Dubai is preparing to welcome nearly one hundred athletes who will take part in the inaugural international underwater hockey world cup, a competition that brings a niche but exhilarating sport to the surface of global attention.
A game played beneath the waves
Underwater hockey, also known as octopush, is contested at the bottom of a swimming pool where participants use short sticks to maneuver a weighted puck into the opposing team’s goal. The sport demands a blend of agility, teamwork and the ability to manage breath cycles while submerged.
Competitors surface only briefly to inhale, then plunge back into the water, creating a rhythm that blends endurance with split‑second decision making. Training sessions in Dubai have focused on refining techniques that maximize speed while minimizing fatigue.
Organizers say the event aims to raise the profile of a sport that has long been popular in Commonwealth nations but remains relatively unknown elsewhere. By hosting the tournament in a city known for its ambitious sporting initiatives, they hope to spark new interest and investment in underwater hockey worldwide.