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News for 13 January 2018

All the news for Saturday 13 December 2018


Women's Asian Games Qualifier 2018 - Day 1

Bangkok (THA)



HKG v INA     3 - 0
TPE v PAK     3 - 0
THA v SGP     1 - 0

Standings

Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Hong Kong China 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
1 Chinese Taipei 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
3 Thailand 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
4 Kazakhstan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Singapore 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
6 Indonesia 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
6 Pakistan 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0


FIH Match Centre



2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championships

The European Indoor Championships I, II, and III are being held this weekend. The results and pool standings for each venue are listed below.

2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championship (M) - Day 1

Antwerp (BEL)

Pool A     POL v DEN     10 - 3 (2 - 2)
Pool A     GER v CZE     8 - 1 (3 - 0)
Pool B     AUT v SUI     5 - 0 (2 - 0)
Pool B     RUS v BEL     1 - 5 (1 - 2)
Pool A     CZE v DEN     9 - 1 (5 - 0)
Pool A     POL v GER     1 - 8 (0 - 4)
Pool B     RUS v AUT     2 - 2 (0 - 0)
Pool B     SUI v BEL     1 - 2 (1 - 2)

Standings

Pool A
 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Germany 2 2 0 0 16 2 14 6
2 Czech Republic 2 1 0 1 10 9 1 3
3 Poland 2 1 0 1 11 11 0 3
4 Denmark 2 0 0 2 4 19 -15 0

 

Pool B

 

 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Belgium 2 2 0 0 7 2 5 6
2 Austria 2 1 1 0 7 2 5 4
3 Russia 2 0 1 1 3 7 -4 1
4 Switzerland 2 0 0 2 1 7 -6 0



2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championship II (M)

Alanya (TUR)

Pool B     SWE v ITA     3 - 3 (2 - 0)
Pool B     ENG v CRO     2 - 3 (2 - 0)
Pool A     NED v POR     3 - 1 (2 - 0)
Pool A     UKR v TUR     4 - 4 (2 - 1)
Pool B     ITA v CRO     2 - 5 (2 - 3)
Pool B     ENG v SWE     4 - 4 (1 - 1)
Pool A     UKR v NED     1 - 4 (0 - 3)
Pool A     POR v TUR     8 - 4 (5 - 1)

Standings

Pool A

 

 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Netherlands 2 2 0 0 7 2 5 6
2 Portugal 2 1 0 1 9 7 2 3
3 Ukraine 2 0 1 1 5 8 -3 1
4 Turkey 2 0 1 1 8 12 -4 1

Pool B

 

 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Croatia 3 2 0 1 13 10 3 6
2 Sweden 3 1 2 0 13 12 1 5
3 England 2 0 1 1 6 7 -1 1
4 Italy 2 0 1 1 5 8 -3 1



2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championship III (M)

Nicosia (CYP)

Pool A     BLR v WAL     6 - 2 (5 - 0)
Pool A     CYP v SCO     1 - 13 (0 - 7)
Pool A     GRE v SVK     1 - 4 (0 - 3)
Pool A     SLO v WAL     2 - 2 (2 - 1)
Pool A     CYP v BLR     0 - 15 (0 - 8)
Pool A     GRE v SCO     0 - 14 (0 - 7)
Pool A     SLO v SVK     0 - 6 (0 - 2)

Standings

Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Scotland 2 2 0 0 27 1 26 6
2 Belarus 2 2 0 0 21 2 19 6
3 Slovakia 2 2 0 0 10 1 9 6
4 Wales 2 0 1 1 4 8 -4 1
5 Slovenia 2 0 1 1 2 8 -6 1
6 Greece 2 0 0 2 1 18 -17 0
7 Cyprus 2 0 0 2 1 28 -27 0


FIH Match Centre



England men begin EuroHockey Indoor campaign



England men began their EuroHockey Indoor Championships II campaign with matches against Croatia and Sweden in Pool B.

In their opener goals from Tom Sorsby and Ben Boon had put England into a 2-0 lead but Croatia staged an impressive comeback to win 3-2

Next up for England were Sweden and the sides played out a thriller, the sides couldn’t be separated as the contest ended 4-4.

Sorsby and Boon were once again on target, Gareth Griffiths also found the net before Dan Faulkner netted England’s fourth. However Sweden won a penalty corner in the final minute and converted to steal a point.

 In their final pool match England face Italy before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to be played over the weekend.

You can watch some of the action from Turkey at eurohockeytv.org or follow the results at http://www.fih.ch/events/match-centre/

England Squad: Chris Wyver (GK), Toby Reynolds-Cotterill (GK), Robert Gleeson, Tom Sorsby (C), Duncan Scott, Gareth Griffiths, Ben Boon, Daniel Faulkner, Peter Scott, Josh Pavis

England Hockey Board Media release



27 goals as Scots hit top form in Nicosia

Scotland clocked up two big victories on the opening day of Men’s EuroHockey Indoor Championship III in Nicosia, scoring 27 goals over two matches against Cyprus and Greece.

Cyprus 1-13 Scotland

It was a blistering start for Scotland at EuroHockey Indoor Championship III in Nicosia as they faced tournament hosts Cyprus in their opening match, and struck 13 times in a commanding victory.

Cyprus defended well in the opening stages as Scotland went hunting for goals. Fergus Sandison opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the match and before long Luke Cranney bagged the second for Scotland to make it 2-0 in the 11th minute. Cranney slammed home his second goal a minute later to make it 3-0.

The goals then kept coming for Scotland – Gavin Byers made it 4-0 in the 14th minute before Jamie Carnegie scored a fifth.

Patrick Christie finished off a delightful penalty corner, picking his spot high in the net, to make it 6-0 as half time approached. There was still time for one more goal however as Christie bagged his second of the match on the stroke of half time.

A yellow card for Josh Cairns gave Cyprus the opportunity to pull a goal back early in the second half. From a penalty corner Antonis Efthymiou got his name on the score sheet to make it 7-1 to Scotland.

Christie then completed his hat-trick to put Scotland 8-1 up before Carnegie scored his second of the match and Scotland’s ninth on 31 minutes to make it 9-1.

Gordon Amour scored Scotland’s tenth and eleventh goals of the match, one of which was a delightful team goal where every player touched the ball before Amour finished off the move at the far post.

Fergus Sandison finished off a penalty corner to make it 12-1 just before full time, and just like the first half there was still time for one more goal – Christie scored his fourth right on the stroke of full time round off a fantastic opening match of goals for Scotland.

Head Coach Stuart Neave said, “I’m very pleased, it was a really good performance. The team worked hard to break down their defence and we got there by being patient and positive. We scored some really good goals, had chances to score more, and it was a very positive team performance. We’re looking forward to tonight’s game now.”

Scotland Captain Gavin Byers said, “It’s a really start for us. It’s a long tournament and we wanted to get off to a really good start, so scoring 13 goals and only conceding 1 puts us in a really good place. It gives us good confidence going into the next games.”

Greece 0-14 Scotland

Scotland enjoyed a goalscoring second match of men’s EuroHockey Indoor Championship II in Nicosia, striking 14 times against Greece.

Josh Cairns opened the scoring in just three minutes when he converted a penalty stroke to put Scotland 1-0 up. It was 2-0 just a minute later when Luke Cranney bagged his third goal of the tournament and continued Scotland’s fine goalscoring form.

Gavin Byers made it 3-0 on six minutes before Fergus Sandison rattled home a fourth a minute later.

The Scots were flying and Patch Christie scored Scotland’s fifth on the ten minute mark. It was his fifth goal in two games as the Scots went on another goalscoring rampage.

Cairns bagged his second of the match when he scored a penalty corner to make it 6-0 on 14 minutes.

Then red-hot Christie scored again as half time approached to give Scotland a 7-0 lead at the break.

After the restart Callum Milne added his name to the scoresheet for his first strike of the tournament, and Scotland’s eighth of the match.

Cairns bagged his hat trick just a minute later with another penalty stroke to put Scotland 9-0 ahead before hitting the net again to make it 10-0 on 26 minutes.

Christie struck again a minute later to make it 11-0 for the rampant Scots before Cairns hit the net again from a penalty corner.

Another penalty stroke for Scotland and this time Cranney finished clinically to make it 13-0 as the goals rained in.

Scotland made it 14-0 right at the death when Christie fired home his fourth of the match to cap off another fine victory in Nicosia.

Head Coach Stuart Neave said, “This was a really good performance – we took it up a notch and scored lots of goals. We stuck to the game plan and got our reward for it. We’re looking to improve with every game and it was pleasing to have gone up a notch again.

“Tomorrow’s a big day for us and we’ll look forward to some tough games to come.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Top players set to arrive in Pakistan as part of World XI hockey team

LAHORE: The World XI team will comprise some top players during their tour of Pakistan next week with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials hoping it will become a “defining moment” for the sport in the country.

In a news release on Friday, the PHF told the details of the squad which will play against Pakistan on January 19 and 21 in Karachi and Lahore respectively.

“The World XI includes players from the Olympic champions Argentina, world champions Australia and European champions Netherlands,” it said. “In addition, there are stars from Germany and New Zealand.

“The three Argentines are young members of the current national team while Australian Grant Schubert has gold medals from all the big events: Olympics, World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

“Three Dutch players have Olympic as well as European championship medals. A fourth, the 19-year-old Turkstra, played in the 2016 Olympics.

“Likewise, two Spaniards have Olympic silver and European gold in their trophy cabinet. Phil Burrows is New Zealand’s all-time top field goal scorer. Germany’s Benni Wess is double Olym­pic gold medallist. The other German Justus Scharowsky is a World Cup winner.

“Pride of Pakistan Sohail Abbas, scorer of the highest number of goals in international hockey, will also play for the World XI.”

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior said that Sohail will lead the World XI in the opening match.

“A foreigner, however, will be the captain of the World XI in the second game,” he told APP on Friday.

He added that during the tour, five Pakistan greats will be induced in the Hall of Fame during a ceremony ahead of the first game.

“They include Shahnaz Sheikh, Akthar Rasool, Samiullah, Hasan Sardar and me,” he said.

PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, meanwhile, said the event would be historic.

“It is going to be a history-making moment in Pakistan hockey as we will have a high-profile hockey event after a gap of many years”, he told APP on Friday.

“This will be a defining moment for the sport and we need regular international hockey events in order to revive our sagging fortunes.

“This World XI tour will help in inspiring the youth to take up hockey as a sport and to provide a rare opportunity to our spectators to watch stars of hockey in action in their own backyard”.

He said the World XI tour will be a way forward to hold the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) in a successful way.

“With the tour of World XI we will be able to enhance our capability and managerial qualities for hosting the PHL in a trend setting way” he said.

Dawn



Indian women's hockey players acing the yo-yo test

Manuja Veerappa

BENGALURU: There is an energetic air to the Indian women's hockey team's training sessions at SAI, South Centre here.

On Friday morning as chief coach Harendra Singh put the senior team campers through their paces, the difference in fitness levels was evident. There was no rustiness coming into the first camp of a crucial year.

With three major tournaments - Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Cup - lined up this season, the players are working hard at getting faster, fitter and skill-wise better. Their hard work is showing and the latest yo-yo tests are a case to point. The 33 campers underwent the yo-yo intermittent recovery test (level1) - a test to measure an athlete's ability to repeatedly perform high-intensity aerobic work - on Thursday under the watchful eyes of the team's scientific advisor Wayne Lombard.

The scores have not only been encouraging but have left the coaching staff pleasantly surprised. The highest score was 21.1 - reached by four players - while the lowest was 17.7.

Harendra, told TOI, "We are pleasantly surprised. The average is very good. We will take time to reach the optimum levels. But I'm glad the process has started."

Lombard, who has been with the team since March last year, pointed to the improvement in the team's yo-yo test results and said, "When I first arrived, the team average was about 17. It went up to 17.5 and now it is just above 18. We also have seen improvement in their strength as well as speed over the last couple of months."

Asked if they had set a passing mark for the players, the South African explained, "Each player has their own individual target which we match up against position specific norms according to international performance standards. Individually, I look at something called smallest worthwhile change, which is seen as statistically significant improvement. This is adjusted after each testing round, so we look for small improvements all the time."

With a 2020 Olympic berth also up for the grabs this year, Lombard, a doctorate holder in exercise science from the University of Cape Town, pointed out, "There is always room for improvement, but it is difficult to put a number on it. This is especially so with players running on the lower side of the team average. Ideally, we want every player running 18 or higher before the Commonwealth Games. That said, the yo-yo test is only one performance indicator. Things like strength, agility and speed, and repeat sprint ability are just as important, especially for injury prevention as well for playing at international level hockey."

The Times of India



Spot-on KLHC land their second title within five days

By Aftar Singh


Unstoppable: KLHC players and coaches celebrating after beating Terengganu to lift the Premier Division Charity Shield in Kuala Terengganu yesterday. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) continued to rock when they clinched their second Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) title within five days.

KLHC lifted the Premier Division Charity Shield by defeating Terengganu 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

In the shootout, KLHC scored all their five goals through Lee Nam-yong, Joshua Pollard, Muhd Haziq Samsul, Jang Jong-hyun and Meor Muhamad Azuan Hassan. Terengganu converted through Ahmad Shakeel Butt, Joaqin Menini, Lopez Barreiros and Mohd Fitri Saari.

Last Sunday, KLHC also edged Terengganu 4-3 in a sudden death penalty shootout to win the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup after the match ended 3-3 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan had mixed feelings despite the success.

“We didn’t play up to expectations and for long spells, we were chasing the ball rather then letting our opponents work harder. However, winning the Charity Shield has somewhat eased the pain,” said Chiow Chuan.

The Star of Malaysia



KLHC wins MHL Charity Shield trophy

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: KL Hockey Club (KLHC) lifted its third consecutive Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Charity Shield trophy.

The KL team edged Terengganu 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 2-2 draw in the regulation time at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu Friday.

In the penalty shootout, KLHC scored all its five goals through Lee Nam-yong, Joshua Pollard, Muhd Haziq Samsul, Jang Jong-hyun and Meor Muhamad Azuan Hassan while Terengganu's scorers were Ahmad Shakeel Butt, Jaoqin Menini, Lopez Barreiros and Mohd Fitri Saari.

It was the third straight year that KLHC beat the East coast team to bag the Charity Shield.

It was the second title for KLHC in a space of five days.

Last Sunday (Jan 7), KLHC edged Terengganu 4-3 in a sudden death penalty shootout in the final to win the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup after the match ended in 3-3 draw at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The Star of Malaysia



A treat on the cards at Forthbank


Dundee Wanderers v Clydesdale Western – photo by Duncan Gray

There is still one final pool match to be played by all sides in the women`s first division championships this weekend, and there is still the possibility of an upset, as the line-up for the semi-finals is close to conclusion. There is a treat on the cards at Forthbank this weekend.

Pool A is almost certainly concluded, champions Dundee Wanderers will finish top irrespective of their result against Hillhead. The latter could still make up the ground on Milne Craig Clydesdale Western for second spot – they are three points adrift with a much poorer goal difference – and they have the champions left to play.

In addition Western`s last encounter is against bottom side Kelburne, last time out the Titwood-based outfit piled in 16 without reply.

The other pool is very interesting, after a 2-2 draw last weekend Edinburgh University retained their single point advantage over Grove Menzieshill at the top. That scenario will remain if the Edinburgh students can see off Wildcats in their final encounter. Although still unbeaten in all matches this season University were held to a 2-2 draw by the Wildcats – Louise Campbell and Becky Dru were on target for Edinburgh but Catriona Booth and Megan Cox replied – a similar outcome could let Grove Menzieshill slip into pole position.

But, of course, the Taysiders would still have to see off CALA at Forthbank, they did just that earlier in the campaign, but only by 4-2.

The additional problem is that both CALA and Wildcats are desperate to pick up points to avoid bottom spot and the relegation play-off.

So, barring any unexpected events, the opening semi-final would pair Western and Edinburgh University – an intriguing prospect as the latter would appear to be the more consistent side while the former have been rattling in the goals, in fact 20 more than their rivals over the league and pool stages. While the students have survived the season so far without a defeat, they have dropped eight points with four draws.

In the earlier head-to-head University came out on top – but only by the odd goal in five. Edinburgh`s Sophie Maunder and Western`s Susi Gilman exchanged goals for a 1-1 half-time scoreline. The result was sealed by a double by Ella Watt before Gilman scored again for a consolation.

The other semi-final would then be the Tayside derby between Dundee Wanderers and Grove Menzieshill – never easy to predict a derby encounter. The champions are undoubtedly the pre-match favourites, they have won all their games barring a 3-3 draw with Edinburgh University. Wanderers have several players who are capable of piling in the goals, the likes of Amy Snelle, Emily Dark, Ruth Blaikie, Sam Sangster and Katie Mulholland.

Again the earlier result between the sides went well for Wanderers, the champions raced into a 5-1 half-time lead and the result was sealed, the above suspects were on target.

The semi-final line-ups could take a different shape if the earlier games take an unexpected turn, but however it eventually pans out the crowd at Forthbank on Sunday are in for a competitive treat.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Telkom, Police on brink of hockey titles

By BRIAN YONGA


Kenya Police's Kennedy Sibweche (left) shields the ball from Technical University of Kenya's Leonard Marwa during their Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match on December 12, 2017 at City Park Stadium, Nairobi. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya Police and Telkom are poised to win the 2017 Kenya Hockey Union men and women’s Premier League titles this weekend. The league resumes for the final month of action with 12 matches on the cards following a lengthy break during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Police just need one win in their final three matches and could be crowned champions either with victory over second-from-bottom Kenyatta University (KU) Vultures on Saturday or Wazalendo on Sunday.

Telkom on the other hand need just a point to win a record 20th title and face Multimedia University on Sunday at City Park Stadium, Nairobi.

Police have had a superb season, winning 23 out 25 matches played, losing one and drawing another to yield a tally of 70 points, 18 ahead of second-placed Greensharks. Third-place Butali are the only team with a mathematical chance of catching up with Police. The 2015 champions have 51 points, 19 adrift of Police but with seven matches left.

HIGH SPIRITS

Police coach Kenneth Kaunda is in high spirits ahead of this defining weekend.

“We have been consistent throughout the season and that reflects on our position in the table. The lads have a chance to finish the job this weekend and should go out there and enjoy the occasion,” Kaunda said.

One man who has been outstanding this season for the law enforcers is Amos Barkibir whose 16 goals have propelled the team to the brink of their first title since 2013. He will lead the attack alongside fellow international Calvins Kanu.

Barkibir is three goals behind the league’s top scorer Festus Onyango of Strathmore University Gladiators in the race for the golden boot. While Police will be eager to pop the champagne, Vultures are battling to avoid the drop.

With bottom-placed TUK already relegated, Vultures are one of the four teams embroiled in the relegation dog fight. The students are on 22 points and cannot afford to drop points in today’s match as well as tomorrow’s encounter against third-placed Butali Sugar Warriors.

“We have two tough matches and our survival in the league depends on us wining both. The lads need to show great character this weekend,” Vultures coach Moses Kagochi said. The students have six games left.

In the women’s Premier League, Telkom have once again been the dominant team winning all their 17 matches played this season and scoring an impressive 103 goals and conceding only thrice. The team’s coach Jos Openda has urged his charges to wrap up the title so that they can switch attention to defending their continental club title.

The Africa Cup for Club Champions runs from January 20- 20 in Accra, Ghana with Telkom and Strathmore University Scorpions set to represent the country.

“We are building for the continental showpiece and this weekend provides a nice warm up,” Openda said.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)

Saturday

Premier Women: Strathmore University v KU Titans – 10am, Sliders v Multimedia-2pm

Premier Men: KU Vultures v Kenya Police- 12noon, Butali v TUK- 4pm, USIU v Strathmore – 6pm

Sunday

Premier Women: MSC v JKUAT (Mombasa) – 9am, KU Titans v Vikings – 11am, Telkom v Multimedia – 1pm

Premier Men: Strathmore University v Greensharks – 3pm, Wazalendo v Kenya Police – 5pm

National Men: Kabarak v Kisumu Youngstars (Nakuru) – 10am

Daily Nation



Top class officials appointed for EHL KO16 in Rotterdam


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

To help great players thrive, the Euro Hockey League will once again have a team of officials to match with a series of Olympic and World Cup appointed umpires and technical officers lined up for Rotterdam at Easter for the KO16 and KO8.

The team will be headed up by the hugely experienced Bjorn Isberg as technical delegate. He has been in a lead role in close to 20 top level international tournaments, including being TD at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and he has been appointed to three outdoor World Cups and three Olympics in a variety of roles.

On the field, four of the umpires team that are set to blow the whistle at the 2018 World Cup in India will be in situ from March 30 to April 2. Poland’s Marcin Grochal – a two-time Olympic umpire – Francisco Vazquez, Ben Goentgen and Dan Barstow all found out of their appointments to Bhubaneswar in December, showing the level they are operating at.

Jakub Mejzlik has officiated nigh on 50 international games, including at the 2017 European Championships in Amsterdam.
Working with them are a number of umpires that have been developing quickly with Belgium’s Michael Pontus and the Netherlands’ Paul van den Assum both appointed to the European Junior Championships in 2017.

Malcolm Coombes and Ian Diamond are two umpires on the rise with the former on the team at EHL ROUND1 in Barcelona. Diamond had a busy 2017, umpiring at the World League Round 2 and the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.

In the video booth, Carol Metchette has vast experience from the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2014 World Cup having previously been an Olympic on field umpire, taking charge of the semi-finals in London 2012.

The Umpires Managers are Juan Manuel Requena and Peter von Reth. Von Reth has been working at major events for well over 20 years in this role having previously officiated at the 1990 World Cup in Lahore as well as the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

Technical Delegate: Bjorn Isberg (SWE)
Technical Officer: Casper Guldbrandsen (DEN)
Judges: Raphael Besse (FRA), Christophe Lefèvre (BEL)
Umpire Managers: Juan Manuel Requena (ESP), Peter von Reth (NED)
EHF Appointed Umpires: Dan Barstow (ENG), Malcolm Coombes (IRL), Ian Diamond (SCO), Ben Goentgen (GER), Marcin Grochal (POL), Jakub Mejzlik (CZE), Michael Pontus (BEL), Paul van den Assum (NED), Francisco Vazquez Lopez (ESP)

EHF Appointed Video Umpire: Carol Metchette (IRL)

Euro Hockey League media release



Hockey Stars Awards: Who's leading?



With the FIH Hockey Stars Awards just a few weeks away, there is still plenty of time to make your vote count in our three major categories – Player of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year. Public voting in these categories closes on 14 January 2018, so vote now and select your favourite men's and women's players now.

As it stands things couldn’t be much closer and the current voting reflects a year of superb performances by our nominees. Belgium are currently leading the way, with the most votes in three of the six categories, with Argentina leading two and England one.

"In all categories, a late surge of votes would change the complexion of this year’s Hockey Stars Awards."

The men's Player of the Year is proving one of the closest contests in recent years. Whilst Belgium's Arthur van Doren is currently in front, Argentina's Gonzalo Peillat and Germany's Mats Grambusch are not far behind in the voting.

Delfina Merino and Maria Granatto currently top the voting in their respective categories, after a year which saw both Argentina's men’s and women’s teams win the Pan American Cup and qualify for the 2018 World Cups.

Merino picked up the top goalscorer award at the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland (joint with Netherlands  Maartje Krekelaar) and will be hoping to add another award to her trophy cabinet in the form of women's Player of the Year. Granatto meanwhile will be looking to win back to back Hockey Stars Rising Star of the Year awards.

There is a distinctly European feel to the men's Rising Star of the Year award, with last year's winner, Arthur van Doren, currently topping the vote. His team-mate Victor Wegnez is closely behind him, with Germany's Timm Herzbruch also hot on their tails. Of all the categories, this is the most closely contested – just a few votes could see the award go to any of the five nominees.

Belgium star goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch is leading the pack of men's goalkeepers, however winner from the past two editions of the awards, Ireland’s David Harte, is also very much in the running along with Argentina's Juan Vivaldi.

In the female Goalkeeper of the Year vote, last year’s winner Maddie Hinch continues to impress her peers and the public. However, the rise of the Belgium Red Panthers in recent months has given Aisling D’Hooghe a platform to showcase her admirable abilities between the posts. She is hot on Hinch’s trail for the title along with USA's impressive stopper Jackie Briggs.

In all categories, a late surge of votes would change the ranking in each category of this year’s Hockey Stars Awards. 2017 has seen a year of dramatic and high quality hockey action on the pitch, it looks as if the annual awards evening is all set to reflect that tension and excitement.

#HockeyStarsAwards

FIH site



LHC seeks replies from PHF, DG Sports Board

Dismissal of player over harassment complaint

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday sought replies from Pakistan Hockey Federation and Director General Sports Board on a petition moved by a female hockey player challenging her removal from the team in return for complaining about alleged sexual harassment.

Syeda Sadia Nawazih, a female hockey player, lost her job after an alleged incident of sexual harassment at the work place. The female player approached the provincial ombudsperson against her coach Saeed Khan over charges of sexual harassment. However, she met another challenge when she was told by some official that the post of the provincial ombudsperson had been lying vacant for a year.

Sadia later approached the LHC through Advocate Rabbiya Bajwa and questioned the unavailability of the provincial ombudsperson. The petitioner’s counsel argued that Sadia was expelled from national hockey team after she lodged a sexual harassment complaint with the provincial ombudsperson against head coach Saeed Khan. She said office of the ombudsperson was established under a special law, The Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010, but the position of the ombudsperson had been vacant for a year.

She told the court that unavailability of the ombudsperson had deprived her of her right to be treated in accordance with the law and have access to justice under Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution, 1973.

The counsel said that an inquiry committee was constituted to conduct the inquiry, but no proper or formal inquiry was conducted to establish the facts of the case.

Rather the committee refused to fairly exercise its jurisdiction in accordance with the law and acted with a prejudiced mind. It started pressurising her to back out from her complaint. She submitted that she was being pressurised and harassed by the PHF to withdraw her complaint against the coach.

Sadia said that another player, Iqra Javed, was also dropped from the team while she was due to leave for Brunei to represent Pakistan in a sports event. She said she went to the office of the ombudsperson for relief but she was informed that office of the ombudsperson was vacant due to unavailability of the ombudsperson for one year.

She argued that Pakistan, being signatory to Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) under the UN, was bound to take effective steps for the elimination of sexual harassment. Not only she but many other aggrieved women are worried over vacant post of the ombudsperson, she submitted. The petitioner asked the court to order the government to immediately fill the post so that many women like her could get justice. She also asked the court to bar the respondents from taking any detrimental action against the petitioner till final decision on the complaint by the appropriate and competent legal forum. She further prayed the court to set aside her and her colleagues’ dismissal from the team. The hearing adjourned until Jan 16.

The Nation

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