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All the news for Wednesday 18 March 2020

Preparations for Tokyo on track despite Coronavirus crisis : Siegfried Aikman

By The Dragflick Newsdesk


Siegfried AIkman Pic Credit : Shogo Tanaka

While the global sporting calendar is in disarray amid Coronavirus fears, the Japanese men’s hockey team continue to train in Kakamigahara, normally on their regular schedule, but are taking precautionary measures to prevent any case of the virus.

Japanese men’s hockey teams Coach Siegfried Aikman who is currently in Japan told ‘The Dragflick’ that preparations for Tokyo 2020 continue as planned, despite the Coronavirus crisis.

The Coronavirus infection rate is relatively low in Japan as compared to other countries.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of March 17, 2020, there were a total of 824 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Japan.

By prefecture, Hokkaido has the most cases at 152, followed by Aichi with 122, Osaka with 108, and Tokyo with 90. Kanagawa has 55 cases and Hyogo has 82.

However, there have been no reports of an outbreak in Kakamigahara, where the Japanese team are currently centralized and training,

Head Coach Siegfried Aikman who is a Dutch National and has left his family back in the Netherlands to be in Japan with the team said;

“The virus is under control in Kakamigahara and there have been no outbreaks here. There are only two cases of an outbreak in the neighbouring city of Ogaki and the number have not increased.”

The Japanese team were also scheduled to travel to Holland for a match against the Dutch Men’s Hockey team from March 24 – 26.  However, that tour was cancelled as the Dutch government called out for a strict cancellation of all sports events and matches.

“Almost every country is locked-out which makes it hard for us to travel. The last international match we played was in November 2019. But, the good news is that we will use this opportunity to practice [more],” Coach Aikman said.

Meanwhile, the IOC and Japanese officials have insisted they are working toward staging the Olympics 2020 as planned despite the escalating coronavirus pandemic.

In its statement, the IOC urged athletes to continue with their training despite mounting speculation about the impact of the virus on the games.
“The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage,” the statement said.

The Dragflick

Hockey New Zealand Covid-19 update



Hockey New Zealand today announced that all club, school and community hockey will be postponed until Saturday 2 May, effective Thursday 19 March.

The postponement includes all hockey matches and training activities, including representative and development programmes; community and school competitions; and pre-season trials and activities.

The decision was reached in a meeting today between Hockey New Zealand and its 32 affiliated Associations.  Hockey New Zealand CEO Ian Francis said “We have unanimously agreed that the health and wellbeing of our hockey community is paramount. We have not come to this decision lightly and we realise there will be widespread disappointment across our sport. However, we believe this is a necessary step in helping to minimize the spread of Covid-19”.

It was also agreed that until further notice, all training courses, AGM’s and conferences will be conducted online where possible.  The Annual Hockey New Zealand Awards dinner, which was due to be held on Friday 24 April will be postponed until further notice.

In consultation with UTSNZ and Hockey New Zealand, the National Tertiary Hockey Championships that were due to be held from the 6th – 8th of May are being postponed to a later date TBC.

Hockey New Zealand will also look to review the dates for its 2020 National Tournaments and will be working with Associations to ensure that a full season can be achieved.

Mr Francis said Hockey New Zealand would continue to work with its Associations and other stakeholders to keep the hockey community informed about how best to protect everyone involved in the game.

“We have been liaising with Government officials as well as Sport New Zealand as we continue to monitor the health situation. We will be reviewing the above advisory as this situation evolves” he said.

Local associations will communicate directly with their communities about the postponement.  This will include advice to Schools and Clubs who are currently trialling, and are also required to postpone all activities from 19 March onward.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Coronavirus Update and USA Field Hockey Events, Programs and Travel

USA Field Hockey continues to closely monitor the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the effect it could have at regional, national and sanctioned events and programs as well as travel for member athletes, coaches, umpires and clubs. The organization is following close protocol from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and local and state health authorities and with the well-being and safety of all parties the highest concern, USA Field Hockey is doing its part in the field hockey community to help control the spread.

As part of the national effort to contain the further spread of the COVID-19, based on the information that is available from the experts in the medical community and government agencies, as well as members in the sports community, USA Field Hockey has decided to suspend/put on hold all events, programming and travel until further notice.

With the confirmed cases continuing to rise globally and out of concern, it is for the best interest of all athletes of USA Field Hockey remain in the United States and self-quarantine in their homes. Last week, following conversations and advice from the USOPC, the U.S. U-21 Men’s National Team adjusted their travel plans from their tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina and flew home the next day. The U.S. Women’s National Team also cut their training block at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California short a week and flew home. As the uncertainties continue and the facility at which the USWNT was to train on the east coast will be closed the next two weeks, athletes are training remotely with the staff looking at a long term training plan.

The Junior U.S. Men’s National Training Squad camp which was supposed to take place last weekend, March 14 to 16, in Moorpark, Calif. was canceled. The upcoming U.S. U-16, Rise and U-21 Women’s National Team and U.S. Women’s National Development Team training camps for March 27 to 29 in Chapel Hill and Durham, N.C. and April 10 to 12 in Maryland have also been canceled. The U.S. Women’s National Development Team Scotland Tour original scheduled for April 16 to 22 has been canceled. At the moment, the U-16 and Rise USWNT tour to England from April 29 to May 3 is remaining as scheduled.

Indoor Pan American Cups

On March 11, the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) announced that following consultation with USA Field Hockey and local health authorities, they decided to postpone the 2020 Indoor Pan American Cups/Indoor World Cup Qualifier originally scheduled for March 25 to 29, 2020 at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. to a date to be announced in the near future.

Futures

On March 13, USA Field Hockey’s Olympic Development Program, Futures, announced that all sessions would be suspended until future notice. The Futures staff are working diligently to take the lead from relevant state and local health authorities for each Futures site, will continue to monitor the situation and resume sessions when appropriate. If Futures participants have any questions, please refer to the Regional Futures Websites for updates and schedule changes when the program resumes.

FIH Hockey Pro League | U.S. Women’s National Team vs. China Matches

On March 13, following the latest information and recommendations from the WHO and the decisions taken by a number of governments and local authorities around the world regarding the current COVID-19 outbreak, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and all participating National Associations (NAs) decided to put all FIH Hockey Pro League matches currently scheduled until April 15 on hold.

USA Field Hockey, FIH, UNC-Chapel Hill and Hockey China will closely monitor the situation as it continues to have an impact nationally and worldwide and will have appropriate discussions to determine a future rescheduling date.

Boys Blast Series

On March 13, the Boys Blast Series that was set to take place at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. from April 3 to 5 has been postponed until further notice. A new date will be set in the future depending on how the situation with COVID-19 evolves.

California Cup | USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event

On March 13, with great regret due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current global restrictions, the California Cup organizing committee decided to postpone the 49th annual California Cup international field hockey tournament to a later date this year.

As the panic and fears settle down, and the world starts to get healthy, back to business again, the California Cup organizing committee will gather to decide upon a new date to hold the 2020 California Cup. For everyone who has paid a deposit or full registration fees, the California Cup organizing committee will be issuing refunds in short time.

Junior Premier Outdoor League| USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event

On March 17, after careful consideration and review, Junior Premier Hockey has decided to cancel the 2020 Junior Premier Outdoor League in its entirety – all sites, regions and dates. A full refund of any deposits/payments made will be processed over the next few days.

Regional Club Championship | Region 8 U-19 Only

On March 17, USA Field Hockey and the Virginia Beach Regional Training Center staff with guidance from local and state health authorities in the state of Virginia has decided to postpone the Region 8 U-19 Regional Club Championship originally scheduled for March 28 to 29, 2020 in Virginia Beach, Va. Both organizations will continue to monitor COVID-19, discuss and determine what is best for the ongoing situation.

Coaching Clinics | All Remaining March Dates

At the moment, all Coaching Clinics scheduled now until March 31, 2020 have been postponed. USA Field Hockey’s Coach Education department is working closely with Level 1 and Level 2 Instructional Coaching Clinic and Technical Skills Workshop host sites and coach educators to reschedule these offerings.

Discover Field Hockey Clinic | Estero, Fla. & Hamden, Conn.

USA Field Hockey, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, Connecticut colleges and universities, and Gulf Coast Field Hockey put the health and safety of its players, coaches, staff and families first. Due to the evolving concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Discover Field Hockey Clinic on May 2 in Hamden, Conn. has been canceled. The Discover Field Hockey Clinic on April 3 in Estero, Fla. has been canceled. USA Field Hockey and Gulf Coast Field Hockey will continue to work closely and look forward to running a Discover Field Hockey Clinic later this fall. Participants will receive a refund from USA Field Hockey due to the event cancellations.

For additional and most updated information, visit the CDC website by clicking here.

The following USA Field Hockey regional, national and/or sanctioned events, programs or travel have been postponed, suspended or canceled:

*Sanctioned Event

USA Field Hockey will continue to closely monitor the situation and resume programming and look to reschedule events when appropriate.

USFHA media release

Coronavirus: Effects on an Athlete

By Nicole Woods, U.S Women's National Team Striker



From the end of 2019 until now, we as the U.S. Women’s National Team have gone through our fair share of challenges. As we spent four straight weeks in Chula Vista, Calif. training, developing and honing-in on our game, we face yet another challenge as the coronavirus (COVID-19) has traveled through the world at an alarming rate.

We noticed concerns toward the coronavirus had grown as we headed home from our last trip in New Zealand in mid-February. We were asked multiple times on both legs of the trip where we had spent the past fourteen days to ensure we weren’t near an infected area. As we re-packed our bags to head out to California, it had spread more and more and made its way to the United States. We never felt alarmed or in real danger though, we are in the best shape of our lives with a clean bill of health and understand that as athletes in our twenties, we’d be able to fight off the coronavirus if any of us came in contact with it. Where we have been concerned is who we might affect if we were to get sick.

Many of us on the team have incredible support systems that include family members who could be more at-risk of complications such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and even our young USA Field Hockey fans comprised of our team-member’s nieces, nephews and younger cousins.

However, with our second FIH Hockey Pro League season in full swing, coronavirus has kept us on our toes for the last three weeks uncertain if our upcoming April games against China would be played and if we would be able to finish out our away trips with Belgium and Great Britain awaiting us in early May. Last week, the FIH officially released that all matches up until April 15 will be put on hold. Meaning, that there is still a possibility that we will play those games just at a later date. As athletes, we have to be prepared for uncontrollable changes and simply focus on the controllable factors that we can influence. As a team, we have spent the last few weeks pinpointing our weaknesses and training with our intentions set on improving them and carrying those improvements into game play. We have been tirelessly working on the pitch, as well as in the weight room, as if there would be no change in our schedule and we had to be prepared for those China games during the second week of April.

While we were at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, we started to recognize the quick changes that came about in the sports world around us. The NBA, NHL and MLS all either canceled or suspended their seasons, while the NCAA completely put a stop to the ongoing winter and spring sports seasons. Winter sports were just about to wrap up in arguably the most exciting time of the year with conference tournaments, and there were NCAA championships to be won. The spring sport athletes drew the shortest straw in this situation as they were granted less than two months of competition before their seasons were ended.

Like I said, as an athlete there are always uncontrollable changes we have thrown at us that we are expected to handle in full stride. It isn’t always easy to focus on the controllable’s especially in a situation like this. So many athletes have just been told that their season they have worked so hard for all school-year is now over. The senior on the team who knows they won’t go pro, their career just ended. The athlete that just finished rehabbing a long and grueling injury will have to wait yet another year to pull on their jersey and play again. The coach who planned to give it one more run at winning a trophy before retirement, just retired. Our hearts go out to all of those athletes who have been affected as well as all of the individuals who work behind-the scenes in athletic departments from the concessions workers to the Zamboni driver whose paycheck is now on hold.

As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, we are given the opportunity to play for longer than a designated time-frame. We can play more than four years if our minds and bodies want it to happen. Of course we want to play our schedule the way we intended to but the reality is, we have to take care of ourselves and those around us first. We headed home from our California trip one week early armed with disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers and pretty much whatever it took to get back to the east coast healthy and ready to give our bodies the rest they need before we return to the pitch and go back to work.

FIH site

National hockey team training also called off

PETALING JAYA: The national hockey team’s trainees are the latest to fall victim to Covid-19 pandemic, with their training camp being disbanded by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).

The MHC had earlier postponed the Junior Hockey League (JHL), which had been scheduled for March 25-April 19.

Prior to that, the national body postponed the six-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from April 11-18 to Sept 27-Oct 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, the Speedy Tigers had still been in training camp as coach Roelant Oltmans was looking forward to playing Canada in a series of test matches and a friendly in April.

MHC national team committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak, in a statement, said all national training camps for the national teams including men, women, and junior level are suspended immediately.

“No training will take place this week to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus,” said Ahmad Najmi.

“MHC will closely monitor the Covid-19 situation especially the updates from the Health Ministry. We will also get the advice from the relevant bodies before deciding when the national teams can resume training.

“We would like to remind the players and the coaching staff to be careful about their health. If there are Covid-19 symptoms, please do a screening and inform the Health Ministry.”

The Star of Malaysia

PHF has postponed all district & national level Tournaments / Activities of March and April 2020

In the light of WHO and Pakistan government directives regarding preventive measures to combat coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan Hockey Federation has postponed all district & national level Tournaments / Activities of March and April 2020.

Training plans has been sent to players so that they could continue individual training in their home. The plan includes details about physical training, hockey skills and diet, which has been communicated through Whatsapp and email. The team management including coaches, assistant coaches and physical trainers would be responsible to implement the training plan by keeping in touch with players regularly. The precautionary decision has been made to better protect the health and safety of the players, officials and staff.

The offices of Pakistan Hockey Federation have been urged to take precautionary measures and follow standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

In the meantime, the PHF has advised everyone to avoid shaking hands and make a safe distance while talking to each other.

Precautions:

    Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
    Avoid close contact with sick people
    Avoid travel if you are sick
    If you have a cough or fever, then seek medical review
    Stay home when you are sick
    Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

PHF Media release

COVID-19 : Rani Rampal advises fans to wash hands regularly

Indian women's hockey team skipper Rani Rampal on Wednesday advised fans to wash hands regularly to help keep coronavirus infection at bay.

Accepting the Safe Hands Challenge from ace athlete Hima Das and sand-artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, Rampal posted a video showing a tutorial on how to wash hands properly.

"I accept #SafeHandsChallenge from @sudarsansand @HimaDas8 I request everyone to take precautions and #StaySafe. I further challenge @SjoerdMarijne @waynelombard @boxervijender @KarmanThandi @geeta_phogat @BabitaPhogat @Sangram_Sanjeet to make sure people around you stay safe," Rampal tweeted.

She further challenged women's team head coach Sjoerd Marijne, boxer Vijender Singh, wrestler Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat, and three more to take the Safe Hands Challenge.

Rampal had said that the team has been training like before, but the players are strictly following all the preventive measures advised by the doctors and the coaching staff.

"Our training has been going on as it was taking place earlier. But the doctors and our coaching staff have suggested many preventive measures and our team is following that," Rampal had told ANI.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has surpassed 1,79,000.

Business Standard

Safe Hands Challenge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Safe Hands Challenge is a campaign launched by the World Health Organization in the wake of 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic. It was launched on 13 March 2020 by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director of World Health Organization.The campaign urges everyone to wash their hands regularly for 40 seconds to keep themselves safe and prevent the transmission of disease. The World Health Organization has also called forth celebrities from across the world to participate in the Safe Hands Challenge.

Response

Within 48 hours of its launch, 'The Safe Hands Challenge' was used as a TikTok hashtag nearly half a billion times. Celebrities including The Pussycat Dolls, Billy Porter, Deepika Padukone have shared videos of themselves promoting hand hygiene as a part of the Safe Hands Challenge.

#safehandschallenge - Like Indian Women's Hockey Captain Rani Rampal, I accept.

Dohmen to link up with de Greve at Orée again next season after 13 years as a WatDuck



John-John Dohmen will move to Royal Orée next season, following his current Waterloo Ducks trainer Xavier de Greve to make the move to the Brussels club.

It follows 13 seasons with the WatDucks, culminating in their run to the EHL title in 2019 in Eindhoven with the 32-year-old taking up a three-year contract.

“I had contact with a lot of clubs in Belgium,” admitted the Red Lions’ most capped player. “What pleased me was they had ambitious plans for the future. It’s extremely positive for Belgian hockey.

“There are several elements which seduced me to this project. First, they want to get an EHL ticket next season.

“Second, I will be able to integrate the staff alongside Xavier De Greve and Steve Crauwels in order to work specifically on the tactical aspects. Finally, I will also have the opportunity to coach the ladies team which, too, has serious ambitions for the future since it wishes to make its return to the Honor division.”

Dohmen started his adult career at Leopold at the age of 16, winning a title in his three years in the first team in 2006. He then returned to Waterloo for a 13 seasons which included four Belgian titles – in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 – and the EHL crown last year.

“My ambition is to be able to develop myself as a coach. It is really a global project that I was looking for and the Orée offers me this possibility. It is true that I experienced a period of doubt after the 2018 World Cup and my illness.

“I asked myself a lot of questions about my future. But, after the European Championship and with Olympic preparation, I feel in great shape to continue my career.

“A player-coach option never crossed my mind. It is incompatible in my opinion. I didn’t want to do like Vincent Kompany even if I really believe in his project at Sporting in Anderlecht. I was looking to gain as much experience for the future. “

Euro Hockey League media release

Bloemendaal secure Mathijssen as coach for next season



Rick Mathijssen will be the new trainer coach of Bloemendaal’s men next season, succeeding departing coach Michel van den Heuvel.

The club reached an agreement with Mathijssen last week; he will take over the reins after the scheduled finish of the Tokyo Olympics as he is currently the assistant coach to Max Caldas with the Dutch men. Most recently, Mathijssen coached AH&BC Amsterdam’s women to the Hoofdklasse and European Cup double.

“Bloemendaal is a great club with a fantastic team,” Mathijssen said of the new job. “The club looks very stable. What I also really like is that there is broad link from the entire club with the first team. I discussed this extensively with Wouter Jolie and Jaap Stockmann.”

The new coach will build on what van den Heuvel has achieved in recent years, including the 2018 EHL title.

“Of course, I have my own points of interest, but the typical Bloemendaal way of playing, with a good defence and fast attacking counters, will not change. I see a close team where all players want to work hard for each other.”

“Where possible, we will give talents opportunities and fit them into the first team.”

Board member Pepijn Pos added: ‘The top hockey committee, including Floris-Jan Bovelander, spoke to a number of very good candidates. We chose Rick: he is driven, tactically strong and can train and coach in detail.

“He is a true professional. He has gained experience with the Oranje men and with the ladies of Amsterdam. he has shown that he can win titles. It’s nice to be able to attract a relatively young trainer-coach.”

Post paid tribute to van de Heuvel: “Michel coached for two seasons at Bloemendaal with great results. During his first period from 2004-2008, we became national champions three times and won the European Cup.

“In this last period, we won the EHL title and last year the national championship. Again Michel will leave a great team behind. As a club, we thank him very much for the enormous quality of his work, his involvement and the successes.”

Before the enforced break due to the spread of the coronavirus, Bloemendaal led the Hoofdklasse by seven points with seven rounds of matches left to play.

Euro Hockey League media release

Kimutai: Why I don't regret picking hockey

Joining Menengai High School in 2009 was the turning point in Kimutai’s career.


Titus Kimutai of Kenya Police sprints past USIU's Jamleck Maina during a Premier League clash at City Park Stadium Image: /REUTERS

Contrary to expectations, picking hockey — by far a less popular game — ahead of athletics and football never troubled the indispensable Kenya Police forward Titus Kimutai. Born and bred in the athletics-mad Nakuru County, Kimutai settled for hockey, unlike what many budding sportsmen from the Rift Valley region would have picked — athletics — a decision he has never regretted.

“I used to be a goalkeeper in my local team’s under 15 side,” said Kimutai.

Joining Menengai High School in 2009 was the turning point in Kimutai’s career.
 
“One day, I arrived late for school and the teacher on duty said our punishment would involve playing hockey in the afternoon. Little did I know that he was in charge of the sport in the school. I escaped the punishment and the following morning, he made me wash the whole corridor,” said Kimutai, who scored four goals with as many assists for the law enforcers in an injury-ravaged 2019 season.

“He warned me not to miss going to the hockey field at game time and should I miss, another more severe punishment would follow. I obeyed his command and that is how I started playing and, eventually, loved the game.”

Kimutai admitted that it was a weird thing to step onto the hockey field for the first time but does not have any regrets. “It just seemed like an awkward sport. All I thought about was how I was going to get hurt, considering we were using sticks. However, I became used to it and right now, my love for the game is immeasurable. Lets just say, in another life, I  would still choose hockey,” he observed.

Despite his prowess in athletics, which saw him pass the National Police Service recruitment in 2015, athletics has never been in his mind.

“I can try out athletics but I have never thought about it. My prowess in running gave me the Police job after emerging second during the recruitment process which had over 500 people but I still feel hockey is my sport. Yes, I could make a career out of running but I have never been interested in athletics. I have never had the passion for it even though I am from Rift Valley, considered as the home of champions,” explained Kimutai.

He revealed that his game was moulded while he was in Form Two, where he used to train with Nakuru Sikh Union club over the weekends. This saw him guide Menengai to provincial games twice. He also played for Sikh Union between 2010 -2015. Kimutai joined Kenya Police team in 2016 after successfully undergoing training at the Kiganjo Police Training College, but found things rough.

“The presence of Amos Barkibir and  Kalvins Kanu made playing opportunities hard to come by,” he said.
 
As a result, he trained as a midfielder before the coaches saw his abilities in attack.

“I was drafted in midfield before playing as a striker as the coaches advised. I think they saw the hidden potential in me. Between 2016-2018 I played less. The worrisome attack the team had by then was partly the reason. Barkibir and Kanu were actually the ones who encouraged me to work harder. I looked up to them. I am still their biggest fan even though they left,” added Kimutai.

Everyone accepted that new strikers were a priority after Barkibir and Kanu left for Butali at the start of the 2019 season. Kimutai and  Govan Mbeki were given the challenge of mounting a Police resurgence.  Despite a bright start, his season was hampered by injuries.

“I  injured my ankle during the Shaban Yusuf tournament in Mombasa in October last year which made me skip majority of the remaining games. I am yet to recover fully despite visiting a doctor for a couple of times.”

The Constable, who is attached to Mwiki Police Station in Kasarani, added: “My greatest inspiration in hockey has been Richard Birir (a teammate). My role model is Butali’s Barnabas Odhiambo."

"Birir has been in my hockey life from the moment we came to know each other. He has really done a lot for me to ensure I do not give up. I trained with him at Nakuru Sikh Union club. I love the way he plays, composed and the magic he does with the ball is just superb. I always aspire to play like him.”

At his best, Kimutai is a nightmare for defenders with his electric pace, direct runs and is good at pinning and bullying defenders. He has made huge differences in big games. He said it is a matter of time before his partnership with Mbeki becomes deadly since the partnership combination is slowly building-up in training.

Despite his experience, the striker is yet to be called up to the national team but he is eager to complicate things for the selectors once the season gathers steam.

“The closest I have been to the national team was in 2010 when I came for the under 21 trials though I didn’t make it. The Afcon qualifiers in May would be the best opportunity for me. Given a chance, I would leave my heart on the field. But it is all for me to prove that I deserve a chance because it isn’t something you are just given, you have to work for it,” he observed.

Police were not at their best last season. Injuries and inconsistencies derailed their title ambitions and Kimutai believes they must forget how to lose if they are to win a first league title in three years.

Police won the title in 2017,  narrowly lost on goal difference to Butali in 2018 and in 2019 were out of the race as early as the first leg. And even though the start to the 2020 season — which was scheduled for the end of this month — stands suspended due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Kimutai believes a perfect start will be crucial once the action begins.

This, he said, will boost their confidence as opposed to last season, when they bagged just a point in their opening two matches.

“We started last season on a very low note and this had a negative effect on the team throughout the season. I believe the first match is very important for us and we are going to give it the seriousness it deserves. We didn’t play as a team the way we had anticipated. Our coaches are doing a great job to ensure the players understand their roles and positioning to make play easier.”

Kimutai said sportsmen and women must embrace the sport just like any other since it can put food on the table.

“Many players have been selected to go abroad and play professional hockey where they get paid just to play. You earn a living from playing. You can as well be recruited to Police service should your talent match the required standards,” he observed.

Zack Aura, Odhiambo and Willis Okeyo are some of the professionals still active in the game. The first two had stints in Italy while the latter has played in Bangladesh, Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart. The trio has moved into coaching while still playing for Butali and Police.

Aura will this season guide Butali as a coach, Odhiambo is attached to Super League side Nakuru while Okeyo is in charge of United States International University-A Spartans.

Kimutai says he wants to make history with Police by winning the Premier League title as well as playing at the African Cup of Club Champions. He added that watching their bitter rivals Butali Warriors lift the trophy in the last two seasons left a sour taste in the team and they will not allow that to happen again.

“Being crowned the league champions and battling at the ACCC tounament would crown my career. We lost twice against Butali last season. We are not going to allow that to happen again. It really pained us,” he said.

The Star, Kenya

Wesley formally open new pitch


The three teams at Wesley’s pitch opening

Wesley College formally opened their new pitch in style in late February with over 200 people coming along to watch a series of exhibition games despite freezing conditions.

The Wesley International Past Pupils lined out with an impressive team of 431 international caps; they took on the school’s current underage international squad with the more experienced side winning 3-0.

Past pupils Daragh Walsh and Luke Madeley had travelled specially from Belgium to play and support the players and this initiative with the former coming up against his younger brother Conor who is in the Irish Under-16 side. The school selection also played a selection from resident club YMCA on the night as part of the festivities.

Also present on the night were Sheila Price, Betty Rickard and Elaine Bradshaw all of whom represented Ireland in the 1960s.

They were all present to see the launch of the new Wesley International Hockey Supporters scheme which yielded three “Bronze Patrons” who have signed up for three years.

** To find out more on the scheme, click here: GoFundMe.com/f/j7daq6-wesley-international-hockey-supporters.


Wesley’s underage internationals with Sheila Price, Betty Rickard and Elaine Bradshaw


The international selection

The Hook

Kenya Sikh hockey players remember Legend Jack Simonian in London

by Dil Bahra


Former Kenya and Sikh Union Club Nairobi players celebrated the Life of their former colleague, Jack Simonian at an invite only event held at Indian Gymkhana Club London on Sunday 15 March 2020.

Although the evolving situation of coronavirus prevented many from attending, the event organisers decided to carry on. Suzie, Jack’s daughter, who was due to fly from Sardina, Italy especially for this event was one of those who was unable to attend following Government advice.

The commemoration event started with a minute’s silence, remembering Jack who passed away in Sydney, Australia on 23 December 2019 aged 84. Jack Simonian was Kenya’s triple Olympian, Kenya’s former Motor Cycle and Rally Champion and dashing goal-keeper. Nicknamed “Simo” in motor sports circles and Jack Singh in Sikh Union circles, he was a well-loved sports legend. Only a month before he died Jack had attended this same venue with the same players to pay a glowing tribute to Surjeet Singh Panesar (Jr), who had died a month earlier.

Dil Bahra of sikhsinhockey.com presented a 100 page slide show which started with a message from Jack’s daughter Suzie:

“It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that Italy is now on lock down, travel restrictions are in place which means we are not able to fly to UK. This is such a sad situation, for many reasons - more so that you have organised such a wonderful event in honour of my Dad, that I will now not have the opportunity to see you all and thank you in person for all your warmth, hospitality and kindness. I sincerely hope this won’t be our only opportunity to meet. You all meant the world to Dad and I can vouch that in his heart, he was one of you. My deepest apologies and do hope you have a wonderful celebration of “Jack Singh” who forever remains with us. Much love and blessings to you all”

Then followed slides featuring Jack from St Mary’s Senior Boys School in Nairobi in 1953, his days in The Kenya Regiment Training Centre in Lanet, near Nakuru in 1955.

Many slides from his early motor cycle events in the late 1950s in Kampala, Langata, Limuru and Sikh Union Grass track in Nairobi were shown.


Gurdev Sandhu, Dil Bahra, Surjit Rihal, Suti Khehar and Amarjeet Marwa

Dil Bahra mentioned how hockey really took off in Kenya in 1959. Until then there were only four international matches in Kenya, one in 1951, one in 1954, one in 1957 and one in 1958.

1959 saw the start of the East African Championships which were played in Kampala, Uganda in March. Then followed a tour of Kenya by the Indian team, Olympic Champions at the time, in late June, July and early August. Rhodesia also visited Kenya for a 3 test match series in September. For the record Sikh Union Club Nairobi won the M R D’Souza Gold Cup for the first time in their history.

It was during India’s visit that Jack was selected to represent Nairobi X1 in a match against India. A team photo and team sheet of that match was displayed and the story of how Jack came to be selected for that match which started his international career was told.

Photos of the various teams Jack played in were shown. They included a photo of Parklands Sports Club who were the winners of Craig Cup in 1960; Kenya’s Rome 1960 Olympic Games team on board HMS Royal Ark; Kenya’s tour of Rhodesia in 1961.

The slide for 1962 recalled some historical facts. This was the year when Jack drove the first of his thirteen East African Safari rallies. The first one was as a navigator for D.M Simmons in a Morris Oxford Mark V1, car No. 68; Sikh Union Club Nairobi won the Gold Cup for the second time in April; Kenya won the East African Championship in Zanzibar in July; Pakistan (Olympic Champions) tour of Kenya; Avtar Singh Sohal being selected as captain of the National team in July, a week before the first test match against Pakistan in Nairobi (Avtar remained the captain until Munich 1972 Olympic Games); Kenya tour of Pakistan and Jack joining Sikh Union Club Nairobi.

Then followed slides of the Pakistan tour.

The Sikh Union team photo of 1963 produced a lot of interaction. Gurdev Singh Sandhu, now 83, who was a member of Sikh Union’s Gold Cup winning team in 1962 recalled how when Jack joined Sikh Union in 1962, the team went on to win the M R D’Souza Gold Cup for five successive years. M R D’Souza Gold Cup was the Blue Riband of East African Hockey from 1952 to 1983. It was played during the Easter weekend, the same time as the East African Safari Rally. With winning the Gold Cup went the title of unofficial East African Champions. Jack played his part in this history.

The slides of Kenya’s tour of India in April 1964 sparked a lot of interest. A slide showing the team list of the 5th test match against India on 26 April 1964 at Jabalpur, which Kenya won 3 – 0 generated a lot of interest. This was India’s biggest defeat at home at the time in 184 international matches. Three months later, India went on to win the Gold medal at Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. Many recalled that Jack spoke about this match at our November 2019 event.

Slides of Kenya’s tour of Europe in 1966 which included the Hamburg International tournament and Kenya’s tour of Zambia in 1966 followed.


Family Mass in Rugby on 7 February 2020. Photo: Karam Bharij

Several other slides of Sikh Union Club teams in which he played were shown. These slides sparked a cascade of anecdotes with interactions between those present.

Photograph of Jack and his co-driver/navigator, Peter Huth in car No 11, a Ford Cortina GT was displayed and nearly everyone present recalled how Jack and Peter were leading the East African Safari Rally in 1967 until the final stretch when they unfortunately hit an Impala which put them back to 4th position overall.

The slides showing Kenya’s team photos and squad for Mexico 1968 Olympic Games generated a lot of interest and interaction. The discussions on the teams tour to Pakistan in January and later India’s tour to Kenya in September before the Olympic Games were discussed and the Kenya’s last pool match against Pakistan at the Games where Kenya needed only a draw to qualify for the Olympic Games semi-finals (Kenya lost 2 – 1).

Slides of Jack with Sikh Hockey Olympians in Trafalgar Square, London in 2005 when London was bidding to be the host city for 2012 Olympics. Jack’s presence at hockey events at Slough Hockey Club in 2017, Spencer Hockey Club 2018 were shown to show how he kept in contact with his former colleagues.

It was highlighted during the presentation that in the 1960s, which was Kenya’s golden period in hockey, both the National team and Sikh Union had the best defence. With two great full backs, Avtar Singh Sohal and Kirpal Singh Bhardwaj and a dashing goal keeper, Jack Simonian, during this period, Kenya were amongst the best teams in the world and they played India and Pakistan regularly, both at home and away. It was therefore fitting that when Kirpal died in 2013, it was Jack who gave the eulogy at the funeral.

The presentation included slides from the Memorial Service held at Sikh Union Club Nairobi on 1 February 2020, the family Mass held in Rugby on 7 February 2020 and a photo of Jack on a motor cycle which is displayed at Denbigh Arms in Rugby.


The framed photo which is displayed at Denbigh Arms in Rugby, Photo: Karam Bharij

The last Slide in the presentation was a special “Thank You” to two people who had assisted with photographs for the presentation. John Davis, former vice chairman of Kenya Regiment Association, for his help with St Mary’s School and Kenya Regiment photographs and background information. Ivan Smith, a lifelong friend of Jack and a fellow motor cycling legend in Kenya for the motor cycling photographs and motor sport information. Ivan also shared the platform with Dil as guest speakers at the Memorial Service at Sikh Union Club Nairobi on 1 February 2020.

Former Kenyan captain Surjit Singh Rihal then read a message from Suzie Simonian:

“My deepest apologies not to be with you all in person today, to celebrate the incredible life of my Dad, Jack. My family and I all send our sincerest thanks for your longstanding friendships you shared with Dad, of which he held each one of you very close to his heart. Aside from his sporting achievements, so modestly held and hard working ethics, he was the kindest, most giving and loving man and father, who gave his all to us four children after my dear Mum’s passing in 1982. Dad was a people person and went out of his way at every opportunity to help those in need, seeking no reward or recognition, and I hope some of his traits have been passed on to us.

I am truly honoured to call myself his daughter and have learnt many new things about him over the last few weeks. He was a humble, honest man with many layers that we are still unfolding and sure will continue to do so for a long time to come.

Our hearts are broken and a huge void remains forever, while we can also smile and remember the many anecdotes he loved to share and filled any room with love and laughter. This, is how I hope you will remember him.

I do hope we have another opportunity to meet and talk. We were so looking forward to this celebration and to hear more stories from you all and learn more about the legend that Dad leaves behind.

But for now, please keep a place in your hearts and we thank you for this amazing tribute.

Keep well and safe and we wish you many blessings. Thank you”

At the last event on 17 November 2019, Jack ended his tribute to Surjeet Singh Panesar by saying “As we celebrated Guru Nanak’s 550th anniversary, it is fitting that Sindh joins his maker. Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Wahe Guru”

Surjit Singh Rihal concluded the evening with everyone saying Wahe Guru Wahe Guru five times in memory of Jack.


Some of the guests raising a glass to Jack after the presentation.

The Olympians and internationals present were Amarjeet Singh Marwa (Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972); Harvinder Singh Sibia (Munich 1972); Surjit Singh Rihal (Munich 1972); Ravinder Singh Laly (Barcelona 1971 World Cup); Tajinder Singh Marwa (Kenyan international); Sutinder Singh Khehar (Sikh Union Nairobi and Great Britain) and Jaswant Singh Bansal (Sikh Union Nairobi and England Masters).

The event concluded with a vote of thanks to Indian Gymkhana Club for hosting us and the excellent catering, enjoyed by all.

Sikhs in Hockey