News for 11 May 2016
All the news for Wednesday 11 May 2016
Reid-Ross looking to bounce back in perfect style
Picture: Koen Suyk
Justin Reid-Ross says the mood in the Amsterdam camp is still “great” ahead of their EHL FINAL4 date with Harvestehuder THC on Saturday as they bid to win their first title in this competition.
The club missed out on the Dutch title in dramatic style last weekend, winning the first game in their best of three final with Oranje Zwart before falling to defeats on both Saturday and Sunday in the Wagener Stadium.
Speaking to the EHL website, though, the South African ace said that the mood is upbeat that they can breakthrough in the EHL.
“The mood in the team is great. We have spent a lot of time together over the last few weeks and despite the recent disappointment, we are fully focussed on our EHL FINAL4 preparations.
“It has indeed been a busy period for us, but we have an exceptionally fit group of players. We worked hard on our fitness and recovery in the build-up to the playoffs and that will stand us in good stead for our last two games together.”
His side beat England’s Wimbledon 3-1 and Spain’s Real Club de Polo 2-1 in front of a massive home crowd at the KO16 and KO8 stage, an experience Reid-Ross said was truly memorable.
“The Amsterdam experience was incredible. I think that most hockey players appreciate the history of the Wagener Stadium and love the experience of playing there. I was really proud of the way AH&BC hosted the event and I hope that we have the chance to do it again in the future.”
The next challenge is the only side remaining to have won the EHL before. And Reid-Ross knows it will be a huge task ahead.
“Harvesterhuder are a quality outfit. After seeing their performance against OZ, we know it will be a challenging game. Both teams love to play exciting hockey so I'm sure it will be a great battle.”
** The Euro Hockey League’s FINAL4 will be broadcast live on South Africa’s Super Sport televsion network among many other platforms. The full schedule will be announced in the coming days.
Euro Hockey League media release
Maties & Wits trying to catch top sides heading into Stellenbosch leg of Varsity Hockey
By Ken Borland
The University of Pretoria Tuks and the hosts, the University of Johannesburg, were at the top of the log after activities ceased in the first leg of Varsity Hockey’s men’s competition with the two Gauteng universities having won all four of their games, earning 12 points.
Tuks are in first place, having been more active in terms of scoring goals, with 15 being netted by the Pretoria students, who conceded just five for a goal-difference of +10.
UJ, after starting with a bang in a 5-3 win over Maties, were embroiled in three tough games thereafter, finishing with 13 goals but conceding eight for a goal-difference of +5.
Maties and Wits will be busy trying to catch Tuks and UJ when the second and final leg of the tournament gets underway in Stellenbosch on Friday, having both won three of their four matches.
Wits are fourth with a goal-difference of +9, while Maties have far and away the best goal-difference with +18. They recovered superbly from their defeat at the hands of UJ on the opening day by shutting out Kovsies 4-0 and Madibaz 8-0, before producing an outstanding 9-1 hammering of Pukke to complete their Johannesburg fixtures.
Given their performances in their last three games and the fact that they will be playing at home, Maties could well be the side to beat.
UCT and Madibaz, both with three points after one win, have an outside chance of making the semi-finals, with both playing the sides below them in the standings – Kovsies and Pukke – on the first two days in Stellenbosch.
It’s going to take quite a collapse though by Wits, who were impressive through their first three games at UJ before suffering a shock defeat at the hands of UCT on the final day.
The Stellenbosch leg starts on Friday at 1.30pm and it’s a massive clash between the two Johannesburg neighbours, UJ and Wits, that gets things started.
It will have a major impact on the log with UJ either going clear at the top or Wits joining them and Tuks on 12 points.
With wonderful players such as Taylor Dart, Gareth Heyns and Brynn Cleak – all members of the Southern Gauteng team who won the senior IPT a fortnight ago, as well as Courtney Halle, Kyle Lion-Cachet, Tyson Dlungwana, Ryan Crowe and Amkelwa Letuka, who all played for the SA U21 team that lost in the final, UJ have plenty of scope for improvement.
Maties are also a powerful outfit, however, with goalkeeper Rob McKinley, Charles Bowren, Matt de Sousa and Alex Stewart from the SA U21 team and Western Province players in Dylan Swanepoel, Shannon Boucher, James Drummond, Keenan Horne and Daniel Bell. Former SA Schools player Reece Arendse is also a penetrative forward.
The Southern Gauteng B side, Wits, missed out on a semi-final place in the men’s IPT in a shootout against the SA U21s and they have several players in the Wits University side – Joshua Casaleiro, Kamal Ramburuth-Hurt, Rusten Abrahams, Brandon James, Chad Futcher, Stuart Philip and Thabang Modise – making them a dangerous unit.
Tuks have full internationals in Richard Pautz and Grant Glutz providing them with bite up front, while SA U21 caps Nduduzo Lembethe, Khumo Mokale and Tevin Kok also shone at UJ. Michael Marki is a former junior international and was the rock of their defence.
Tuks take on Maties in a massive game on the opening day and the local favourites will then meet Wits on Saturday, before ending the round-robin stage with a local derby against UCT.
Log:
Varsity Sports media release
EuroHockey Club Championships – The Men’s Captains view..
Shaun Grima, Sliema Hotsticks HC
Brussels: With less than 50 hours until the start of the EuroHockey Club Championships in Glasgow, Vienna, Bratislava, Predanovci and Kordin, it’s great that we could get the views of some of our hosting captains: SV Arminen captain Robert Bele, Tadej Mikola, captain HK Triglav Predanovci (host Challenge III) and Shaun Grima, captain of Sliema Hotsticks, hosts of the Challenge IV. 
Robert Bele
First off we spoke to Robert Bele, captain of SV Arminen who are hosting the EuroHockey Club Challenge I in Vienna and we asked him what playing at home means to him? “Playing in front of our homecrowd will be really special for us, it will help us a lot to perform in front of our families and friends at home in beautiful Vienna! He explained that he has been a member in this club since he was 9 years old with just only one year when he played in Germany for Crefelder HTC. His brother Alex used to play for S.V. Arminen as well, but changed for the current season to Belgium to play for Royal Daring.” When asked about the effort on and off the pitch from the club he was understanding of the masses of work involved “It is much effort of many many people from our club which is really helpful to make this event happening in the way it will do, so we are really thankful for that! We will give our best to give all the work back with performing well on the pitch!
Having played hockey for such a long time Robert has many great memories but for him “The best memory of course was our game against M.H.C Oranje Zwart in the KO16 of the EHL last season, where we just lost 0:2 and had a good game against the eventual Champions!”
As for SV Arminen’s target, that was an easy one – “Our ambition is clear. Promotion to the next division”
Tadej Mikola
Next up it was great to hear from HK Triglav Predanovci’s captain Tadej Mikola. Seasoned EuroHockey hosts as they already hosted an indoor event this year which Tadej assured us was “amazing”. He is however delighted to be hosting an outdoor event as hockey is growing in Slovenia and whilst currently there are only 3 clubs, he is hopeful of growth in the near future. He and his brother have been playing in Triglav for 13 years and he is very aware of the volunteer effort put in which is good for the club, but also to show off his home country of Slovenia. He has played in some EuroHockey tournaments before, his best memory being taking silver and being awarded “Best Player of the Tournament”. Their warm up song – ‘Snoop Dog, as he lifts the spirit of the team!”
Finally it was great to catch up with Shaun Grima, (main photo) Sliema Hotsticks HC – the team that is hosting the EuroHockey Club Challenge IV.
Yes he’s delighted to be playing at home – not only a plus but “playing at home means that our families, friends and supporters will come and support us during the games. This will create the same environment we normally have during the local matches.” Whilst he’s been playing for the past 12 years, recently he has persuaded his girlfriend to get involved and whilst he has no blood relatives in the club, he feels that his team mates are really like family!
Not only is Shaun captain of the team, but he is also involved in the preparations for the event, and really grateful to all the club members who will turn the National Hockey centre into the “home of hockey from 13th – 16th May. In 2015 he was privedged to play for Malta in the Champions IV, after not having been capped for 10 years, in his own words it was “an experience I will treasure throughout my life. Not just for the experience, but even for the honor to represent my country.” Unlike the guys from Triglav, theirs i s a quieter warm up, concentrating on the task in hand! They will celebrate when the tournament is over! “The eldest member of our team is Ludolf Rasterhoff. He brings experience and passion to the game. He can point out exactly what should be done in the simplest way possible and pulls the right strings when needed most. On the other hand, the youngest player is Alessandro Amore, still 17 years of age. Apart from being everyone’s target when it comes to jokes, with his passion and eagerness he reminds us of how much we all love hockey. We all try to help him improve in his hockey abilities.
It was a real pleasure to chat to our captains ahead of the weekend! We wish them and all the teams who are taking part this weekend.
For where to watch, follow us on:
Twitter: @eurohockeyorg #EHClub2016
Facebook – www.facebook.com/EuroHockeyorg/
And ALL results will be LIVE here on the site www.eurohockey.org
Eurohockey media release
EuroHockey Club Championships – The Women’s Captains view
Cata Barguño, RC Polo
Brussels: As we gear up to the start of the EuroHockey Club Championships in Bilthoven, Barcelona, Prague, Lille and Gibraltar, like the guys the girls are also preparing and host captains; Cata Barguño, RC Polo, Marie Blondel, Lille and Lisa Alevez, Gibraltar took some time out from their preparations to chat to us!
Cata (main photo) you are captain of RC Polo de Barcelona team that is hosting the EuroHockey Club Trophy, what does playing at home mean to you? “Given the big amount of people who practice this sport in the city –Barcelona- and therefore, the high number hockey fans, in my opinion I think there is no better place where this tournament could be host. Barcelona has been the city where I have grown up and consequently having the chance to play this championship here, makes me feel very honoured and lucky. I am very excited to live this experience that will definitely contribute to the growth of my hockey learning experience. Being part of RC Polo is a very important part of Cata’s life “In my family sports has always been a very important matter, not only for the discipline but also for the learning experience of working in teams. Therefore, all of the members of my family -as well as I did- joined the Real Club Polo Barcelona when they were born. I started playing Hockey when I was 8 years old; it’s been 14 years now since I hold a stick for the first time. My brother, my father and my grandfather played Hockey and my cousins and uncles did too, so we could say that in my family, hockey is kind of a tradition.”
Whilst not being aware of every last detail, Cata is very aware of the huge effort by the organisers and “to all the people who have lately been supporting the organization of this event, I would like to thank them all as without their commitment I am sure this would not be possible.”
They usually play positive, energetic songs in their warm up but don’t have any particular favourites!
Marie Blondel
Marie Blondel, captain Lille MHC, like Cata is delighted to be playing at home! She feels that the team owes that to the club, but they are aware that it can be distracting to have friends and family around so she hopes that they stay focused! “It’s also an amazing time for the younger players, seeing teams from all over Europe , playing on the same pitch as theirs. Moreover, as you may know, field hockey is not a popular sport in France. An event like the EuroHockey Club Challenge is a great opportunity for French people to discover this amazing game.”
I asked Marie when she joined Lille “I’m 28. I started field hockey when I was 10 years old. I have been playing at the Lille Métropole Hockey Club for 10 years now. However I feel like it was yesterday. I’ve got 4 brothers, two of them are playing hockey (the 2 left choose rugby). The three of us play in Lille. My older brother plays in the men 1st team (he used to be captain and is a member of the French team for the indoor season) and my little brother plays in the 3rd team.”
As for the event itself, she is very aware and grateful to the club! “The team raised some money by organizing several cake sales during the last matches at home – 1€ per slice of delicious homemade chocolate cake ! We also found sponsors for the event. Nevertheless, the event could not have been set up without the help of the numerous volunteers!’
The target of the team is to play in the final and then Win!
They do have a playlist for their warm-up, and a special one they will be delighted to hear when they score – we will all have to wait to hear what it is! It’s a surprise…
I asked Marie about their oldest member and she didn’t hesitate to reply “Our oldest member is Cécile Dagostino. She used to play in the French team some years ago. Her nickname is “Maman” (meaning “mother” in French). Together with Juliette Hannebicque, they are our “rocks”. They bring serenity to the group. They can help to calm down the game when it’s needed. They are our metronome.”
As for the youngest player “Our youngest member is Maureen “Mau” Vivaldi. However she’s 14, she gives everything on the field. And she never gives up. Unfortunately, she can not play with us for the European Cup because she is not 15 years old! She will be in one month… Nevertheless, she will stay with us -as a member of the team- during the event.
Lisa Alvez
Finally we also got to chat with Lisa Alevez, captain of Hawks, Gibraltar:
Are you excited about playing at home? “Playing at home is making me really nervous but excited at the same time. Knowing that family & friends are coming to watch is added pressure and hopefully we will play our best hockey.”
How long have you been a member of your club and do have other family members in the club? “I consider my whole team as my family as most of us have been playing for over 20 years together . I started 26 years ago and I’ve always been part of the same team. There are still 7 of us in the team from the original starting team!”
Are you aware of the work being done to host the event by your club and have the team assisted with fundraising etc to make the event happen? “One of the members of my team – Naomi, is the main one responsible for the organisation. She is working very hard to make this a success . We have held several fundraising events like cake stalls , bingo & lots of ticket selling for raffles . We have all looked for sponsors and the Gibraltar government has helped us with the funding of the event.”
And what of past EuroHockey travel? “I have lots of special memories about our trips away and really enjoy watching the other matches as it gives us a chance to watch different teams of a high standard play together . I’ll never forget on one of our trips, we were traveling through one of the airports, we were on one of the mechanical lanes and our goalie was at the front. Her kit got jammed at the exit and we caused a huge pile-up at the end. Afterwards we laughed so much and still do when we retell it.”
They don’t have a warm-up song, but they do have a very special team! “Our eldest member is Jaqui,who’s 50 already . She can outrun and take on anyone who gets in her way. You’d never believe what her age is. One of our youngest players is our goalie , Chelsea . She’s only 16 but is playing really well. She is really agile and moves about quickly, diving and getting up in a flash. 12 of our team are over 35 years old making us the oldest team (we think and we, the EHF is inclined to agree) playing in this event.”
Like chatting to the guys earlier it was a real pleasure to chat to our captains ahead of the weekend! It’s so fantastic to see the work and effort on an off the pitch from our clubs! We wish them and all the teams who are taking part this weekend.
For where to watch, follow us on:
Twitter: @eurohockeyorg #EHClub2016
Facebook – www.facebook.com/EuroHockeyorg/
And ALL results will be LIVE here on the site www.eurohockey.org
Eurohockey media release
Women’s National Team to play test series in Japan next month
Shaheed Devji
PHOTO: Brienne Stairs (left) and Canada’s Women’s National Team take on Japan at the 2016 Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand (Courtesy of Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey)
Canada’s women’s field hockey team will continue its 2016 competition schedule this June when it plays a test series against Olympic-bound Japan from June 18-29.
The four-game series against the Japanese will be played in two Japanese cities: the first two matches in Osaka on June 23 and 25, and the final two in Gifu on June 26 and 28.
The Japanese women, who are hosting the Canadians as a part of their 2016 Olympic preparation, are currently ranked 10th internationally, while the Canadians sit in 19th.
Canada and Japan most recently met at the 2016 Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand, a tournament which featured six of the twelve women’s field hockey teams set to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Japanese finished second in the eight-team tournament.
Canada’s women and Japan have met 11 times since 1997. Eight of those meetings came in two series in Vancouver in 2001 and 2011. The teams also met at the 1978, 1980, and 1981 Women’s World Cups of Hockey.
The trip to Japan is part of Canada’s preparation for the 2017 Women’s World League Round 2, which it will be hosting in British Columbia next March and is a key part of the 2018 Women’s World Cup qualification process.
As a part of their preparation for the matches against Japan, upon arrival in Osaka, the Canadian women will also play a warm-up match against Ritsumeikan University at Ritsumeikan University.
Canada-Japan 2016 Test Series Schedule:
Thursday, June 23 – 5:00pm at Ritsumeikan Holly Stadium
Saturday, June 25 – 2:30pm at at Ritsumeikan Holly Stadium
Sunday, June 26 – 4:00pm at Gifu Green Stadium
Tuesday, June 28 – 7:00pm at Gifu Green Stadium
Field Hockey Canada media release
Great weekend training camp for Scotland Men
SCOTLAND coach Derek Forsyth praised the effort of the Senior Men’s squad members who attended the two-day training camp last weekend at Uddingston.
Derek said: “ This was our first camp since the Euros last August. We had a number of senior players missing due to their involvement with Great Britain and club commitments abroad.
“This gave us an opportunity to introduce a number of young players into the group who all impressed throughout the weekend.
Lilleshall in Shropshire will host their second session from May 20-22 and it will include games against Great Britain under-23.
A four-team tournament in Poland in June plus other international fixtures are planned ahead of the World League in Glasgow in September.
Derek added: “This is an important spell for the squad and we have a good group of players who are committed to doing their very best for Scotland.”
Scottish Hockey Union media release
We're a medal contender if everything falls in place: Oltmans
NEW DELHI: Going by its past performances, not many would fancy Indian men's hockey team's chances in the upcoming Olympics, but chief coach Roelant Oltmans says a medal finish in Rio is very much achievable if "everything falls in the right place at the right time".
Eight-time gold medallists India finished a lowly 12th and last in the London Olympics four years ago, but Oltmans feels that's a thing of the past and says if his boys can bring out their best anything can happen this time around.
"We are in a group of teams that can win a medal but everything has to fall in the right place at the right moment and that is what the Olympic Games are all about," Oltmans told PTI in an interview.
"The question is 'will you be able to show your best hockey at the right moment'? and the answer is 'If we do so we are (a medal contender)'."
"Every team in the world wants to win a medal in the Olympic Games. For us it's the same but we have to make improvement to make that happen. I always go step by step, so the first thing for me is having a good pool phase and qualify for the quarterfinals. From there on we need to win only three more matches," the Dutchman said, summing his expectations.
India are clubbed alongside defending champions Germany, European champions Netherlands, Pan-American Games winners Argentina, Ireland and Canada in a relatively tough Pool B in the Rio Olympics, while Pool A consists of world champions Australia, Belgium, hosts Brazil, Great Britain, New Zealand and Spain. Top four teams from each pool will progress to the quarterfinals.
"For me the pool is nothing new. The pools are based on world rankings and they are honest and fair. We have to work hard to make sure that we start well and finish in the top four in our group to qualify for the quarterfinals. It is our primary aim. Once in the quarterfinals then it's a one-off game and everything can happen in a one-off game," he said.
Oltmans, who is also the High Performance Director of Indian hockey, hinted that they might go in with one goalkeeper in PR Sreejesh.
"It's subject to discussion but normally most of the teams will bring in one goalkeeper in their 16-member squad and there will be two players in the reserves which includes one goalkeeper. That is what most of the teams will do and that is what I will also recommend," the legendary Dutchman said.
Oltmans said India will continue to rest seniors in tournaments in the run up to the Olympics but warned every player against taking their place in the squad for granted.
"It is not just about giving juniors a chance, it is also about giving rest to a couple of senior players who have played a lot of hockey in the last two years. We will do the same in the next two tournaments we play and from there on we will look for the right combination for the Olympics," he said.
"For everyone it's real competition. In every line of the field -- defenders, midfielders and forwards -- the competition is tough and that's good.
"We will next play the Champions Trophy in London and after that six-nation event in Valencia and straight after that we will discuss the final squad for the Olympic Games. We have a group of 28 players right now and everybody has a chance. Everyone has to prove himself everyday and that is what is challenging. Everyone need to challenge. No one is sure," Oltmans added.
Consistency is something which has been a thorn in the flesh for Indian men's hockey team for quite sometime, but Oltmans said they are making improvements in every aspect of the game, and doing it pretty fast.
"We are still improving and that is for me the most important thing. The team is still making progress and we want to make more progress in the last few months in the run up to the Olympics," the coach said.
"I think we are getting more and more consistent to be honest and that's good. Consistency is a matter of knowing exactly what to do while in possession and in non-possession and dare to execute plans no matter who is your opponent. I think we are getting closer and closer in achieving that.
"If you look at our performance against top teams one year back and our performance now you will see we have made a lot of progress. We are getting more and more consistent," Oltmans concluded.
The Times of India
Can't get complacent: Raghunath
Bengaluru: Drag flick-ace VR Raghunath believes that the Indian national hockey team is confident and is all poised to peak at the right time for the Rio Olympics.
"Ever since the Asian Games Gold in 2014, the team has started to believe in itself again. We never wanted to come down from that stage and only wanted to climb up. We had a ranking of 12-13 before 2014.
"Recently we were placed No.6 and currently we are ranked No.7 in the world. No opponent takes us lightly anymore and they talk about us as a team that does well in knockouts. I believe we have a bright chance and we are moving in the right direction for the upcoming tournaments," emphasizes the 27-year-old defender on the eve of the team preparing for the London Champions Trophy.
The star defender Raghunath also feels one can't get complacent about being the most experienced player.
"Nobody can take their place in the Indian team for granted, you have to constantly prove yourself. Anyone who performs well will be in the squad and personally for me, I would like to test myself against big teams like Australia, Germany and Netherlands in the upcoming tournaments and analyse my performance".
He says further adds that his priority will be to take his team to a comfortable position in the first half at the Champions Trophy and Six Nations Tournament.
"The priority will be to convert maximum penalty corners so that my team is in a comfortable spot in the first two quarters," he added.
Commenting on the ongoing preparations for Rio Olympics at SAI centre Bengaluru, Raghunath says that the players like to remind themselves of the lost opportunities where they could have done better and push each other harder during the practice.
"I feel we are best prepared than ever before for a big tournament, be it physically, mentally or even psychologically. We not only focus on improving individually but also encourage each other and tell ourselves that we need to perform as a unit to leave a mark at the Olympics this time," he concludes.
Stick2Hockey.com
India will shine at Champions Trophy: Raghunath
VR Raghunat. (TOI Photo)
BENGALURU: Veteran defender VR Raghunath believes that the Indian hockey team is poised to peak at the right time and will do well at the Champions Trophy next month.
"Ever since the Asian Games gold in 2014, the team has started to believe in itself again. We never wanted to come down from that stage and only wanted to climb up. We had a ranking of 12-13 before 2014. Recently we were placed No.6 and currently we are ranked No.7 in the world. No opponent takes us lightly anymore and they talk about us as a team that does well in knockouts," Raghunath said in a statement.
"I believe we have a bright chance and we are moving in the right direction for the upcoming tournaments," the 27-year-old added.
As one of the senior-most members of the team, Raghunath feels that one cannot get complacent about being the most experienced player.
"Nobody can take their place in the Indian team for granted, you have to constantly prove yourself. Anyone who performs well will be in the squad and personally for me, I would like to test myself against big teams like Australia, Germany and Netherlands in the upcoming tournaments and analyse my performance," the penalty corner specialist said.
"The priority will be to convert maximum penalty corners so that my team is in a comfortable spot in the first two quarters," he added.
Commenting on the ongoing preparations for the Rio Olympics at the SAI centre here, Raghunath said that the players like to remind themselves of the lost opportunities where they could have done better and push each other harder during practice.
"I feel we are best prepared than ever before for a big tournament, be it physically, mentally or even psychologically. We not only focus on improving individually but also encourage each other and tell ourselves that we need to perform as a unit to leave a mark at the Olympics this time," the drag flicker said.
The Times of India
We gained self belief after 2014 Asiad gold: Raghunath
BENGALURU: Ace drag-flicker VR Raghunath said the self belief which they had gained after winning the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games was responsible for the Indian men's hockey team's constant rise at the world stage in the recent years.
"Ever since the Asian Games Gold in 2014, the team has started to believe in itself again. We never wanted to come down from that stage and only wanted to climb up. We had a ranking of 12-13 before 2014 but recently we were placed No.6 and currently we are ranked No.7 in the world," Raghunath said in the lead up to the Champions Trophy in London.
"No opponent takes us lightly anymore and they talk about us as a team that does well in knockouts. I believe we have a bright chance and we are moving in the right direction for the upcoming tournaments," added the 27-year-old defender.
He is one of the senior most players in the team, but Raghunath said one can't get complacent.
"Nobody can take their place in the Indian team for granted, you have to constantly prove yourself. Anyone who performs well will be in the squad and personally for me, I would like to test myself against big teams like Australia, Germany and Netherlands in the upcoming tournaments and analyse my performance," he said.
"The priority will be to convert maximum penalty corners so that my team is in a comfortable spot in the first two quarters," he added.
Commenting on the ongoing preparations for Rio Olympics at SAI centre here, Raghunath said: "I feel we are best prepared than ever before for a big tournament, be it physically, mentally or even psychologically. We are not only focus on improving individually but also encourage each other and tell ourselves that we need to perform as a unit to leave a mark at the Olympics this time."
The Times of India
Raghunath believes Rio-bound Indian hockey team peaking at right time
Bengaluru: In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy next month, senior hockey player and drag flick specialist VR Raghunath believes the team is poised to peak at the right time.
"Ever since the Asian Games Gold in 2014, the team has started to believe in itself again. We never wanted to come down from that stage and only wanted to climb up. We had a ranking of 12-13 before 2014. Recently we were placed No.6 and currently we are ranked No.7 in the world. No opponent takes us lightly anymore and they talk about us as a team that does well in knockouts. I believe we have a bright chance and we are moving in the right direction for the upcoming tournaments," emphasizes the 27-year-old defender.
As one of the senior most members of the team, Raghunath feels one can't get complacent about being the most experienced player.
"Nobody can take their place in the Indian team for granted, you have to constantly prove yourself. Anyone who performs well will be in the squad and personally for me, I would like to test myself against big teams like Australia, Germany and Netherlands in the upcoming tournaments and analyse my performance," he says while adding that his priority will be to take his team to a comfortable position in the first half at the Champions Trophy and Six Nations Tournament.
"The priority will be to convert maximum penalty corners so that my team is in a comfortable spot in the first two quarters," he added.
Commenting on the ongoing preparations for Rio Olympics at SAI centre Bengaluru, Raghunath says that the players like to remind themselves of the lost opportunities where they could have done better and push each other harder during the practice.
"I feel we are best prepared than ever before for a big tournament, be it physically, mentally or even psychologically. We not only focus on improving individually but also encourage each other and tell ourselves that we need to perform as a unit to leave a mark at the Olympics this time," he concludes.
The Times of India
Hockey India recommends Raghunath, Ritu Rani for Arjuna Awards
VR Raghunath. (TOI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Hockey India on Wednesday announced the list of players recommended for the esteemed Arjuna Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards 2016. VR Raghunath, Dharamvir Singh and Ritu Rani have been recommended for the Arjuna Award while Sylvanus Dung Dung has been recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award and veteran coach CR Kumar got recommendation for the Dronacharya Award.
Former India player Sylvanus Dung Dung, 70, who was part of the Olympic gold medal winning team in 1980 has been recommended for the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Dung Dung, an unsung hero of Indian hockey, had struck the golden goal against Spain which brought home the elusive gold medal after a disappointing outing for the nation in the 1976 Montreal Olympics when India had missed the podium.
Speaking on the recommendations, Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, secretary general, Hockey India said, "We are extremely delighted to recommend the players who have proved their mettle against all odds on the turf and displayed extraordinary performances in India and abroad. With their passion and dedication for the sport, these players who have been recommended have done India proud by earning several accolades internationally."
"I truly believe they deserve every recognition and appreciation for the efforts they have put in making the nation shine in various tournaments. While for each player being conferred with the most coveted Major Dhyan Chand Award and Arjuna Award is a dream that further inspires them, being conferred with the Dronacharya Award is the highest form of recognition and respect for every coach," Ahmad said in a media release.
VR Raghunath, who made his debut in 2005, has been an integral part of the national team's defence structure and is counted as one of the best drag flickers in the country. He was a part of the Indian team that won the bronze in the 2007 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, silver in 2008, gold in the 2007 Asia Cup and silver in 2013 where he scored six goals for India. He was one of the key members of the squad in the 2014 Asian Games where India won the gold after nearly three decades and secured an Olympic berth.
Likewise, Dharamvir Singh too has been an asset to the team and was part of the Asian Games gold medal winning team along with the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2014 and the bronze medal at 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Ritu Rani, on the other hand, has been an extraordinary talent and a fine captain who led the team from the front and helped them achieve the much-awaited Rio Olympic berth. Indian eves last outing in the Olympic Games was in 1980 at Moscow.
Meanwhile coach CR Kumar has served Indian hockey for long with diligence and hard work. He is best known for guiding the Indian junior men's hockey team to glory in the 2011 Junior World Cup in Hobart. In recent years he has been closely working with chief coach Neil Hawgood as the coach of the senior women's hockey team.
The Times of India
Drag-flickers star in Punjab’s second win
Chandigarh: A brilliant show by the drag-flickers saw Punjab overcome Uttar Pradesh 5-3 in their second Pool B match of the junior men’s hockey national Championship in Raipur today.
Punjab, who beat Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (MPHA) 3-1 yesterday, ran away to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Ajmer Singh opened the scoring — his third goal of the tournament — before Mehkeet Singh and Arvinder Singh converted two penalty corners.
The three-time champions then almost let the match slip away as UP fought back and reduced the lead to 3-2. However, Arvinder completed his brace and Baljinder Singh got his name on the scoresheet — both goals came through penalty corners — to give Punjab some breathing space.
However, Punjab coach Avtar Singh was not fully satisfied with the team’s performance.
“It was an improved performance. Yesterday, the forward-line played well; today, the drag-flickers did it for us,” Avtar said.
“But the boys still wasted too many chances. The team hasn’t found its rhythm yet. The boys played fast attacking hockey, but it was unnecessary at times. They left gaps at the back and couldn’t handle the counter-attacks. There were too many mistakes in defence. The team will need to improve a lot in the next match.”
Punjab play Gangpur-Odisha in the must-win final pool match on Thursday. Gangpur-Odisha beat MPHA 6-3 to register their second win. Both the teams have six points but Gangpur-Odisha have a better goal difference than Punjab, so a draw on Thursday will see them through to the semifinals.
In a Pool D match, HP beat Jharkhand 6-3. For HP, Sumeet Pal (31st minute, 49th, 65th), Lakhwinder Singh (34th), Gurpreet Singh (38th) and Ramandeep Singh (64th) scored the goals.
The Tribune
Ex-player serves legal notice on PHF over human smuggling row
LAHORE: Former woman hockey player Neelma Hussain has served a legal notice on the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for levelling allegations of human smuggling on herself and her husband as the PHF secretary Shahbaz Senior categorically denied the allegation.
Addressing a crowded press conference at the Lahore Press Club here on Tuesday, Neelma said that the PHF had wrongly accused her husband Aamir Salman, a hockey organiser and owner of Tiger Club in Islamabad, and herself of involvement in human smuggling but “we had never sought any NOC from the PHF to take any team abroad nor did we drop anyone in any other country.”
She said her husband was a prominent organiser of indoor hockey and staged some events in Islamabad with the approval of the Islamabad Hockey Association.
She alleged that in fact a hockey mafia was behind the nasty allegations and the same mafia had also committed a fraud with her family.
She disclosed that one Bilal Shabbir, an ordinary hockey player who is working in a private bank, had requested her family to open a joint bank account with his bank but later “we found that an amount of Rs 20 lakhs had been withdrawn from our joint account.”
“A case has been registered and FIA is investigating it. Four employees of that branch have been suspended including Bilal Shabbir,” she said. “But now a mafia patronised by the PHF wants to pressurise her family and for that reason it has levelled the allegations of human smuggling.”
She further said that some hockey players having influence in the PHF were also giving life threats to her for which another case has been registered. She alleged local police was also supporting that mafia.
Neelma asserted that the PHF will have to reply to her notice within 14 days otherwise it will face the court.
Meanwhile, PHF secretary Shahbaz when contacted to comment on the row, said that the federation had not leveled any such allegations on Neelma’s family. He said in fact, the PHF received a letter from NAB in which human smuggling matter was mentioned and the name of the said family was also written.
“As a precautionary step, the PHF has only intimated all its affiliated units about the NAB’s letter, with no allegation of human smuggling on that family,” said Shahbaz. “However, for the time being, the Tiger Club has been banned and it will not enjoy an affiliation with the Islamabad Hockey Association till the matter is settled.”
Shahbaz said he did not know even who was Bilal Shabbir but added that NAB took the action on a complaint registered by Bilal.
Dawn