News for 17 July 2020
All the news for Friday 17 July 2020
Oltmans won't be sticking around
By Jugjet Singh
Roelant Oltmans
ROELANT Oltmans yesterday sounded resigned to the fact that he will be replaced as national coach at the end of the year.
This has come about following the latest development which saw Arul Selvaraj coming into the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) set-up.
After conducting his first training session with the national team since March, Oltmans was asked his thoughts about the MHC handing Arul a two-year contract on Monday.
"As you know, my contract ends in December and so it's good for MHC to plan ahead and hire Arul. It's good to plan, I have been around for two years..." said Oltmans without going into further details.
The MHC have appointed Arul (who has returned to Malaysia from Dublin, Ireland, where he worked as a club coach) as Chief Assistant Coach while his assistants will be Nasihin Nubli and Amin Rahim.
Meanwhile, Oltmans and Arul have been entrusted to deliver for Malaysia at the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in November.
The national men's team underwent their first contact training yesterday and also played a friendly match.
"Naturally, the players were a little reserved when playing their first match (a friendly among themselves) since the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League) in February.
"They will need more time to become sharper and I believe the Razak Cup will give them just that. Even though the Razak Cup does not provide high level exposure like in international tournaments, it's all we have right now and I believe it will get the players ready for the ACT," said Oltmans.
When does Oltmans plan to release the national players to states for the Razak Cup which may be held at Bukit Jalil?
"One day before it starts! They get proper training with the national set-up and it will benefit the states that they represent.
"However, if some players are needed for set-pieces like penalty corners, I will release them earlier," said Oltmans.
National player Marhan Jalil, who skippered Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) to a treble under coach Arul, feels that the Asian-European combo of Oltmans-Arul will work well for Malaysia at the ACT.
"Arul's inclusion into the coaching set-up is a good move by the MHC. I believe this Asian and European combination is what we need right now," said Marhan.
New Straits Times
Nothing to lose as John sets sights on Tokyo
John Smythe has more than 115 caps for Canada and is hoping to add several more as Canada prepare for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
His brother Iain has more than 200 caps for Canada but the disparity in caps is not simply down to the fact that 34-year-old Iain is four years older than his brother: John could be considered lucky to have any international caps at all.
In 2007 John’s colon was removed after he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), a disease that results in painful inflammation and ulcers in the colon. UC causes severe pain and weight loss and is a condition which makes it impossible to play hockey. At the time, John was a promising youngster and seemed set to follow his brother into the national set-up.
A visit to the doctor brought home the severity of the disease. “You are literally bleeding to death,” said the doctor. Most of John’s colon was removed and it was thought the problem would go away.
However, despite the colon being removed, John’s health problems continued and three years later he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease – a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
At least the disease now had a name and, with the backing of a team of doctors, John was able to learn how to monitor and live with the condition. There were however some very bad times along the way. “At the lowest moment, I hadn’t eaten for approximately two weeks. I was being fed through intravenous. I was losing an alarming amount of blood each day and couldn’t walk more than 10 meters without feeling faint. At that time, I had lost 30 lbs, half my blood, had to have four blood transfusions, and lived with a line in my arm. Long and short of it, I wasn’t feeling great.”
John says the amazing healthcare he received, combined with the “relentless support” he got from his family, were the reason he managed to finally get back to living a semblance of a normal life. Even more astonishingly, after all he had been through, his thoughts returned to playing international hockey.
“After four years away from the national programme, breaking into the squad was a daunting task,” recalls John. “Although I dreamt of representing my country and playing on the international stage, it’s never been about the accolades: they are just an extra bonus. The over-riding motivational factor that ultimately drove me was the love for the sport. I simply kept playing because I am passionate about field hockey. I also witnessed firsthand the successes my brother, Iain, was having on the national team. He was travelling the world with some of his closest friends, all while playing the sport he loves. What could be better? “
John says he adopted a “nothing to lose” mentality towards making it back into the team, throwing himself into every task and accepting every challenge. The hard work paid off and in 2014, seven years after the first diagnosis, John made his senior debut in a four-team event in Chile. Since then he has been a mainstay of the team.
It has been a far from easy path. John is not able to eat first thing in the day, so morning training sessions are tough as he does not have much energy. He says resilience and patience have been two key qualities he has developed over time and through necessity. Humour and perspective have also been his watchwords.
“My illness helped give me a new perspective on certain aspects in my life. If anything it taught me that humour can have a huge impact on the healing process. It also taught me to not take life for granted and to take the time to enjoy the little things. Additionally, life is too short to spend time doing things you don’t enjoy or to fret on things you can’t control. I have never thought on my illness as a hindrance but an obstacle that I need to learn to live with. My illness also probably gave me more appreciation for the sport. I will continue to play hockey until there is no joy in it for me. And hopefully that will never come.”
With the Tokyo Olympic Games on the horizon, and Canada one of the competing nations, John has plenty of reason to continue his international career.
“My ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympic Games. I’ve been dreaming of competing in the Olympics from an early age. The 2016 Rio Olympic Games was a tough blow as I was one of the last athletes cut for the team. It is absolutely heartbreaking to be so close to a dream that I fought tooth and nail for, for a good part of a decade. Yet, I used the devastation as a learning experience, breaking down every aspect of my game and discovering what I bring to the team. I am just happy we have been able to qualify for back-to-back Olympics and that the dream is still alive.
“As a collective goal, we are aiming for the best Olympic performance of any Canadian Men’s team. The team placed tenth in 1976, 1984, 2000, and 2008. It would be amazing to push the boundaries and reach the quarterfinals in 2021. We have a lot of experience on the team now and it is a matter of staying focused as the competition will be world-class.”
FIH site
Ollie Payne joins GB men's senior squad
Ollie Payne
Great Britain Hockey is delighted to announce that goalkeeper Ollie Payne has been called up to the men’s senior squad in the lead up to the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.
The 21-year-old has been offered a place on the programme alongside fellow goalkeepers George Pinner and Harry Gibson and joined the squad when they returned to training at Bisham Abbey last month.
The former Dart HC shot stopper is another to graduate from the GB Elite Development Programme (EDP) into the senior set up, joining the likes of Jacob Draper, Charlotte Watson, Esme Burge and Jack Waller in making the transition.
With the potential for a whole host of fixtures to take place in the not too distant future – including the conclusion of the delayed 2020 FIH Pro League season, a EuroHockey Championship and then the Olympics – Payne cannot wait for the opportunity to test himself against the world’s best.
“I feel very happy to be selected and called into the squad,” the newly announced Holcombe HC player said.
“It's good fun. Obviously it’s the highest standard you can get in this country so it’s very challenging but it’s very fun trying to see if you can get up to that standard.
“In the short term I just want to get involved in the programme and get up to the level and pace of the game. Then hopefully I can make my debut at some point with the Olympics in mind.
“In the medium and long term, the home Commonwealth Games is something that’s a really big target for a me in a couple of years and then hopefully the Olympic Games after that.”
This is the latest achievement in what has been a highly successful two-year period for Payne, who won the 2018 and 2019 Sultan of Johor Cup with Great Britain’s U21s and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament on both occasions.
He also played a crucial role as England’s U21 men secured a memorable silver medal at last year’s Junior EuroHockey Championships. Payne also experienced plenty of highs during his time with Durham University as well, starring as they won the 2018 BUCS Men’s Championship final before helping them earn promotion to the Men’s Premier Division earlier this year.
GB men’s head coach Danny Kerry said: “I’m delighted Ollie has been able to take up a place with the squad. He has been in our thinking and planning for some time and we are delighted that he is able to join the programme following on from his studies at Durham University."
Great Britain’s men and women are currently partaking in a phased Return To Training programme as they prepare for the potential return of the FIH Hockey Pro League later this year.
After the league was suspended in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a new fixture list was released last week that sees both teams travel to The Netherlands and Belgium in late October/early November. We will then host matches against Germany on 14-15 November before welcoming Argentina, China, India, Spain and the USA next summer.
Great Britain Hockey media release
‘Fearless’ Ollie Payne handed Great Britain Hockey selection
By Rod Gilmour
Ollie Payne has been described as a “fearless and brave” goalkeeper by his first club coach in Devon following the news that the 21-year-old had been called up to the GB men’s senior squad on Thursday.
Payne, a Durham graduate, will join fellow ‘keepers George Pinner and Harry Gibson in a rare squad triumverate aiming for Tokyo Olympic selection after being tracked by coach Danny Kerry following a string of impressive showings for England and GB under-21s.
Payne made his debut for Totnes-based club Dart HC – where his parents played – as a 14-year-old in the men’s 1s, before playing for Exeter University a year later.
“We could see he was going places and no one was holding him back from progressing,” Tracey Pearce, Dart’s head coach, told The Hockey Paper. “We are all awe-inspired at seeing him picked.”
Pearce hailed Dart men’s camaraderie for giving Payne “the belief in himself” before his subsequent rise, which last month saw him named Men’s Emerging Performance Player of the Year at the England Hockey’s awards.
“He just grew and it’s been fantastic to watch,” added Pearce. “He’s a brilliant chap, has natural [stick] ability and was a dream to coach, like a sponge he absorbed it all. He’s a great keeper, so brave and fearless.”
The former Dart HC shot stopper joins the likes of Jacob Draper, Charlotte Watson, Esme Burge and Jack Waller who have stepped up from the EDP programme.
The newly-announced Holcombe HC player already has some asiprations. He said: “In the short term I just want to get involved in the programme and get up to the level and pace of the game. Then hopefully I can make my debut at some point with the Olympics in mind.
“In the medium and long term, the home Commonwealth Games is something that’s a really big target for a me in a couple of years and then hopefully the Olympic Games after that.”
Payne will now jostle for a place in GB’s Pro League and Olympic squads alongside Pinner and Gibson, who have long been selected as the country’s No 1 and 2 stoppers. The Devonian has pedigree after being named goalkeeper of the tournament during GB under-21’s successful 2018 and 2019 Sultan of Johor Cup wins and helping Durham to promotion to the men’s Premier Division.
GB men’s head coach Kerry said: “I’m delighted Ollie has been able to take up a place with the squad. He has been in our thinking and planning for some time and we are delighted that he is able to join the programme following on from his studies at Durham University.”
The Hockey Paper
Honouring the past
Don McWatters, Lou Hailey AM and John McBryde. Don and John were both inducted into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame in 2019. Photo courtesy of UQ Sport.
As hockey competitions return across most of the country, Hockey Australia (HA) is taking this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Life Membership and Award of Merit recipients, and the inductees into the Hall of Fame, particularly over the past two years.
From the start of 2018 there have been 12 people receive Hockey Australia Life Membership. Queenslander Jan Hadfield AM, South Australian Cyril Dakiniewicz and Western Australian duo Brian Glencross and Don Prior were made Life Members in 2019.
This follows Rosie Stern (SA) and Ken Read (TAS) in 2018 plus the six recipients in 2020 who were ratified and announced after this year’s HA Annual General Meeting.
Minka Woolley (TAS), Wendy Pritchard (WA), Graham Carter (ACT) and historian John Sanders (WA) were all recipients of an Award of Merit in 2019.
There have also been a host of Hall of Fame inductees. These include June Harding (nee Capes/Haines), Terrance Walsh, Ena McRae and Kathleen Partridge in 2018, and Don McWatters, John McBryde, Kay Lehmann (nee Kindervater), Lorraine Packham, Robin Ding (nee Bennett), Olga Corrigan (nee Hampson), Pretoria (Tory) Wicks, Judy Humphries (nee Burgess ), Pat Nilan and Des Spackman in 2019. Raymond (Ray) Evans, Charlie Morley, Kevin Carton and Jean Wynne (nee Pearce) were also inducted but have passed away.
Hockey Australia is working with States and Territories to induct those yet to be presented with an appropriate ceremony when it is medically safe to do so.
“As a sport, we are privileged to have so many amazing, exceptional and talented people involved in our game,” said Richard Aggiss, Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee and Hockey Australia Life Member.
“What accentuates this even more is the amount of selfless time, effort and service these people put in purely because of their passion and love of hockey and the hockey community.”
“On behalf of the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame Committee, the Board of Hockey Australia and everyone involved in hockey in this country, I congratulate these award recipients and inductees on their thoroughly deserved recognition and accolade, and sincerely thank each of them for their contribution to making our sport the wonderful game that it is.”
Keep an eye on the Hockey Australia website and social media channels in the coming weeks for individual profile pieces on each of the people below.
Life Members (2018-2020)
2018
Ken Read (TAS)
Rosie Stern (SA)
2019
Cyril Dakiniewicz (SA)
Brian Glencross (WA)
Jan Hadfield AM (QLD)
Don Prior (WA)
2020
Sue Briggs
Bob Claxton
Lyn Hill
Carol Sheridan
Robert Taylor
Colin Wansbrough
Award of Merit (2018-2020)
2019
Graham Carter (ACT)
Wendy Pritchard (WA)
John Sanders (WA)
Minka Woolley (TAS)
Hall of Fame (2018-2020)
2018
Raymond (Ray) Evans* (WA)
June Harding (nee Capes/Haines) (WA)
Terrance (Terry) Walsh (WA)
Kathleen Partridge (NSW)
Ena McRae (NSW)
2019
Men:
Kevin Carton* (WA)
John McBryde (QLD)
Don McWatters (QLD)
Charlie Morley* (VIC)
Pat Nilan (NSW)
Des Spackman (NSW)
Women:
Robin Ding (nee Bennett) (WA)
Olga Corrigan (nee Hampson) (NSW)
Judy Humphries (nee Burgess) (TAS)
Kay Lehmann (nee Kindervater) (QLD)
Lorraine Packham (WA)
Pretoria (Tory) Wicks (NSW)
Jean Wynne* (nee Pearce) (WA)
*Deceased
Hockey Australia media release
Wazalendo coach targets Africa Clubs Championship
By AGNES MAKHANDIA
Wazalendo coach Fidelis Kimanzi gestures from the touchline during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match against Kenya Police on December 1, 2019 at City Park Stadium, Nairobi. Wazalendo won 3-2. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Wazalendo Hockey Club coach Fidelis Kimanzi says he will not set the bar too high for his players as they make a return to the forthcoming Africa Cup for Clubs Championship.
Kimanzi said he will be contented if the side that last played in the event in 2007 in Egypt will give a good account of themselves.
Impressive Wazalendo qualified for the annual event scheduled for November 30 to December 5 in Blantyre, Malawi, after finishing second behind eventual winners and champions Butali Sugar Warriors during the 2019 men's Kenya Hockey Union Premier League.
The top two teams from each gender at the conclusion of the league earn automatic tickets to the annual event.
"We will be out to expose our players. We have a formidable but relatively young side. We will not put pressure on them but if they can play well adhering to our system of play and try to match their opponents then it will be good enough," said Kimanzi who early this year was appointed the men's national team coach.
PUNCHING BAG
"But that does not mean we will be comfortable being the punching bag of the competition. We are, however, glad we will participate in the event and we can’t wait to see what it has in store for us," he said.
Kimanzi, a former Kenya Breweries Hockey team player, said they have beefed up the squad after signing four players from the second-tier Super League sides.
Kennedy Munialo (left) of Wazalendo leaves Butali Sugar Warriors’ Moses Ademba for dead during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match at City Park, Nairobi on June 15, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The four players are midfielder Clifford Omare (University of Eldoret), goalkeeper Tony Kitheka and defender Dan Obonyo both from Multi-Media University, and Parklands’ midfielder Boniface Dombi. "Our then captain Kenneth Munialo moved to Butali and I believe the new signings will fill the gap ahead of the new season. The players are currently training in small groups of four to six in their respective localities with close supervision from their attached coaches," said the 47-year-old Kitui High School alumnus.
Ahead of the launch of Mchanga platform for raising funds towards club Championships at the City Park Stadium, on Sunday 1pm, the tactician said the move was to challenge other self supporting teams that they can participate in the event with proper planning.
The club has a budget of Sh6.81 million that will cater for teams preparations, traveling, accommodations, kitting and equipment.
Daily Nation
Hockey stalwarts from Odisha are huge inspiration for youngsters in tribal region, says Suman Beck
New Delhi: India Colts defender Suman Beck on Thursday said hockey stalwarts from Odisha like Lazarus Barla, Roshan Minz and Prabodh Tirkey are "huge inspiration" for youngsters in the tribal region of the state.
Beck got inspired by these legends and picked up the sport to emulate their success.
"I was really influenced by Lazarus Barla, Roshan Minz, Prabodh Tirkey who would always give sound advice whenever they visited us in the sports hostel. They always said, 'hockey will give you a new life if you stay focused and committed to being the best'. I had also heard so much about Dilip Tirkey, his achievements and early struggle. Though I have met him, I am very inspired by his story," Beck said in a statement.
"I really want to be like these stalwarts and emulate their success. They are a huge inspiration in our region and now the onus is on us to bring laurels to the region," he added.
Odisha has produced scores of international hockey players and has a rich tradition where kids from a young age develop a natural flair for hockey, it was not a surprise that Beck chose to enroll himself for hockey lessons at the age of 11.
The defender hails from Rajganpur, situated 40 kilometres from Rourkela district in Odisha.
"I was very young when my father would take me to watch Khasi Cup (decades-old tribal hockey tournament). It was a very natural thing to pick up hockey especially when you are from the Sundargarh region. I was mesmerised by the sport. It brings respect and honour in our villages if you are good at it," Beck said.
Having joined the Sundargarh Sports Hostel at an early age, Beck learned the tricks of the trade from the very best in his state.
Beck was part of the India team that won the bronze medal in the 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup and the silver medal in the 2018 and 2019 editions of the prestigious tournament. Hailing from a financially challenged family, his father who earns daily wages by working in farmlands, Beck is familiar with hardships from a very young age but never lets it deter his goals.
"Almost every player from Odisha has come from extremely challenging backgrounds and we never let this affect us. In fact, it makes us determined to achieve in the sport and earn recognition," he said.
Having rubbed shoulders with players from the Indian team during the camps in SAI, Bengaluru, Beck said his game has improved since he was first picked for the junior national camp.
"I came into the national camp in 2017 and compared to now, I was very raw and was not aware of the structure and systematic way of training. Players like Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Birendra Lakra who are all very good defenders in the senior team help me from time to time. Both the senior and junior core group has a big pool of talented players and we really have to show our mettle to get selected. My next goal is to do well in the Junior World Cup qualifiers (Junior Asia Cup)," Beck concluded.
Business World
Ousted HI President Mushatq Ahmad Says Diktat To Demit Office Smacked Of Bad Intent
He also expressed suspicion that the action against him was influenced by him "being from minority community". All these charges were made in a letter
Former Hockey India President Mohd. Mushtaq Ahmad, who resigned after his election was declared violative of the national sports code by the sports ministry, on Tuesday said the "belated decision smells (of) bad intention" as other violators have not been penalised.
He also expressed suspicion that the action against him was influenced by him "being from minority community". All these charges were made in a widely-circulated letter to Sports Secretary Ravi Mittal.
When contacted, a ministry official, on conditions of anonymity, said, "The ministry acted as per rules. We have already made that very clear in our earlier communication to Hockey India. There is nothing more to it, nothing more to say."
Ahmad, in his letter, said that "Presidents with name as Sudhanshu Mittal, Rajeev Mehta and Anandeshwar Pandey have been given free run to continue inspite of violation of sports code in Kho Kho, Fencing and handball respectively."
"I would like to place on record my feeling that the MoYAS's belated decision smells bad intention against me as President of Hockey India being from minority community," he wrote.
"This makes me feel that having a name as Mohd. Mushtaq Ahmad seems to be a problem."
Ahmad was asked to demit office for violating the tenure guidelines of the sports code, which does not allow three consecutive terms for an office-bearer.
Ahmad served as treasurer of Hockey India from 2010-14 and then became secretary general in 2014 for a four-year term. He was elected as President of HI for another four-year term in 2018.
The violation was brought to the notice of Hockey India back in 2019 but HI contended that Ahmad's run as treasurer was before the body got ministry recognition and cannot be counted while deciding his tenure.
The ministry rejected the contention earlier this month and Ahmad had to resign.
The ministry said that it granted recognition to Hockey India in February 2014 on the basis of its elections in August 2010 and therefore, it will consider Ahmad's run as treasurer as his first term.
Ahmad also attached ministry's communication to HI in which it is stated that the elections conducted in October 2018 would be considered the federation's second elections.
That letter was written by under secretary Arun Kumar Singh to HI CEO Elena Norman.
"The exit in such a way is painful when I have not committed any mistake. Why did MoYAS play this dirty game with me?" he wrote.
"I would like to have an answer from MoYAS on the question when Hockey India submitted response to ministry letter dated 13.02.2019 on 23.02.2019, why the ministry has taken 15 months to take a decision on the matter?" he asked.
Ahmad also contended in his letter that Mehta's election as the President of Fencing Association of India is "illegal as after being President of Kho-Kho Federation of India, he cannot hold post of President in another Federation.
He also wrote that election of Fencing Association of India was violative of the Sports Code as "there were three votes for each state member".
The ministry had upheld the election due to unanimous voting.
RepublicWorld.com