Kuwait ice hockey team gears up for Division Four World Cup in Armenia
KUWAIT CITY, March 11: The President of the Kuwaiti Winter Games Club, Fahid Al-Ajmi, announced that Kuwait's national ice hockey team will compete in the 2025 World Cup (Division IV), set to take place in Armenia from April 13 to 19. The tournament, featuring six teams, will be held under the full supervision of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
Al-Ajmi emphasized the significance of the event, noting that the champion will earn promotion to Division III in the next edition of the World Championship, which is held biennially. He also highlighted that this will be the first time the tournament features six teams, adding to its competitiveness and intensity.
According to the official draw, Kuwait will open its campaign against Uzbekistan, followed by matches against Indonesia, host nation Armenia, and Malaysia before concluding the group stage against Iran. Al-Ajmi expressed confidence in the Kuwaiti players, expecting them to deliver strong performances throughout the tournament.
In preparation for the competition, the team has been undergoing intensive training at the club's facility under the guidance of German coach Andreas Bartkewicz. Additionally, they will hold a training camp in Bulgaria from March 31 to April 11 before heading directly to Armenia for the tournament.
Al-Ajmi highlighted the team's positive momentum, following their impressive showing at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, last February. Kuwait secured three victories, with their only loss coming against Kyrgyzstan, a team competing at a higher World Championship level. This strong performance, he believes, is a promising sign for Kuwait's aspirations in the upcoming tournament.
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