News for 03 September 2020
All the news for Thursday 3 September 2020
Harmanpreet Singh: Hockey Pro League restart will help India study European teams
Indian drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh is looking forward to the resumption of Hockey Pro League this month. - K. MURALI KUMAR
Indian drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh is looking forward to the resumption of the FIH Hockey Pro League this month, saying it will provide insight into the combinations that European teams employ and help in preparations for the forthcoming season.
The league – both men’s and women’s – will recommence behind closed doors with powerhouses Germany and Belgium facing off on September 22 in Germany.
“Both these teams are really good and of course we are eager to watch them play and we will be following these matches closely because it will give us insights into their variations, any new combinations they are using,” said Singh, who is currently part of the ongoing national coaching camp in Bengaluru.
The Indian men’s team, which is currently fourth in the table with 10 points from six games, will resume its Pro League season in April next year against host country Argentina.
With two wins, two draws and two losses against the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium, India looked in good touch in the Pro League before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the calender.
Singh, who captained India to victory at the FIH Olympic Test Event in Tokyo last year, feels the Indian team has plenty of time to return to form and watching these matches will help the side prepare for its Pro League campaign.
Singh also credited the coaching staff for ensuring that the Indian players maintained their fitness levels over the past five months when training was halted due to nationwide lockdown.
“The good thing that happened during the past five months was the coaching staff,, particularly our scientific advisor Robin Arkel, kept a close watch on our fitness and diet,” he said.
Sportstar
Hockey forward Navjot Kaur says she owes her success to her father
Haryana girl wants to become the best finisher
Indian women's hockey player Navjot Kaur. Twitter
Relishing the role of a finisher in the current team, Indian women's hockey striker Navjot Kaur says she owes her success to her father, who always wanted one of his three children to take up sports.
"I wouldn't have been able to reach where I am today without the support of my parents and especially my father, who encouraged me to take up hockey in school. He always dreamed about one of his children becoming sportspersons and I am really glad that I have been able to fulfil his dream,” said Navjot.
"I hope I keep improving my game in the future and always make my parents proud through my achievements on the field," said the Kurukshetra girl.
A vital cog in India's forward-line, Navjot aspires to become one of the best finishers. "The finisher's role is very crucial for any hockey side and I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to execute the chances created by my teammates.”
"There is certainly a lot of pressure that comes with the job, but I have certainly enjoyed the challenge so far. I want to keep working hard on the techniques of finishing and hopefully, I will become the best finisher in the world one day," said the 25-year-old.
Navjot, who has played 172 matches for India so far, also recalled some of the best moments of her career.
"Being part of the bronze medal and silver medal-winning teams at the Asian Games 2014 and 2018 respectively has to be on the top of the list but 2019 was one of the most crucial years for us," she said.
"It was absolutely brilliant to be part of the victorious team at the FIH Women's Series Finals and then we followed it up by booking a place in the Tokyo Olympics after defeating USA in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers later in the year."
The Tribune
Dhyan Chand left behind legacy for all Indian athletes, says son and World Cup-winner Ashok Kumar
The National Sports Day is celebrated on 29 August on the birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand, widely considered the greatest field hockey player of all time.
Kolkata: World Cup gold medallist Ashok Kumar has said his legendary father Dhyan Chand left a legacy for not just hockey players but also for all sportspersons in the country.
"Major Dhyan Chand left a legacy of lessons for not just hockey players but for all sportsmen in our country, Ashok Kumar, who scored the winning goal against Pakistan to win India's only World Cup gold in 1975, said during a virtual event to celebrate National Sports Day.
The National Sports Day is celebrated on 29 August on the birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand.
"In spite of his personal struggles, he never allowed those to be an excuse to not perform. He was committed to the sport and inspired many during his lifetime. I am truly glad today Tata Steel is creating such platforms for budding players and opportunities for new talent to shine," the 70-year-old added.
Besides Kumar, Olympians Gurbux Singh, Dr Vece Paes, Dilip Tirkey and Leander Paes, along with Tata Steel's Chief of Protocol and Sports, Farzan Heerjee, participated in this virtual event.
Indian tennis ace Paes said as a child he was inspired and motivated by these very set of sportspersons.
"Gurbux Singh and Ashok Kumar were my father's team mates and were my heroes. I am thankful to each of them to provide me with your valuable guidance and the encouragement," said the Olympic bronze medallist.
Olympic gold winner Gurbux Singh said, "Tatas have been known to contribute towards building our nation and bring about the culture of sports in general. Their contribution to hockey as a sport has been immense through the leadership of Sir Dorabji Tata, who has pioneered Indian Olympic movement in pre-independence times."
"The culture has only grown over the years and I congratulate the leadership on this day to also organise this event in memory of Major Dhyan Chand."
Firstpost
Statement Re Appeals from Munster, Avoca & Cork Harlequins EYHL2
Hockey Ireland statement regarding the Munster Hockey Branch, Avoca Hockey Club & Cork Harlequins Hockey Club Appeals
On 5th August 2020, the Board of Hockey Ireland resolved not to allow any additional teams, over and above the agreed provincial nominations, into next year’s Men’s EYHL2 League. Munster Hockey Branch, Avoca Hockey Club, and Cork Harlequins Hockey Club subsequently appealed this decision, pursuant to Hockey Ireland’s bye-laws. The three appeals were held separately on Wednesday 26th August. Both Munster Branch and Avoca Hockey Club appeals were rejected thereby supporting the Hockey Ireland decision of 5th August. The Cork Harlequins Hockey Club appeal was upheld and the Appeal Panel ruling requires Hockey Ireland to make the necessary arrangements to permit their participation in the coming season’s EYHL2 League.
Hockey Ireland accepts the decision of all three Appeal Panel rulings and has reviewed the 5th August decision with regard to the inclusion of additional teams, over and above those allowed for under the current agreement between the provinces. In line with the Appeal Panel’s decision, Hockey Ireland will allow the inclusion of three additional teams in next season’s Men’s EYHL2 League, one team for each of the three Provincial Branches that compete in the Men’s EYHL2 League: Munster; Leinster; and Ulster. The inclusion of extra teams is on a one year only basis and refers to the coming season only. Additional teams are to be selected on a merit basis in line with the current nomination process as outlined in the Hockey Ireland Competition Rules.
Hockey Ireland believes that this meets the requirement of the Appeal Panel, provides equity and balance across the respective three provinces and, in using a merit-based approach, provides clarity and a rationale to clubs as to how teams were selected.
Hockey Ireland would like to thank the Appeal Panel in dealing with these difficult issues and for providing clarity for the next season.
EYHL2 Statement Appeal v2.4.pdf
Irish Hockey Association media release
Joint statement from the Scottish Governing Bodies Forum
This week marks an important next step towards the return of sport in communities across the country with indoor sports courts and swimming pools now able to reopen in line with the latest Scottish Government public health guidance.
The Scottish Sports Governing Bodies Forum and Executive Group welcomes Monday’s communication from Stewart Harris, CEO, sportscotland announcing the release of a £1.5m COVID Support Fund to support Scotland’s sporting system (Sportscotland set up £1.5m Covid support fund for governing bodies). This timely statement recognises that whilst progress has been made with the re-opening of sports facilities across Scotland, this does not mean a full restart of sport as we know it and that many sports, particularly those reliant on accessing indoor sports facilities for club training and competition, face a much slower return as local trusts and leisure operators take a cautious and phased approach to the re-opening of their facilities.
We want to see more progress made in line with the latest public health guidance at all levels of sport, to ensure that clubs and local communities have access to facilities. The SGB Forum continues working with partners across the sporting system including sportscotland, the Scottish Government and local authorities and local trusts to bring about the safe return of sport, and is committed to ensuring that all of Scotland’s sports club members, volunteers and communities can access critical and much loved sporting and physical activity opportunities as soon as possible.
However, whilst there is a clear desire from all partners to reopen facilities and get our sports into these facilities as quickly as is safely possible, the ongoing difficulties presented by COVID-19, including facility staff on furlough, training requirements and venue remodelling to comply with social distancing measures, means that it is unlikely that all venues will be able to reopen fully for some time to come.
In the meantime, as a sector, we need the support, understanding and backing of all our clubs and members now more than ever as we work to protect the rich sporting fabric of our nation and strive to bring sporting activity back to being at the heart of our Scottish communities once more.
Scottish Hockey Union media release