TASHKENT, April 23: Fahid Al-Ajmi, President of the Kuwaiti Winter Games Club, affirmed the thorough preparation of the Kuwaiti youth ice hockey team for the Asian Cup (U-18), inaugurated in Uzbekistan yesterday with the participation of 10 teams, slated to run until April 30.

Al-Ajmi outlined that the Kuwaiti team will compete in the robust tournament's first group alongside Uzbekistan (the host country), Thailand, Iran, and Malaysia. Conversely, the second group will feature teams from the Emirates, Mongolia, Indonesia, Macau, and India.

He elaborated that Kuwait will kick off its tournament journey against Thailand, followed by matches against Malaysia and the Iranian teams, culminating with a fixture against host nation Uzbekistan.

Al-Ajmi emphasized the significance of young Kuwaiti players' participation in this premier continental event, underscoring its role in furnishing vital international experience. He regarded these players as pivotal to Kuwait's future in the sport, particularly highlighting the inclusion of 15- and 16-year-old players who stand to benefit from exposure to international competition, aiding in their refinement and development.

Highlighting the steady progression of Kuwaiti ice hockey in recent years, Al-Ajmi cited numerous achievements by both the men's and women's teams, including the recent triumph of the Kuwaiti senior team in the fourth-level World Cup held in Kuwait. He expressed optimism for favorable outcomes from the youth team in the ongoing tournament.