News for 20 October 2016
All the news for Thursday 20 October 2016
No reason for Malaysia to lose ACT opener
By Jugjet Singh
MALAYSIA will open the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) accounts against Pakistan in Kuantan Thursday, and nothing but a win is expected from coach Stephen van Huizen's men.
For, Malaysia will field their strongest penalty corner battery of six players, as well as having a better squad than the one which finished which sixth in the recent Australian Hockey League.
And Pakistan will be playing without their skipper Mohamed Irfan, who never arrived in Kuantan due to visa problems back home.
Van Huizen said as both the teams will be trying to claw back into world hockey, it will be a tough encounter.
"Both Pakistan and Malaysia missed out of the Rio Olympics and are trying to climb back into the world hockey ladder and so I expect a tough match from the ACT defending champions," said van Huizen.
The six penalty corner flickers for Malaysia are Shahril Saabah, Fitri Shaari, Firhan Ashaari, Razie Rahim, Faizal Shaari and Najmi Farizal.
"Our penalty corner choises are the strongest ever as I have five other players to select from other than our No 1 Razie.
"This will be our mainstay in the tournament, where we aim to qualify for the semi-finals first and then take one game at a time."
In the last encounter at the Azlan Shah Cup, Malaysia edged Pakistan 1-0 with the winner coming from Razie's direct flick.
However, in the ACT, Malaysia have yet to beat Pakistan in the three encounters. They lost 3-2 in 2011, drew 2-2 in 2012 and lost 1-0 in 2013 when the tournament was last held.
Pakistan manager Hanif Khan said the absence of Irfan will be felt, but they have Plan B.
"Our captain Irfan could not make it here due to viss problems and so we will be bringing in another player soon. It will be tougher for us now, but we have a Plan B to counter his absence," said Hanif.
Pakistan won the last two editions and are gunning for a hat-trick.
"We came here on a hat-trick mission, and winning the first match will be utmost in our minds to kick-start that ambition," said Hanif.
The other teams in the ACt are India, South Korea, China and Japan.
THURSDAY: Malaysia v Pakistan (6.30pm), India v Japan (8.30pm).
FRIDAY: Pakistan v South Korea (6.30pm), Malaysia v China (8.30pm).
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
For India, only gold matters in Asian hockey Champions Trophy
India, placed sixth in the world, are the only Asian team to feature in the top 10 of the world rankings.
Going purely by rankings and recent performances, anything less than a gold medal will be seen as a failure for the Asian Games champions. Going purely by rankings and recent performances, anything less than a gold medal will be seen as a failure for the Asian Games champions.
Five ranking spots and a constantly-widening gulf of class separates India from the next-best team at the Asian Champions Trophy, which gets underway in the Malaysian city of Kuantan on Thursday.
India, placed sixth in the world, are the only Asian team to feature in the top 10 of the world rankings. South Korea are second-best at 11th, followed by Pakistan (13). Going purely by rankings and recent performances, anything less than a gold medal will be seen as a failure for the Asian Games champions.
India’s resurgence has coincided with a collective fall in standards of other Asian teams, a fact underlined when none of the other countries managed to qualify for the Rio Olympics. South Korea have perennially been in a rebuilding phase while lack of funds and internal problems in their federation have contributed to to Pakistan’s rapid slide.
The impact of this became apparent when the Asian Hockey Federation decided to scrap the 2014 and 2015 editions of the Asian Champions Trophy owing to a lack of interest by other countries. However, the International Hockey Federation’s decision to make this an Olympic and World Cup qualifying tournament has given a new lease of life to the tournament. Despite their recent struggles, Pakistan are the most successful side in the tournament’s brief history, winning two out of the three editions. For India to reclaim the title they won in 2011, they will have to end Pakistan’s stranglehold on it. Roelant Oltmans’ side will be eager to prove that the absence of playmaker Manpreet Singh and winger SV Sunil due to injuries has not blunted their strike power. Also missing from the squad is seasoned defender VR Raghunath.
Manpreet’s absence will see the return of former captain Sardar Singh to the centre-half postion, while the experienced Birendra Lakra will return from his injury-forced absence to step into Raghunath’s position. Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh, who were originally rested, were recalled to the squad after Sunil failed to recover from the wrist injury he sustained during the Olympics. The performance of young strikers Lalit Upadhyay and Affan Yousuf will also be under scrutiny.
India launch their campaign against Japan, while defending champions Pakistan face hosts Malaysia. South Korea and China, the other two participants, get into action on Friday. The highlight of the round robin league competition will be the India-Pakistan encounter on Sunday. Coach Oltmans has implored his side for positive results.
Indian Express
Favourites India under pressure to reclaim ACT hockey title
KUANTAN (Malaysia): Asian Games gold medalists India start as the overwhelming favourites to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) men's hockey tournament featuring continent's top six nations, starting on Thursday.
Winners of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy at Ordos five years ago, India have since then been indifferent in fielding their best squad for this competition, which suffered from lack of enthusiasm among the continent's hockey elite.
After two editions of the annual event were not conducted in 2014 and 2015, the Asian Champions Trophy got a boost from the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) decision to include it in the qualification system for future Olympics and World Cups.
The FIH decision has attracted the top Asian hockey talent to the Malaysian port city of Kuantan which will host the quality action from October 20 to 30.
Fielding their best-available squad that was marred by a spate of injuries, India's billing as the hot favourites could put them under pressure.
Twice defending champions Pakistan, who are the best performing team in the Asian Champions Trophy's short history, and former Asian champions South Korea will be eager to pull off a surprise against the higher-ranked opponents.
Indian team coach Roelant Oltmans has implored his side for positive results in this outing.
"Our quarter-final ouster in the Olympics was a disappointment, but it has instilled a belief in the players that they can match the best in the world. Now, Indian hockey fans will be looking for some good results," says Oltmans.
Ranked number six in the world and way ahead of the other teams competing in this tournament, the Indian players are aware that nothing less than the title will be deemed as a positive result.
By virtue of their Asian Games gold medal, India were the only Asian team to feature in the Olympic Games and their preliminary pool victory over eventual Olympic gold medalists Argentina was the spotlight for PR Sreejesh-led side.
Memory of his penalty stroke-saving deeds of the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final still fresh, captain Sreejesh is keen to give a thanksgiving present to the Indian hockey supporters who have kept the belief even in times of despair such as India's bottom spot in the 12-team Olympic competition in 2012 and the failure to even qualify for the Olympic Games four years earlier.
"Showcase your strike-power" is the message that's gone out to the Indian team from its skipper.
After their 1-3 Rio Olympic quarter-final loss to Belgium, who went on to win a silver medal behind Argentina, India are looking for a winning start to the next Olympic cycle, during which they will again host the World Cup in 2018.
India are eager to prove that injury-caused absence of their playmaker Manpreet Singh and livewire right winger SV Sunil has not blunted their strike-power.
Also missing from the squad is seasoned defender VR Raghunath.
Manpreet's absence will see the return of former captain Sardar Singh to the centre-half position, while the experienced Birender Lakra will return from his injury-forced absence to step into Raghunath's position.
Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh, who were originally rested, were recalled to the squad after Sunil failed to recover from the wrist injury he sustained during the Olympics.
The performance of young strikers Lalit Upadhyay and Affan Yousuf will also be under scrutiny.
It was in this year's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia that junior team captain Harmanpreet Singh impressed the coach so much that he got picked for the Olympic squad.
India launch their campaign against Japan on Thursday, while defending champions Pakistan take on hosts Malaysia on the opening day. South Korea and China, the other two participants, get into action on Friday.
The feature of the round-robin league competition will be the India-Pakistan encounter on Sunday, where the defending champions will be eager to avenge their loss at the Incheon Asiad title encounter.
The loss in the 2014 Asian Games final at Incheon led to Pakistan's ouster from the Olympic Games lineup for the first time. It was a big blow of Pakistan hockey, soon after they failed to qualify for the 12-team World Cup at The Hague earlier in 2014.
Pakistan's campaign here had a tottering start with captain Mohammad Irfan failing to make it to Kuantan. Reportedly unable to retrieve his passport from another embassy, Irfan was not with the Pakistan team that landed in Malaysia and now he has been left out of the tournament altogether.
Irfan has now been replaced as captain by Fareed Ahmed, the highest capped member of the squad with 207 appearances for Pakistan.
Pakistan has won the Asian Champions Trophy twice after being runners up in the inaugural edition. Pakistan defeated India 5-4 in the final in 2012 and then retained the title in 2013 by prevailing 3-1 over Japan in the title encounter.
In 2013, when India sent their under-21 side, they did not even feature in the final. India have one gold and one silver medal, beside the fifth-place in 2013.
Hosts Malaysia have consistently got the bronze medal in all three editions.
The Times of India
Pressure-free Malaysia aim for podium in Asian Champions Trophy
by S. Ramaguru
Malaysia's captain Shukri Mutalib (left) and coach Stephen van Huizen after the press conference for the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan. - Bernama
KUANTAN: Malaysia will be under no pressure when they compete in the fourth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy, which starts at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
With home ground advantage, the hosts should be looking for a podium finish.
The other teams taking part in the six-team round-robin tournament are Pakistan, India, China, Japan and South Korea.
But, with most of the other teams bringing young players in a bid to give them exposure ahead of the Junior World Cup in December, it’s only right that coach Stephen van Huizen’s men should aim for a top-two finish after coming out third on all three previous occasions.
“For me, it is important that the players show improvement in their game and greater consistency. We’ve had some injuries, but I don’t think that will affect us greatly,” said Stephen.
“We have a long-term target and that is to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“The players have to get the winning mentality and also ensure that mistakes are kept to a minimum.”
Stephen took over as the national coach in October last year and has only handled the team for three outings – the tour of Japan last year, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May and the recent Australian Hockey League in Perth.
So, he’ll be using the Asian Champions Trophy hoping to learn more about his players and decide who will be the ones who can carry the challenges next year.
The inclusions of Mohd Razie Rahim, Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor and Faizal Saari should give him greater options and firepower.
Malaysia will open their campaign today against Pakistan.
Malaysia have always found it hard to beat Pakistan, although they did manage a slim 1-0 win in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May.
Pakistan won the tournament twice – 2012 and 2013. They were also in the final of the inaugural tournament in 2011, but lost to India.
Naturally coach K.M. Junaid wants his Pakistani team to win it a third time.
In fact, he wants to use the Asian Champions Trophy to jump-start their revival in world hockey.
But don’t expect the other teams – India, South Korea, Japan and even China – to take it easy.
With FIH continental points at stake, all six countries will have added incentives to do well.
India, the only Asian team at the Rio Olympics in August, will also want re-establish their credentials as the top dogs in Asia.
South Korea have been giving the Asian Champions Trophy scant respect by fielding mostly junior players.
But all that could change as the Koreans, fifth in 2011 but skipped the last two editions, will be led by world-renowned coach Paul Lissek.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan captain Irfan unable to proceed to Malaysia
ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Irfan Senior, the captain designate of Pakistan hockey team for the 4th Asian Champions Trophy, has not been able to join the national team in Malaysia for the event as he could not get his passport back from a foreign embassy in time. "The event is commencing in the Malaysian city of Kuantan from Thursday (today).
The Pakistan team have already reached Kuantan and will play their first match on Friday (tomorrow)," said a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation on Wednesday. "Faisal Qadir is going to Malaysia as Irfan's replacement, while Fareed Ahmed will now captain the Pakistan team and Haseem Khan will be the vice-captain," he added.
The PHF official said the national federation was unaware that Irfan had submitted his passport to some foreign embassy. Necessary disciplinary action would be initiated against him," he concluded.
The Daily Times
Hockey debuts on Olympic Channel with QNET Men’s Asian Champions Trophy
Six of Asia’s finest to fight it out for the title in front of global audience
Defending champions Pakistan will face rivals India at the Asian Champions Trophy 2016 Photo: World Sports Pics
Hockey will debut on the new Olympic Channel this Thursday (20 October 2016) as the QNET Men’s Asian Champions Trophy gets underway in Malaysia, featuring six of the finest teams from the Asian continent.
The Olympic Channel is a free, ground-breaking digital platform where fans can experience the power of sport and the excitement of the Olympic Games all year round, and is available worldwide via mobile apps for Android and iOS devices and at olympicchannel.com.
While FIH Official Media Partner Star Sports (India), BT Sport (United Kingdom and Ireland) and Astro (South East Asia) will be exclusively showing this event in their territories, fans in countries without broadcast agreements will be able to tune in to every single game on the Olympic Channel between 20-30 October 2016.
Introduced in 2011 to create an opportunity for Asian teams to gather more high-level competition experience, the latest edition of the Asian Champions Trophy will take place in Kuantan, capital city of the state of Pahang on Malaysia’s east coast.
The high profile event sees the Malaysian home favourites taking on Asian Games champions India and current title holders Pakistan as well as Korea, China and Japan.
The competition will take place at the 8,000 capacity Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium, a venue that hosted the men’s Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 back in April 2014. With continental ranking points up for grabs, the competition is sure to be fierce.
Over the course of the eleven-day event, the teams will first play each other in a round-robin, which will be followed by semi-finals and placement matches. Here is a quick look at the competing teams.
India (FIH Hero World Ranking: 6) have named a star-studded line-up as they aim to add a second Asian Champions Trophy title to the one they claimed in 2011. Sardar Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra are just a few of the key players selected by head coach Roelant Oltmans for the competition. Ahead of the event, ace goalkeeper and team captain P.R Sreejesh stressed that his team must not be complacent. He said: "We may be the top ranked team in Asia right now but no team can be taken lightly. The defending champions (Pakistan) are known to spring a surprise and Korea too will be a team to watch out for as they have been playing good quality hockey lately.”
Korea (FIH Hero World Ranking: 11) are the second highest ranked team in the competition and regularly challenge for top honours in Asia. The team contains plenty of talent and is captained by vastly experienced midfielder Jung Manjae, who like a number of his team mates represented Korea at the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy in London earlier this year.
Pakistan (FIH Hero World Ranking: 13) come into the event with a new look team that has set its sights on defending the title that they won both in 2012 and 2013 as well as claiming the maximum continental ranking points available. Although there are many young faces, the experience of team captain Fareed Ahmed, excellent goalkeeper Imran Butt as well as Mohammad Rizwan Junior and Mohammad Rizwan Senior are sure to play a vital role.
Malaysia (FIH Hero World Ranking: 14) will be determined to put on a good show for their passionate home fans and have enough talented players to make them serious contenders for the title. Penalty corner specialist Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim has the firepower to hurt every team in the competition, while skillful striker Faizal Saari has true star quality.
Japan (FIH Hero World Ranking: 16) may have an average age of just 23, but are a potent force that is building towards their Olympic challenge at Tokyo 2020. Key players include defender Kenji Kitazato, midfielder Kazuma Murata and forwards Kentaro Fukuda and Hiroki Nakamoto, the team captain.
China (FIH Hero World Ranking: 18) bring a youthful side to the competition, with the vast majority being aged 22 or younger. 20-year-old Meng Lei has been named as the team captain, while Du Chen is the oldest member of the group at just 25. China’s excellent showing in the 2014-15 edition of the Hockey World League provided plenty of evidence that they are capable of some surprises, something they will be aiming to repeat in Kuantan.
On Thursday’s opening day, host nation Malaysia will start their title challenge against Pakistan, who were winners of the last two editions of the event in 2012 and 2013. That match will be followed by India, champions in 2011, taking on Japan.
More information about the event can be found on the Asian Hockey Federation website by clicking here.
WATCH LIVE
Watch this event live on the Olympic Channel website. If geoblocking is in place, please search for your local broadcaster showing this event.
You can download the Olympic Channel App from the AppStore for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices.
FIH site
Kent derby as Canterbury host Holcombe
Canterbury in defensive mode against Clifton earlier this season. Credit: Peter Smith.
Canterbury are preparing to take on local rivals Holcombe in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division, in the mouth-watering first match of a double-header with the men’s teams at Polo Farm on Saturday.
Holcombe suffered their first defeat at home to East Grinstead last weekend, and they will want to get back to winning ways at Canterbury – a win which could put them back at the top of the pile.
But Canterbury will be going all out for the win under the leadership of new Head Coach Ed Welch, who inherited a team which finished second last season.
“Playing Holcombe is always a special match, and form goes out of the window,” said Canterbury Manager Gill Prince. “We’re looking forward to getting a big crowd down for these matches, hopefully they can be the extra player for us.
“Our new coach is doing great work with the squad and we’re feeling really positive about the season ahead.”
In other top-flight action, leaders Surbiton will look to cement their position when they host bottom of the table Reading. Meanwhile East Grinstead, who are second only on goal difference, also have a home match with Bowdon Hightown coming to Saint Hill Road.
Fourth-placed University of Birmingham are also in sight of the top of the table, and they head to Premier Division newcomers Slough on Saturday.
Leicester entertain Clifton Robinsons on Saturday, with either side able to climb into the top four with a win.
Third-placed Harleston Magpies head to fourth-placed Hampstead and Westminster in the Investec Conference East, while leaders Sevenoaks are on the road to Northampton Saints as they aim to make it six wins in a row this season.
Beeston will want to maintain their unbeaten run in the Investec Conference North as they play Ben Rhydding at home on Saturday. Elsewhere second-placed Brooklands Poynton face fourth-placed Wakefield, and the University of Durham are also just two points behind the top of the table. They take on Sutton Coldfield.
Leaders Stourport – who fired seven goals past previously unbeaten Trojans last weekend – will want to continue their free-scoring ways in the Investec Conference West when they go to bottom of the table Bristol Firebrands.
FIXTURES – Saturday, October 22
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Slough v University of Birmingham 13:00
East Grinstead v Bowdon Hightown 13:30
Leicester v Clifton Robinsons 14:00
Surbiton v Reading 15:30
Canterbury v Holcombe 16:00
Investec Conference East
Southgate v Chelmsford 12:30
Cambridge City v West Herts 12:30
St Albans v Wimbledon 13:00
Hampstead and Westminster v Harleston Magpies 13:30
Northampton Saints v Sevenoaks 14:15
Investec Conference North
University of Durham v Sutton Coldfield 12:00
Brooklands Poynton v Wakefield 12:00
Loughborough Students v Timperley 12:30
Belper v Liverpool Sefton 14:00
Beeston v Ben Rhydding 14:00
Investec Conference West
Isca v Oxford Hawks 12:00
Olton and West Warwicks v Swansea City 12:00
Gloucester City v Buckingham 12:30
Bristol Firebrands v Stourport 13:00
Trojans v Exe 14:00
Investec Women’s Cup, Round Two
Boots v Leamington Spa 10:30
Bowdon Hightown v Timperley 14:30
Chelmsford v Hampstead and Westminster 14:00
Clifton Robinsons v Gloucester City 13:00
Maidenhead v West Herts 14:00
Reading v Barnes 14:00
Sevenoaks v Buckingham 12:00
Surbiton v East Grinstead 14:00
Sutton Coldfield v Beeston 14:00
Team Bath Buccaneers v Cheltenham 13:00
Trojans v Oxford Hawks 11:30
Tulse Hill and Dulwich v Slough 13:45
University of Birmingham v Stourport 12:30
England Hockey Board Media release
Leaders Beeston head to East Grinstead
Beeston’s Mark Gleghorne in action against Canterbury last weekend. Credit: David Kissman.
New leaders Beeston are preparing to travel to East Grinstead for a mouth-watering Men’s Hockey League Premier Division clash on Sunday.
With five games played the Nottingham side are one of just two teams without a loss to their name, but they will face a tough opponent in hosts East Grinstead.
“We’re really pleased with how we’ve started the season,” said Beeston’s Team Manager Graham Griffiths. “It’s a fairly new side with young faces, but they have no fear and plenty of intelligence.
“Playing East Grinstead will be a tough match, but they are all tough matches. Over the years we’ve had some sensational games with East Grinstead as we play a similar style of hockey, so we expect plenty of goals!”
Wimbledon battled out a draw with Surbiton last weekend, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they go to Hampstead and Westminster on Sunday.
Saturday’s top flight matches see Holcombe go to local rivals Canterbury as part of a double-header with their women’s teams, while Surbiton also entertain Reading after their women’s teams have met, with both teams aiming to keep pace with the top half of the table.
In a crucial game at the foot of the table Loughborough Students are at home against Brooklands MU with both sides still searching for their first points.
Averaging almost five goals a game, leaders Sevenoaks will be looking to score more as they entertain bottom of the league Indian Gymkhana in the Men’s Conference East on Saturday.
Elsewhere second-placed Southgate – who also have a 100 per cent record – go to Richmond who are third.
Bottom club Leek have a tough match in the Men’s Conference North on Saturday – they host leaders University of Durham, who have a 100 per cent record. And second-placed Doncaster go to second-bottom Oxton on Sunday.
Cardiff and Met face two matches in two days in the Men’s Conference West, as they catch up with the game they postponed in order to play in the Euro Hockey League.
On Saturday they go to Chichester, while Sunday sees them return home to play Isca.
Current leaders the University of Exeter play third-placed Team Bath Buccaneers on Sunday.
FIXTURES – Saturday, October 22
Men’s Premier Division
Canterbury v Holcombe 18:00
Loughborough Students v Brooklands MU 18:00
Surbiton v Reading 18:00
Men’s Conference East
Teddington v Brighton and Hove 13:45
Sevenoaks v Indian Gymkhana 17:00
Wapping v Oxted 17:30
Richmond v Southgate 18:00
Men’s Conference North
Bowdon v Preston 13:45
Leek v University of Durham 14:00
Sheffield Hallam v Cannock 18:30
Men’s Conference West
Chichester v Cardiff & Met 12:15
University of Birmingham v Old Georgians 12:30
FIXTURES – Sunday, October 23
Men’s Premier Division
Hampstead and Westminster v Wimbledon 14:00
East Grinstead v Beeston 14:00
Men’s Conference East
Cambridge City v West Herts 12:30
Men’s Conference North
Olton and West Warwicks v Deeside Ramblers 13:30
Oxton v Doncaster 13:30
Men’s Conference West
University of Birmingham v University of Bristol 12:30
University of Exeter v Team Bath Buccaneers 12:30
Cardiff & Met v Isca 12:30
Fareham v Cheltenham 13:30
Old Georgians v Chichester 14:00
England Hockey Board Media release
'National Inter Club Competition going to be a big exercise' Naveed Alam
Pakistan Hockey Federation's Director Development & Domestic, Olympian Naveed Alam, in a widely attended press conference at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, highlighted the salient features of the National Inter Club competition scheduled from October 24 to December 2.
Naveed Alam informed that the national inter club competition is being held for the first time since 2006 and would involve 144 districts across the country.
"Going by the slogan, 'Hockey for All' this inter club event invites all the clubs, whether registered or unregistered, to participate.
Events will be organised by the respective District Hockey Associations, moving to Regions by the Regional HAs and then by the Provincial HAs- all under the umbrella of the PHF and the supervision of the Director Development and Domestic. The final national round would see four teams from Punjab, three each from Sind and KPK, two from Balochistan and one each from Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit- Baltistan and FATA. "
"At the district level, district hockey associations under the secretary DHAs, will supervise the event. The respective Deputy Commissioners/District Coordination Officers and District Sports Officers will be fully involved. The estimated expenditure of Rs one million in each district would be borne primarily by the district administration through the allocated sports' budget. PHF will facilitate mainly by providing the equipment.
The response from the district administration has been very encouraging. Already, dormant grounds have been activated through the administration in many districts."
"This grass root nation wide event would go a long way in restoring hockey players' confidence plus of course help identify raw talent. The genuine hockey clubs would come to the fore and fake clubs (existing only in papers) will be eliminated.
National disciplinary and scrutiny committee has already been instituted to attend to any complaint made at any level.
Efforts are afoot to televise all the provincial finals as well as the national final. Here, it is pertinent to mention that the provincial and national finals will be played on the league basis.
PHF's will also try to find jobs for the best players seen in the competition."
Naveed Alam said, "I will address press conferences in all the provinces to highlight the importance of the inter club competition."
To a question, he answered, "I agree that flaws and mistakes would surface in such a big exercise. But we will make our best efforts to deal with them in a just manner."
He also requested the media to play its part in making the event a success by giving good coverage to the national inter club tournament.
Also, don’t hesitate to mention our shortcomings, Naveed Alam added.
PHF Media release
Fategarh and Gwalior girls in the Nehru fina
s2h team
Two projected contenders for the title fittingly entered the final of the NDMC 23rd Nehru Sub-Junior Girls to be held tomorrow at the Shivaji Stadium, Delhi.
In the evenly fought semifinals, Gwalior outfit Kiddy's Corner School, defeated SS High School, Simdega, Jharkhand 3-1. It will engage team from Fategarh (Punjab)in the Saturday final.
On the other semis, Mizoram outfit Lallengvunga High School, Thenzwal went down to Baba Zorawar Singh Fathegarh Senior Secondary Public School in the tie-breaker after regulation time score stood as 2-2.
Infact, the Mizoram school dominated the show, and struck in 34th and 47th minutes. The experienced Punjab team, first lessened the burden in the 54th minute and when a minute remained for the hooter, Priyanka thundered the net for the equalize, thus forcing the match to tie-breaker. Here, Mizoram just converted one while the Punjab girls thrice.
Tomorrow, the 34th Steelbird Sub-Junior Nehru Cup will also start.
Stick2Hockey.com
Men’s National Program kicks off new Olympic cycle at Carding Camp
Shaheed Devji
Forward Oliver Scholfield in action during the first on-field session at the 2017 Men’s National Program Carding and Identification Camp in Vancouver on October 18, 2016.
Canada’s men’s field hockey team has officially kicked off its post-Rio program this week with its 2017 Carding and Identification Camp in Vancouver.
Since the completion of the 2016 Olympic Games in August, the Men’s National Program has been in a stand-down mode. Many senior athletes are back in school, others are working, and a large part of the group continues to play hockey in club environments.
But with a new competition year just around the corner, the Men’s National Program has reconvened with an eye on the future.
“For me, getting to the Olympics was sweet especially at a young age, being one of the younger guys on the team,” says Surrey, British Columbia’s Sukhi Panesar. “But it just pushes me personally to get our group ready to not just qualify for Tokyo but really compete there and try and better our results and final standing from Rio.”
Panesar competed in his first Olympic Games in Rio and as one of the younger players in the Senior Program. He will likely be counted on heavily in the next four-year cycle leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Games.
But before Tokyo, Canada, which is now ranked 12th in the world, will compete in World League Round 2 in Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 4-12, 2017.
It kicks off a year focused on World Cup qualification.
“The meetings yesterdays showed up us what the next year has to come,” says forward Oliver Scholfield, who is looking at 2017 as a time to move forward in his international career.
“It’s definitely in my mind,” he says of the upcoming competition, which is still more than four months removed. “This is one of the years that I want to breakout and make some tours consistently.”
World League Round 2 is part of 2018 World Cup qualification. Canada will need to finish in the top two spots in Dhaka to move on to World League Round 3 in either London, England, or Johannesburg, South Africa, where World Cup spots are up for grabs.
Winning the Pan American Cup, which will be held in the United States later in the summer of 2017, is another avenue to World Cup qualification.
Canada’s participation in the 2016 Olympic re-fueled a program which had missed out on the previous Games in 2008. And with recent successes still front of mind and an improved World Raking, Canada is looking to continue to take steps forward in 2017.
“It’s exciting knowing that we have four years to build now towards our ultimate goal of getting to the Olympics in 2020,” Panesar says.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Hockey Australia’s Hookin2Hockey brings joy to rural India
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports Hockey Australia partnership with Tata Steel India to deliver Hookin2Hockey program in rural India
Author: Penny Sidhu
Over the course of 2016, Hockey Australia has partnered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) along with Tata Steels Rural Development Society (TSRDS) to deliver Hookin2Hockey to children in rural India as part of the DFAT Asian Sports Partnership Program.
Hookin2Hockey is a Hockey Australia initiative for boys and girls under the age of ten, which aims to give them the opportunity to learn the basic skills of hockey, develop fundamental motor skills and make new friends while beginning a life-long love of hockey.
The Asian Sports Partnership program supported the delivery of Hookin2Hockey in India which saw 300 children – 150 boys and 150 girls, receive equipment packs and attend clinics across ten schools.
Hockey Australia are very proud of the gender equality in hockey within Australia and wanted to continue the same theme in India with an equal split of boys and girls participating in Hookin2Hockey at each school.
Gender equal participation in the delivery of Hookin2Hockey was specifically undertaken to create a safe and welcoming environment for the young girls in order to make them feel equal and bring down the barriers so that they were comfortable enough to participate with the boys.
To assist in the sustainability of the program ten coaches who were selected by TATA Steel were upskilled in the delivery of Hookin2Hockey and were provided with Kookaburra hockey sticks and Hookin2Hockey-Schools, an eight session manual designed by Hockey Australia, converted into Hindi
http://hookin2hockey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/HIN2H_SchoolsGuide_2016-INDIA-online.pdf
TATA Steel have also committed a payment to the ten coaches that are continuing the delivery of the Hookin2Hockey program throughout the ten schools.
On completion of the 8-week Hookin2Hockey program all ten schools, coaches and participants were invited to a Gala Day festival. Over 500 participants, parents, regional delegates and local community members attended the event, where both a boy’s competition and girl’s competition were held.
The standard of hockey was very high after all the hard work and training the young players put in over the course of the program. The inclusion of the girl’s only competition provided a safe and inclusive environment for each girl to participate in with a great sense of empowerment.
Hockey Australia looks forward to the continued partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) & Tata Steels Rural Development Society (TSRDS) to deliver Hookin2Hockey to children in rural India and create pathways to take this program further.
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey still comes first for Irish international Nicci Daly
A career in motor racing is put on hold as she continues to pursue her World Cup dream
Mary Hannigan
Ireland’s Nicci Daly in action against the United States. “Motor racing and hockey . . They’re not jobs, they’re my hobbies, my passions.” Photograph: David Aliaga/Inpho
Nicci Daly is hardly a stranger to making difficult choices in her sporting life. Back in 2009 that she was playing for the Dublin women’s senior football team when she was called up to the Irish hockey squad. Her attempt to combine the two proved too much.
“I was wrecked,” she says.
And this year she had another tricky decision, should she return to Ireland to resume her international hockey career, or remain in America where she was pursuing her third sporting passion: motor racing.
So a rather varied and busy sporting life.
“The problem is I want to do everything,” she laughs.
Not enough hours in the day?
“Definitely not.”
Daly set off for America last April to take up a six-month stint as a data engineer with the Indianapolis-based Juncos Racing Team that competes in the Indy Lights series – a “development” series on the ladder to IndyCar.
The 28-year-old came by her love of motor racing honestly; her late father, Vivion, was a major figure on the Irish scene, her uncle Derek a Formula One driver between 1978- 1982, and his son Conor is just completing his first full-time season in IndyCar as a driver.
She spent much of her childhood with her father at Mondello and kart racing with her brother, Barry.
But it wasn’t until years later when she completed her degree in mechanical engineering that she actually found a route in to working in the motor racing industry.
Sport engineering
“I saw that Cranfield University in England did a Masters in motor sport engineering and I just thought ‘oh my God, this is exactly what I want’. It was perfect. So I applied for it, got in, it was really tough, but I loved it and knew that was the path for me.”
After she earned her Masters she worked for a time with Ford as a test engineer, but by then her sporting focus was on a hockey career that has so far seen her amass 128 caps. It was a sport she only took up when she was 14.
The Irish Times
By Royal appointment
Great Britains Medalists take some time to meet her majesty the Queen
The past few days have been incredible for the Great Britain players who took part in the Rio Olympics. With the athletes’ parade in Manchester swiftly followed by the Heroes Return in London you could be forgiven for thinking they would have gone home for a well earned rest after the event at Trafalgar Square finished. However there was one more appointment they had to keep and it’s not the sort of appointment you would want to miss!
The gold medal winners were invited to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the royal family, including the Queen herself! The players decked out in their official Team GB formal wear took the chance to meet the royals with the Queen checking on Susannah Townsend's health proving one of the highlights:
As well as a few words from the Queen, Maddie Hinch was treated to a unique impression of her skills by Prince Harry
Many of the team took to social media to express what an honour it was to meet the royals. A great day for each and every one of our squad and just reward for their hard work over the years.
England Hockey Board Media release