Mr Abdulrahman Askar, General Secretary of Bahrain Olympic Committee for his support of Bahrain Hockey and the National Day 5s Tournament.
