News for 01 April 2018
All the news for Sunday 1 April 2018
Rotterdam rocks for bumper crowd of over 6,400 at KO16 carnival
©: Koen Suyk/World Sport Pics
HC Rotterdam produced an amazing late comeback to delight a capacity home crowd of over 6,400 as they recovered from 4-0 down to beat Mannheimer HC.
It saw them advance to a KO8 date on Monday where they will meet Uhlenhorst Mulheim – 3-0 winners against Racing Club de France.
HC Bloemendaal beat KHC Dragons 8-0 to set the other Monday KO8 battle with Saint Germain, 3-2 winners agains Three Rock Rovers.
Saint Ger started the day’s action with a hard-fought victory by the narrowest of margins. Martin Genestet’s fine close-range finish was countered by a Harry Morris blast for 2-2 at half-time. Morris also clattered the crossbar in the second half as Rovers had their chances but the Parisians won via a Francois Goyet penalty corner deflection.
Next up, Uhlenhorst Mulheim proved too strong for Racing, Lukas Windfeder’s penalty corner drag added to by Gabriel Ho-Garcia’s close-in finish for a 3-0 success.
The game of the day was undoubtedly the meeting of the host team against Mannheim. The German champions raced into a 4-0 half-time lead with Tim Haase and Lucas Vila putting them in great shape.
Tjep Hoedemakers gave Rotterdam a lifeline with seven minutes left before Mannheim had a third goal disallowed on video. Then, in the last minute, Nick Catlin charged into the circle and thrashed in a reverse for 4-4, earning a shoot-out.
There, Mannheimer HC again went 4-3 up going into the final round of the shoot-out but Berend van Eldonk saved, Albert Beltran scored and then Jeroen Hertzberger netted in sudden death. Van Eldonk forced Guido Barreiros wide and the party began in earnest.
The final game of the KO16 was the classic match-up between HC Bloemendaal and KHC Dragons. The Belgians made a good start but were rocked by the concession of a Jamie Dwyer goal a minute into the second quarter. Roel Bovendeert then added a glorious hat trick of field goals to take the game away from Dragons, eventually running out 8-0 victors.
Sunday sees the first day of the KO8 with Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles taking on SV Kampong at 15.00h (CET) before Real Club de Polo face debutants Herakles, all bidding for a place in the FINAL4.
Before that, the first ever EHL ranking matches will take place. These matches will not be broadcast but will be used to earn potentially precious ranking points by the respective clubs for their national coefficient.
England’s Holcombe face Atletic Terrassa while Dinamo Kazan face Rot-Weiss Koln.
Results
Friday 30 March
M1 KO16: Holcombe HC 4 (N Bandurak 2 FG) Real Club de Polo 7 (M Plennevaux FG (stroke), B Llorens PC, I Ortiz FG, A Casasayas FG)
M2 KO16: Royal Herakles HC 4 (J Smith FG, L Hottlet FG) Atlètic Terrassa 2 (R Oliva 2 PC)
M3 KO16: Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles 9 (T Boon FG, J Truyens FG, C Harte PC, T Willems FG, G Garcia FG) Dinamo Kazan 0
M4 KO16: SV Kampong 1 (B Phijffer PC) KTHC Rot Weiss Köln 0
Saturday 31 March
M5 KO16: Saint Germain HC 3 (M Genestet FG, F Goyet PC) Three Rock Rovers 2 (H Morris FG)
M6 KO16: Racing Club de France 0 HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim 3 (L Windfeder PC, G Ho-Garcia FG)
M7 KO16: HC Rotterdam 4 (T Hoedemakers FG, N Catlin FG) Mannheimer HC 4 (T Haase FG, L Vila, FG), Rotterdam win shoot-out 5-4
M8 KO16: KHC Dragons 0 HC Bloemendaal 8 (R Bovendeert 3 FG, J Dwyer FG)
Sunday 1 April
M9 10.30h KO8 ranking match: Holcombe HC vs Atletic Terrassa
M10 12.45h KO8 ranking match: Dinamo Kazan vs Rot Weiss Koln
M11 15.00h KO8: Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles vs SV Kampong
M12 17.15h KO8: Real Club de Polo vs Herakles
Monday 2 April
M13 09.15h KO8 ranking match: KHC Dragons vs Three Rock Rovers
M14 11.30h KO8 ranking match: Racing Club de France vs Mannheimer HC
M15 13.45h KO8: HC Bloemendaal vs Saint Germain
M16 16.00h KO8: HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim vs HC Rotterdam
Note: Match times and schedule subject to change due to the requirements of television or other factors as determined by EHL.
Euro Hockey League media release
Bovendeert hat trick powers Bloemendaal to 8-0 win over Dragons
©: Koen Suyk/World Sport Pics
Roel Bovendeert’s hat trick saw HC Bloemendaal complete a comprehensive 8-0 victory over KHC Dragons, sweeping home with two field goals in the second and third quarters.
Dragons did have the opening chance just 15 seconds in when Jeffrey Thys was left alone in the circle but thrashed off course. They did give Bloemendaal and Jaap Stockmann some cause for concern in those opening phases but the Dutch side soon took over.
Jamie Dwyer set the Bloemendaal ball rolling when he popped home the opening goal in the 16th minute, following up after Loic van Doren put a halt to Florian Fuchs’ driving run.
Then Bovendeert took over, latching onto a breaking ball in the circle from Tim Jenniskens and slipping his shot under the advancing goalkeeper.
And the game was pretty much put out of reach nine minutes into the second half when Bovendeert leapt full length to get a diving touch to Sander ‘t Hart’s cross from the right wing.
Bovendeert then completed his hat trick with a glorious tip-in to Florian Fuchs’ bouncing left-wing cross, a quality finish once again from mid-air.
The fourth quarter never really saw Dragons threaten a big comeback and Bloemendaal had their place in the KO8 where they will take on Uhlenhorst Mulheim.
Reflecting on the game, Bloemendaal coach Michel van den Heuvel said the first goal was crucial: “It always depends on who scores first and the first quarter, Dragons gave us a big problem and demanded a lot of us. But after that, we were able to put more pressure on and when we got the first two goals, they had to come forward.
“Then we could use our speed and we got much more confidence in the game. If they scored early, it could have been a very close game. Also, if we played them 10 times, we could lose three or four like that. I didn’t expect it to go like this."
As for Bovendeert, he paid tribute to the forward who spent much of last season out with injury but is now very much back and firing.
“He dis alright today; tomorrow someone else will! I am really glad for him that he made a couple of brilliant tip ins; its one of his specialties.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Rotterdam pull massive comeback out of the fire to delight home crowd
©: Koen Suyk/World Sport Pics
HC Rotterdam produced an incredible comeback from 4-0 down with seven minutes to go to draw 4-4 with Mannheimer HC, earning a shoot-out where, again, they came from behind to record a famous win.
The German champions looked well in control for long periods following first half field goals from Timm Haase and Lucas Vila, putting them four clear.
But Tjep Hoedemakers gave Rotterdam hope when he provided a lovely spin finish to halve the gap. And then Nick Catlin burst through and onto Diede van Puffelen’s bouncing cross, picking up the rebound and then slashing home just ahead of Thijs van Dam.
It came with 60 seconds remaining and sent the game to shoot-out. There, Mannheim scored their first four efforts with Oliver Polkamp shooting wide for Rotterdam. But Berend van Eldonk pulled off a cracking save in the final round while Albert Beltran missed.
That meant sudden death where Jeroen Hertzberger scored for a second time while van Eldonk forced Guido Barreiros to shoot wide, taking the tie 5-4 in the shoot-out.
Reflecting on the goal, Catlin confirmed it was his final touch: “I’m pretty sure I did! [Van Dam] wasn’t far off taking my stick before the ball but I go there just in time. We didn’t play particularly well in the first half and they did a particularly good job of shutting their attack down. As soon as we got that lifeline, that really helped us push on and then anything can happen.
“I don’t score many; it’s probably one of the most important I have scored in my career. In front of 6,000 people, it doesn’t get much better than that. This is why we love playing hockey, occasions like this!
As for the shoot-out hero, van Eldonk added: “First half, they only got two opportunities but got two field goals, making a difference of four. We had to change level in half-time and it sank in the third quarter.
“Last year, we had shoot-outs twice in the Hoofdklasse and lost twice. Again, the first four balls I didn’t come close and it was typical Germans in a shoot-out but I got that final ball.
“I didn’t see where I went but I looked around me, saw the four guys running to me and the whole place going crazy!”
Euro Hockey League media release
Composed Uhlenhorst through to KO8 for a second time
©: Frank Uijlenbroek/world Sport Pics
Uhlenhorst Mulheim made it through to the KO8 for the second time in their history with a strong performance against Racing Club de France.
A field goal in the second half from Gabriel Ho-Garcia put them out of range, adding to Lukas Windfeder’s rocket of a drag-flick in the first half.
They had plenty of further chances to go further clear while Racing goalkeeper Corentin Saunier produced some great stops with Thilo Stralkowski and Tobias Matania proving powerful performers in midfield.
And they put the game out of range when Matania got to the left baseline and picked out Canadian star Ho-Garcia who dove in to touch the ball home.
Racing’s best chances came early in the game and then again in the closing minute but they could not break through the German defence with Jean-Laurent Kieffer missing out with a few seconds to go.
Euro Hockey League media release
Goyet touch enough for Saint Germain to end 10-year wait for KO8
©: Frank Uijlenbroek/world Sport Pics
Francois Goyet’s second half penalty corner saw Saint Germain reach the KO8 for the first time since 2008 as they edged out Three Rock Rovers 3-2 in the first KO16 match of day two in HC Rotterdam.
He deflected home in the 34th the crucial strike. From there, they had some luck as Three Rock hit the bar through Harry Morris and also had two Luke Madeley corners taken off the line.
But the French side held their nerve while Ireland still waits for its first team to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
In the first half, Rovers also had their chances with Richard Pautz denied by Arthur Thieffry from close range while Ross Canning’s shot was batted off the line by Frederic Gohlke.
Saint Germain, meanwhile, had some brilliant chances of their own with Goyet only denied by the tip of Jamie Carr’s toes.
Martin Genestet’s clever near post move earned their first goal, getting in front of his marker to turn home a baseline cross. Rovers got level when Morris produced a fine turn and thumped in on the stroke of half-time.
Saint Ger had the better of the third quarter and ran up five corners, Goyet tipping in the fourth of them for the lead. When Daragh Walsh was shown a 10-minute yellow, the Paris club held firm until deep into the final quarter and rode the final few minutes in decent shape.
Speaking afterwards, Thieffry said: "Yesterday we saw some video preparations. At the end, we had some messages from the old players from 2008 who said just enjoy it. It's normally a big battle when Ireland plays France; we know its going to be a war!"
As for the KO8 against either Bloemendaal or Dragons, he added: "We really wanted to get a match like this because we are in the home of hockey. Whoever we get, it's the same. We need to improve ourselves and, like today, enjoy it."
Euro Hockey League media release
Taylor: ’Hey We’re Here, We Want To Win That Gold Medal’
Ben Somerford
Australia young gun Renee Taylor says the upcoming Commonwealth Games is a chance for the re-building Hockeyroos to show the world what they’re about.
The Hockeyroos are currently ranked fifth in the world and have entered into a re-building phase since the 2016 Rio Olympics under coach Paul Gaudoin.
Taylor is one of the new faces, among 10 players competing at their maiden Commonwealth Games and one of five players 22 years or under.
Australia missed out on qualifying for the World League Final last year but won the Oceania Cup in Sydney in October.
Mixed results in the International Festival of Hockey along with series against Japan, Spain and China have followed but Taylor said this Commonwealth Games represents an opportunity for the new group to make a major statement.
“We’ve come off the back of Rio and last year, we’re in a really big re-building phase,” the 21-year-old Queenslander said.
“This is probably the first chance for Australia and the world to see the new look team coming out.
“It’s a really good opportunity for us moving forward with a young group moving forward, plus some of the older ones coming back for us.
“We’ve got a really good group of experience and youth.”
Taylor, who is a defender from Everton Park, reflected on 2017’s results as good learning experiences.
“Obviously we want to be on the positive results side,” Taylor said.
“It’s all building and learning experiences. I think we’ve had some good building phases in the last year.
“Now we’ve really got to put our foot down and say ‘hey we’re here, we want to win that gold medal’.”
Among those experienced players to return to the set-up was Jodie Kenny and Emily Hurtz, whose guidance she had sought upon entering the Athlete’s Village on Wednesday.
“I definitely have been sitting in the room asking ‘what’s this like, what’s that like’,” Taylor said.
“It can be an overwhelming experience but it’s good having the likes of Jodie and the experienced girls in the team by your side to guide you through it.”
Taylor said she was loving village life and the Commonwealth Games experience ahead of Australia’s first game against Canada on Thursday 5 April.
“Speaking to the volunteers, everyone is going ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie’,” she said.
“One of the hospital staff came up to us and asked us to sign a shirt. Being able to come in and feel their excitement.
“People say, ‘we want to watch this, we want to watch this’. It’s really incredible to be here.”
The Hockeyroos, who are in Pool B alongside New Zealand (fourth), Scotland (18th), Canada (21st) and Ghana (30th), arrived on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
Hockey Australia media release
How Watching The 2004 Athens Olympics Inspired Beale
Ben Somerford
Daniel Beale says watching Australia win a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics is the reason why he wanted to become a Kookaburra.
The Brisbane-born midfielder has long played hockey but it wasn’t until he watched the 2004 Olympics on TV as an 11-year-old where he set himself to win a gold medal of his own.
Remarkably retiring current Kookaburras skipper Mark Knowles was part of that 2004 side, making this 2018 Commonwealth Games all the more special for the Queensland pair.
“I remember watching him on the TV, especially in 2004,” Beale said.
“Those Athens Olympics made a big impression on me as a youngster and gave me the motivation to one day win a gold medal at the Olympics for myself.”
Speaking about four-time Olympian and three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Knowles, Beale added: “He’s definitely been around a long time. He’s done it all.
“It’s going to be sad to see him go. He’s obviously come out and said it’s the right time for him.
“We respect that and wish him all the best post-hockey.”
Beale was part of the Australia’s 2016 Rio Olympics team, while he’ll aim for a second Commonwealth Games gold medal during the upcoming tournament on the Gold Coast.
The Kookaburras lost in the quarter-finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics having headed into the tournament as one of the gold medal favourites.
The side has evolved since their Olympics disappointment, with a new coaching staff and a raft of new players, although Beale is one of the constants, but he insisted the Commonwealth Games weren’t about Rio redemption.
“Rio was obviously very disappointing,” Beale said. “It obviously didn’t go the way we wanted it to.
“There’s not too much redemption. We’re just trying to focus on this tournament in its own right and do well here.”
Australia have re-grouped since Rio, re-claiming their number one ranking at the end of 2017, after winning the Oceania Cup and World League Final in a positive sign ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Beale argued the current group was completely different to the side which competed in Rio, with different personnel and tactics.
“We went away from Rio pretty disappointed and with that comes reflection,” Beale said.
“We’ve changed a lot of things. Our squad is completely different, completely new coaching staff, we’re trialling different styles of play. We’ve been doing that for about a year.
“We’re beginning to see what works, what doesn’t. We’ve definitely changed a lot from Rio to now.”
The Kookaburras, who are in Pool A alongside New Zealand (ninth), Canada (11th), South Africa (15th) and Scotland (23rd), are up against Canada first on Saturday 7 April from 4.30pm AEST.
Hockey Australia media release
Kookaburras & Hockeyroos Call On Fans To ’Wear Yellow’
Ben Somerford
The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos are both calling on Australian fans to wear yellow when they watch the sides in action at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Australian supporters will be out in force for the tournament and fans are encouraged to wear yellow to ensure the players feel a real home ground advantage.
Tickets to the Australian hockey matches have been popular, with the sides boasting a remarkable record at the Commonwealth Games.
The Kookaburras have won all five gold medals since hockey was first played at the games in 1998, while the Hockeyroos have claimed four of the five gold medals.
The Hockeyroos are the first of the sides in action during the Commonwealth Games, playing Canada on Thursday 5 April from 4.30pm AEST.
The Kookaburras’ first match is against South Africa on Saturday 7 April from 4.30pm AEST.
Hockey Australia media release
Another Shutout Win Pushes U-17 USWNT Past Uruguay in Second Tour Match
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - Fueled by a solid defensive effort, the U.S. U-17 Women's National Team came away with another shutout victory in their second game of the series against Uruguay's U-18 team. As USA kept their opposition off the scoreboard, they took advantage of penalty corner opportunities to win the game 4-0.
Uruguay came out strong with some speed and skill through the midfield. Despite some dangerous counter attacks and a few penalty corners, USA held strong on defense. Goalkeeper Caylie McMahon (Stow, Mass.) saved a couple point blank shots in the first 10 minutes to keep the game 0-0. USA found some momentum as the game continued and was able to generate some offense with quick passing and more energy through the lines. The efforts paid off as USA found themselves with a penalty corner of their own in the first quarter. Peyton Halsey (Reading, Pa.) put away a great deflection from a Kelsey Reznick (Drums, Pa.) pass to put USA on the board 1-0.
With each quarter, USA found themselves more in control with their offensive speed and defensive tenacity. They extended the lead in the 40th when Leanne Bough (Whitney Point, N.Y.) scored on a great individual effort along the left baseline, beating a couple Uruguay defenders and goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Team USA took control completely by the final period limiting Uruguay on offense as they had no penalty corners or shots in the quarter. USA would also do some work on the offensive end by extending the scoreline as Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.)) scored on two penalty corners to make the score 4-0 to USA.
Overall, game two was great for U.S. U-17 Women's National Team as both teams head in to a rest day tomorrow before the third test match on Monday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Tomorrow, USA will explore some of the sights of Uruguay and enjoy some rest.
USFHA media release
Good opening by Scotland youth squads
Photo by Mark Pugh
A good opening by the Scotland youth squads against Wales with two comfortable victories with the other games ending in draws.
Scotland`s under 18 girls ran up a clear 4-0 win over Wales at Uddingston last night. They were two up by the interval through Georgia Jones (Watsonians) and Kirsten Cannon (Wildcats). The Scots doubled their tally in the second half through Lexi Sabatelli (Western) and Jones getting her second of the game in the final minute.
The under 18 boys looked to be on the same victorious route at Clydesdale when they led Wales 4-1 early in the second half but the visitors stormed back with three goals by Rhys Bradshaw to finish with a thrilling 4-4 draw. Duncan Gladwin (Cannock) opened for the Scots in four minutes but Bradshaw levelled soon after. By the interval the Scots youngsters were 3-1 up through a penalty corner strike by Fraser Moran (Western) and then Struan Walker (Clydesdale) from open play. The contest looked over when Walker added a fourth for the Scots at a penalty corner but they then fell victim to a Welsh comeback.
Scotland Under 18 boys v Wales – Photo by Duncan Gray
Scotland`s under 16s boys’ had no such trouble disposing of their Welsh counterparts as they raced into a three goal lead through the Inverleith pair Charlie Jack and Jake Inglis along with a set piece conversion by Struan Griffiths (Perthshire). Although Wales pulled one back from the spot any comeback was stifled by further goals by Inglis and Alex Wilson (Perthshire) in the final minute.
Scotland U16 girls battled out an entertaining 0-0 draw and will look to take the spoils in the day two of action of the Scotland youth squads against Wales.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Tremendous day 2 of Scotland versus Wales youth hockey
Scotland Under 18 girls v Wales – photo by Duncan Gray
It was a tremendous day two of Scotland versus Wales youth hockey with victories for Scotland U18 boys’ and girls’, a draw for Scotland U16 girls’, and a close defeat for Scotland U16 boys’. The U18 girls’ lead their series 2-0, the U18 boys’ are one up in their series, and it’s in the balance for both U16 teams entering the final day.
The Scotland boys’ under-18 side went one up in the three test match series against Wales after a convincing 4-0 win.
The Scots were two up at the interval through David Nairn of Clydesdale and Alex Riddell of Grange. The home side then doubled their tally with penalty corner strikes from Chris Moon (Gordonians) and Riddell again in the final minute.
Scotland`s U18 girls’ completed the double over Wales with a 3-1 victory in the second test match, the Scots have already won the three game series.
Lorna Crawford (Watsonians) gave the Scots a single goal lead at the interval. In the second half further strikes by Erin Stevens (Grove Menzieshill) and Eve Pearson (Watsonians) put the home side three up before Wales managed a late consolation through Megan Bowen.
Scotland`s U16 girls were held to a draw by Wales for the second time this weekend when the contest ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Grove Menzieshill`s Lucy Smith opened the scoring for the home side only for Tegan Waters to level for Wales two minutes later. In the second Grove Menzieshill colleague Ellie Stott put the Scots ahead for the second time for a 2-1 half-time lead. However, it was Wales` Guenno Marley who scored the only goal of the second half with a penalty corner strike to level at 2-2, and that is how the match ended.
Scotland Under 16 girls v Wales – photo by Duncan Gray
After winning 5-1 yesterday the Scots under 16 boys’ side went down to a single strike by Alex Francis to square the series with tomorrow`s match to decide the final outcome, and complete a sensational weekend of youth hockey.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
T&T hockey teams resume CAC Games prep
The T&T senior men and women’s outdoor hockey teams are set to resume training in preparation for the upcoming Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games which will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 20-29.
This multi-sport regional championship event is held every four years and this year will be the 23rd edition of the competition from which the top two teams from this tournament will advance to the Pan American Games in Peru in August 2019.
The senior women’s training squad lead by coach Anthony Marcano will resume training on Monday with 32 athletes vying for the final 16.
Coach Marcano will have his sights set on a top two finish after the women failed to defend their gold medal at the 22nd edition, ending at a disappointing fourth place behind Cuba, Mexico and Dominica Republic last time out.
Glenn “Fido” Francis will lead the senior men’s squad as they seek the coveted gold medal having settled for silver behind Cuba in 2014 and Mexico in 2010.
The team resumed training earlier this month with a series of fitness tests and Francis will have his work cut out for him as he seeks to decrease the squad from 65 to 40 athletes by mid-April.
The training squads for this tournament also comprises of six athletes from Tobago, one among the women and five men.
WOMEN’S GROUPINGS:
Pool A: Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico
Pool B: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, T&T.
Technical team: Jennifer Lander (manager), Anthony Marcano (coach), Natalie Nieves (assistant coach), Stacey Sui Butt (assistant coach), Christabella George-Ford (assistant manager), Roxanne Dey (assistant manager), Karielle De Bique (physiotherapist), Derek Ashby (trainer), Zynul Khan (team doctor)
MEN’S GROUPINGS:
Pool A: Barbados, Colombia, Cuba, T&T
Pool B: Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico
Technical team: Glenn ‘Fido’ Francis (head coach), Dwain Quan Chan (assistant coach), Marlon Granderson (manager), Kirth Davis (assistant manager), Kimberly Wellington (assistant manager), Karielle De Bique (physiotherapist), Derek Ashby (trainer), Zynul Khan (team doctor).
The Trinidad Guardian
MBPJ Tigers resigned to being also-rans in MJHL
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Tigers have given up hope of retaining the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Division One title after only managing four points from four matches.
This is one of their worst performance in the Under-19 league.
In the opening match, they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Juniors.
In the next two matches they were upset by Pahang Hockey Academy (AHP)-SSP-Thunderbolt (3-1) and Anderson-Thunderbolt (4-1) before bouncing back to beat Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 4-0.
MBPJ team manager Norazizah Mukijan said that they can forget about retaining the league title after struggling in the first three matches.
“We lost eight valuable points in the first three matches. We were considered unlucky in the first three matches as we created chances but were let down by poor finishing.
The Star of Malaysia
Anil Kumar promoted to FIH Umpiring Promising List
New Delhi: Hockey India on Friday congratulated umpire Anil Kumar on being promoted to International Hockey Federation (FIH)’s Promising List for Outdoor Hockey.
Anil Kumar, who hails from Sonepat, Haryana, was a former national-level hockey player. Though tough competition to make the Indian Team kept him from donning India colours, he saw an opportunity in umpiring – a livelihood he thoroughly cherishes today. He took up umpiring in the year 2009-10 and with constant support from Hockey India, the national governing body for the sport, he found umpiring opportunities not just in the domestic circuit but also internationally.
“After my hockey career ended, I took up umpiring and haven’t looked back since. A busy domestic schedule with regular National Championships at different levels ensured I got a lot of exposure. I benefited from Hockey India’s professional approach in promoting umpires across the country through development programmes for upcoming and currently registered umpires. Until Hockey India came into existence, it was not easy to become an umpire. Over the years, they have been extremely stringent about fair-play and unbiased umpiring across categories like sub junior, junior and senior level making an umpire’s job respectable and credible,” stated Anil Kumar.
Having umpired at Junior and Senior National Championships since 2009-10, Anil Kumar’s first International assignment was in 2012 at the Junior Asia Cup in Malaysia. The same year, he umpired at the Sultan of Johor Cup for U21. He has since, umpired at various International tournaments including the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2015 and most recently he was in New Zealand for the double-leg Four Nations Invitational Tournament that saw the hosts, Japan, Belgium and India take part.
“I am extremely elated by the news of my promotion. It comes as a big motivation to do better and serve hockey to the best of my abilities. I thank Hockey India for their constant support. I hope their continued encouragement will prompt umpires like me to improve our skills and represent India at various international events,” added Anil Kumar.
Congratulating Anil Kumar, Hockey India’s Secretary General, Md. Mushtaque Ahmad said, “I would like to congratulate Anil Kumar on being promoted to FIH’s Promising List. It brings me great joy to note that India has created a strong pool of umpires who have gained respect for their work internationally are contributing to hockey’s growth. Umpires like Anil have carved a niche for themselves and this is a matter of pride for Hockey India. I wish Anil the very best for his future assignments and wish he continues to do good work and achieve greater heights at the international level.”
IBC World News
Christopher Ruhr given opportunity to switch from hockey to Bayern Munich
By The Hockey Paper
Christopher Ruhr, one of world hockey’s prized forwards, is poised to try out a sensational cross-sport switch from hockey to soccer giants Bayern Munich, according to reports.
The twice FIH rising star of the year has been handed a trial next week with Germany’s Bundesliga club.
The 24-year-old, who won Olympic bronze at the Rio Olympics, scored a blistering hat-trick to send Germany into the Indoor World Cup final in February.
But defeat against Austria men in front of a sell out crowd in Berlin may have proved the tipping point for the highly-rated star.
The Self-Pass website reported that Ruhr had been mulling over the potential opportunity of moving across sports.
“What started as joke become a serious opportunity for the German Hockey superstar!” the website stated on its Instagram account.
The website added that Ruhr would be making an announcement in the coming days after an image was posted of the German wearing a soccer shirt.
Ruhr has been a boyhood fan of Bayern Munich since he was aged three, while a successful trial would shock world hockey fans.
The Hockey Paper has asked the German Hockey Federation for a comment on Ruhr’s addition to Bayern’s roster of triallists.
In recent years, England star Ashley Jackson has combined field hockey and ice hockey when he played for both East Grinstead and Invicta Dynamos.
What do you think? Is this good for hockey’s profile or a foolish move?
The Hockey Paper