Sports Reporter/Doha
Ice hockey is gaining in popularity despite being a relatively new sport in Qatar
After gaining Test status in field hockey earlier this year, Qatar has become a full member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, reports from Helsinki said yesterday.
Jamaica was also inducted into the ice hockey body as an associate member, taking its membership strength to 72.
 Ice hockey in Qatar is played mostly by Canadian and American expatriates, with five teams involved in the national league.
The Qatar Ice Hockey Federation was founded in 2010 to develop programmes for senior and junior players and becomes the third country from the Gulf region after the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait to become an IIHF member.
The country of less than two million inhabitants has two ice rinks, both located in the capital of Doha: the Villagio Ice Rink in the Aspire Zone and the City Center Ice Rink at West Bay.
The national league, which kicked off in the 2010/2011 season, includes five teams and 70 players are affiliated with the Qatar Ice Hockey Federation. As well, there’s an ice hockey school with more than 100 registered participants.
The Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation was founded last winter. The Caribbean country can boast one ice rink and currently has just 20 players.
The decision to accept Qatar and Jamaica was made at the IIHF Annual Congress in Helsinki, held during the Hockey World Championships jointly hosted by Finland and Sweden.
The tournament’s semifinals are to take place today, with Finland playing Russia and the Czech Republic taking on Slovakia.Qatar last month played field hockey Test series against Oman and Brazil.