News for 08 July 2021
All the news for Thursday 8 July 2021
2021 Test Matches ESP v ARG (M) - 8 July
Valencia (ESP)
4 Jul 2021 ESP v ARG 0 - 0
5 Jul 2021 ESP v ARG 2 - 2
7 Jul 2021 ESP v ARG 3 - 1
FIH Match Centre
2021 Test matches POL v UKR (M) - 8 July
Walcz (POL)
Times GMT +2
8 Jul 2021 20:00 POL v UKR
9 Jul 2021 21:00 POL v UKR
2021 Test matches POL v UKR (W)
8 Jul 2021 18:00 POL v UKR
9 Jul 2021 19:00 POL v UKR
FIH Match Centre
Hockey star Mbande vows they won't just add numbers in Tokyo
SA side keen to prove detractors wrong
By Charles Baloyi
Phumelela Mbande - SA hockey player. Image: Supplied
SA women's hockey star Phumelela Mbande says it should not be about whether they should compete at the Olympic Games. She said it should not be about the podium either.
The women’s team qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in August 2019 in Stellenbosch at Africa hockey road to 2020, after beating Ghana 6-0 in their final group match to finish top of the standings.
They are ranked 16th in the world and secured fourth place at a tournament in Valencia, Spain, in 2019.
“People here at home think that we are going to the Olympics for the sake of going. We are aware of what happened in 2016 [when the country's Olympic committee prevented the team from competing] and we want to prove them wrong by being competitive.
"The reality of the sport is that there are winners and losers, and it is not fair to say that we cannot go to the Olympics. Competing at the Olympics will help us to fight for ranking points,” said Mbande.
SA will play against Ireland, India, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany in Group A at the 12-team tournament.
Mbande made her debut for the SA national team in 2013, and she has 47 international appearances. The chartered accountant at the PwC accounting firm works till 2am so that she can go to training with the team in the morning.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape said her biggest wish is to see the sport turn professional. “Hockey is a great sport and I would like to see it played beyond the walls and fences of private schools and universities.
"We are going to the Olympics as a beacon of hope. Imagine where we would be if we had sponsors. I sleep late signing off audits so that I can train because I play in an amateur sport and do not receive a salary,” she said.
She did not play netball growing up, had never heard of hockey and she started playing it at Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg.
Her game improved at the University of Pretoria, where she studied to be a chartered accountant. “The Olympics are a childhood dream and I am excited to be going,” she added.
Sowetan Live
What happened in 1964, the last time the Olympic hockey was held in Tokyo?
The hockey was ruthlessly efficient at the 1964 Olympic Games and there was nearly a seismic world hockey shock on the cards
The lowest-seeded nation at the ’64 Games in Tokyo, Hong Kong were half-way to completing what would have ranked one of the shocks in the world hockey. Having lost to Malaysia, Belgium and Canada, Hong Kong were up against the might of India.
Hong Kong’s passage to the Games came by virtue of being outside the top 16 in the world and securing a berth after France and Poland dropped out. “We were 17 players, almost all of us bankers,” right-half Kader Rahman told Roy Tomizawa, author of 1964, The Greatest Year in the History of Japan.
The team had to pay their airfare to Tokyo and their living accomodation, an all-too-familiar scenario even for today’s global teams.
So to the India game, which amazingly Hong Kong went in half-time at 0-0. Said Tomizawa, “That would be akin to Team USA basketball team being tied 20-20 at the half in an Olympic first rounder against Team Haiti.
As it was, they lost 6-0 and placed 15th of 15th nations in Tokyo. But not before they held Germany to a 1-1 draw, the Europeans scoring via a deflected goal two minutes from time.
Australia to the fore
Australia won bronze, the Kookaburras’ first at an Olympics as the nation began to set the tone of being fit and fast. The Olympic Games book, published in 1976, reviewed the tournament as thus: “Fitness apart, the Australians had a vintage crop of players, including Donald McWatters, a fearsome striker of penalty corner shots, the Pearce brothers Julian and Eric and Paul Dearing.
“The full weight of their onslaught fell upon Great Britain in what was the opening match for both. The result was dramatic and, for Great Britain, disastrous. Australia won 7-0.”
The finale
A run of six successive gold medals was halted by Pakistan at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Four years on and the Indian players knew that nothing less than gold would be acceptable n in returning to an expectant nation.
Such was India’s firepower, they had 77 players to choose from for their Olympic trials. Once whittled down, the players ans staff were also free from politics, a harmonious squad which could focus on retaining the title.
In Rome, they took on a more physical approach as rival nations began to make inroads on Asian dominance. India still kept their stick wizardry and after a semi-stuttering start, blitzed through to the semi-finals, beating that in-form Kookaburras team.
The final was never going to be a serene affair. Occasionally brilliant and regularly bad-tempered.
“Relations between the two teams were not very cordial. We were not on talking terms. Against India, Pakistan employed a very rough game,” Harbinder Singh told the Indian Express.
A tight affair saw Mohinder Lal net for India, while goalkeeper and man of the match Shankar Lakshman was inspirational between the posts.
After an energy-sapping 12 days, seven wins and two draws of tournament play, India could celebrate with a bhangra dance as gold was realised.
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The Hockey Paper
Spain to host inaugural FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup
The Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has appointed Spain as the host country for the inaugural FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup which will take place in Valencia from 10 to 17 December 2022. By doing so, the EB has followed the recommendation of the Task Force Events Bidding, which comprises of EB Members of all five Continental Federations.
The aim of this new yearly event is to offer a top-level competition to the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League and give the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season, precisely. Therefore, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup marks the start of the promotion-relegation principle for the FIH Hockey Pro League, with the winning team of the first FIH Hockey Nations Cup having the chance to be promoted to the 2023/24 FIH Hockey Pro League (provided they meet the necessary requirements for it).
The following eight teams will participate in the very first edition, having qualified based on their position in the FIH World Rankings of 31 May 2021: Spain, Canada, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea and South Africa.
FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank wholeheartedly the Royal Spanish Hockey Federation for hosting this inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, a new competition in our portfolio which will bring further excitement to our sport. Nothing less than a place within the FIH Hockey Pro League is at stake. This promises to generate great and hard-fought matches between excellent teams! That is really good for the growth of our sport worldwide.”
“We are very happy that the FIH has given us the organization of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup. Another great women's hockey event that we will be able to organize in our country. We are proud to be the chosen ones and we are very grateful. It is an opportunity for the women's team to qualify for the FIH Hockey Pro League and, like the men's team, play this great hockey competition",said Santiago Deó, President of the Royal Spanish Hockey Federation.
#FIHNationsCup
FIH site
Zimbabwe Under-21 women’s hockey team qualify for Junior World Cup
Ellina Mhlanga
ZIMBABWE’S Under-21 women’s field hockey team has qualified for the 2021 Junior World Cup to be held in South Africa based on their previous performance at the Junior Africa Cup, where they finished runners up in 2016.
This follows the cancellation of the Junior Africa Cup that was scheduled for Windhoek, Namibia, from August 14 to 22 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The continental competition was serving as a qualifier to the Junior World Cup with two teams qualifying in each category – men and women.
Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) used the previous results to determine teams that will advance to the global event. They announced the development on Tuesday.
“The AfHF has been forced to take this decision given the unfortunate news of the highly contagious Covid-19 variant (s) hitting Namibia and the surrounding countries and the impossibility of having another postponement based on valid reasons as discussed with the FIH,” read part of the statement by Africa Hockey Federation.
Zimbabwe join 2016 champions South Africa in the women’s section.
In the men’s competition, 2016 champions Egypt and South Africa, 2016 runner-up qualified.
South Africa will host the Junior World Cup Women from December 5 to 16 and the men’s event is due to take place from November 25 to December 5 in India.
The Herald
MHC delay hockey action
By K. Rajan 
THE Tun Razak Cup and Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) have been postponed to the end of the year.
Both competitions were initially scheduled for September, but the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee announced yesterday the Razak Cup will be held on Nov 10-20, and the MJHL will take place on Nov 26-Jan 2, 2022.
MHC competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Anil Jeet Singh said the two tournaments will be organised under the standard operating procedures set by the authorities.
"The organising of these two tournaments will continue. We have planned the schedules well in addition to taking into account enough time for each player to get vaccinated."
Anil added that the age limit for this year's MJHL has been raised from Under-19 to Under-21. The men's event will have two divisions while it is one division for women.
He said MHC had received 10 entries for division one and 14 for division two in the men's category. The women's event has attracted 14 teams.
Last year, the MJHL was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic while the Razak Cup was held under a bubble.
New Straits Times
USWNT Makes Bessant Field in Charlotte, N.C. Temporary New Home
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce that Bessant Field in Charlotte, N.C. will be the new temporary training site for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Located on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte and part of the Queens Sports Complex, Bessant Field will serve as the centralized home to the USWNT.
Bessant Field is home to the Queens field hockey team and is Charlotte’s only water-based turf facility. Queens Sports Complex is one of the largest athletic venues in the region and has one of the world’s largest standing lion sculptures, Rex, on the premises. It offers a world class multi-sport champion field, cross country course, grass practice field, tennis center with six courts, water-based turf field and a 14,000 square foot conference center. Centrally located just south of Uptown Charlotte, Queens Sports Complex is less than 10 miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The USWNT will relocate and return to organized training at the beginning of August. They will dive into preparation for the 2022 Pan American Cup, an FIH Hockey World Cup qualifier, set for January 20 through 30 in Santiago, Chile. The USWNT will also be partaking in the third season of the FIH Hockey Pro League, which begins October 6, but USA will have their first contest on February 16, 2022.
In September, an event will take place to officially welcome the USWNT to Charlotte and Bessant Field. More information to follow.
For more updates about the U.S. Women’s National Team, visit usafieldhockey.com and follow @USAFieldHockey on social media.
ABOUT QUEENS ATHLETICS
A leading NCAA Division II program in the United States located just minutes from Uptown Charlotte, Queens has been competing in co-ed collegiate athletics for 30-plus years. Distinguished by its commitment to the nurturing of excellence through a purposeful process, the Queens Department of Athletics intentionally promotes an unmatched experience that leads to success in education and competition.
Housing 32 varsity level sports teams, the Royals hold 146 national championship trophies and compete across six different conferences.
ABOUT QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE
Queens University is a private, coeducational university located in Charlotte, N.C. The university serves more than 2,500 students with 43 major and 63 minor undergraduate degree options and 12 graduate degrees. Students represent 44 states and 49 foreign countries. As part of the university's vision to promote educational experiences that nurture intellectual curiosity and promote global understanding, nearly two-thirds of traditional undergraduates participate in study abroad experiences and 100 percent take part in internships. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Queens 13th among regional universities in the south in its 2021 edition of Best Colleges.
USFHA media release
Colin Barthorpe Retires
We are sad to announce the retirement of Colin Barthorpe from his integral role as Lead Appointer for National Programme Umpiring Association (NPUA) and England Hockey competitions which includes the England Hockey league and championships, plus, all England and Great Britain international hockey requirements.
Colin has been a true inspiration to hockey and Officiating.
Starting over 30 years ago as an umpire in the Midlands Colin found his natural calling. It was this journey that lead him to the “All England Umpiring Committee” back in the 1980’s and on to his many roles over the years which have included Birmingham Counties HUA, Midlands Regional HUA, Midlands HA and a central part of the servicing of the English Hockey Leagues.
Colin has represented England as a Technical Official at competitions around Europe and beyond, including a Technical Official appointment at the Sultan of Johor competition in Malaysia.
Colin has been a true stalwart of umpiring and technical officiating across the game for a number of years, having gone above and beyond in his voluntary roles for the benefit of the game. He leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered in the game for years to come and wish him well in finding things to do outside of hockey in his retirement.
David Elworthy - England Hockey
We would like to thank Colin for his time, patience and never say die attitude to ensure umpires were appointed, supported and playing a key role in ensuring effective communication to clubs concerning appointed umpires on a weekend. His tireless efforts in supporting the National Programme for both England and GB squads and dealing with last minute requests with grace and always being able to fulfil their requests.
We hope that Colin enjoys his retirement with his family in Shropshire, and especially getting his Friday night’s back as he won’t be dealing with late changes ahead of a weekends matches
England Hockey Board Media release
Hockey Olympians remember Keshav Datt
Hockey Olympians recalled their association with two-time Olympic gold medallist Keshav Datt, who passed away in Kolkata early on Wednesday.
Y.B.Sarangi
File picture of Keshav Datt. - RAJEEV BHATT
Hockey Olympians recalled their association with two-time Olympic gold medallist Keshav Datt, who passed away here early on Wednesday.
An Olympic gold medallist in 1964, Gurbux Singh, who was close to Datt, remembered the legendary player.
“When I began my career in hockey, Datt was my hero. I came to Bengal in 1956 and was fortunate to see him play for Mohun Bagan. I have played briefly against him as he was on the last leg of his career. He was a tall and handsome person and had a simple game. He used to pass the ball to others or hit it hard. He did not dribble too much,” Gurbux told Sportstar.
Gurbux fondly remembered Lahore-born Datt’s insistence on writing his surname correctly. “He loved to speak in Punjabi or Hindi. He was very particular in writing Datt as his surname. If you wrote Dutt, he used to get annoyed and said, ‘No, I am Datt,’” said Gurbux.
“During my 18-year-old tenure as Bengal Hockey Association (BHA) secretary, I used to invite him and (late) Jaswant Rajput as guests to all our events.”
Bir Bahadur Chettri, a 1980 Olympic hockey gold medallist from Bengal, said Datt was a fine gentleman. “We used to call him Guruji. And he used to treat us like his children. He was a very friendly person and a thorough gentleman who never used any foul language. During my playing days, he used to encourage us and his words inspired us.
“Datt never found fault with anyone. He used to say, ‘Mistakes happen. Just keep working hard,” said Chettri while remembering that he shared the dais with Datt nine years ago in Delhi where Hockey India felicitated the Olympic gold medalists.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a tweet, paid tributes to Datt, describing him as one of the “true legends” of hockey.
Sportstar
Keshav Datt, the gentle giant on the turf
The Lahore-born Keshav Datt did not return to his roots after partition. He settled down in Kolkata in 1950, two years after winning the hockey gold in the London Olympics - the first for independent India.
Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya
Keshav Datt with son Kiron and daughter Anjali, in 1966. - Special Arrangement
Keshav Datt, one of the finest half-backs, was fierce on the field. He would not care if a player got injured by his tackle. The only thing that mattered was being sincere and committed to hockey. Off the field, he was a gentle Punjabi who helped people.
Growing up in Kolkata, I realised how the city holds on to its stalwarts. People still talk about the bar in Bhowanipore where filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak would drink his rum. Footballers P.K. Banerjee and Chuni Goswami were always the preferred guests at major sporting events, even years after their retirement.
Similarly, Datt — the two-time Olympic gold medallist — is alive in the corridors of Calcutta Cricket and Football Club and Saturday Club, where he served as president. He also played multiple sports for Mohun Bagan. Besides hockey, he excelled in badminton.
The Lahore-born Datt did not return to his roots after partition. He settled down in the city of joy in 1950, two years after winning the hockey gold in the London Olympics - the first for independent India.
Keshav Datt could not make it to the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 as his employers did not sanction the leaves. - Special Arrangement
The city welcomed him and opened a floodgate of opportunities. "He used to socialise and was a well-respected person. He was a great badminton player, and was meant to be Bengal No. 1," remembers Gurbux Singh, gold medallist at the 1964 Olympics, who moved to Kolkata in 1957. "I used to call him my guru. I would always visit him. He was a simple Indian. People would often speak in English in social circles but he had no such traits. He would love to talk in Punjabi and Hindi."
Datt had a simple game. He would not tinker around with techniques. In 1952, he was part of Kunwar Digvijay Singh’s team for the Helsinki Olympics. And they beat Holland 6-1 for the fifth gold.
He could not make it to the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 as Brooke Bond, where he was employed, did not sanction the leaves.
Later, Datt had donated the 1948 medal to the National Defence Fund after the Indo-China war, while his son, Arun, preserved the 1952 medal. "The Olympic gold medal was not on display at our home as it was too valuable, it is now the most prized possession of my brother, Arun,” informs Anjali, his daughter.
In his last days, he would keep in touch with the sporting world through television and newspapers. The nurse, who took care of his food and medicines, kept him in good spirits by making him recall the tales from the glorious days.
Santoshpur, the quiet neighbourhood in the southern part of Kolkata, was asleep when he bid farewell to the world in his sleep.
It is a coincidence that Datt, 95, passed away on the same day when another Punjabi, from Peshawar, closed his eyes at 98 - actor Dilip Kumar.
It is truly the end of an era.
Sportstar