Abu Dhabi storms picked up the trophy at 5 to 3 win

Abu Dhabi Storms, white, and Team Lebanon, red, compete in the final of the Arab Clubs Championship. Abu Dhabi storms picked up the trophy at 5 to 3 win. Reem Mohammed / The National

Juma Al Dhaheri, the Abu Dhabi Storms captain, believes the Arab Clubs Championship will become an annual feature on the UAE Ice Sports Federation’s calendar after his side won the inaugural title over the weekend.

Al Dhaheri, who is also the general secretary of the federation, hailed the "overwhelming success" of the championship after helping his side stage a thrilling comeback to win the final at Zayed Sports City Ice Rink 5-3.

“Leave aside the result, ice hockey fans witnessed a great match which had everything – the skills, speed and excitement – that a final game could provide,” he said after Saturday’s championship match in Abu Dhabi.

Ice hockey in the UAE remains a largely expatriate sport, Al Dhaheri said, but that competitions like the Arab Clubs Championship "will certainly encourage more indigenous people, particularly the youth, to join the sport.

“Our goal is to develop the sport in the region. We have created a pathway and the Arab Clubs Championship is one of them. There are more Arab countries now ready to join.”

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