News for 05 March 2019
All the news for Tuesday 5 March 2019
2019 FIH Pro League (Men) - Upcoming match
5 Mar 2019 18:45 (GMT +1) NED v GER (RR) HC Rotterdam, Rotterdam
FIH Match Centre
2019 FIH Pro League (Women) - Upcoming match
6 Mar 2019 14:00 (GMT +8) CHN v GER (RR) Wujin Hockey Stadium, Changzhou
FIH Match Centre
Alex Danson releases update regarding injury
Alex Danson
England and Great Britain's record goalscorer Alex Danson has released a statement on the injury she suffered last year.
On Instagram she wrote, "Six months ago whilst on holiday I hit the back of my head. I knew straight away something wasn't right but, as a typical athlete, I waved it away and tried to pretend I was ok.
"Six weeks later I was rushed into hospital with a suspected bleed, being violently sick and having seizures.
"Six months on and it's been the hardest experience I have ever been through. When I came out of hospital a walk to the bathroom was near impossible and the very most I could do. I was in bed for 24 hours a day for weeks on end. I couldn't tolerate light, sound or people talking to me. My memory, concentration and ability to read or look at screens was zero.
"I'm getting there, I can now walk for nearly 30 minutes, I can hold a conversation and remember how to boil and egg (sadly it's not improved my cooking!)!. My headaches are still bad and I feel dizzy most days, but one thing I can guarantee is I WILL get there.
"One of the hardest partss in all of this, aside from the physical trauma, has been losing my identity. Going from leading my country, aspiring to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics to just trying to get through a day.
"Head injuries are serious, debilitating and lonely. To everyone that has been in touch, my family and to my amazing boy, you have been my lifeline.
"When I have days when I feel well enough I will document some of my recovery. I will share what I have learnt as I also have so much to be thankful for.
"I've not been well enough up to now and I've not been sure whether it's something I wanted to do. Goodness, people go through far worse than this and have to be much stronger than I. But I've always gained most joy in life by trying to serve others and just maybe this will help one other person support someone going through the same ordeal. I think in doing this, it will help me.
"For all this has taken from me in the short term, I am determined I will take more from IT in the long term."
England and Great Britain Hockey are sending our very best wishes and continued support to Alex in her ongoing recovery.
England Hockey Board Media release
Alex Danson reveals brain injury trauma on road to recovery
By The Hockey Paper
England and Great Britain hockey captain Alex Danson revealed on Monday that she had ‘lost her identity’ and ability to read after suffering a traumatic brain injury on holiday.
Danson, 33, has been out of action after hitting the back of her head on a concrete seat accidentally following the women’s World Cup in London last summer.
And it is only now that she has been able to speak about her ordeal after spending weeks on end in bed.
In a post on social media, Danson said that she was rushed to hospital six weeks after returning to the UK with “a suspected bleed, being violently sick and having seizures.”
Danson, who last played competitive hockey in England’s defeat to Holland in August, admitted to spending 24 hours in bed “for weeks on end”.
“I couldn’t tolerate light, sound or people talking to me,” she wrote. “My memory, concentration and ability to read or look at screens was zero.
“One of the hardest parts in all of this, aside from the physical trauma, has been losing my identity, aspiring to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics to just trying to get through a day.”
Only now is she able to walk for 30 minutes per day as well as holding a conversation, as she admitted she was ‘on the road to recovery’.
Although she feels dizzy most days, she did joke that she was able to remember how to boil an egg.
But she added that her friends and family had been her ‘lifeline’ as she described the seriousness of head injuries.
“They are serious, debilitating and lonely,” she added.
Great Britain women are currently without three key players due to concussion: Danson, Shona McCallin and Nicola White.
Danson, who is 34 in May, didn’t reveal how long it would be before she could return to training.
But the seriousness of her injury must put her plans to to lead GB for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in some doubt.
The Hockey Paper
Alex Danson: 'I lost my identity and the ability to read after concussion'
Danson was named England captain in 2017
Great Britain's hockey captain Alex Danson said she "lost the ability to read" after suffering concussion.
The Olympic gold medallist was injured after banging her head on a concrete seat on holiday in 2018.
In an alarming post on social media, Danson said she had "lost [her] identity" throughout the process of recovery.
"I was in bed for 24 hours a day for weeks on end," she said.
The 33-year old forward detailed her harrowing journey, saying she hoped her story might help others "going through the same ordeal".
Danson's statement in full
It's been quite a journey...
Six months ago whilst on holiday, I hit the back of my head. I knew straight away something wasn't right, but as a typical athlete, I waved it away and tried to pretend I was OK.
Six weeks later I was rushed into hospital with a suspected bleed, being violently sick and having seizures.
Six months on and it's been the hardest experience I have ever been though. When I came out of hospital a walk to the bathroom was near impossible and the very most I could do. I was in bed for 24 hours a day for weeks on end. I couldn't tolerate light, sound or people talking to me. My memory, concentration and ability to read or look at screens was zero.
I'm getting there. I can now walk for nearly 30 minutes, I can hold a conversation and remember how to boil an egg! (Sadly it's not improved my cooking!) My headaches are still bad and I feel dizzy most days, but one thing I can guarantee is I WILL get there.
One of the hardest parts in all of this, aside from the physical trauma, has been losing my identity. Going from leading my country, aspiring to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics to just trying to get through a day.
Head injuries are serious, debilitating and lonely. To everyone that has been in touch, my family and to my amazing boy, you have been my lifeline.
When I have days when I feel well enough, I will document some of my recovery, I will share what I have learnt as I also have so much to be thankful for.
I've not been well enough up to now and I've not been sure whether it's something I wanted to do. Goodness, people go through far worse than this and have to be much stronger than I.
But, I've always gained most joy in life by trying to serve others, and just maybe this will help one other person support someone going through the same ordeal. I think in doing this, it will help me.
For all this has taken from me in the short term, I am determined I will take more from it in the long term.
BBC Sport
Reflections and recap: 2019 Masters Indoor World Cup
Canadian athletes leave Hong Kong with amazing experience and motivated for more
Last summer, Field Hockey Canada sent three teams to the World Masters Championships in Spain. This February, riding off the momentum from last summer, three Canadian teams showed up in Hong Kong ready to take on the world at the 2019 Masters Indoor World Cup.
The inaugural IMHA & WMH joint effort proved to be an amazing tournament with terrific competition across all divisions, held at a world-class venue. Canada committed teams in the men’s O40 division and O50 division and in the women’s O45 division. This also marked the first time that Canada has sent teams to a world indoor masters championships.
Louis Mendonca, Director of Canada’s indoor program and coach of the Men’s O45 team — that competed in the O40 division — said the event exceeded their expectations from both a competition standpoint and on the operational side.
“We felt like we came quite prepared to this event but it was really competitive,” he said. “It was so cool to see such a world class quality of hockey at this event.”
he men’s O45 team finished with a 3-2-2 record, good for fifth place at the event. They lost out on a chance at the semis only by point differential. They beat North American rivals, USA in the 5/6 placement game in a shootout. Mendonca said his team performed well, especially after losing their first two games.
“We felt like we were right in every game,” he said. “We were there, we had the chances. We had a few simple strategies that we performed well and it gave us a chance to win.”
He said this experience and this tournament most certainly will motivate the masters hockey community in Canada to attend the next international event which is scheduled for Prague in two years’ time.
“The guys are still talking about it; it was such a great experience,” Mendonca said. “The masters community keeps the sport alive, keeps the sport growing and we’ll definitely be back to compete at the next one.”
Sharon Rajaraman coached the women’s O45 team to a fourth place finish at last month’s world championships. She echoed a lot of the sentiments that Mendonca and other attendees felt about the operational side of the tournament.
“The hosting committee did such a great job. It’s a huge undertaking and it was very professionally run,” she said. “What a great experience for all the players.”
The women’s O45 team started the tournament well by defeating the Australian O50 squad but was then held winless for the rest of the event. According to Rajaraman, the team’s 3-4 loss to Germany in the semifinals was their best game and showed that they could play at this international level.
“We played an amazing game against Germany,” she said. “We really felt like we were in it until the very end. It’s very motivating for us to get to that level.”
Cara Jay, Canada’s leading goal scorer at the tournament thinks this event will spur more masters-aged players to pick up the stick and compete for Canada.
“I think after we’ve come back and even in the build-up to Hong Kong, there was a growing enthusiasm for indoor masters hockey,” Jay said. “It’s so great to play in an age-appropriate international competition. The opportunity is fantastic.”
The men’s O50 squad faced tough competition and couldn’t come away with any victories on the court but according to Mendonca, the whole program came away with a positive feeling from the event. He said that this event will build momentum in the Canadian masters community for future competitions and future years.
International Masters Hockey: Competition with Community
Of course, the competition at any world championships is fierce. Teams from all across the world came to Hong Kong last month to battle for a world title and compete with intensity on the court. One of the unique elements of masters competition, as pointed out by the returning Canadian players, is the emphasis on community and socializing. The tournament organized socials and opened up opportunities for the teams to get together and meet one another.
It’s this social element that adds to the experience. According to Jay, teams were meeting up with each other, meeting new players from different countries, exchanging email addresses and talking about future events.
“What a great way to represent your country,” Jay said. “We are meeting and bonding with new people from around the world.”
Mendonca said that this opportunity allows for people to combine their love of hockey and to travel and have access to a social community no matter their age. Both programs anticipate growing their ranks and increasing the number of athletes that will go to the indoor and outdoor world championships.
Field Hockey Canada media release
West Coast Indoor Men’s Championships Recap and Results
West Coast Indoor Championships a successful first
The first annual Men’s Senior Indoor West Coast Championships was a huge success. Taking place at the end of February in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the competition was the first of its kind and featured high level indoor field hockey. The gold medal match featured the Maroons the Kings 11—two talented local squads. The teams traded goals in the first half but in the end it was the Maroons’ quality front-of-goal defending that led them to claim the inaugural crown.
Maroons’ team captain, Manvir Grewal said, “when we play team defense, we’re hard to break. We took advantage of mistakes in their zone and countered quickly.”
The Maroons won a title in Boston earlier in the year and now added a Western Championships to their resume. According to Grewal, the team is excited to carry the momentum to the Canadian Indoor Championships taking place this month.
Final Standings:
Gold – Maroons
Silver – Kings 11
Bronze – EFHA
Tournament All-Star Team:
Manvir Grewal
Nick Hignell
Jordan Tse
Balmeet Kullar
Shezab Butt
Josip Krleza
Player of the tournament: Josip Krleza
Top Scorer of the tournament: Josip Krleza
GK of the tournament: Ashar Campbell
Field Hockey Canada media release
Poland tour to benefit Pakistan hockey, players: Khokhar
"My induction as AHF vice president is acknowledgement of the services rendered by the PHF in last three years"
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation President Brig (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar has said that Poland tour to Pakistan will prove very beneficial for the national game as well as local players.
Talking to The Nation, Khokhar said: “My induction in Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) as vice president unopposed is the acknowledgement of the services rendered by the PHF in last three years and it was Shahbaz Senior, who was instrumental in paving the way. The top brass of FIH and AHF is satisfied with the reply of PHF regarding non-participation in pro-league and they also assured their all-out help in the FIH Congress, to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
He backed Shahbaz Senior as the perfect secretary for the federation saying he is the right man to get maximum international tournaments for Pakistan. “Shahbaz and I will not only convince the FIH executive board but also try to convince them to give 5-a-side tournament to Pakistan, as we are thinking about conducting the tournament in late April or May.”
The PHF president said that Poland hockey team’s visit to Pakistan has been confirmed and they will play four matches against Pakistani development squad in April. “I have decided to introduce four U-24 teams to play against the visitors, as it will provide us maximum bench-strength and also give the youngsters a chance to play alongside the international players and learn a lot from them. We are planning to invite around 100 youngsters, which were identified during the recently-concluded National Junior Championship in Rawalpindi, while a few more will be invited from across the country.”
He said they are trying to arrange matches with Polish hockey team at Lahore, Karachi and other major cities, but it depends upon funds situation. “Navy has given us all-out backing and we are waiting for Karsaz Hockey Ground to be ready to host Poland, as Karachi suits us a lot.
“The National Hockey Championship will be held in the last week of this month at Lahore and Karachi. In case, we have any issue, we will shift the event to Karachi. Besides departments, provinces and affiliated units, we are also planning to include U-24 teams from different cities, as it will help the juniors exhibit their prowess and earn the right to play for the national team,” he added.
Khokhar said: “The PHF congress held in Islamabad recently where the overwhelming confidence was shown by 93 members out of 111. Due to bad weather and other issues, a few congress members couldn’t attend, but they have given their all-out backing. For those certain individuals, who wanted to sabotage the meeting, I just want to remind them that they all were given roles but they failed to deliver. I just want to advise them that if they can’t help hockey, they must not create hurdles in our way,” he added.
The PHF chief said that hopefully, IPC Minister Dr Fahmida Mirza has now realised that the entire congress is behind the current setup and those, who misguided her, were baldy exposed. “The minister, who herself is a sportsperson, knows well about the working of the federations. I will soon meet with IPC Secretary and ask him to arrange meeting with IPC Minister. I am quite hopeful that the minister will listen to our side of the story and soon PHF funds will be released.”
“I want to request PM Imran Khan to spare some time and meet PHF high-ups for the betterment of the national game. Hockey baldy needs his attention and I am quite sure that he will make the right decision about the national game and order the concerned persons to release the funds of the PHF,” Khokhar concluded.
The Nation
MHL have unearthed several players fit to don national colours
By T. aAvineshwaran
Arul Selvaraj: ‘These boys despite their age certainly have the potential to play for the country.’
PETALING JAYA: The just concluded Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) have unearthed several new faces who deserve a spot in the national team.
Two MHL coaches – I. Vickneswaran of Terengganu and Arul Selvaraj of Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s (UniKL) – said the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) should call them up for next month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Vickneswaran and Arul have earmarked Tenaga Nasional players Muhd Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Muhammad Arif Syafie Ishak, Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal and Muhd Noor Firdaus Rosdi as players with potential.
Eighteen-year-old striker Akhimullah, who was the top scorer in the Youth Olympics Games in Buenos Aires with 22 goals, showed his prowess in the MHL with 10 goals.
A trio of 19-year-olds, defender Arif Syafie netted six penalty corners while forwards Azrai and Noor Firdaus scored five goals apiece.
Arul was impressed with the youngsters’ performance playing with the big boys.
“Tenaga have several outstanding players including the young. These boys despite their age certainly have the potential to play for the country,” said Arul.
“They just need to have a good thought process and lifestyle to take it one level higher.
“If these two don’t go hand-in-hand, they will not succeed in the international stage.
“Some players in the past have impressed in the league but failed when it comes to high-level matches.”
Arul also pointed out that one of his players – Ashran Hamsani should be a regular fixture in the national team.
The 23-year-old scored three goals and was vital in getting penalty corners for UniKL.
The other player in UniKL who shows a lot of promise is reserve goalkeeper Adrian Albert.
The 22-year-old Sabahan played well in the TNB Cup final against Terengganu in the absence of the vastly experienced Ireland captain and goalkeeper David Harte.
Vickneswaran said that his custodian Mohd Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri is also ready for national call-up.
The 25-year-old showed steady improvement in the league and was named man-of-the-match in the final.
“Hazrul has got it, he has always been a reserve goalkeeper but he stepped up this season,” said Vickneswaran.
“There are also Firdaus Omar and B. Namasivayam, who fought until the end and were willing to put themselves on the line for the team.”
The Star of Malaysia
Strathmore Scorpions want to topple Telkom as league kicks off
By AYUMBA AYODI
Strathmore University Scorpions' forward Gilly Okumu (left) celebrates her goal against JKUAT with teammates during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match on March 3, 2019 at the City Park Stadium in Nairobi. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Meshak Senge’s Strathmore Scorpions have one objective as the 2019 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s Premier League got underway on Sunday-go one better.
And that strong message was delivered when Gilly Okumu sunk five goals as Scorpions tore apart Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 9-0 on Sunday at City Park Stadium.
Scorpions finished the 2018 season in second place with 28 points from nines win, two losses and a draw, losing the title to Telkom.
Scorpions’ only defeats came from champions Telkom, who got to top the standings unbeaten with 36 points from 12 wins for their 19th consecutive league title. Scorpions lost 2-0 in their final league duel with Telkom in December.
“Our objective this season is to better our results from last season both on goals scored, wins and ultimately lift the title,” said former international Senge.
“We have what it takes to win the league title but what we lack is self-belief.”
Senge said his team performed well in the second leg last season and it’s only by bad luck that his girls lost to Telkom 1-0 in their last match. “At times it’s not about pedigree but that lady luck someone needs and that is what we didn’t have.”
Senge has recruited three players from schools to bolster his side this season as he will be without the services of our key players he declined to name.
“They have not left the team but have requested for some sabbatical owing to job commitments. They will come to play for us when free,” said Senge.
Striker Cynthia Achieng and defender Doreen Wafula all from Trans Nzoia Secondary and forward Anjela Wema formerly of Bura Girls made their debut for Scorpions against JKUAT.
“We have worked on our tactical approach besides tweaking our formation little bit,” said Senge adding that Telkom is still a team to beat this season by virtue of having quality and experienced players in addition to good resources.
“That won’t cow us since we must beat the best to become the best.”
Parklands rallied from a goal down to edge out United States International University (USIU) 3-2 in the only men’s Premier League duel last weekend at City Park.
In men’s Super League, Ian Oyale scored a brace as Parkroad Badgers downed Kenya College of Accountancy-University (KCAU) 3-0 at the same venue.
Daily Nation
Parklands lecture USIU-A at City Park
Novices Leonas send early warning to opponents. Parklands give USIU students important lecture at City Park
By Elizabeth Mburugu
USIU Lawrence Makhaya(l) fights for the ball with Parkroad Frank Ogendi. (Jenipher Wachie, Standard)
Eying top scorers award, Strathmore’s Okumu nets five goals as the 2019 KHU league season begins.
The chase for the 2019 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) titles began at the weekend with nine matches lined up across five leagues.
Of the nine, seven resulted in victories while two ended in draws.
In men’s Premier League match, Parklands rallied from a goal down to beat United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) 3-2 and bag maximum points.
Brian Kipkorir put the students ahead with a ninth minute strike but Allan Odongo levelled matters seconds to the end of the first quarter.
Dan Onyango and Erick Kidwaro netted in the 25th and 44th minutes to give Parklands a 3-1 lead going into the final quarter.
Neville Mulupi pulled one back for USIU-A in the 58th minute but it was a little too late for them to add another goal and salvage a point as Parklands defended well to snatch victory.
Men’s Premier League champions Butali Sugar Warriors, who were on a shopping spree buying the best talent during the transfer window, will launch their title defence on March 17 against promoted Sailors.
Butali raided Kenya Police’s camp for the services of prolific strikers Amos Barkibir and Calvins Kanu.
They also signed Francis Kariuki from Strathmore University, Moses Ademba from Multimedia University and Arif Shah returns to the club after a short stint at Nairobi Sikh Union.
In the women’s Premier League, Strathmore Scorpions had a dream start to the season after clobbering Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 9-0.
Gilly Okumu was on fire netting five goals to set her quest for the season’s top scorer’s award on course.
Ranked as one of the best strikers in the country, the former Sinyolo Girls student came close to winning the award but was outshone by Telkom veteran Jackline Mwangi.
Okumu will also be looking to make it as Kenya’s first choice striker in the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Africa qualifiers later in the year.
Relegated Vikings also began their Super League title chase on a high with a 5-0 win over Multimedia University.
Multimedia then lost to newcomers Oranje Leonas, who were out to prove that they are no pushovers.
Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) suffered heartbreak as their return to the Premier League campaign began with a 3-0 beating by Parkroad Badgers.
The Standard Digital
Celebrating difference
Silvina Forrester is a determined, enthusiastic bundle of energy. She is also the fierce defender of everyone’s right to achieve their ambitions, especially those with different abilities.
For the past two years, Silvina has been spearheading a ParaHockey movement in Buenos Aires, with a view to spreading provision of hockey for all abilities across the whole of the PAHF region. In those two years she has seen her own group – based at the Belgrano Hockey Club – grow exponentially, and she has led members of the group to the biggest of world stages – the 2017 Youth Olympic Games.
Her aim now, although she says it is just a “wild dream”, is to see ParaHockey take its place at the Paralympics.
Silvina’s involvement with ParaHockey emanates from her own personal life story. Her daughter Clara was born with Downs Syndrome.
Before the story goes any further, Silvina firmly adds a caveat: “I disagree wholeheartedly with the term ‘disability’. I would rather say someone has ‘different abilities’, because what these people can achieve in life is incredible.”
And achievement is what this story celebrates.
Clara is now 20 years old and a talented hockey player. Silvina, herself a keen hockey player, first introduced her daughter to hockey when she was six. It quickly became apparent that regular participation in the sport was not only good for the youngster’s fitness and coordination but it also helped her progress socially as well.
"My daughter, the other people in the group, the helpers, the coaches, the mothers, they are all incredible people in their own right."
- Silvina Forrester
“My husband Peter and myself have always believed that the power of sport is far more wide-reaching than just learning skills and performing on the field of play. And we have always wanted to show how important sport is, for all sorts of reasons, for people with different abilities,” says Silvina.
And so in 2017, Silvina decided it was time for her and Peter to start a project that had been playing around in her mind for some time.
“The starting point was Clara’s birthday party. She had invited 12 friends and I asked them if they would like the chance to play hockey. It was raining so we set up an indoor area. I put on some music and we did a warm-up, then I gave them some coaching in basic skills – holding the stick, pushing a ball – then we played our first game.”
"Our main goal is to give the players a chance to find a place where they feel they are part of a team, part of a group of friends."
- Silvina Forrester
Progress since then has been astonishingly rapid. Silvina put forward her ideas for a ParaHockey section at the Belgrano Club and it got the wholehearted support of the club president. Importantly, it also caught the imagination of several of the first team players – including members past and present of the national squad – who flocked to help at training sessions.
The group grew from 12 to 35 within five months. It has just taken a break but when the group returns this month, 41 girls are expected to join. The group is also taking boys for the first time.
There is a touch of bemusement in Silvina’s voice as she says: “I didn’t even realise I was starting ParaHockey in Buenos Aires. It just began as a dream and quickly it has got bigger and bigger.
The ParaHockey club, which trains weekly and plays fixtures against other groups, caters for all ages and all abilities. The youngest player is six, the oldest is 35. Because of the willingness of the volunteers, for the players who are less able, there is often enough people to offer one-to-one coaching. When it comes to playing a game, the players who turn out for the club’s first team are equally willing to play alongside their young charges at ParaHockey sessions. 
“I actually think they get more than they give from the sessions,” says Silvina, speaking of her army of coaches and helpers.
The defining moment for the Belgrano Hockey Club ParaHockey group came in 2017 when Silvina was invited by the PAHF to take her team to the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games to train and play on the same pitch that the international squads would be competing on.
“It was an incredible experience,” says Silvina. “It coincided with the PAHF’s ParaHockey launch. On the back of that I was invited onto television shows, I was interviewed by newspapers and I went on several radio stations.”
For Silvina, this was probably the most rewarding part of the experience. It meant she was able to tell her story to a wider world. She can barely suppress the emotion in her voice as she says: “Our main goal is to give the players a chance to find a place where they feel they are part of a team, part of a group of friends. They learn how to coordinate, how to run, how to play. They learn patience, sharing. They learn so much, it makes me emotional.
“The world needs to find out that these players can do what they want and achieve what they aim for. All they need is love, perseverance, help and support. To show the world what they can do is the most important thing. It’s not about what they can’t do, it’s what they can do that is so incredible.
“I guess I want people to realise that perfection is not just about what is rated important by society – such as intelligence or success in a career – but it actually can be found in other places too. My daughter, the other people in the group, the helpers, the coaches, the mothers, they are all incredible people in their own right.”
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