Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports at the Winter Olympics in terms of interest from the public. In Macao, a group of amateur players and young skaters has its training sessions at weekends, in order to hone skills and techniques.

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports at the Winter Olympics in terms of interest from the public. In Macao, a group of amateur players and young skaters has its training sessions at weekends, in order to hone skills and techniques.

Young people aged between 6 and 12 can join courses offered by a local sports association, in order to learn ice hockey skills.

Before entering the rink, skaters need to get all-round protection. A helmet, face guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, protective gloves, heavily-padded shorts, and athletic cup are essential to guard players from the risk of injury when playing this fast-paced sport.

Thanks to protective equipment, athletes are well prepared for this full-contact, high-speed game.

Young athletes are equipped and ready to go out on the ice.

On the association’s training course, ice hockey coaches first teach basic skating such as balance, and skills for sliding, bending and stopping; as well as techniques to avoid injury when practising on the ice.

In the second phase of training, players learn how to control an ice hockey stick and how to pass and shoot the puck.

Ice hockey games are fast and with a distinct rhythm, demanding from the players high levels of skill and physical training.

Ice hockey in Macao is a purely-amateur sport. Nonetheless, athletes are competitive and often participate in competitions and exchanges across Asia.