Following their success in two international events, Iran’s national women’s ice hockey team embarked on their inaugural journey to Europe to compete in the World Development Cup held in Poland.
wintersportsnews: This tournament served as a gateway for Iranian ice hockey players to engage in European competitions and face stronger adversaries than in previous outings. The team started their campaign by clinching a resounding 6-2 victory against Ireland, showcasing their newfound confidence after securing the silver medal at the Asian Championship.
However, the following matches proved to be more challenging. Despite a valiant effort, the Iranian girls suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Colombia and a 5-1 loss to Argentina in subsequent encounters. Nonetheless, these matches provided invaluable experience for the team’s long-term development.
Advancing to the semi-finals, the Iranian team faced Argentina once again, demonstrating their ability to compete against formidable opponents despite a 2-1 loss. In their final match against Ireland, they secured a 3-1 victory, clinching the bronze medal in the heart of Europe and marking another milestone in their burgeoning success.
The journey to this achievement was not without hurdles, as the team encountered various challenges, including financial constraints and visa complications with the Polish embassy. However, with concerted efforts from the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee of Iran, and intervention from the World Ice Hockey Federation, the team successfully obtained the necessary visas to compete.
Looking ahead, Iran’s national ice hockey team is set to participate in the Asian Championship in March 2024 and the 2025 Asian Winter Games in China, further solidifying their presence on the international stage.
The International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s Development Cup provides a platform for member countries to prepare for higher divisions within the sport, showcasing talent from five continents.
Notably, the Iranian national ice hockey team, active for just three years, secured their third title at the World Development Cup following their runner-up position at the Asian Championship.
Members of Iran’s national ice hockey team include FARZAMNIA Diana, FARZAMNIA Diba, POORHASHEMI Hadiseh, BAHRAMI Yeganeh, AGHAEI Fatemeh, SANAEI Azamossadat, IZADI Arezou, ARJMAND Negar, GHAROUNI Azin, AGHAEI Hedieh, MODIRDEHGHAN Elham, SHAHSAVAND Fatemeh, SOHANI Helia, KHALAJ JOKARY Hadis, KHORRAM Negar, ESMAEILI Fatemeh, GHASEMI Zahra, REZAEI Zahra, ARAB Shabnam, and HEYDARI Asal.
The coaching and technical staff of Iran’s national ice hockey team include HOUSHIDARI Farzad (Head Coach), HASSANZADEH Oveis (Assistant Coach), SANAEI Azamossadat (Assistant Coach), SEDGHI Kaveh (General Manager), and HOSSEINI Montaha (Team Staff).
