Following a long Summers break the International Red Hockey Championship 2018 (IRHC 2018) took off to a brilliant start on Friday 7th September 2018. The brief inauguration began with a minutes silence and a tribute to Mrs. L. Pereira, a strong supporter of Hockey who passed away Thursday night. Mr. Sherwin Dsouza, Secretary of KEHA welcomed all the Field Hockey teams and wished them success during IRHC 2018. In his opening words to wish all the six teams, Mr. Mario Fernandes Asst. Manager of International Red Hockey team hosting this coveted championship, emphasized that we all look forward to a good display of Hockey, fair play and to enjoy the games to the fullest.
The opening game of the championship resulted with KOC Greens beating Kuwait Independence Hockey (KIH) 4-1; Within the first minute Zahid from the Greens found the net, which would probably be the fastest goal of the league. Mushtaques' goal and a good combination of play between the Center Halfs and the Forwards, added to Zahids Hat-trick gave a comfortable win to KOC Greens in the first game at the Ahmadi Park grounds. Sohail scored the sole goal for KIH.
The warm summers breeze saw KOC Blues Team breeze through their 2-Man short opponents Kuwait Hockey King’s (KHK) 8-1, with a Hat-trick off Hasnain Ali, 2 off Ali Khalid and 1 each coming off the sticks of Waheed Ahmed, Mohammed Hosni, and Hosam Jabran. Tanveers' 1st Quarter goal was the only one for KHK. The recently inaugurated KOC Hockey Grounds witnessed an entertaining evening of goals galore; a total of 14 goals on the 1st day, giving KOC Green and KOC Blue 3 points each upon winning their respective play-offs.
Commenting on the opening day, Mr. Lawrence Alphonso the President of IRH host team said "we had a good turn out of Players, team members and supporters, and thanked Kuwait Oil Company for providing the people of Kuwait with a professional Hockey Ground, further, he thanked the match officials and all for well organizing the opening matches during an evening that saw a good sporting spirit and enthusiasm among all". The games scheduled for September 14th are as follows: 6pm - KIH v/s Domnic Savio & at 7pm - KOC Green v/s KHK.