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News for 26 January 2016

All the news for Tuesday 26 January 2016


Gurbaj Singh returns to national fold



Experienced midfielder Gurbaj Singh was on Monday named in the 18-member Indian men’s hockey squad for the upcoming 12th South Asian Games (SAG), returning to the national fold after more than six months of off-field drama.

Gurbaj, who was suspended for nine months last year for alleged misbehaviour before the suspension was revoked after the player went to court, would be the most experienced player in the squad largely made up of junior players and those who failed to find any buyers during the Hockey India League auctions last year.

Despite his experience, talent and seniority, Gurbaj, however, will have to play under the leadership of Mandeep Antil.

The squads: Men: Goalkeepers: Vikas Dahiya, Pankaj Rajak; Defenders: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, A.B. Chiyanna, Sukhmanjit Singh, Gaganpreet Singh, Ajitesh Roy, Gurbaj Singh; Midfielders: Ajay Yadav, Manpreet Singh, Mangal Singh Chahal, Vikas Chaudhary, Pradhan Sommanna; Forwards: Mohd. Umar, Anup Valmiki, Mandeep Antil, P.L. Thimmanna, Gagandeep Singh, Ajit Kumar Pandey.

Women: Goalkeepers: Yogita Bali, Sonal Minz; Defenders: Jaspreet Kaur, Renuka Yadav, Gurjit Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Sushila Chanu, M.N. Ponnamma; Midfielders: Ritu Rani, Shyama Tirgam, Preeti Dubey, Sonika, Deepika; Forwards: Rani, Jyoti Gupta, Neha Goyal, Punam Barla, Soundarya Yendala.

The Hindu



Gurbaj in men's team for SAG, Ritu Rani to lead eves

NEW DELHI: Controversial midfielder Gurbaj Singh today returned to the Indian men's hockey team to be led by Mandeep Antil, while the experienced Ritu Rani was handed reins of the women's squad for the 12th South Asian Games from February 5 to 16 in Guwahati and Shillong.

The South Asian Games will see the Indian eves play against Sri Lanka and Nepal while the men's team will be competing with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and arch-rivals Pakistan.

The hockey matches will be hosted at Moullana MD. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Bhetapara in Guwahati from February 7 to 14.

The men's team, which is not full-strength, will be under coach BJ Kariappa with Antil as the captain.

The side features Vikas Dahiya and Pankaj Rajak as goalkeepers while Gaganpreet Singh, Chiyanna AB, Sukhmanjeet Singh, Nilam Sanjip Xess, Ajitesh Roy and the experienced Gurbaj will form the defence line for the team.

Gurbaj returns to the side after the revocation of a nine-month ban on him for indiscipline.

The midfield line includes Manpreet Singh, Mangal Singh Chahal, Vikas Chaudhary, Ajay Yadav and Pradhan Sommanna, Mohd Umar, Anup Amarpal Valmiki, Mandeep Antil, PL Thimmanna, Gagandeep Singh and Ajit Kumar Pandey will complete the forward line for team India.

"The team has been together in the camp for quite some time now and the boys are quite upbeat about putting in a strong show at the 12th South Asian Games. We hope to convert our Silver at the last edition of the South Asian Games into Gold this year and will surely put on display our best game," Kariappa said.

The 18-member Indian eves will player under the guidance of chief coach Neil Hawgood and Rani, Hockey India said in a release.

This team will see Yogita Bali and Sonal Minz guard the goal posts while Jaspreet Kaur, Renuka Yadav, Gurjeet Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Ponnamma Mallamada Narendra will form the defensive wall for India.

Ritu Rani along with Deepika, Sonica, Preeti Dubey and Shyama Tirgam will form the midfield while Rani, Jyoti Gupta, Punam Barla, Neha Goyal and Soundarya Yendala will form the forward line for the team.

"This tournament is of key importance in our scheme of things. Having secured the Olympic berth it is important for us to play as many international games as possible and the 12th South Asian Games also allows us to try new players giving us a much wider spread of talent to choose from for the Upcoming Rio Olympics," Hagwood said.

The Times of India



Indian contingent for the 12th SA Games announced

NEW DELHI: Hockey India on Monday announced the 18 member Indian Women's and Men's squad for the 12th South Asian Games to be held at Guwahati and Shillong.

The 12th South Asian Games will see the Indian eves play against Sri Lanka and Nepal while the men's team will be competing with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and arch rivals Pakistan. The hockey matches will be hosted at Moullana MD. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Bhetapara in Guwahati from February 7 to 14, 2016.

Neil Hawgood, chief coach of the women's team said, "This tournament is of key importance in our scheme of things. Having secured the Olympic berth it is important for us to play as many international games as possible and the 12th South Asian Games also allows us to try new players giving us a much wider spread of talent to choose from for the upcoming Rio Olympics."

This team will see Yogita Bali and Sonal Minz guard our goal posts while Jaspreet Kaur, Renuka Yadav, Gurjeet Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Ponnamma Mallamada Narendra will form the defensive wall for India. Captain Ritu Rani along with Deepika, Sonica, Preeti Dubey and Shyama Tirgam will form the midfield for the team while Rani, Jyoti Gupta, Punam Barla, Neha Goyal and Soundarya Yendala will form the forward line for the team.

The Indian men's team announced today will include Vikas Dahiya and Pankaj Rajak as goal keepers while Gaganpreet Singh, Chiyanna AB, Sukhmanjeet Singh, Nilam Sanjip Xess, Ajitesh Roy and the experienced Gurbaj Singh will form the defence line for the team. The midfield line includes Manpreet Singh Mangal Singh Chahal, Vikas Chaudhary, Ajay Yadav and Pradhan Sommanna P. Mohd Umar, Anup Amarpal Valmiki, Mandeep Antil (Captain), PL Thimmanna, Gagandeep Singh and Ajit Kumar Pandey will complete the forward line for team India.

"The team has been together in the camp for quite some time now and the boys are quite upbeat about putting in a strong show at the 12th South Asian Games. We hope to convert our Silver at the last edition of the South Asian Games into Gold this year and will surely put on display our best game," said coach BJ Kariappa.

The Indian Hockey Contingent for the 12th South Asian Games:

Women Men
GOALKEEPERS
Yogita Bali Vikas Dahiya
Sonal Minz Pankaj Rajak
DEFENDERS
Jaspreet Kaur Nilam Sanjeep Xess
Renuka Yadav Chiyanna AB
Gurjit Kaur Sukhmanjit Singh
Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli Gaganpreet Singh
Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam Ajitesh Roy (VC)
Ponnamma Mallamada Narendra Gurbaj Singh
MIDFIELDERS
Ritu Rani (C) Ajay Yadav
Shyama Tirgam Manpreet Singh Mangal Singh Chahal
Preeti Dubey Vikas Chaudhary
Sonika Pradhan Sommanna P
Deepika (VC)  
FORWARDS
Rani Mohd Umar
Jyoti Gupta Anup Amarpal Valmiki
Neha Goyal Mandeep Antil (C)
Punam Barla P L Thimmanna
Soundarya Yendala Gagandeep Singh
  Ajit Kumar Pandey

The Times of India



Gurbaj returns to India via SAF Games

Suspended and humiliated Gurbaj Singh returns to national side through South Asian Federation Games. The talented midfielder has been named in the 16-member team for the South Asian Federation Games to be held in Guwahati and Shillong in the first week of February. Due to some tiff off, Olympian and World Cup player Gurbaj Singh was first suspended for a year by the disciplinary committee of Hockey India. However, the indignant Gurbaj took the help of court to win his case. After a Chandigarh court ruled his suspension is unfair and null and void, HI promptly lifted the ban.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police, played the Surjit Hockey Cup after HI lifted the ban. However, he missed out both HWL Finals in Raipur and also the lucrative Hockey India League due to this dispute, generated after one of the assistant coaches with the team, Jude Felix complained about his conduct during HWL Semifinals held in Antwerp, midway through last year.

The team will however be led by Mandeep Antil of ONGC.

The team for SAF Games

GOALKEEPERS: Vikas Dahiya, Pankaj Rajak
DEFENDERS: Nilam Sanjeep Xess Chiyanna AB Sukhmanjit Singh Gaganpreet Singh Ajitesh Roy (VC) Gurbaj Singh
MIDFIELDERS: Ajay Yadav Manpreet Singh Mangal Singh Chahal Vikas Chaudhary Pradhan Sommanna P
FORWARDS: Mohd Umar Anup Amarpal Valmiki Mandeep Antil (C) P L Thimmanna Gagandeep Singh Ajit Kumar Pandey

Stick2Hockey.com



Kalinga Lancers thrash Uttar Pradesh Wizards 10-2



Lucknow: Kalinga Lancers displayed spectacular hockey today at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium, Lucknow to defeat hosts Uttar Pradesh Wizards 10-2. In a fiercely fought competition, the visitors came from behind to seal their second consecutive victory in the league.With this win Kalinga Lancers now have 11 points to their kitty and share the top spot in the league table with Delhi Waveriders.

The first quarter of the match began at a very slow pace with the home team playing carefully after two straight losses against defending champions Ranchi Rays and Delhi Waveriders on home turf. Uttar Pradesh Wizards gradually started attacking the Lancers and their efforts soon yielded results with the team being awarded with a Penalty Stroke in the 14th minute.

Argentine star Gonzalo Peillat did not make any errors in converting the penalty stroke to give the home team a 2-0 lead. The second quarter saw Kalinga Lancers pressing hard on the home team and they soon scored the equalizer in the 20th minute through a field goal from Aran Zalewski. The first half came to an end with a score of 2-2.

The third & fourth quarter saw the visitors attacking from the very first moment and their efforts showed results when two back to back spectacular field goals in the 43rd and 45th through Glen turner and Lalit Upadhyay ensured the visitors took control over the game with the score board at 6-2 in their favour.

The Kalinga Lancers did not stop at this and Glen Turner scored again in the 47th minute converting a penalty stroke to take the score to an unassailable 10-2 in their favour. The Uttar Pradesh Wizards who thereafter tried hard to score failed in all their efforts.

The defence which lacked sheen today gave way again to the Lancers’ Dharamvir Singh in the 60th minute who made no errors in scoring one more goal for the visitors taking the score to 10-2 in favour of Kalinga Lancers. The match ended with the Uttar Pradesh Wizards losing their third consecutive match on their home ground.

The Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000- Aran Zalewski of Kalinga Lancers
Most Entertaining Player of the Match -Lalit Upadhyay KL
Man of the Match award of INR 50,000- Glenn Turner KL
Hero Emerging Player of the Match IN2 25,000- Akashdeep Singh UPW

The next match of the 4th Coal India Hockey India League will be played between the Defending Champions Ranchi Rays and League toppers Delhi Waveriders at the Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi on 26th January, 2016.

Stick2Hockey.com



Kalinga Lancers notch up the biggest win of the edition against Uttar Pradesh Wizards


Kalinga Lancers celebrate their victory in the unique style on Monday (HIL photo)

Australian Glenn Turner (43rd, 47th minutes) scored two while Aran Zalewski (20th), Lalit Upadhyay (45th) and Dharamvir Singh (60th) were the other goal getters for the Lancers.

Kalinga Lancers thrashed Uttar Pradesh Wizards 10-2 in a high-scoring contest to register their second consecutive win and jump to the top of the fourth Hockey India League at Lucknow on Monday.

Australian Glenn Turner (43rd, 47th minutes) scored two while Aran Zalewski (20th), Lalit Upadhyay (45th) and Dharamvir Singh (60th) were the other goal getters for the Lancers. However, it was UP Wizards who took the lead in the 14th minute when Gonzalo Peillat scored from a penalty stroke. But Zalewski drew parity for Lancers through a field strike four minutes into the second quarter.

The Lancers then struck three quick field goals in a span of four minutes to take a commanding 8-2 lead. Dharamvir then added salt to UP Wizards wounds when he scored from a field effort in the final minute of the match to pocket the encounter convincingly for Lancers. As per the new goal scoring system, every field goal and penalty stroke goal resulting from a deliberate four is counted as two.

By virtue of this win, Lancers have moved to the top of the standings with 11 points from three games, while UP Wizards are placed fourth with seven points from four outings. The Lancers will now travel to Ranchi to face defending champions Ranchi Rays on on Thursday while the UP Wizards will face Delhi Waveriders in the Capital on February 1.

DNA



Coal India Hockey India League week 1 roundup

Warriors lead after super seven


The Coal India Hockey India League has already witnessed some spectacular games (Photo: Coal India Hockey India League)

Goals aplenty and exciting action have been the hallmarks of the opening week of the Coal India Hockey India League.

After the first seven matches of the fourth edition of the Hockey India League, the Jaypee Punjab Warriors, led by Sardar Singh and coached by Barry Dancer, top the table with two wins, although Delhi Waveriders are breathing down their necks with the same number of victories but with a game in hand.

The opening match of the competition saw an entertaining and high scoring match between Kalinga Lancers and Uttar Pradesh Wizards, with the Wizards running out 8-6 winners after a nail biting finish.

The Wizard's Joulie Wouter scored the first goal of the 2016 league – a field goal, which under new rules, is worth two points. It was all square at 6-6 until the final few seconds of the game, when Uttar Pradesh Wizard’s Akashdeep Singh burst through to score a field goal and take the score to 8-6.

The Chandigarh based Jaypee Punjab Warriors have made a good start to the tournament, registering a win against last year’s champions Ranchi Rays for the first time in the competition’s history.

The pleasure in that 2-0 win over Ranchi Rays was short-lived as the Warriors then suffered a 4-5 loss at the hands of Delhi Waveriders – two penalty corners from Rupinder Pal Singh helping the Delhi side towards a victory.

Dancer’s men bounced back from that loss with a 3-1 win over Dabang Mumbai; Armaan Qureshi and Chris Ciriello on target to give the team the win.

At the other end of the table, Dabang Mumbai has yet to win a  game, despite leading for much of their opening game against the Kalinga Lancers.

Florian Fuchs gave Mumbai a 2-0 lead through a field goal, but as the timer counted down, the Lancers fought back.

Fourth quarter goals from Adam Dixon and the league’s leading goal-scorer Glenn Turner evaded the otherwise excellent defence of ‘keeper David Harte to give the Lancers a 4-2 win.

Ranchi Rays might have suffered a loss at the hands of Jaypee Punjab Warriors, but there was no mistaking their intent on retaining the title they won a year ago when they faced Uttar Pradesh Wizards in their second match of the competition.

The Wizards took an early lead through Ramandeep Singh, but the Rays raised their game and a goal from Sarvanjit Singh and two from captain Ashley Jackson meant the Rays emerged as 4-2 winners.

The next two matches in the league are between Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Kalinga Lancers, a match that will take place in Lucknow on Monday 26 January while Ranchi Rays face Delhi Waveriders in their home stadium at Ranchi on Tuesday 27 January.

With a further 23 games before the teams reach the semi-final stages, this competition is still very much anyone’s for the taking.

To follow all the live action, visit the Coal India Hockey India League website by clicking here.

FIH site



SA Hockey team targets 2018 World Cup

Wesley Botton


CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 28: Fabian Gregory, Head Coach of South Africa during the Mens International hockey match between South Africa and Germany at Hartleyvale Stadium on February 28, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Peter Heeger/Gallo Images)

“I’m very happy with the way things panned out,” coach Gregory said on Monday.

With no major international competitions scheduled this season, national men’s hockey coach Fabian Gregory is pleased with the early progress in a rebuilding phase for the squad.

The SA team opened their 2016 campaign with a 2-1 loss to Canada in a friendly contest in Cape Town, and went on to draw 3-3 against Ireland in their first official Test of the season last week.

Two days later, they fought back from a goal down, scoring twice in the last seven minutes to beat Spain 2-1, and in their final contest of the series on Sunday they beat Canada 2-0 in another unofficial contest.

All three teams they faced were ranked higher than the South Africans, who remained 15th in the global list.

“I’m very happy with the way things panned out,” Gregory said on Monday.

“We had the challenge of infusing 10 Under-21 players into the senior group, and we had former players coming back, like Owen Mvimbi.

“We didn’t want to put too much pressure on the junior players, so they were basically given a free series to gain some experience and show their potential at senior level.

“We put more pressure on the experienced players to take on a mentorship role with the younger guys and improve their own performance levels.”

While he admitted the senior members of the squad had been stunned by the demands placed on them, with their international futures on the line if they did not step up, Gregory was delighted with their response.

With the national side set to miss this year’s Olympics, after their qualification via the African Championships was denied by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), Gregory and his management team wanted to start working with a core squad ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

“The senior guys did really well, and they proved they still had the desire to continue improving,” he said.

Among those who stood out, according to the coach, were the nation’s No 2 goalkeeper Gowan Jones, defender Dylan Swanepoel, striker Lloyd Norris-Jones and defender Rhett Halkett, who replaced regular skipper Austin Smith.

Due to Smith’s battles with injuries and club commitments with his Dutch club Den Bosch, Gregory was pleased with Halkett’s efforts as the skipper.

“We are trying to expand our pool of captains to cover ourselves for all circumstances, and Rhett really stepped up to the plate.

“The leadership skills he showed were impressive.”

Of the junior players who turned out in the Cape Town series, all of whom received game time, Gregory felt midfielder Ryan Julius had been the star performer.

“He really did well and he’s a great prospect for the future.

“We now know he’s ready to grab an opportunity when we give it to him.”

Gregory confirmed the squad would be reinforced for their next assignment, a three-Test series against Olympic champions Germany in Cape Town next month.

“I’m really pleased with what we’ve achieved in such a short period of time (this season) but that series will definitely be a bigger challenge for us.

“We’ll be bringing more senior players back, and they too will be given a chance to prove they still have the hunger to improve and continue their international careers.”

Gregory was full of praise for all members of the squad, who continued to pay their own way with no support from a corporate sponsor.

“The players attended this Cape Town series at their own cost,” he said.

“The level of sacrifice they make to represent their country is amazing, and I’m proud to be involved with this team.”

The Citizen



Grove Menzieshill win boys U18 Indoor Cup



A fun and entertaining U18 Indoor Cup at Bell's Sports Centre yesterday concluded with Grove Menzieshill running out winners of the age group competition.

The Dundonians faced up to Edinburgh side Grange in the final, comfortably sealing a 6-2 victory to take the trophy back with them to Tayside.



In the 3rd/4th play-off, Perthshire defeated Clydesdale 5-2 to finish third. Inverleith beat Aberdeen Grammar 5-1 to finish fifth.
Results:

Pool A

Clydesdale 2-1 Inverleith
Perthshire 5-2 Inverleith
Perthshire 4-1 Clydesdale

Pool B

Grange 1-3 Hillhead
Grange 4-2 Grove Menzieshill
Grange 4-0 Aberdeen Grammar
Grove Menzieshill 7-1 Hillhead
Grove Menzieshill 8-0 Aberdeen Grammar
Hillhead 4-1 Aberdeen Grammar

Semi-Finals

Perthshire 0-1 Grange
Grove Menzieshill 7-1 Clydesdale

Final

Grange 2-6 Grove Menzieshill

3rd/4th Play-Off

Perthshire 5-2 Clydesdale

Cross-Overs

Aberdeen Grammar 5-0 Hillhead
Inverleith 6-4 Hillhead

5th/6th Play-Off

Inverleith 5-1 Aberdeen Grammar

Final Standings

1. Grove Menzieshill
2. Grange
3. Perthshire
4. Clydesdale
5. Inverleith
6. Aberdeen Grammar
7. Hillhead

Scottish Hockey Union media release



BT Sport to broadcast Hockey’s Super 6s Finals Day

BT Sport and England Hockey are pleased to announce that the Super 6s Finals Day – the climax of England’s domestic indoor hockey season at the SSE Arena, Wembley, will be shown live on BT Sport on Sunday 31 January.

The Women’s and Men’s Semi-finals and Finals will all be shown live across BT Sport’s channels.  Super 6s offers a fantastic spectacle of end-to-end action and an abundance of goals – over 50 on the day in previous years – and as such is a very entertaining prospect for BT Sport’s viewers.

The competing club teams feature international stars such as Laura Unsworth and Simon Mantell and the event also offers an opportunity for fans to meet international players in autograph signing sessions, which is always a focus at hockey events to inspire young followers. In the men’s competition, Canterbury, Reading and Sevenoaks will be looking to end East Grinstead’s indoor dominance of recent years; while in the women’s competition last year’s Champions Bowdon Hightown will be defending their crown against Canterbury, East Grinstead and University of Birmingham.

BT Sport recently showed the men’s and women’s World League competitions from India and Argentina respectively, and this coverage is another exciting part of the continued effort to show more domestic and international hockey to audiences in the UK.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “BT Sport thoroughly enjoyed bringing hockey fans the World League Finals last year. And through our coverage of the Super 6s, we aim to help generate a real buzz around English hockey as the season builds to an end.”

England Hockey’s Commercial Director Jonathan Cockcroft commented: “Following BT Sport’s broadcast of the World League Finals last year we are delighted that England Hockey’s show-piece indoor finals, the Super 6s, will be televised.  Fans will be able to enjoy six action-packed matches on 31 January, live from the SSE Arena, Wembley. Television coverage of our game is critical for the growth of the sport and we hope that those who watch the fantastic coverage will be inspired to pick up a stick or come to a future England Hockey event.” 

England Hockey Board Media release



East Grinstead looking to shine for BT cameras

East Grinstead will hope they can continue their dominance of the English indoor hockey scene next Sunday as they line out at the SSE Arena, Wembley for Super 6s Finals Day.

They have been given the additional boost with the news that television channel BT Sport will broadcast the both the men’s and women’s semi-finals as well as the finals.

In the men’s competition, Canterbury, Reading and Sevenoaks will be looking to end East Grinstead’s indoor dominance of recent years. They went unbeaten in the group stages of the competition, heading the pack with seven wins and one draw from their eight games with Ben Allberry netting 15 times.

They meet Sevenoaks while second ranked Reading will play Canterbury.

In the women’s competition last year’s champions Bowdon Hightown will be defending their crown against Canterbury, East Grinstead and University of Birmingham.

Euro Hockey League media release



Schedule announced for 2016 Junior Women’s Pan American Championship, Tacarigua (Trinidad & Tobago)

The Pan American Hockey Federation has announced the schedule for the 2016 Junior Women’s Pan American Championship to be held in Tacarigua, Trinidad & Tobago, from March 29 to April 10, 2016.

Eleven teams will participate in the competition, with the top two finishers earning a berth for the next Junior Women’s World Cup to be played in Chile (November 23 to December 4, 2016).

Top ranked team and title holder Argentina will play in Pool A with Barbados, Chile, Guyana and Uruguay, while Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, host Trinidad & Tobago, the United States and Venezuela will play in Pool B. The top four teams in each pool will advance to the quarter-finals, followed by cross-over and classification matches for final rankings.

The first Junior Pan American Championship for women was held in 1988 in Buenos Aires. Argentina has won six of the seven previous competitions, including the last one in 2012 in Guadalajara, Mexico, where they shared the podium with Canada (2nd) and the USA (3rd). The USA were the only other winner of the competition, defeating Chile in the Final in 2008 in Mexico City.

The full schedule of the competition is available @ www.panamhockey.org/en/competitions-47.

Pan American Hockey Federation media release



Trials for selection of talented players on January 29

LAHORE: Pakistan senior hockey team will participate in the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be played in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 7 to 17. “To spot talented players for a national training camp, open trials for the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan will be held at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi on January 29,” said a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) spokesman on Monday.

“The PHF has directed players to report at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium Karachi on the said date for their registration. Open trials for remaining provinces will be held separately, for which the venue and dates will be intimated, later,” concluded the spokesman.

The Daily Times



Ghana Hockey Federation owes a lot of companies - Hockey Boss


President of the Ghana Hockey Federation Richard Akpokavie

The Ghana Hockey Federation (GHF) has given a statement saying they acknowledge the fact that they still need to pay some huge amount to some companies and individuals.

This is a remainder amount of Hockey Pitch Contractors` enticement fee after renovating the pitch.

President for the federation, Richard Akpokavie said, “The truth is that there are some monies owed the pitch contractors the Hockey Federation`s part and that is a remainder of his enticement after they renovated the pitch”, he told Enoch Worlanyo Wallace on Asempa fm`s Sportsnite.

“We`ve informed the Sports Ministry about the whole issue but no payment has been made yet”, he added.

The President the belief that the teams will put the money issues behind them and be motivated by the qualification berth to the Games, adding that they are still in contact with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to settle outstanding money issues

2015 in hockey was headlined by Ghana’s inability to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio this year.

The male team failed in their attempt to pick the only slot available for Africa after finishing fourth in the Olympic Qualifying competition in Randburg, South Africa.

The Black Sticks lost heavily to Egypt in the semifinals curtailing any dreams of making the Olympics. The standout performance at the tournament however was Ghana’s 27-0 victory over Botswana.

The story was the same in the women’s division with Ghana missing out on a spot in Rio after losing to eventual Champions South Africa in a round robin tie.

GhanaWeb

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