SOFIA, Jan 24: Kuwaiti international ice hockey referee Shouq Al-Hendal celebrated her historic role in officiating matches at the Women’s World Cup (under 18 years), held in Bulgaria. She proudly stands as the first Kuwaiti referee to lead matches in this prestigious global event, describing it as a truly unique experience.

Al-Hendal expressed her pride in being selected by the International Ice Hockey Federation as one of the 11 international female referees entrusted with overseeing matches at this significant tournament. This recognition serves as a source of pride not only for her but also for the entire Kuwaiti ice hockey community, marking the pinnacle of her sporting career, which spans several years.

She shared her journey, recounting her initial involvement as a player in the club’s women’s teams for several years before transitioning to the field of arbitration in 2019. It took her three years to obtain the international badge from the International Federation of the Game, following her nomination by the club and the successful completion of training courses in the field of arbitration.

Reflecting on her experience managing World Championship matches, Al-Hendal noted that she successfully officiated four matches, attributing her success to diligent technical and physical preparation. She expressed gratitude to the international referees committee in the tournament for their tremendous support during her inaugural experience at this high level.

Looking ahead, Al-Hendal affirmed her commitment to continuous hard work and personal development in this challenging field. Recognizing that ice hockey is one of the fastest games, she emphasized the significant fitness and high concentration required for a referee to excel in this dynamic sport.