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News for 05 July 2017

All the news for Wednesday 5 July 2017


Five nations qualify for Hockey Women's World Cup 2018


Netherlands won the first women's Hockey World League Semi-Final of 2017 Photo: FIH/Getty

As the Stade Fallon says goodbye to the 10 teams who have been competing in the FINTRO Women's Hockey World League Semi-Final for the past two weeks, five of those teams are celebrating their automatic qualification for the 2018 Hockey Women’s World Cup in London.

Netherlands, China, New Zealand, Korea and Australia finished as the top five teams at the first of two Hockey World League Semi-Finals, with five more teams qualifying from the second Semi-Final taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 8-23 July 2017 (tickets here).

So lets, take a look at the qualifiers and their previous World Cup histories, plus a summary of their performance in Brussels.

Netherlands
Easily the team with the most impressive World Cup history. The Oranje, as the Dutch team is known, has won the World Cup on seven occasions and is the current World Cup holder, having marched imperiously to the title in the Hague in 2014. On that occasion, the Netherlands celebrated the win in a stadium of 15,000 people, the majority of whom were cloaked in orange. Many of the team that played that day say it was the best moment of their hockey career – Carlien Dirkse van den Heuval added that it surpassed the gold medal performance at the London Olympics. Netherlands first win came at the first FIH Women’s World Cup in 1974; they had a spell of three consecutive wins in 1983, 1986 and 1990; and as winners of the most recent Hockey World League Semi-Final, Head Coach Alyson Annan will be hoping she can lead the team to be just the first nation to win back-to-back titles twice. [Germany are the other nation to win back-to-back at the World Cup].

China
China’s first appearance at a World Cup came in 1990, when they finished sixth. The highest finish for the Asian team was in 2002, when they broke the hearts of the host nation, Australia, to take the bronze medal. China has been at every World Cup since but the team’s record is not great. In the Hague in 2014, it was another sixth place finish, when they lost 4-0 to New Zealand. Many of the 2014 team are now senior members of the squad and, in Brussels at the Hockey World League Semi-Final, China looked in a good state. They began slowly, as is their habit at major events, but they were strong from the quarter-finals onwards, and took the game to the Netherlands in the final. Ominously for their opponents, the Head Coach suggested that this was not necessarily the squad that would be seen at the World Cup, several stronger players would be returning to the squad after recovering from injuries.



New Zealand
The Black Sticks have been knocking at the door of a podium finish at a major event for a while now. Fourth place finishes at London 2012, Rio 2016 and the 2015 Hockey World League Semi-Finals all showed that New Zealand was capable of getting into the medals but just fell short on each occasion. A silver in the Hockey World League Final in Rosario in 2015, when they lost to an Argentinian team that was being cheered on by a huge local crowd, must give hope that New Zealand can emulate Las Leonas when the Hockey World League Final takes place in Auckland later this year. 2018 will be New Zealand’s eighth appearance at the World Cup. The first was in 1983 and the team’s best performance was a fourth place in 1986. Mark Hager will be looking for his team to break the fourth-place curse and be among the medals in London.



Korea
Korea has been to the past eight World Cup competitions, although the performances, with the exception of a bronze medal in 1990, have been mediocre. Two fifth place finishes, two sixth place, a seventh and a ninth indicate that Korea is a team that is lacking the final polish that turns a consistent team into a Championship winning team. The Korea performance in Brussels at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals confirmed this analysis. Korea were good enough to reach the semi-finals but couldn’t match China for tactical nous or New Zealand for physicality. They also lost 9-0 to a rampant Netherlands earlier in the tournament. That said, in Cheon Seul Ki and Cheon Eunbi, Korea has excellent goal scorers and their defence is disciplined and hard-working. In the next 12 months, Coach Huh Sang Young will be looking to add some physical strength and to find a way for his skillful side to outmanoeuvre the opposition. As captain Kim Jongen said at the end of the Hockey World League Semi-Final: “Every time we play an European side, we learn a little more.”



Australia
Australia came to the Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Brussels full of hope for the new look squad. A chastening fifth place finish will have given Head Coach Paul Gaudoin plenty to think about between now and next year. Poor performances against Oceania rivals New Zealand and China were the team’s undoing and the Hockeyroos found themselves out of the Hockey World League Final and fighting a battle with Italy to qualify for the Hockey World Cup. But Australia is nation that is used to producing winners and with goalscorers such as Kathryn Slattery, Madi Ratcliffe, Georgina Morgan and Emily Smith in the side, along with the wise and contemplative Rachael Lynch and Jane Claxton, it is hard not to see Australia hitting the sort of form that is clearly in their reach. Australia’s history at the World Cup is a bright one. Two times champions, albeit back in 1994 and 1998; three times runners-up, including in the Hague in 2014; and a third place finish in 1983 is not a bad return. The Hockeyroos have been at every World Cup since 1981 and will have high hopes of adding to their medal tally in 2018.



FIH site



Cloud over HIL as Delhi mull pull out

Harpreet Kaur Lamba

Will Delhi Waveriders not be a part of the franchise-based Hockey India League in 2018? If reports are to be believed, Delhi are contemplating to withdraw from the franchise-based league owing to alleged financial issues, casting doubts over the lucrative league that got under way in 2013.

Winners of the 2014 edition, Delhi it is learnt were given two weeks time in the franchises’ last meeting with Hockey India but no confirmation is forthcoming from the Wave-group owned franchise.

When contacted, Wave group director Captain J.S. Randhawa said things would be clearer by next week. “I am not saying yes or no, at this moment. We are waiting to know the policy and will only be able to make a statement next week,” he said, refusing to elaborate.

Financial problems have gripped other teams as well who have found it tough to sustain an expensive roster and support system, with Jaypee Punjab Warriors among those who received delayed payments this year.

The HIL is set for a fresh auction this year but the latest news have cast doubts on the league itself that has completed five years.

Talk is also rife over HIL’s future itself following announcement of the Pro Hockey League — an international competition that will see nations play on a home and away basis over six months — that will get under way from January 2019.
Said an official in the know of things, “The Pro League is going to be huge and very rewarding and it will be very difficult to hold the HIL as it is held in the same window.

“In a meeting last month, the six franchises were made aware of this and there was talk of holding the HIL twice in 2018. One, in its usual window of January and February and then later in November-December that year as the Pro League will begin in January 2019.

“But then, will all the top players be available for these many months in an year given that there are crucial international fixtures in Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the World Cup next year? Also, India will host the World Cup in November and December 2018 making it impossible to hold the HIL during that time.

“There is a possibility that the HIL might not happen after 2019 given these issues as Pro League is the future.”

HI chief executive officer Elena Norman refused to comment, saying annou-ncements would be made at an appropriate time.

Currently, six franchises make up the HIL — Ranchi, Kalinga Lancers, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai — with Bengaluru-based JSW set to field a team this year.

The Asian Age



No HIL, Equals Hockey In Limbo

Ashley Morrison

There will be no Hockey India League in 2018, if word out of India is correct. It is believed that last week Hockey India sent notice to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to advise that there would be no League competition in 2018.

This may not come as a shock to many close to the sport as it is believed that many of the players who participated in last year’s event are still awaiting payment of wages or bonuses. Add to that the fact that the owners of Jaypee Cement sponsors and owners of the Jaypee Punjab Warriors have financial and legal issues they are dealing with, and the word that Sahara only wanted to be involved in one franchise rather than two, the Ranchi Rays and Uttar Pradesh Wizards, this may not be news that comes completely out of the blue. Yet it is a major blow not only to World Hockey but also Indian Hockey.

On a global level players from countries such as Australia relied on the five week tournament to give them enough income to focus solely on hockey and their university studies; the scholarships that they receive from the Australian Institute of Sport not being enough to support them for a year.

To add to Australian Hockey’s woes the funding for the sport was cut heavily post the Rio Olympic Games under the Winning Edge program, ironically put together in part by Hockey Australia’s new CEO, so funds were already tight. Now players could be faced with a hard decision, International hockey or their career. Players from other nations who have used the wages from the Hockey India League to support their playing careers will also be in a similar position.

This could not have come at a worse time for the FIH as they set about finalising the details for the new Pro League featuring nine international men’s and Women’s teams playing in a global league over six months. There was already immense pressure on National associations to find the money not only to participate, but to remunerate their players for such a commitment, now without the money from the HIL the pressure will be ratcheted up a few notches.

Also the question has to be asked who will pay those players contracted to play in 2018? Will that fall to the individual franchises or will the players join a possible list of debtors? Will Hockey India do the right thing and as the owners of the league and those responsible for running the competition, pay out the contracts and then chase the Franchise owners? Surely the FIH will not be asked to step in and assist?

Despite the affect that this news will have on the international players in the HIL it is most likely to have a huge impact on the Indian players.

At the 2012 Olympic Games in London India failed to win a single game. It was the eight-time Olympic Champion’s worst performance ever; only worse was in 2008 when they failed to qualify.

The Hockey India League was announced in 2012 and commenced in 2013 with the full endorsement of the FIH. There were five teams in the league originally, at the start of season two this increased to six teams. Every single game was shown live by Star Sports who invested heavily in the competition.

Suddenly the cream of young Indian talent was playing under some of the best coaches in the world and alongside the best international players. It was plain to see how some players flourished alongside the world’s best. Surender Kumar at Delhi Waveriders had a great HIL season alongside Great Britain’s Iain Lewers and forced his way into the national squad. SV Sunil, Satbir Singh and Affan Yusof also clearly benefitted from time at The Jaypee Punjab Warriors playing with the likes of Jamie Dwyer, Matt Gohdes, Kieran Govers and Simon Orchard. While current captain Manpreet Singh has never been shy to share how much he learned from playing alongside former Germany Captain Moritz Fuerste.

One thing that was disappointing was the fact that none of the experienced international coaches were asked to complete player reports on the Indian players at the end of each HIL season and highlight parts of their game they needed to work on. Many bemoaning the fact that a year later they had to go over the same technique or positional issues that they had covered a year earlier.

Yet Indian Hockey flourished due to the exposure. Some may argue that a deal brokered with the FIH that has seen the final of a major event hosted by India every year, which in turn has meant India has an automatic berth has helped more, but the performances of the national team have continually improved.

At the Hockey World League Finals in Raipur in 2015 India not only defeated the defending Champion, the Netherlands, but recorded their first podium finish in a major international competition for 33 years; Regional Asian competitions not included. Then in 2016 they went one better and won silver at the Champions Trophy taking the final to a shoot out after keeping the World Number one Australians to a 0-0 draw. Also in 2016 at the Rio Olympics they made the quarter finals and finished 8th, up four from 2012. In the same year their junior side under the guidance of Harendra Singh, who had also won the HIL, won the Junior World Cup for just the second time in the competition’s history. India’s World ranking in the five years post-London from 2012 to 2017 had gone from ninth to sixth.

There is no doubt that the Hockey India League played a huge part in that success. Indian players were no longer in awe of other international players, they also knew their game.

The end of the HIL would not be so worrying if in the five years of the league a development program had been implemented to bring through the next generation of players. Sadly the game is still relying on the existing academies to uncover the talent and start polishing it. Yet to compete on the world stage the players need so much more such as exposure to things such as diet, fitness and even rolling substitutions. At junior level teams are still playing two periods of 35 minutes as opposed to four 15 minute periods.

Just two days ago when asked if Indian players coming from a lower middle class background lacked game awareness new High Performance Director, David John told the Times Of India, “No, I don’t think so. I think it’s lack of exposure, two different game styles as they have come up through academies which teach differently. We expose them to more scenarios and I think Hockey India league has been fantastic -certainly for the men -because they had that experience of working with the Germans, the Dutch and Belgians and working with Australians and receive that just sitting, talking, listening. They learn so much.”

Yet now it would appear the HIL is no more, at least in 2018. So what will replace that development tool? What impact will its loss have on the development of Indian players? Will we now see more Indian players playing in overseas leagues?

Can the League come back in 2019? Having shut down once will the players have the faith in the reincarnation?

As stated this news could not have come at a worse time for the FIH or the players. Both parties, and the national associations are going to have to sit down and find a financial solution that sees the players paid a wage that enables them to focus solely on their sport. The new league is called “The Pro League,” it makes no sense having a competition named this and having amateurs participating. At the end of the day without the players you have no game, it is vital that the players are looked after even more so if there is no HIL

Not the Footy Show 



HIL future up for discussion at Hockey India AGM on July 24

NEW DELHI: The future of Hockey India League is up for deliberation at Hockey India's Annual General Meeting on July 24 but franchises wanting to pull out will lose their bank guarantees.

As per some media reports, Hockey India has informed the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that there will be no HIL in 2018 because of financial concerns related to some franchises.

But a top HI official rubbished the speculations and said that no such communication has been passed on to the world body even though they are contemplating a change in the timing of the franchise-based league.

The source said there isn't even one franchise that has said that it will not be taking part in next year's league.

"No franchise has expressed any serious reservation as of now although some obstacles arise every year. The franchise doesn't have the option of pulling out now as the three-month window for withdrawal after every edition, has expired. If they do it now, their bank guarantee stands forfeited," the top official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

The official said that since FIH's new Hockey Pro League is slated to be held at the start of the year from 2019, HIL organisers are thinking of postponing the dates of the franchise-based event to November-December from 2018.

"Let me make it clear, I don't know from where this news had spread but there is no such development. 2018 HIL is on course. Yes, before every edition there are some problems which creeps up but we don't have any plans to scrap HIL," he said.

"Yes, we are thinking of shifting the timing of HIL from next year as from 2019 we will have to hold it at a later date because of Hockey Pro League. We are thinking of holding it in November-December instead of existing January-February."

Another HI official, who is the know of the developments, too sounded ignorant about the news and said HIL is part of the agenda of July 24 AGM.

"I am not at all aware of any such thing because HIL is part of the agenda of July 24 AGM. If something is there we will come to know only on the day of the AGM," he said.

Media reports said that Jaypee owner of the Punjab franchise, is reluctant to continue because of financial problems while the Wave Group, owners of Delhi Waveriders has been given two weeks to clarify its position.

It has also been reported that Sahara India Parivar is not in favour of taking the responsibility of two teams, Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Ranchi Rays, which is co-owned by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

But a team official too said that they were not aware of any such development and are preparing for the players' auction to be held in September-October later this year.

The Times of India



Mumbai franchise has cleared HIL dues of all players: Sources

MUMBAI: Mumbai franchise of the Hockey India League, Dabang Mumbai, has cleared the dues of all its players as well as support staff that took part in the previous edition of HIL.

According to reports appearing overseas, some franchise owners are yet to pay the players and other team staff for being part of the 2017 edition of HIL, but sources in the local outfit said all dues have been cleared.

"All those with Dabang Mumbai have got their dues. In fact, each franchise has lodged a bank guarantee with Hockey India covering these payments and only after getting confirmation from each and every member of the franchise outfit through email does HI return the bank guarantee to the team's owners," the sources informed PTI.

Asked whether there was any truth in the report that the next edition of the tournament was in doubt, they said the sport's world body FIH has already provided a window for the 2018 and 2019 editions to be conducted by HI.

"The next edition is to be held in January-February 2018 after which the window for the 2019 edition has been put off to November-December of that year, meaning there will be a huge gap between the two editions.

"This has been done to accommodate the six-month-long Pro League planned by the international federation (FIH) from January 2019," the sources said.

The Times of India



Hockey India officials rubbish rumours about HIL franchises pulling out due to financial constraints

The future of Hockey India League is up for deliberation at Hockey India's Annual General Meeting on 24 July but franchises wanting to pull out will lose their bank guarantees.

As per some media reports, Hockey India has informed the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that there will be no HIL in 2018 because of financial concerns related to some franchises.

But a top HI official rubbished the speculations and said that no such communication has been passed on to the world body even though they are contemplating a change in the timing of the franchise-based league.

The source said there isn't even one franchise that has said that it will not be taking part in next year's league.

"No franchise has expressed any serious reservation as of now although some obstacles arise every year. The franchise doesn't have the option of pulling out now as the three-month window for withdrawal after every edition, has expired. If they do it now, their bank guarantee stands forfeited," the top official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

The official said that since FIH's new Hockey Pro League is slated to be held at the start of the year from 2019, HIL organisers are thinking of postponing the dates of the franchise-based event to November-December from 2018.

"Let me make it clear, I don't know from where this news had spread but there is no such development. 2018 HIL is on course. Yes, before every edition there are some problems which creeps up but we don't have any plans to scrap HIL," he said.

"Yes, we are thinking of shifting the timing of HIL from next year as from 2019 we will have to hold it at a later date because of Hockey Pro League. We are thinking of holding it in November-December instead of existing January-February."

Another HI official, who is in the know of the developments, too sounded ignorant about the news and said HIL is part of the agenda of July 24 AGM.

"I am not at all aware of any such thing because HIL is part of the agenda of 24 July AGM. If something is there we will come to know only on the day of the AGM," he said.

Media reports said that Jaypee owner of the Punjab franchise, is reluctant to continue because of financial problems while the Wave Group, owners of Delhi Waveriders has been given two weeks to clarify its position.

It has also been reported that Sahara India Parivar is not in favour of taking the responsibility of two teams, Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Ranchi Rays, which is co-owned by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

But a team official too said that they were not aware of any such development and are preparing for the players' auction to be held in September-October later this year.

Firstpost



Datuk Ow makes painful decision

By Jugjet Singh



THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) lost a sterling administrator when Datuk Ow Soon Kooi called it a day citing health reasons.

The former skipper, and current vice-president as well as coaching committee chairman injured his neck in a car accident years ago and he never really recovered.

In a text message to his coaching committee group Ow said: "Dear coaching committee members.. with a heavy heart I would like to inform everyone that I have stepped down from all posts in the MHC due to health issues.

"I would like to thank everyone for their valuable input and contributions. It has been fun working with all of you."

Ow did not answer calls, or text messages.

However, during the Women's World League Round Two final match between Malaysia and Ireland at the Tun Razak Stadium, Ow did say that his neck pain is getting unbearable and he will quit after the Men's and Women's World League Semifinals are over.

And true to his word, barely a week after the men finished fourth in London and the women 10th in Brussels, Ow quit.

As a coaching chairman, Ow brought back some life in the men's and women's teams by bringing back Stephen van Huizen and appointing K. Dharmaraj as the women's coach.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Datuk Ow Quits MHC

By S.S. Dhaliwal

In what can only be considered as shocking, Dato Ow Soon Kooi has tendered his resignation from all positions in the Malaysian Hockey Confederation,

A WhatsApp message from Dato Ow notifying his Coaching Committee members confirmed the sad news.

Dato Ow was elected as a Vice President of MHC at the AGM in 2015 and was also the Chairman of the Coaching Conmittee as well as a member of the National Team Management Committee.

The former national player and skipper has been largely credited with the revamp of the coaching set up as he pushed for Stephen van Huizen to be brought back as National Coach and played a key role in paving the way for the progress of the Women’s Team by appointing K. Dharmaraj as the coach.

Besides that Ow ensured professionalism in coaching and also looked into the welfare of the coaches.

A stickler for discipline and a workaholic, Dato Ow spent countless hours on the sidelines of the hockey pitch watching players undergo drills and playing matches,

He used to burn the midnight oil watching videos of the team in action, as he gave valuable insight to coaches, but never once interfered or influenced their tactics or training methodology.

His shock resignation, coming only a week after the national team qualified for the 2018 World Cup by finishing 4th in the World League Semi Finals, will surely be discussed largely in the hockey fraternity.

Although Ow has stated that his decision to resign was due to health reasons, observers believe that there is more to what broke the camels back and a man who had an illustrious career in the sport would never throw in the towel like that.
It is indeed a big loss for hockey to lose a personality such as Dato Ow who had much passion and dedication for the sport.

It is further learnt that a member of the MHC Coaching Committee had also tender his resignation as he was appointed into the Committee by Dato Ow.
Several others are expected to follow suit and quit the committee.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



MHC suffer huge blow as Soon Kooi resigns from all posts

KUALA LUMPUR: Just when Malaysian hockey is enjoying a resurgence on the international stage, it was dealt a severe blow when Datuk Ow Soon Kooi resigned from all positions in the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).

The former international notified MHC’s coaching committee members of his decision via WhatsApp yesterday, citing health reasons.

He was elected as a vice-president of the MHC at their annual general meeting in 2015. He was also chairman of the coaching committee and a member of the national team’s management committee.

Soon Kooi was credited with revamping the coaching set-up as he pushed for Stephen van Huizen to be brought back to take charge of the men’s team and also playing a pivotal role in the progress of the women’s team’s by appointing K. Dharmaraj as their coach.

Stephen guided the men’s team to a creditable fourth placing in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in London last month to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal was saddened by Soon Kooi’s resignation.

“We are grateful for having worked with a man of his stature, calibre and his contributions to the sport.

“We accept his decision with a heavy heart.

“I will oversee the coaching committee before a further decision is made. We have achieved several good results and the work must continue.

“We wish Datuk Ow well in his future under takings,” said Subahan.

The Star of Malaysia

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