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Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Spotlight on South Africa
After the disappointment of being denied a place at Rio 2016 despite winning their respective continental championships, South Africa’s women and men make a welcome return to the Olympic fold for Tokyo 2020.
South Africa’s women have a staggering record in the Africa Cup of Nations continental championship. Following Zimbabwe’s title success at the inaugural event in 1990, South Africa have won six successive Africa Cup of Nations events, their most recent being in Ismailia, Egypt in 2017. Additionally, they have also won all four of the African Olympic Qualifier competitions played since 2007, with the most recent being the 2019 competition on home soil in Stellenbosch to earn their ticket to Tokyo 2020.
South Africa men sealed their Tokyo berth by becoming African continental champions in 2019, with veteran defender Austin Smith playing a huge role in the success by finishing as competition top scorer by netting ten goals in five matches. The team has long been the dominant force in African hockey and will be determined to make a big impression in Tokyo.
In the latest of our Olympic Spotlight series, we chat to South Africa team captains Erin Hunter and Tim Drummond ahead of their respective campaigns at Tokyo 2020. The interview took place at the end of June.
Erin Hunter & Tim Drummond, captains of South Africa, thank you so much for talking to us! We are just weeks away from the start of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. It may have been delayed by a year due to the covid-19 global health pandemic, but your squads are finalised and it is so nearly here. Starting with you, Erin, how are you and your team feeling?
Erin Hunter: “At the moment, everyone is just full of excitement and raring to go. I think with the Games being postponed and all the uncertainty that covid has brought South Africa and the rest of the world, we are really excited to have something to look forward to, something exciting in our calendar, being the light at the end of the tunnel of a dark and stormy year-and-a-half. So full of excitement, raring to go and cannot wait to get on the plane to get over there.”
Same question to you, Tim – it’s been a long time coming!
Tim Drummond: “Erin nailed it, she hit it on the head. It’s incredibly exciting, something we have all been waiting a long time for. Just being in camp now with the squad, it is great to be together, to train and play games together. I’m sure, just like every athlete, we are all desperate to get these Games underway.”
Tim, this will be your second Olympics, have participated at London 2012 – we know that Rio 2016 didn’t happen for reasons beyond your control. What does competing at the Olympic Games, representing your country, mean to you?
Tim Drummond: “It is a very special event for every athlete, but especially hockey players because it is the pinnacle of our sport. We know that every team there is one of the best teams in the world, and you want to play the best teams. It is an event that you want to be part of because you are testing yourself. The team really gets a good challenge every single game.”
Same question to you Erin. After the disappointment of Rio, you must be incredibly proud about captain the team at Tokyo 2020, getting that chance to compete on the greatest sporting stage, which is also your debut Olympics.
Erin Hunter: “It is such a privilege, not only to represent South Africa, but to also represent and lead the team. I’m extremely excited. I think for any sports person in the world, the Olympics is the pinnacle event that you dream of going to, so to finally get that opportunity is unbelievable. Having not been sent in 2016, I think it makes 2020 that much more exciting, an even bigger event for me and my team.”
In Tokyo, the focus will be all about getting out of those tough looking pools and into the quarter-finals. Erin, the women are in Pool A alongside the World and European champions the Netherlands, Olympic champions Great Britain, Germany, India and Ireland, the world cup silver medallists of 2018, who you start your campaign against on 24 July. It will be a challenge, but one I’m sure you and your team will meet head-on.
Erin Hunter: “Yes, definitely. Everyone says that we are in a tough pool, but if you go and look at the other pool, it is just as tough. I think that is the beauty of the Olympics, as it is the best of the best. We know that we are going there to compete with the best of the best, and that is exactly what we plan to do. Being the lowest ranked team there, we know that we are considered the underdogs, but we are trying to use that to our advantage. We are going to give it our all in every single game, no matter who the opposition is. Hopefully we can stamp our mark in international hockey and make a name for ourselves.”
And Tim, you guys face reigning World champions Belgium, European champions the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain and Canada in Pool B. Your first match is against Great Britain, on 24th July. What are your thoughts about the pool?
Tim Drummond: “It is a very tough pool, but the other pool is also extremely difficult. We know some of those teams in the other pool are quite unpredictable. The teams in our pool are mainly European countries, so we have done a lot of work on them – fortunately we have a lot of video footage from them [competing at] the Euros, which took place last month. Every game is tough, we know that. We are definitely putting in the work now to prepare ourselves for every single game at the Olympics. It is exciting, and it is a huge privilege to be able to face these top international teams.”
How have the preparations been for your teams? It cannot have been an easy build-up towards Tokyo. We’ll start with you, Tim.
Tim Drummond: “It has definitely been a challenge. We haven’t been together as this Olympic group for probably a year-and-a-half, but we know we are not going to use that as an excuse. We’ve had a really good ten days on training camp at the moment, and we’ve got another five days to go so we’ve got to make sure we maximise every minute together, whether that is on the pitch or culturally, off the pitch and video work, analysis of opposition, that kind of thing. Every team has their challenges and ours are slightly different, but we know that when that first whistle goes against GB in our first game, there will be no-one making comments about the challenges in our preparation. We’ve got to make sure we perform when the time comes. I fully back the guys in the squad and the coaching staff; we are really looking forward to this Olympics.”
And Erin, how have the preparations been for the South Africa women’s team?
Erin Hunter: “Pretty much the same as probably every other team in terms of the word ‘disrupted’. Obviously covid has thrown a huge spanner in the works, as we did have plans to get a lot of international competition before the Games. Unfortunately, we’ve accepted that is not going to take place. However, as Tim said, we are not going to use that as an excuse. We are trying to control what we can control and make the best of what we have. We’ve been fortunate to be able to spend every second weekend together as a squad for the majority of this year, so we have been trying to be creative in our preparation. It may not be the preparation that we wanted, but it has definitely been great preparation and I think it will put us in good stead for the Games.”
The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take place from Saturday 24 July to Friday 6 August 2021. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For more information about the hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, visit https://tokyo2020.org/en/sports/hockey/.
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Hockey Striker Gurjant Singh Wants To Make Opportunities Count
Gurjant who hails from Punjab's Amritsar has been selected in the 16-member Indian men's hockey team to take part in the Tokyo Games 
Gurjant Singh was member of India's 2016 Junior World Cup-winning side and made his first appearance for the senior team in 2017 against Belgium
Bengaluru: Having missed the 2018 Commonwealth and Asian Games, Junior World Cup-winning hockey striker Gurjant Singh can't wait to take the field in the Tokyo Olympics as he tries to rebuild his career after being undone by slump in form and injuries.
The 26-year-old forward from Punjab's Amritsar has been selected in the 16-member Indian men's hockey team to take part in the Games to be held from 23 July to 8 August.
"I have missed the Asian Games and World Cup due to injuries. I had to sit back and follow the team from home and that was really painful. But I am hopeful I will make this opportunity count in Tokyo, and we are all set for the challenge," Gurjant said.
A member of India's 2016 Junior World Cup-winning side, Gurjant made his first appearance for the senior team in 2017 against Belgium. Later that year, he also played at the Hero Asia Cup in Dhaka which India won.
However, a slump in form saw him miss the 2018 Commonwealth Games as well as the Asian Games. He was also dropped from the FIH Men's World Cup squad due to an injury that year.
"Though I was picked for the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat where I scored four goals, it was not until 2020 that I started proving my mettle in the squad.
"The goal I scored against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League happened to the quickest goal for India and was also voted as the second-best FIH Hockey Pro League goal of 2020 by fans," Gurjant said.
Known as a big match player, Gurjant scored in the semi-final and final en-route to the FIH Junior Men's World Cup title in 2016 and till date, he considers that as the greatest feat of his career.
"I will never forget 18 December 2016. That is the day we won the Junior World Cup title and so far, it's been the greatest feat in my career. It was after this great win that people started noticing me," he said.
With hardly any tours because of the coronavirus -forced worldwide lockdown, the Indian players were mostly confined to their national camp in Bengaluru last year and the striker said he utilised that time to work on his defensive technique.
"One of the key areas chief coach Graham Reid expected me to work on was my defence. He insists that good defence begins with the forwards and I really paid a lot of attention to improve my off-ball skills over the past year."
Outlook India
Olympic hockey: 10 great matches and finest moments at summer showpiece
By Rod Gilmour
Maddie Hinch saves a penalty from Netherlands' Maartje Paumen during the gold medal match in Rio
The Hockey Paper picks out 10 classic Olympic Games matches to remember
1992 men’s bronze: Pakistan prevail at the death
The Dutch were 2-0 up against Pakistan in the men’s bronze medal match. However, smarting from losing to Germany in the semi-finals and being seen somewhat as the ‘people’s favourite’ for the title, Pakistan succeeded with a superb late fightback. Or is that putting it mildly? Pakistan rallied to score four goals in the last 15 minutes – two each from Khalid Bashir and Shahbaz Jr – to cap a sensational fightback, winning 4-3 and showing themselves as a global power still after their poor 11th place at the 1986 Games.
Australia 5 Korea 5: Women’s Pool B match at Seoul 1988
A tight contest where neither team was able to free themselves from the other, ended up in a 10-goal thriller thanks to the exploits of Jacqueline Pereira and Kye-Sook Lim, who both scored hat-tricks for their nations. Five days later, the Hockeyroos bagged Olympic gold for the first time, this time beating the host nation 2-0 in Seoul and ushering in the start of Australian dominance.
1996 men’s final: Bovelander’s brilliant Games
Holland had lost in four previous semi-finals but finally pushed over the line to an Olympic final after seeing off Germany 3-1 in Atlanta. A first gold medal match a step too far? Spain looked like they could be on the way to a surprise title win thanks to a Victor Pujol goal before the great Floris Jan Bovelander struck in the 52nd minute, landed another from a penalty corner and Bram Lomans netted again from a PC. Pure corner power and YMCA at the final whistle for good measure.
1992 women’s final: Spain rule the home roost
Most had written off the Spanish before the tournament, despite being host nation and having the luxury of training on the Terrassa pitch for months prior to the Barcelona Games. Drawing against Germany and carving out a shock 1-0 win over Australia saw Spain then march to the final where Eli Maragall, niece of the Barcelona organising committee chief, netted three minutes in overtime against Germany. One of the great upsets.
South Africa 2 India 4: Tirkey turns the tide
An opening men’s pool match scalp over Argentina in the bag, South Africa pounced early against India as in-form Greg Nicol struck from a PC at Athens 2004. When Craig Fulton doubled the lead, it forced India into attack mode only to be stilted by a stern defence. Step forward Dhanraj Pillay and Dilip Tirkey – coupled with South Africa down to 10 men – the latter stepping up with a minute to go to hand India a 3-2 lead, a fourth added with 20 seconds left to complete a superb fightback.
GB 3 Germany 1, 1988 men’s Final: ‘Where were the Germans?’
The Great Britain team had not beaten the all-powerful Germans in 30 years ahead of the the 1988 Olympic men’s final. But after Sean Kerly’s semi-final heroics, Imran Sherwani’s double and Steve Batchelor’s strike in the final, BBC commentator Barry Davies uttered the infamous line: “Where were the Germans? But, frankly, who cares?” Victory for a team of amateurs, who had either quit their jobs or taken holiday to play in Seoul, propelled the team to celebratory heights on their return to British shores.
Australia 5 Korea 4: Hudson heads Hockeyroos
The Hockeyroos found themselves 4-1 down at half-time with a mountain to climb thanks to three goals in the last eight minutes before the break in this Pool match at Beijing 2008. But the three-time Olympic champs fought back in typically pugnacious style, led by captain Nikki Hudson, Shelly Liddelow’s second and Sarah Young’s equaliser. Jung Hee Kim then deflected past her Korean goalkeeper as Australia successfully completed a fine turnaround.
Argentina 5 Poland 5: Poles apart? Not this time
Back in 2000, it was reported that newcomers Poland had a player base of just 3,500 across both genders and a couple of astros. But with two domestic clubs totalling their squad, the Poles found rhythm and harmony down under as the minnows led Argentina 5-4 in a madcap clash, until Jorge Lombi equalised late on with his third PC strike. Then, in their final pool match and with India 90 seconds away from a semi-final clash with Pakistan, Poland’s Tomas Cichy levelled at 1-1 to send the long-time masters of hockey crashing out of the Sydney Olympics.
Holland 3 GB 3 (GB win shoot-out 0-2): Women’s Final, Rio 2016
The fearsome Dutch hadn’t lost in the Games since the 2004 women’s final, racking up 21 successive wins along the way. Twice GB levelled, their third coming in the final quarter as the match was taken to a shoot-out. It made for a dramatic conclusion after Holland had outplayed GB for large swathes in normal time. Maddie Hinch pulled off some remarkable saves before Hollie Webb (now Pearne-Webb) leaped for joy after finding the backboard. Cue hysteria, with the BBC 10 O’Clock News having been moved back in the UK.
Korea 3 Holland 3 (penalty shoot-out 4-5): Men’s Final, Sydney 2000
In a tournament where seven teams were in with a shout of the semi-finals, Korea advanced to the final to take on the world and defending champions in the golden finale. Picking their squad from a pool of only 200 players, but with a previous best finish of fifth at the 1996 Games, they contrived to score twice very late on to take the final into extra time. With nothing to separate them over 15 minutes, the Dutch then won 5-4 after Song Seung Tae, Korea’s brilliant forward and one of the tournament’s stand outs, pushed his third stroke wide. Hockey’s cruel side was Holland’s gain.
Germany 3 New Zealand 2: Men’s quarter-final, Rio 2016
Two goals down to the Black Sticks and heading out in the last eight, Germany captain Moritz Furste netted a double to level. Yet it was the incredible conclusion to this encounter which will live long in the memory. Awarded a PC with 50 seconds left, Furste flicked into the net to equalise.
Then, with 14 seconds left on the clock and the Kiwis on the German 23m line, a swift turnover saw a three-man move gallop up field. Florian Fuchs was the sole German in the D as a last-gasp slap into the circle was turned in with one second remaining. A truly, truly astonishing Olympic moment summing up the joy and utter dejection of the summer Games in one late, late swoop.
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How India’s Olympic fortunes fell drastically on synthetic turf
K. ARUMUGAM
Numbers don’t lie if properly understood. A solid example of this truism is the numbers associated with India’s Olympic history which this article wishes to address.
India has taken part 21 out of 24 times that field hockey has been staged in the Summer Olympics. India has also established a veritable heritage by winning medals 11 times – 8 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
The performance figures are encouraging. India has won 77 out of 126 matches in the Games (1928 to 2016), drawn 17 which means it lost 32. Overall, the figures paint a rosy picture.
However, it’s important to note how these numbers work in modern times, which in hockey’s context pertains to the last four decades and a half starting with the introduction of synthetic turf grounds that replaced natural grass at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Separating the figures into two categories, i.e., performance in the natural grass and artificial turf eras gives us a clear picture, even though it’s nothing but two extremes. Such categorization of data in fact provides a clear perspective as to where Indian hockey stands now.
We noted that India suffered 32 defeats. It’s noteworthy that the bulk of those losses were sustained during the artificial turf era. To make it clear, India have lost only four matches between 1928 to 1972 but lost 28 out of 68 matches on synthetic pitches (1976 to 2016).
Similarly, India has scored 433 goals at the Games. Splitting this figure over two different types of surfaces provides an interesting insight. About 62 percent of the goals were scored in the natural grass era although India played 10 fewer matches after the advent of artificial turf. India played 58 matches between 1928 and 1972 and 68 between 1976 and 2016.
This indicates a significant reduction in the number of goals India scored on artificial surfaces.
To accentuate the point, India’s performance against the same nations on plastic and grass is worthy of analysis. India beat some countries easily in the grass era but struggled or even could not beat them at all on synthetic pitches.
For instance, India beat The Netherlands six times out of seven on grass, the other being a draw. However, on artificial turf, India has lost to their famous rivals four out of five times.
It’s a similar case with respect to several other top nations, especially Germany and Australia.
While India did not lose to Germany on grass (won 5 out of 6, with one draw), it lost 4 out of 7 times on synthetic pitches with three matches drawn.
Belgium lost all matches to India on grass but reversed the trend on artificial pitches. New Zealand won just one match against India on grass but has a 100 percent record over the former giants on artificial turf.
The duo’s record against India in the artificial turf era, therefore, evokes respect.
Clearly, one image that emerges on spreading the data surface-wise is that India lost ground with the introduction of synthetic pitches. Or it was any case of waiting to happen? Its subject for some other occasion.
This may be due to its inability to adopt to the new surface and all the parameters that it demands like fitness, stamina, endurance along with physical and mental strength. Western goalkeepers, taller and stronger, also emerged match-winners in their own right.
Click here for all Olympic Records (1928-2016)
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Stick2Hockey.com
Cambodia prepares for Asian Hockey Championship in Thailand
Cambodian Hockey Federation (CHF) will send female hockey athlete team to attend the Asian Hockey Championship to be held in November in Thailand.
The update was shared on July 5 by its federation’s Secretary General Kaing Sothea, adding that the event will further improve technical quality of Cambodian athletes for the 2023 SEA Games hosted by Cambodia.
The Asian Hockey Championship is expected to attract participation of female hockey athletes from 30 member countries of Asian Hokey Federation, he added.
Cambodia will include hockey sport to the upcoming 32nd SEA Games, and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), and Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) are pushing it as a potential sport for the 32nd SEA Games hosted by Cambodia in 2023. Lim Nary
Khmer Times
Legend Lammers links up with Amsterdam
Kim Lammers has joined AH&BC Amsterdam to be their assistant coach for the upcoming season, working with Robert Tigges.
The Olympic gold medalist from 2012 is one of the legends of the game following an international career that brought her 200 caps before her retirement in 2014.
She scored twice on debut in 2002 and went on to be the Hoofdklasse top scorer in 2004, 2005 and 2006 with Laren and was the league’s all-time record scorer up until 2015 when Maatje Paumen overtook her.
Her final international matched, she netted the second goal in the Netherlands’ 2-0 World Cup final win over Australia.
On the coaching front, Lammers has already gained experience as an assistant at her old club Huizen and was promoted to the Hoofdklasse. She subsequently linked up with Laren last term.
“The role of assistant suits me well and I had a very nice conversation with Amsterdam. It made me very enthusiastic to work with such a talented group,” Lammers says of her new role.
Coach Tigges is also enthusiastic: “With the arrival of Kim, we are bringing in a lot of experience and a strong personality. The right mix to give this young team an extra boost.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Shelton may be the greatest field hockey coach of all time, but she isn't satisfied
By Zachary Crain
Karen Shelton, Head Coach of the UNC Field Hockey Team, coaches her players at the game against Wake Forest at the Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill on Friday April 23, 2021. Photo courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications.
Forty years from the beginning, a stadium dons her name: Karen Shelton.
Nestled away on the south side of UNC's campus, the house that Shelton built as the head coach of the North Carolina field hockey team has never hosted a Tar Heel loss. Through 37 contests, 3.5 years and haymaker attempts thrown from every top contender the sport has to offer, the Tar Heels are unbeaten in her stadium.
Despite the weight of past success and COVID-19 altering every aspect of the Tar Heels' lives, this season ended just as the year before, and the one before that: National Champions, North Carolina.
Once again, the Tar Heels and Shelton — the architect of a dynasty four decades in the making — hoisted the national championship trophy, with the coach at the center of it all.
"She cares for all of us, it's just something that's really special," said forward Erin Matson, who has lost just one game in her three-year UNC career. "You can really feel with her, she wants all of us to succeed."
This time, the coronation took place in Shelton's stadium — with students packed shoulder to shoulder just outside the fences to watch the title game. This time, for the ninth time, Shelton had once again led her team to glory.
But Shelton sees no reason to rest now. There's always the next game to win.
***
When a then 24-year-old Shelton took the helm at North Carolina in 1981, the state was a desert for the sport.
"It was tough, I will say," Shelton said. "Some kids quit right away because I trained them hard. So I came in with my background, and I trained them with what I knew."
What she knew was world championship-level field hockey as part of the U.S. National Team. Despite being unable to compete in the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow due to the American boycott, she was offered the chance to take part in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
After losing only one game in her collegiate playing career at West Chester State, Shelton was already recognized as one of the sport's best players at the domestic level. And on the international stage, she competed as such. Winning its final game of the competition against Canada, the U.S. team earned the bronze medal — still the only Olympic medal U.S. field hockey has ever won.
"Opening ceremonies was the most proud moment I’ve ever had in competition," Shelton said. "It's just spectacular, it's such a great feeling."
The style of play she learned competing internationally has stayed with her during her coaching career at North Carolina. Her teams serve as a stark contrast to the more physical style of play that most American teams employ.
"We have a bit of a European hockey style, a hockey way," assistant coach Robbert Schenk said. "Karen knows how the Europeans play."
Shelton got her first coaching job in 1979 when her mentor, Nancy Stevens, asked her to be an assistant under her at Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania.
It was an hour commute from her day job as a health and physical education teaching assistant, but she took it because she loved the game — beyond any reason and time constraints.
Her time at Franklin & Marshall was one of the hardest periods of her life, enduring the two hours of daily driving and the adjustment to coaching.
"It was hard, but it was good for me," Shelton said.
Soon after, Shelton got the call to helm what was one of the southernmost field hockey programs in the nation: UNC.
"I got the call from North Carolina," she said. "I got on campus and it was so beautiful … I just knew that I could build a program at this great university."
***
In her early years at UNC, Shelton worked as a part-time employee. She had to drive the team to games in a van. She was paid $7,700 her first year. She wouldn't become a full-time employee until she won her first national championship in 1989.
"Even if you go back through the employment records, it doesn't even count," she said.
But in the decades since she took the helm, with the enforcement of Title IX improving equality in college sports and access to women's sports continuing to improve, the attention paid to sports like field hockey has continued to grow. "There's a greater appreciation for the fact that the women train as hard, they commit as much," Shelton said.
What most people thought about field hockey when Shelton began as the Tar Heels' coach was simple:
"'Oh, the girls are playing? Isn't that cute,'" Shelton said.
But of course, they didn't realize what some do now, and what Shelton always knew:
"These characteristics and traits are trained," Shelton said. "The leadership, the confidence under pressure, the ability to think on your feet. The conflict resolution, that you gotta work things out."
***
Part of what keeps Shelton motivated entering her 40th season is the roster she coaches, an all-star array including four 2020 All-Americans: Amanda Hendry, Eva Smolenaars, Meredith Sholder and Matson.
Matson, who was honored as an All-American for the third time following her junior campaign, came to UNC already possessing an elite skillset and the talent to push her game to the next level. But after three years of learning under Shelton, whom she met at a field hockey tournament before she even started high school, Matson has laid the foundation to become the greatest American field hockey player of all time.
Part of the secret to Matson's success is a trait she shares with Shelton, and one the head coach has helped further instill in her: never being satisfied with past success.
"She's always reminding me, 'Don't get comfortable,'" Matson said. "We kind of share that mindset."
A few decades after she first came to Chapel Hill, Shelton's squad is almost unbeatable. But, that's not what she wants her players to think.
"She has a certain way of motivating the team to make sure they're ready," Schenk said. "She coaches the team and she says the inspirational words to make sure that the team knows that 'Yes, we're doing really well, but we are not there yet.' And that is also the best thing about the teams that we've had in the last few years, they've worked so hard because of that."
But to hear Shelton tell it, what keeps her motivated after 40 years of winning — after more than 700 victories, nine national championships and winning just about every accolade a coach can — is simple: watching her players grow on the field and in life, winning and forming relationships.
"I love watching the kids achieve and get better and fight through stuff," Shelton said. "I love that. I love when they get here as little freshmen, to watch them grow and mature, to watch them establish these lifelong friendships."
The Daily Tar Heel
Coaching’s finest proponents lead the way at World Hockey Camps
After months of online courses, the FIH Academy is finally able to get out on the field again and has an exciting programme of coaching activities lined up for players, coaches and the wider hockey workforce.
One of the most exciting of these is World Hockey Camps – an initiative devised by the FIH Academy in collaboration with partners, associates, sponsors and its own team of experienced FIH educators and high performance coaches. It aligns with the #HockeyInvites Year of the Youth and aims to inspire young people, from the age of 14 upwards, to achieve as highly as they can within the sport.
The first seven World Camps will be taking place over the coming months and will be delivering high quality, exciting and fun hockey coaching to young players across Europe and the USA. The camps are delivered by some of the best coaches working in the game, as well as a number of top players. 
The first camp will take place in Zurich, Switzerland, and will run from 19-23 July, in partnership with Swiss Hockey and alongside the Eurohockey U18 Girls Championships. It will take place alongside a FIH Level One course, so there will be a real buzz of hockey activity across the camp. Camp Director is FIH Indoor World Cup winning Coach Robin Rösch from Germany, supported by Tilia Schnarwiler of the local Grasshoppers Club in Zurich and Leonie Axer, who plays her hockey in the German Bundesliga with Harvestehuder THC.
Starting just a day later and running from 20-23 July, in partnership with World Camp USA, will be a World Camp 2 and a FIH Level 3 course in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA. Camp Director Tjerk van Hervaarden, head coach at Harvard University and former coach with the KNHB and a number of top Dutch club sides, will be joined by FIH Trainer Craig Parnham OLY, Director of Coach Education and Learning for USA Field Hockey.
Mike Irving, co-founder of hockey coaching business Sport 101, and GB Development goalkeeper Laura Myers, will be leading at Bisham Abbey in England, as they bring their wide coaching repertoire to the FIH World Camp from 25-30 July. The World Camp will be running alongside a FIH Level 3 course led by FIH Educator and England U16 Coach James Culnane.
The fourth FIH World Hockey Camp will take place in Cardiff, Wales from 1-6 August in partnership with Hockey Wales. Leading the course will be Chris Marriott and Ieuan Davies, who have worked across the Hockey Wales and England Hockey talent pathways, mentoring many players at international level.
Belgium will host the fifth and sixth FIH World Hockey Camps. Both camps run from 8-13 August, with the boys’ camp in Koksijde, which will be led by FIH Coach Educator and well-known high performance coach Michel Kinnen; while the girls’ camp will be at Royal Victory HC, Antwerp led by the inspirational high performance coach Sofie Gierts.
The final Camp for this summer will be powered by Sportways in Amsterdam, also from 8-13 August. Camp Directors Ambrose op het Veld and Thomas Tichelman will bring their considerable international coaching and Camp experience to what is sure to be an impressive finale to the first year of FIH World Hockey Camps.
These seven Camps will complete the first season of World Camps that have been are being developed to support cater for young hockey players across the world. The camps are a mixture of residential and day camps and all are delivered at FIH Licensed Centres, by some of the most experienced hockey camp providers in the world.
Reflecting on the launch of the FIH World Hockey Camps Mike Joyce, Director of FIH Development and Education said: “The FIH World Hockey Camps programme is a result of collaboration between a number of FIH Academy partners, sponsors and hockey camp providers. After a long period where many hockey activities have been curtailed by the pandemic, this makes the launch doubly exciting. We will see youngsters exploring their potential within the sport, under the guidance and mentorship of some of the best hockey coaches in the world.
‘With many of the camps running alongside FIH coaching courses, there will be an additional buzz. This initiative is a great example of how collaboration between different organisations and individuals can make for a really great hockey product, that will certainly be a highlight of the #HockeyInvites Year of the Youth 2021.”
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Pakistan's World Cup winner Naveed Alam diagnosed with cancer, seeks govt help for treatment
A source close to Naveed said that he had not been feeling well for some days and when his family took him to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, he was informed about his blood cancer.
Former Pakistan hockey player Naveed Alam, a member of the 1994 World Cup-winning squad, has sought financial help from the government after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
Naveed, 47, a rugged full-back who represented Pakistan with distinction and was a member of the team that won the World Cup in 1994 in Sydney, has appealed to the government and sports bodies to assist in the treatment of his cancer.
His sister, Nargis told the media that Naveed needed four million Pakistani rupees for treatment of his blood cancer and his financial condition was not stable.
"I appeal to the Prime Minister, Imran Khan to help us out," she said.
Naveed, who played in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, has also coached Bangladesh and China hockey teams and served as director of development in the Pakistan Hockey Federation before he parted ways over differences on several issues.
A source close to Naveed said that he had not been feeling well for some days and when his family took him to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, he was informed about his blood cancer.
The source said that Javed Afridi, the owner of one of the franchises in the Pakistan Super League, Peshawar Zalmi had contacted the family of the World Cup Winner and assured them he will take care of all the hospital expenses for Naveed.
Former Pakistan hockey player Naveed Alam, a member of the 1994 World Cup-winning squad, has sought financial help from the government after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
Naveed, 47, a rugged full-back who represented Pakistan with distinction and was a member of the team that won the World Cup in 1994 in Sydney, has appealed to the government and sports bodies to assist in the treatment of his cancer.
His sister, Nargis told the media that Naveed needed four million Pakistani rupees for treatment of his blood cancer and his financial condition was not stable.
"I appeal to the Prime Minister, Imran Khan to help us out," she said.
Naveed, who played in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, has also coached Bangladesh and China hockey teams and served as director of development in the Pakistan Hockey Federation before he parted ways over differences on several issues.
A source close to Naveed said that he had not been feeling well for some days and when his family took him to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, he was informed about his blood cancer.
The source said that Javed Afridi, the owner of one of the franchises in the Pakistan Super League, Peshawar Zalmi had contacted the family of the World Cup Winner and assured them he will take care of all the hospital expenses for Naveed.
Sportstar
Double Olympic hockey champion Keshav Datt dies aged 95
Keshav Datt was part of the Indian hockey team which won gold medals at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics.
By Aarish Ansari
Indian hockey great and two-time Olympic gold medallist Keshav Datt died due to age-related complications in the early hours of Wednesday. He was 95.
Keshav Datt was an integral part of the Indian hockey team which won the gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics - the country’s first hockey medal at the Games post independence. India beat the home team Great Britain 4-0 in the final that year to claim top honours.
Four years later, the talismanic half-back helped India defend the Olympic title at the 1952 Helsinki Games, beating the Netherlands 6-1 in the final. He was the team’s vice captain.
Keshav Datt was the last surviving member of the 1948 and 1952 medal-winning Indian side.
He was also part of the Indian hockey squad which toured East Africa in 1947 under the captaincy of the legendary Dhyan Chand.
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, on December 29, 1925, Keshav Datt represented Bombay, now Mumbai, after independence. He moved to Kolkata in 1950 and joined the Mohun Bagan hockey team.
In the iconic green and maroon jersey, Keshav Datt won the Calcutta League six times and the prestigious Beighton Cup thrice. He also enjoyed two stints as the captain of the Mohun Bagan squad.
"We all grew up listening to incredible stories of their memorable outings for independent India at the Olympics and they went on to inspire generations of hockey players in the country,” Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam said in a statement.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also shared her condolences.
Keshav Datt, who breathed his last at his Santoshpur residence in Kolkata, is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Olympic Channel
1948 Olympic gold medallist Keshav Datt is no more
Legendary Keshav Datt, lone surviving gold medallist from the historic 1948 Olympic team, is no more. He died today 00.30 hours at his Kolkata residence. He was born 29th Dec 1925 at Lahore, now in Pakistan.
He is survived by a son and daughter, Anjali. Both his wards are living abroad.
He migrated to Mumbai and then to Kolkata due to Partition.
Indisputably the best midfielder of his times, Datt represented India first in the East Africa tour before making his Olympic debut under Kishen Lal in London. He was one of the rare players in the team who had played all the matches at London. He was also natural choice for the 1952 Olympics.
The double Olympic gold medallist did a tea business after his playing days. He was equally good at badminton, went on to become Bengal State Champion.
The nation has lost one of his greatest son with the demise of Keshav Datt.
Stick2Hockey.com
Two-time Olympic hockey gold medallist Keshav Datt passes away
Two-time Olympic gold medallist and hockey legend Keshav Datt passed away at the age of 95 on Tuesday.
Keshav Chandra Datt was part of the team which won gold medals at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. - THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Two-time Olympic gold medallist in hockey, Keshav Datt, died on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. Datt was 95.
The former centre halfback died around 12.30 am at his residence in Santoshpur, Kolkata.
Datt was part of India's golden era in hockey.
A formidable halfback, he was part India's historic feat at the 1948 Olympics where they beat home team Britain 4-0 at the Wembley Stadium in London to win the first gold post Independence.
Before the 1948 Olympics, Datt had toured East Africa under the leadership of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand in 1947.
Born on December 29, 1925 in Lahore, Datt was also part of the Indian team at 1952 Helsinki Games, where they beat Netherlands 6-1 in the summit clash to become the Olympic champions for the fifth consecutive time.
"We are all very sadden to hear about the legendary halfback Keshav Datt's demise early this morning. He was the lone surviving member of the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games and today truly feels like the end of an era," said Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam in a statement.
"We all grew up listening to incredible stories of their memorable outings for independent India at the Olympics and they went on to inspire generations of hockey players in the country.
"Hockey India mourns his demise and on behalf of the Federation I extend my deepest condolences to his family." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also offered her condolences.
"The world of hockey lost one of its true legends today. Saddened at the passing away of Keshav Datt. He was a double Olympic gold medal winner, 1948 and 1952. A champion of India and Bengal. Condolences to his family and friends," Banerjee tweeted.
Keshav Chandra Dutt received Life Time Achievement Awards during presentation of "Khel Samman Awards", function at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on March 13, 2020. - RAJEEV BHATT
An integral part of the Indian team, Datt also captained the Mohun Bagan hockey squad from 1951-1953 and again in 1957-1958.
As a Mohun Bagan player he won the hockey league six times and Beighton Cup three times in a span of 10 years.
He was conferred with the Mohun Bagan Ratna award in 2019, becoming the first non-footballer recipient of the honour.
Sportstar