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News for 14 November 2020

All the news for Saturday 14 November 2020


Eager to improve all facets of my game, says Gursahibjit Singh

Having had time to address a variety of key areas, Gursahibjit believes that physical strength plays an important role for an international striker.


Image Source : GETTY IMAGES

Having had time to address a variety of key areas, Gursahibjit believes that physical strength plays an important role for an international striker.

Young forward Gursahibjit Singh is keen on using the current time amid the Covid-19 pandemic to improve multiple facets of the game in order to find a regular spot in the Indian men's hockey team.

Having made his debut for the senior team at the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2019, Gursahibjit -- who is currently part of the national camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility -- has so far played 21 games for India in which he scored a total of six goals.

"I have always been a quick learner, and I want to make sure I am learning something or the other every single day. We have a lot of things to look forward to, including the biggest tournament - the Olympic Games," said the 21-year-old.

"So I am giving my 100 per cent in each session, whether it is on the hockey pitch or in the gym, I am eager to keep improving in all areas. I know there is no substitute for hard work and I will be making sure I am taking all the opportunities I get," he added.

Having had time to address a variety of key areas, Gursahibjit believes that physical strength plays an important role for an international striker.

"In the past, we used to have silky players who would make their way between defenders and showcase their skill to score the goals, but I believe hockey has changed a lot over the years. In modern hockey, you have to be strong if you are a striker or an attacking player," he said.

"You have very tight and limited spaces on the pitch, and once you have the ball, or even if you're making some runs, you have to have a physical presence which troubles the opposition, and having that strength and muscle is something I've been trying to work on these past few months," added the forward.

In his short career so far, the forward has been part of some memorable Indian wins in the past two years, most notably the Olympic Test Event held in Tokyo in August 2019, where the youngster scored three goals, including one in the final against New Zealand.

Gursahibjit sees this start to his young career as a positive one. "When I was playing back at home in Gurdaspur, Punjab, at a young age, I didn't think I would one day be a part of the national team. I started playing because I used to like the sport, but playing it professionally? I wasn't really sure. However, as fate would have it, I happened to play well and slowly understood a lot of technical things about our sport that led me to winning some excellent accolades in my formative years," said the young striker as he looked back on his journey.

"Since then I have come a long way, and now I would say I'm definitely planning to become one of the best strikers in the world. I have some amazing people here in the team who have certainly helped me grow - my coaches and teammates have always understood how I like to play my hockey, but I think there's still so much for me to learn and then put into execution to be able to achieve my huge ambitions with the country," he added.

India TV News



Development opportunity embraced as Scottish North Conference continues



The conference initiative may have been challenged by Covid restrictions, but it has certainly been an opportunity embraced by Ellon Hockey Club in the women`s North division.

Captain Louise Gordon explained, “The conference has been amazing! We are a district level squad so were delighted when Scottish Hockey contacted us and asked if we would like to step up and increase the North numbers.

“We have been growing stronger as a team over the past few years – and last season were gutting to have the season declared null and void – we had six games to play and needed only one point to secure our place at the top.”

In March Ellon sat at the top of the North District division one – played 12, won 12, with a goal average of 61-5 – and then COVID-19 stepped in to spoil the party.

“So when we got asked we jumped at the chance, but discussed it would be about getting the team reunited, trying some new positions/tactics, re-bond as a team after a long break, so we`d be ready when the league started up again.

“We had no expectations of winning, just wanted to go out and enjoy the games. It`s been amazing for some of the youngsters to experience playing at such a higher level, and they have more than risen to the challenge.”

And the Ellon squad has clearly responded to the challenge on the field, certainly they lost their opening game 6-2 to Gordonians from the Premier League, but thereafter have not looked back.

There followed three in a row – back-to-back wins over Granite City Wanderers and a defeat of Aberdeen University – and these teams came from the National League division two.

Louise then paid tribute to the contribution of Nikki Kidd to the regeneration – both are former Scotland players.

“Nikki and myself went to school together, and she offered to get involved with coaching. This has definitely helped, she`s just an incredible role model and her input has driven everyone to work extra hard at training.

“This has really helped us prepare for these games, and it`s been great to play alongside her again after so many years. She has helped to create a positive vibe within the club.”

Ellon have scored 15 goals in their four games so far in the North Conference, and Nikki Kidd leads the way. On Saturday Ellon are away to Aberdeen University, and the earlier outing finished with a 5-0 score line in favour of Ellon.

“I wouldn`t say I am confident of a win, but the team is strong and I definitely believe we are capable to taking another three points.

“Uni will be ready for this though and it would be easy to get caught on one of their quick breaks. But we will be going out and giving it everything we`ve got.”

Gordonians are in a good place ahead of their clash with second division Granite City Wanderers in the other North women`s encounter.

The Premiership side have won both of their earlier games against Ellon and Aberdeen University, and with games in hand might have one eye on the top spot.

Meanwhile Granite City have gone down in their double outings against Ellon. With that in mind Granite City will be hoping for a bounce back this weekend in what will be a tough encounter against a team on form.

In the men`s North Conference Granite City Wanderers and Gordonians continue to dominate with 100% records – they have yet to meet head-to-head.

The former head the table with full points after their three games so far, and that included an 11-0 win over Saturday`s opponents Aberdeen Grammar FPs.

Although they beat Ellon 3-1 last weekend, Meldrum MacKenzie getting a double, the score stood at 1-1 for a portion of the contest.

Gordonians lie three points off the top, but with a game in hand, and will look forward to competing against Ellon at Countesswells.

The result last time in Ellon was 7-0 with Robbie Wallis and Harry Leggett both scoring twice.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



PHF to conduct Lahore Hockey League 2020 in December

LAHORE -In collaboration with Sports Board Punjab (SBP), the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will conduct the Lahore Hockey League 2020 in December this year.

This important decision was taken during a meeting chaired by DG Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh here at National Hockey Stadium on Friday.

The meeting was attended by PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa, Director Admin Javed Chohan, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, DSO Nadeem Qaiser, Director National Coaching Centre Rana Nasrullah, national hockey team head coach Olympian Kh Junaid and other officials.

A three-member committee has been constituted for the smooth conduct of the event. Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, DSO Nadeem Qaiser and Kh Junaid will be the members of the committee.

Nine participating teams will be named after Lahore’s nine towns - Ravi Town, Shalamar Town, Wahga Town, Aziz Bhatti Town, Data Ganj Bakhash Town, Gulberg Town, Samanabad Town, Allama Iqbal Town and Nishtar Town.

The Nation

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