News for 03 January 2020
All the news for Friday 3 January 2020
Injured India defender Sunita Lakra retires from international hockey
The 28-year-old said a nagging knee injury had come in the way of her dream to be a part of the Tokyo Olympics.
Sunita Lakra (left) played 139 matches for India. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Indian women’s hockey team defender Sunita Lakra on Thursday announced her international retirement due to a knee injury which would require another surgery. The 28-year-old said the nagging injury had come in the way of her dream to be a part of India’s Tokyo Olympics campaign this year.
“Today is a very emotional day for me as I have decided to retire from International Hockey,” she said in a statement issued by Hockey India.
In the national team since 2008, Lakra captained India during the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, leading the side to a runner-up finish. She was part of the Indian team that won silver in the Asian Games in 2018; in the 2014 edition, she and the Indian team had won the bronze.
In her career, she played 139 matches for India.
“I was very fortunate to have played at the Rio Olympics in 2016, India’s first appearance in over three decades. As much as I wish to be part of the Indian team as they prepare for the Tokyo Olympics, my knee injuries have cut short my dream. I have been told by the doctors that I would be requiring another knee surgery in the coming days and I am unsure how long it would take before I fully recover,” she explained.
Lakra said after recovering, she would continue to turn up in domestic hockey. “Pursuant to my treatment, I will play domestic hockey and play for NALCO who have supported my career by providing me a job,” she said.
'Great memories'
“I have come a long way in the sport and I carry with me some great memories with the Indian team who have stood strong by my side and the girls were always my family away from home,” she added.
Lakra thanked her team-mates and chief coach Sjoerd Marijne for their support. “My heartfelt thanks to Hockey India who ensured I was given the best treatment during my injury and I am grateful for their unparalleled support to women’s hockey.
“My family, my husband and friends back in Odisha have been my strongest supporters and I wish to thank them for helping me pursue my passion for hockey. I could not have come this far without their encouragement,” she said.
India captain Rani Rampal said Lakra would be missed.
“Congratulations @sunitalakraodisha26 for a wonderful carrier. Will definately (sic) miss the best moments we have shared on the field and dressing room for more than a decade. Praying for your recovery soon and all the best for your future endeavours,” she tweeted.
Sportstar
Scotland U18 Girls start 2020 with draw away to Ireland
The first match of the new decade for Scotland U18 Girls’ saw the Scots play out a 1-1 draw with Ireland in Dublin. It was the first meeting of a three-game series to start a year that will see Scotland compete at the U18 EuroHockey Championship in Russia this summer.
It was competitive from the first whistle with Ireland putting Scotland under some early pressure. Good goalkeeping by Jess Buchanan kept the Irish at bay with a solid stop and some good clearances.
Ireland won more territory in the first half but Scotland’s deep defending restricted the hosts to half chances.
As the half wore on the match became and end-to-end ding-dong of a contest with both defences having the final say.
It was 0-0 at half time and the second half saw Scotland play with more aggression and higher up the pitch.
The final quarter would soon bring goals. Scotland looked dangerous from the whistle and it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Lucy Williamson scored the team’s first goal of 2020 when she launched a delightful drag flick into the top corner to make it 1-0.
Roughly five minutes later Charlotte Beggs struck for Ireland when she forced home from a goalmouth scramble at a penalty corner for the hosts.
The Irish nearly snatched it at the end when an improvised reverse stick scoop went just wide of the mark, and in the end it was a fair score draw.
Scotland U18 Girls’ Head Coach Keith Smith said, “It was a good game to start the year with – very competitive and a pretty even contest. We had six new caps today so it’s great experience for those players to see the difference between playing U16s and U18s, particularly the difference in physicality and speed.
“It was a real midfield battle for the main part of the game and I think a draw is a fair result. It was pleasing to get a result after a long day of travelling and training. We’ll be better tomorrow, as will Ireland, so I’m confident we’ll improve on today’s performance. Today was promising and the challenge for the players will be three physical games in three days.”
The two meet again at 5:30pm on Friday at Abbotstown in the second of three matches in the series.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Danish named junior team head coach
KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has named Olympian Danish Kaleem the head coach of the junior team.
PHF secretary Olympian Asif Bajwa announced the five-member team management at PHF head office in Lahore on Thursday. Chairman national selection committee Manzoor Junior was also present on the occasion.
He said that PHF is going starting the year 2020 with the hope that by the end of this year, Pakistan hockey would be in a better position.
The PHF secretary said that the junior team would participate in Junior Asia Cup in June in Bangladesh. The newly-appointed team management would prepare the youngsters for this big event which is also the qualifying round for Junior World Cup 2020. Four teams will qualify for the World Cup from Asia Cup.
Pakistan play their first match in the Junior Asia Cup on June 4. Bajwa said that Pakistan’s former captain Muhammad Imran, Mudassir and Rana Zaheer would be the assistant coaches. Amore Hameed would be the physical trainer during the training camp.
He said that all coaches are competent and connected to domestic hockey as coaches of their departmental teams and know the talent and skills of junior players. He said that juniors’ training camp would be started in Lahore from January 12.
Bajwa said that ranking system in hockey at international level had been changed and now points would be given on the basis of the performance in the matches. He said that Pakistan senior team would play more than 40 international matches this year, which would help in improving the ranking.
Pakistan senior team is currently 17th in the world. The PHF secretary said that the senior team would participate in Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament in Malaysia. The training camp of the seniors would be held soon in Lahore. Bajwa further said that PHF is increasing its activities gradually and various hockey tournaments on junior and senior levels would be held.
He reiterated the “PHF’s resolve” to hold Pakistan Hockey League which has been delayed for the last couple of years. He said that PHF has not many resources but it was committed to improving the condition of the national game.
Manzoor Junior said that the junior team was the future of Pakistan hockey. “We joined the PHF in June last year and played our role in the betterment of Pakistan hockey. Through junior hockey team, we will give fresh talent to Pakistan hockey,” he added.
The News International
MHL embark on long-term plan
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), which opens on Jan 10, will kick-start a long-term development plan, which includes qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Following a miserable performance at the Tokyo Olympic qualifier, there were clarion calls for a change of the coaching set-up as well as dropping non-performing national players.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) spared only chief coach Roelant Oltmans while the rest of the coaches were given a three-month rest.
However, they can re-apply for the coaching positions soon.
K. Dharmaraj, who coached the women’s indoor hockey team to the gold medal at last year’s Philippines Sea Games, was also not spared the ‘chop’.
He will be coaching Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the league.
“I believe the MHL will play a major role in the future of hockey in the county.
“The best players in the country together with the juniors will get a chance to display their skills and as for the selectors, they can have their pick for national camps,” said Dharmaraj.
The MHL will open with the Charity Shield match between reigning MHL champions Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and overall winners THT on Jan 10. The match is part of the league, and the winner will earn three points.
Tenaga Nasional are the other title contender this season while Maybank, Nur Insafi, TNB Thunderbolts, Universiti Teknologi Mara and KL Hockey Academy make up the other teams.
“Tenaga will be the team to beat for titles this season as they have a well-rounded side.
“Our immediate target is to beat UniKL in the curtain-raiser for the three points as well as the Charity Shield to start our campaign,” said Dharmaraj.
With the services of South Koreans Jung Manjae and Jang Jong Hyun and Pakistan’s Umar Bhutta and Shakeel Butt, THT might just pull off another good season.
“With the inclusions of experienced guest players and three national players, I believe we are ready to give every team a tough time,” Dharmaraj added.
In the women’s section, Mutiara Impian, Sabah, PKS Uniten, Police Blue Warriors, Terengganu Ladies HT and KL Hockey Academy will be the six vying for honours.
New Straits Times