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All the news for Sunday 10 May 2020

Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr hospitalised in critical condition

The 96-year-old was taken to a private hospital from his residence in Sector 36 in Chandigarh, where he lives with his daughter Sushbir and maternal grandson Kabir.


File Photo: Balbir Singh Sr. presented with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime achievement award by Hockey India in 2015   -  Meeta Ahlawat

Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr, a triple Olympic gold medallist, has been admitted to a city hospital in critical condition.

The 96-year-old was taken to a private hospital from his residence in Sector 36 in Chandigarh, where he lives with his daughter Sushbir and maternal grandson Kabir.

“Dadaji is in ICU right now at Fortis Hospital. He was admitted last evening with complaints of pneumonia. He is on the ventilator but better than yesterday,” said grandson Kabir.

Dr Rajinder Kalra, doctor of 1975 World Cup-winning side as well as a family doctor: “Balbir had a 104-degree fever on Thursday night. Initially, we tried to manage by giving him sponge baths at home but [when] his condition didn’t improve we tried to shift him to PGI, Chandigarh.

“But since PGI Chandigarh is a COVID hospital, so it was difficult to get him admitted in ICU. So we admitted him in Fortis, Mohali where he has been 3-4 times before.”

“He is currently in ICU but better than yesterday. His COVID-19 test went for examination today and the results are expected tomorrow,” Kalra said.

In January last year, Balbir Sr was discharged from PGI after spending 108 days in the hospital, where he underwent treatment for bronchial pneumonia.

“It is an unparalleled achievement and credit to his grit that he could recover at the age of 95 from the scenario of bronchial pneumonia and near cardiac failure that he was initially admitted with,” Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER had then said when the former India captain was discharged.

Sportstar

Reckinger extends contract as coach of German women's hockey team through to Paris 2024

By Liam Morgan


Xavier Reckinger will coach the German team through to Paris 2024 ©Getty Images

Xavier Reckinger has extended his contract as coach of the German women's national hockey team through to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The German Hockey Federation (DHB) said Reckinger, who made 328 appearances for Belgium during his playing career, wanted to continue in the role despite reported interest from other nations.

The 36-year-old is set to lead the German team at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as the 2022 Hockey World Cup and Paris 2024, after signing the new deal.

"For me it just felt that the project with the Olympics 2020 or 2021 is not over yet," Reckinger said.


Xavier Reckinger led Germany to second at the 2019 European Championships ©Getty Images

"Yes, there were always questions from outside, but I decided early on that I wanted to continue with the team, which is still very young.

"The Danas have a lot of potential.

"Most players are still very young and can easily play two Olympic cycles.

"There is also a lot of potential in the under-21 and under-18 teams, which I always watch closely.

"And last but not least, it was the DHB that gave me my first chance as head coach and gave me a lot of trust.

"I would like to return this."

Reckinger took over from Jamilon Mülders in 2017 and guided Germany to the silver medal at the 2019 European Championships in Belgium.

He also led Germany to third in the inaugural Hockey Pro League season and fifth at the 2018 World Cup.

Germany booked their place at Tokyo 2020, postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, by thrashing Italy 9-0 in a two-legged Olympic qualifier last year.

Inside the Games

‘Big Stadium Hockey can transcend the sport’

Taking hockey to existing stadia like Twickenham Stoop can change the sport’s visibility, says project lead



It started with a hurricane and ended with torrential rain, and then flooding, but the woman behind delivering not one but two big stadium hockey experiences is reflecting on a year which could be a game changer for the sport.

In November 2018, Sue Catton, England Hockey’s lead on the Big Stadium Hockey project, started work on The Stoop initiative before a swift turnaround to set up the recent pop-up pitch in Dublin. She’s experienced a hurricane in Stoop pitch testing, horrendous rain in Dublin and then her house nearly flooded on her return to Sheffield. But Catton has sailed through the near dramas and now hopes that the format will become the norm at major tournaments (Note: this piece was originally published in print before the pandemic).

“I genuine believe it has to be the way forward for some of the bigger games and competitions,” she said. “It can grow your fan base, excites sponsors and politicians. From a commercial perspective it’s huge.

“I genuine believe we can solve things for World Cups, going in and out of football stadia. And for an Olympics, it offers the chance to go into a bigger stadium. It’s not quick and it’s not cheap but I’m completely sold as an event operator that this is the way forward.”

More than most, Catton can see the bigger the picture. After all, she has been the point of contact for both projects. In Dublin, for the Ireland v Canada Olympic qualification matches, she oversaw pitch and logistical issues, spoke to volunteers on safety, the fire brigade on irrigation and “joined the dots” as Hockey Ireland focused on trying to fill over 12,000 seats across two matches. That they did and the 375,000 who watched on RTE made for a very successful venture.

Dublin had, in Catton’s words, come “hot on the heels” of the Twickenham Stoop venture. The day after GB’s matches against New Zealand in June, England Hockey held a conference to promote Big Stadium Hockey and its benefits. Representatives from Ireland, European Hockey and the Commonwealth Games were in attendance.

Ireland were an interested party. Risk was involved with the costs, but once the commercial strategy had been pulled together, Catton wore the ‘green jacket’ as the eight-week turnaround began.

“It wasn’t an easy sell but definitely the right opportunity for Hockey Ireland,” said Catton. “To get over 12,250 over two matches was huge from a standing start and I’m hugely in awe of the ambition and passion they showed in taking it over the line.”

It’s staggering to think that two projects of this size have taken place in six months. Even more so when you consider the first meeting, in the guise which is now Big Stadium Hockey, only came last November. There, England Hockey were given the task of delivering hockey at a rugby ground on June 23.

Testing was not straight forward. At Bisham, where the first seeds of what is now known as a Temporary Overlay Pitch (there is now a TOP 1 and 2 standard) were born, pitch solution testing came amidst a hurricane. As she speaks from her Sheffield home, Catton says “it’s been quite a journey”.

Of course, both projects have been different. The Stoop was the biggest hurdle in that the pitch was laid over an existing grass rugby pitch, while Dublin’s pop up was put on a 3G surface.


GB's Lizzie Neal in action at The Stoop PIC: WILL PALMER / WORLD SPORT PICS

With The Stoop, the initial work done last summer has now ensured that England Hockey can return not only with minimal commercial risk but with an investment to build on the success over the next five years, in line with Harlequin’s new stadium.

The double header against Argentina for the 2020 Pro League, which was due to go ahead this month, was set to be more cost effective for England Hockey.

For their second venture at The Stoop, there was set to be a nine-day turnaround, giving the Stoop’s grass nine days to recover in time for Harlequins’s next game. The Ireland games have proved that the turnaround can be done in time and during the season.

The next step following the England and Ireland ventures – whenever hockey and international events can return – is to take it beyond British and Irish shores. “Big Stadium Hockey has driven the new pitch agenda,” added Catton. “We’re on a journey over the next five years to show that this can be done – and not just for the bigger nations.”

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The Hockey Paper

Senior hockey players to participate in Hockey India's coaching course

Thirty-two senior men and 23 senior women core probables are participating in the Hockey India level 'Basic' coaching course being held online.

Hockey India on Saturday announced that it will be conducting the 'Basic' coaching course for the senior core probables at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.

The course will see 32 senior men and 23 senior women core probables participate, the sessions of which will be conducted online by Hockey India. Women's team captain Rani Rampal has already attended the Hockey India coaching education pathway in the past and achieved a Hockey India Level 1 coach certification.

The core probables will get 36 hours to review their online sessions, and then clear an online assessment exam which will be based on the latest FIH rules and regulations. The online assessment exam for senior men core probables will be held on Monday, while the same for senior women core probables will be held next Friday.

Hockey India president Mushtaq Ahmad said: "All of us at Hockey India have made sure that even during such tough times for everyone around the world, we are able to follow our policy of working without any hindrances, and have also been able to devise various ways to conduct our day-to-day activities.

"With our core probables currently stationed at SAI Centre, Bengaluru, we decided it would be appropriate to provide them with an opportunity to understand Coaching through our Hockey India coaching education pathway.

"I am quite confident that the athletes will be able to gain knowledge about the intricacies of Coaching, and will get some essential insights and a fresh perspective of ways to understand the sport better," he added.

Sportstar

National hockey hero back in the limelight

By Jugjet Singh


Ranjit Singh Sidhu

AN unwitting switch in photos unearthed a gem of a former double international in Malaysian sports.

It turned into an opportunity to know 79-year-old Ranjit Singh Sidhu, who played hockey at the 1966 Asian Games. He was also a talented cricketer.

A recent Timesport article, titled 'Don't believe those fakers', on April 25 quoted Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) umpires chairman Ranjit Singh.

But the accompanying picture was inadvertently Ranjit Singh Sidhu's.

Not knowing how to contact the veteran double international to explain matters during the Movement Control Order (MCO), a few weeks went by until he contacted this scribe.

"You used my picture with the umpires' story. Are you going to apologise?" said Ranjit Singh Sidhu.

Yes, an explanation and an apology are due as the veteran deserves one.

Ranjit Singh Sidhu then sent, via WhatsApp, old clippings of his achievements, and the headings said it all.

"Opener Ranjit slams century in 114 minutes."

"Ranjit hero in North's 138-run win."

"Ranjit stars."

"Ranjit hits Kilat to easy victory."

On the hockey pitch, he was a penalty corner hitter, with a hard drive.

"I played for Malaysia at the 1966 (Thailand) Asian Games. I also represented Selangor in the Razak Cup. Cricket was my forte actually," said Ranjit.

Sitting at home like other Malaysians trying to beat Covid-19, the veteran never in his dreams thought that a virus could stop all sporting activities.

"Never. I never envisaged that a virus could stop sporting activities worldwide until even the Olympics had to be postponed."

Despite having an impressive cricket team in the 1970s, why are Malaysia still not a Test nation?

"We never had Test talent, and it's the same now as well.

"The Press gave us good coverage from the 1950s to the 1980s, but cricket is not getting much coverage right now," Ranjit Singh Sidhu added.

Apologies accepted, and memorable days recalled with a smile.

New Straits Times

Mother's Day: Black Sticks star Gemma McCaw opens up on motherhood and Covid-19 crisis


Gemma McCaw, right, with her nana and mum. "Mother's day has a whole new meaning when you are lucky enough to have children.". Crfedit: Gemma McCaw

Gemma McCaw speaks to UNICEF NZ about the joys of motherhood and why looking out for others is so important during the COVID-19 crisis.

Mother's Day has a whole new meaning when you are lucky enough to have children.

COVID-19 has disrupted our lives but it’s a reminder that all mums need a little support, wherever they are in the world.


Gemma, her mum and baby Charlotte. Credit:Gemma McCaw

I grew up in Tauranga and my mum and nana had a wedding hire business. I will always remember the rows of wedding dresses hanging up and spending hours playing dress ups while my mum and nana sewed.

When I look back on my childhood, it was the quality time we spent together that was so special. It wasn’t about the newest toys or doing anything fancy.

I’m grateful that my mum taught me to how to sew. Although I haven’t made anything for years, I've just started sewing again while we've been in isolation. Mum is teaching me how to make polar fleece tops for my 15-month-old daughter Charlotte.


"Charlotte has definitely got a cheeky wee personality. She’s happy and smiley and has a real zest for life," says Gemma McCaw. Credit:Gemma McCaw

Charlotte has definitely got a cheeky wee personality. She’s happy and smiley and has a real zest for life. She’s a little bit of a daredevil, quite adventurous and loves going full noise on the bike! She loves people too and I think she’s inherited that from me.

Charlotte is also a real sweetheart, she’s very caring and I think she gets that from her dad! 

The thing that's surprised me most about parenting is the worry. As mothers, we all carry some form of worry with us and we hope that we are doing absolutely everything we can for our babies. If I’m not there in body with my daughter, I’m always there in mind.

On Mother’s Day last year, I went to pick up Charlotte from her bassinet and discovered that Richard had placed a little card beside her with ‘Mum’ written on it along with the book ‘Why I love my Mummy. It was really sweet.


Gemma McCaw, right, with her mum, left, and nana. Woman's Day

My focus this year was to represent New Zealand in hockey at the Tokyo Olympics but everything has changed because of COVID-19. The games have been postponed and Richard's work has also been impacted. A little bit of the future is up in the air, but as long as we've got each other and we're healthy and happy, that's what really matters.

Richard and I have both travelled quite extensively throughout the Pacific and to developing countries. Our number one priority when we travel is hygiene – washing our hands and having safe drinking water. Before the Olympics in Rio, my team had a green bag for everything that was clean. Anything that touched another surface was put into another bag to be washed. Hygiene protocols are really important to prevent contamination because if your immunity or your health is compromised, it can cost you your performance on the field.

As a teenager I went to Brazil with my parents and two older brothers. I vividly remember stepping into the cramped favelas, where 12 people would be living in a two bedroom slum. They were missing basic clean water and it was quite harrowing to see.

There are a lot of people around the world that are really struggling to get the basics in life. According to UNICEF, there are around 2.4 billion people who don’t have access to a basic toilet, and 663 million people who don’t have access to safe drinking water.

In 2010 I went to India for the Commonwealth games. As we were driving to the hockey turf I saw parents with small toddlers surrounded by piles of rubbish. Now that I have a child myself, my heart hurts when I think about it. I just can't imagine how hard it would be not having the basics of food, water, shelter and medical care readily available. These children are exposed to so many diseases which can spread rapidly and many are missing out on life-saving vaccines.

In New Zealand, children are immunised against a lot of deadly diseases. Even Charlotte was able to be vaccinated during lockdown which we are really grateful for. We’ve also taught Charlotte how to wash her hands properly for 20 seconds and she loves pouring soap out of the dispenser. Hygiene is one of the most important things we can control and it’s the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

I really believe that we’re born and bred to help others. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of giving back and it’s a spiral effect – the next person will probably be more likely to help someone else down the track. It's very special knowing that you've helped someone and you’re not expecting anything else in return.

Early on, when I was out walking laps in the park with Charlotte and trying to get her to sleep in the pram, there were little things that people did that made a huge difference, like someone looking up and smiling or holding a door open at the local coffee shop.

My nana always says “Walk a mile in someone's shoes before you judge them” because you never know what they’re going through and we all need help some days. We’re a lot stronger together than we are alone.

Being a parent is one of the hardest yet most rewarding things to do in the world and you don’t fully understand this until you have a baby of your own. I want all mothers to know that they are loved and that they're all doing a good job. It’s important to know that you're not alone and help is there if you need it.

According to UNICEF, an estimated 116 million babies around the world will be born under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of them will  be born in countries with overburdened health systems. Because of Covid-19, life-saving health services could be disrupted, putting millions of pregnant mothers and their babies at risk.

Donate now to support other Mums around the world with soap and water this Mother’s Day.

This article was supplied as part of Stuff's partnership with Unicef NZ. Unicef stands up for every child so they can have a childhood. Find out more at unicef.org.nz.

Stuff

Mother's Day | Having a doctor at home helped: Viren Rasquinha

Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha's mother told him one thing: “Do your studies and schoolwork and then do whatever you want to do.”

Viren Rasquinha


Viren Rasquinha with his mother, Merlyn.

Coming from a conservative family that has produced doctors and engineers, I feel lucky to have got encouragement from my parents (Eric and Merlyn) to play hockey.

My father was an engineer, my mother a doctor, and my brothers are engineers. So I was privileged to get a chance to be a sportsperson. My mother told me one thing: “Do your studies and schoolwork and then do whatever you want to do.”

Since she worked with the Bombay Municipal Corporation, she had duty during the daytime, which matched with our school timings. So she had a lot of time to spend with us and take care of us. Having a doctor at home helped me and I had in-home treatment. Whether I had normal fever or an injury, she used to take care of me.

My father followed my game more, but my mother used to boost my morale by saying that I should stick to my strength.

My parents could never see me play for India in a stadium, but they followed my game on television. They were really happy and very proud when I became the captain of the Indian team. They knew what it meant to me.

I will be forever grateful to my parents for teaching me the right values and bringing me up in the right way. I learnt the value of hard work from them and it helped me in my life.

I owe everything to my parents, who kept me on the right track.

As told to Y. B. Sarangi.

Sportstar

Mukesh reveals his fastest goal against Australia in Olympics

"I think I scored in 33 seconds. Centre half Jude Felix passed an aerial ball to me and told me to run. I sprinted across and received the ball on the left with a dodge before slotting the ball on the dive in the left corner of the Australian goal," recalls the 50-year-old

By N Jagannath Das


Nandanoori Mukesh Kumar

Hyderabad: Nandanoori Mukesh Kumar has the distinction of scoring the fastest goal in Olympics history when he struck in 33 seconds against the mighty Australia in a Pool B hockey league match in Sydney in the year 2000. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. For the nippy Hyderabad right winger it was one of finest moments of his international career.

“I think I scored in 33 seconds. Centre half Jude Felix passed an aerial ball to me and told me to run. I sprinted across and received the ball on the left with a dodge before slotting the ball on the dive in the left corner of the Australian goal,” recalls the 50-year-old.

That Sydney Olympics, however, proved a nightmare as India returned empty-handed. “We had a very good chance of winning a medal in this Olympics as we had a good all-round team. But because of overconfidence and bad fortune we returned empty-handed. Till last the stages of the pool we were second placed behind Australia. All we needed a win against Poland but we drew that match.

“Sadly I became the villain of this match when I got a yellow card for stick infringement. It didn’t warrant a yellow card. The team was reduced to ten players. South Korea, who beat us in the only match we lost, qualified to semifinals on goal average.’’ The right winger said that Olympics had a lot of good memories. “I remember you giving a cassette of patriotic songs and we played that in our dressing room and the journey from the Olympic village to the stadium. The songs gave `josh’ to the players. But luck was not in our side.’’

The four-time Olympian also spoke of some of the best matches he played against arch-rivals Pakistan. “I played with a seven stitches on my chin and scored the goals against Pakistan in Azlan Shah tournament in 1990. I got hurt against South Korea. Coach late Balkishen Singh insisted that I should play. It was a big occasion as I had just graduated from the junior team.’’

He pointed out matches against Pakistan were all always tense. “My first taste against them came in the Junior World Cup in Delhi. In front of a 25,000 crowd, I scored the goal on the run even as I was slipping on the astro-turf. There was a huge roar. I got my recognition from this match. In fact, I always saved my best against the big teams like Pakistan, Australia, Germany or Netherlands. I always wanted a goal against these teams.’’

Mukesh said any India-Pak match was full of excitement. “The fans were frenzy. Everyone from a receptionist to house-keeper would want us to win against Pakistan. The first few minutes were always tense but there was plenty of action.’’

The Hyderabad winger, who played for Indian Airlines, owes his rise to late Abarnam from Sports Hostel. Known for his `Nagin-like’ runs on the right wing and he struck a chord with Dhanraj Pillay that mesmerised many teams. “We had a very good understanding and often interchanged positions because of the man-to-man marking. I always enjoyed playing with Dhanraj, Jude, Sabu Varkey.’’

Mukesh said India’s best game against Pakistan came in SAF Games. “We routed Pakistan. On a humid day in Chennai we outclassed them. I scored three goals while Pillay had four in his account. This performance earned me and Pillay the Arjuna Awards. We were unstoppable that day.’’

He ended up by saying he cherished the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok when India won the gold under coach Kaushik. “I always admired Balkishen and Kaushik as coaches. They were par excellence.’’

His dream project is to start a hockey academy in the city. “I hope the government helps me in raising this academy,” he concluded.

Telangana Today

James Corry: My hockey family helped me through cancer nightmare as I experienced the brilliance of the NHS staff
 
John Flack


Prize fighter: James Corry with with fiancée Jenna

Coping with the current lockdown is testing the patience of sportsmen and women but Lisnagarvey hockey captain James Corry is just thankful that he's alive and well - and he is happy to wait as long as it takes to get back playing again.

It was two years ago today that the 29-year-old Lisburn man received the all clear after being diagnosed with testicular cancer which had put not only his sporting career on hold but his life at risk.

Just before Christmas 2017, Corry first began to worry that he might have the killer disease - something that obviously came as a shock to the system for a fit and healthy young person.

In a remarkable turnaround, he was given the green light to return to playing hockey just a few months after his initial diagnosis and undergoing painful chemotherapy treatment which he describes as "hands down the worst experience of my life".

He had the honour of being handed the Lisnagarvey captaincy and lifted the All-Ireland League trophy in April 2019 - a year to the day after his final session of chemo.

That was something he couldn't have imagined possible just over a year earlier when he began displaying symptoms.

"When I developed a lump, I did some research and always had testicular cancer in the back of my head but I convinced myself it was just a cyst and that it would go away," he recalled.

"I started to get a dull ache in my stomach and lower abdomen when I was playing hockey and after a match on January 13, I was really struggling physically with shortness of breath and then I started to get severe lower back pain as well.

"From my research, I pretty much knew I had testicular cancer because I had three of the main symptoms so I knew then I had to go to the doctors to get this sorted.

"After visiting my GP, I was immediately referred to see a specialist in the City Hospital. He was 99% sure it was stage one testicular cancer and that it was confined to the testicle.

"In late January 2018, I had an orchiectomy (removal of testicle). It was such a quick turnaround from training on the previous Saturday to being a cancer patient the following week.

"But I felt great that I had the testicle removed because I thought the tumour was gone and I was cancer-free. My spirits were high for a few weeks."


James Corry celebrating success

But worse news was to follow when a CT scan revealed that the disease had spread to Corry's lungs and lymph nodes in his lower abdomen.

"This was known as stage four testicular cancer and if you have it in any other form, there is generally a 5% survival rate," he explained.

"The urologist said it was a 90% survival rate for me which I was pleased about, although 'doctor Google' suggested otherwise; a gloomy 65% survival rate.

"I went to see my oncologist, Dr Bode Oladipo, soon after. He was amazing in talking me through everything related to the chemotherapy.

"He was adamant that everything would be fine and gave me a very positive prognosis. I am forever grateful for his amazing help and support."

Naturally, Corry's family were deeply concerned about the prognosis and playing hockey was the last thing on his mind at that stage.

"Obviously, it was very difficult news for a mother and father to take in but they did everything possible to keep me positive and calm throughout," he said

"Thankfully I also had my fiancée Jenna for the most unbelievable support. She kept my spirits high and encouraged me every step of the way - even if that meant going for walks when I didn't feel mentally or physically 100%.

"I had a great network of friends at work and in hockey and I can't imagine I was easy to deal with during this time but everyone was so supportive throughout."

Just a few weeks after completing his chemotherapy, Corry ran a leg of the Belfast marathon relay in May 2018 when he was joined by colleagues from Ballyclare High School where he is head of PE.

"We had 30 staff from the school to run it to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Oddballs Testicular Cancer Foundation. We raised around £18,000," said the Donegal native.

Now he has come through the other side, Corry is able to reflect on the care he received from medical staff during the worst months of his life - put into sharper focus by the work done by NHS personnel during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

"I never thought I'd need the help and support of the NHS as I always thought, 'I would never get cancer because I'm healthy'. Little did I know, it can go after anyone," he said.

"The NHS staff were so uplifting when I was going through treatment. They are fantastic at reassuring and caring for people.

"It is no surprise to me to hear all the news reports about how amazing the NHS staff are during the current crisis. I have experienced it and I know they are amazing.

"If there is a positive to be taken from the current situation, it has to be that NHS workers are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

"They are putting the patients' health before their own but it's terrible that we need a national emergency to recognise the outstanding work that the NHS staff do."

Belfast Telegraph

Ex-international Ataro blasts Kenyan players for lacking ‘passion’

By AGNES MAKHANDIA


Telkom coach Josephine Ataro reacts during a Premier League match against USIU-A at City Park Stadium in Nairobi on June 8, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Former long-serving Kenya women's team hockey goalkeeper Josephine Ataro has blasted the current crop of international players for lacking commitment, passion and champions mentality.

Ataro, who boasts of two decades of service to the sport, believes the current crop of players are not result-oriented and are in the team just for the prestige of wearing the national team jersey.

Her sentiments come at a time when the fortunes of the team are steadily going south.

“When I attended some of their training sessions at City Park before major events I could see there was really nothing to write home about. There was no seriousness at all. It is like they were there to pass time. They don’t know that putting on the national outfit is an honour and they should accord it the respect it deserves,” said the Nyamira alumnus.

Kenya failed to sparkle at the Olympic Games qualifiers in South Africa last year finishing fourth out of five participating nations.

“I'm not happy that every time we participate in the African Clubs Championship and my club Blazers (formerly Telkom) perform well, players from other countries question why we don’t do well as a country. It really bothers me,” said Ataro, who now coaches Loreto Convent Msongari.

Ataro was part of the Kenya Under-21 team that qualified for the 1993 World Cup in Barcelona after beating South Africa 3-1 at City Park Stadium in the qualifiers. She, however, remained hopeful of the county’s fortunes improving internationally if the players changed their attitude.

“All is not lost just yet and I believe the new technical bench is capable of bringing back the lost glory."

Kenya Hockey Union early this year appointed former international Jackline Mwangi as head coach, taking over from Tom Olal, with Barbara Simiyu and Glennis Namasake her assistants.

Ataro is also an assistant coach for multiple Kenyan champions Blazers.

Daily Nation

Kenyan Bank manager Audrey strikes perfect balance on and off the pitch

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Telkom's Audrey Omaido (left) in action against Lakers Vivian Akoth. [Jonah Onyango]

The clock ticks as hockey fans eagerly wait for the season’s top of the bill clash between bitter rivals Blazers and Strathmore University Scorpions.

Anxiety and excitement engulf City Park Stadium in equal measure as the two sides emerge from the changing rooms onto the pitch.

Players rush to take their respective sides and begin warming up for the match, but one player on Blazers side remains calm as she takes her position for the warm up exercises. Humble and reserved she passes as an ordinary girl to those unfamiliar with her.

However, she is no ordinary girl. She is Audrey Omaido, a superstar, an accomplished career woman in the banking sector and the daughter of Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) 2016 Hall of Fame inductee Jackson Omaido.

Keen to make history like her father and late uncle Walter Omaido, Audrey though modest in every aspect of her life is one of the few female hockey players who have excelled in the sport both at club and national team level.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree and Audrey is without a doubt her father’s daughter having inherited the old man’s sporting genes.

While Omaido succeeded in rugby, his daughter will certainly be in hockey history books as one of the most prolific strikers this country has ever produced.

Just like her father who started playing rugby in his teenage years at Lenana School, she also ventured into sports while in primary school.

Her mother Ruth Ongachi was also an athlete and played hockey in high school. She was also top in walk race while in college. Academically, she was also a top achiever and is currently an Electrical Engineering lecturer and will be completing her doctorate soon.

After high school her father played for the University of Nairobi's Mean Machine, Kenya Harlequin and the national rugby 15s team and was also in the 1975 East Africa Tuskers team among other select sides.

He is regarded as one of the best fly-half Kenya has ever produced. Motivated by her father’s success and heeding his counsel Audrey is a holistic individual who has worked hard and currently enjoys the fruits of her efforts in sports, academics and career.

Audrey says she was made for hockey even though it was the last sport she ventured into having played several in primary school.

“I had played football, netball, tennis and tried athletics but I was destined to play hockey because I believe I could have never gone beyond secondary school with any other sport. I was a good short distance runner and even though I still compete in athletics at interbank games, hockey is my passion,” she said.

It is at Maryhill Girls High School that Audrey who boasts of winning seven Africa Cup of Club Championships (ACCC) gongs and 12 Kenya Hockey Union women Premier League titles honed her hockey skills.

“I started playing hockey in 2004 when I joined Form One. We had inter-stream competitions which were very competitive and the winners would advance to inter-class challenge and so I joined the hockey team because I wanted to be in the games as a player and not in the cheering squad,” she added.

She adds that it was the patience of their school coach George Odlla that her love and passion grew as they learned to play alongside former Blazers and national teammate Margaret Rotich.

“He (Odlla) was a very good coach, he was patient with us and it made it easy for us to learn the basics of the game, we worked so hard that by the time we got to form three in 2006 we qualified for the national games.”

Audrey was so good at the game that many coaches saw her potential on her national games debut.

“While playing in Mombasa we had printed our names on our kits and I had my father’s name on mine. Coach Tony Raposo of Vikings saw my name and he approached saying he knew my father and they had played rugby together before inviting me to join his club.”

At the school games, she got offers from scouts of different clubs among them Strathmore University and Telkom which has rebranded several times and is now Blazers after Telkom Kenya withdrew their sponsorship last year.

After months of soul searching, she settled for Telkom and joined the club in 2008 having completed form four the previous year.

“Straight from high school I joined the top club in the country and it required that I work very hard. I trained everyday and it made my transition from high school hockey to club hockey easier. I, however, had to be patient as well as work hard for a place in the team, I got a chance to play in the second leg of the 2008 and I gave my best.”

Audrey said her first match was memorable as she got to play with her role model the late Betty Tioni.

“I admired how she (Tioni) played a lot and I always looked up to her, she was a forward who could also play well in midfield and I strived to emulate her. When I got a chance to play I was fortunate to start with her and it remains a memorable match for me,” she said.


Audrey Omaido [Photo: Standard]

Later that year Orange played in the Africa championships staged in Nigeria finishing second behind home girls Heartlands.

Audrey would taste continental glory the following year when Kenya hosted the annual event in Nairobi. Since her brilliance in attack and midfield has been instrumental for Blazers locally and internationally.

She said her father’s exploits in rugby inspired her to work hard and also succeed in sports. “I read many articles written about my father and in all those stories he has been portrayed as being a successful sports man and that has pushed me to work hard. My father has also been part of my journey mentoring me and urging me to ensure I succeed not only in sports but in academics and life in general” she adds.

Senior Omaido must be very happy because his parenting and mentorship have been very successful. His daughter has indeed lived up to his expectations.

“My father always taught me not to take anything for granted in academics, sports and work. It is through his guidance and endless support that I have succeeded in sports, academics and have grown in my career.”

She holds a masters degree in Business Administration (Strategic Management option) from the University of Nairobi.

She is also a certified accountant having achieved a CPA K certification and is currently assistant branch manager in a city bank. She said it has not been easy balancing school, work and hockey.

“It is tough to strike a perfect balance, when I joined university for my undergraduate degree I had to adjust and learn how to effectively manage my time. I had to make up for training over the weekends because I had less time during weekdays. I had to be in class by 6:15am for my accounting lessons then dash to work, I must say that it takes patience, discipline and passion because it is not easy.”

Apart from her family, she also had a great support system at her club with coach Jos Openda, senior players who have now transitioned to coaching like Josephine Ataro, Rose Mbulo and Jackline Atieno all helping her to grow in the sport.

She is also grateful to coaches Tom Olal, Wycliffe Ongori and Fidhelis Kimanzi who also mentored her while playing for the national team.

Sports runs in the family and her younger sister Brenda Omaido has followed in her footsteps and currently plays for Premier League side Amira Sailors.

Brenda previously played for Kenyatta University Titans while she featured for University of Nairobi in the Kenya Universities Sports Association games.

To upcoming players Audrey says they need to be disciplined and love the sport so as to last long in the game and succeed while at it.

“You must be very disciplined and love the game to grow in it and also excel, patience is also very important because without it one can easily give up especially when success delays.

"I never won a title in high school and at that point it was very easy to quit but I remained patient and I have no regrets," she added.

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