News for 18 May 2020
All the news for Monday 18 May 2020
Kumar goes online for goalkeeper coaching tips
By Jugjet Singh
S. Kumar attended his first AHF-FIH Academy Level Two online coaching course.
Former ational No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar attended his first AHF-FIH Academy Level Two online coaching course yesterday, and he is already hooked to it like a gamer.
He is now looking forward to more online coaching courses before the fields are reopened again.
The Tampin-born's ambition is to become a professional goalkeeper coach.
"The course was an eye-opener. There are so many things to learn about field play.
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) coaches were very accommodating and helpful in explaining matters.
"And when it came to the goalkeepers, like defending penalty corners, I was asked to elaborate," said Kumar.
It was a piece of cake for Kumar as he kept goal for Malaysia for 20 years, earning 321 caps in the process, before calling it quits on Feb 20.
"There are only a few goalkeeping coaching courses around. One was supposed to be scheduled during the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, but the tournament has been cancelled.
Malaysia have two goalkeeper coaches in former internationals Roslan Jamaluddin and Nasihin Nubli, but they are not paper-qualified experts.
"I will need to complete the three levels in basic coaching, and then move to specialise in coaching goalkeepers.
"I really enjoyed the course. I am looking forward to more before sitting for my Level Two examinations," Kumar added.
New Straits Times
Browne poised for Euro Hockey league
By Nigel Simon
Former T&T international hockey standout, England-based Kwandwane Browne and his Hampstead & Westminster, will have to settle for earning the runner-up spot in the England Hockey League Premier Division as well as the second seeding for the Euro Hockey League.
This after the England Hockey Board met and made final decisions on the 2019/2020 season which was interrupted in mid-March due to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
When the league was halted, the Premier Division had reached the semifinal stage with league table-topper Surbiton, which ended with 47 points from 18 matches set to face fourth-placed Old Georgians (37 pts) in one semifinal, while 42-year-old Browne and defending champions Hampstead & Westminster, which finished second with 41 points, was due to meet third-placed Wimbledon (39 pts).
However, in a release published on the englandhockey.co.uk website on April 28, it was stated that: "Following the suspension of domestic hockey in March and the decision that no domestic hockey would be played before June 30, this morning (April 28) the England Hockey Board met and is now in a position to confirm how the 2019-20 England Hockey League season will be concluded.
"England Hockey has fully considered other sports’ decisions at this time, as well as other possible options, open to us before coming to these solutions and compared to other possible alternatives these are judged to negatively and positively impact a smaller number of teams.
"And following a full analysis of all possible options and a period of discussion, among the key decisions taken were that the champions of the League and qualification for European competition will be determined by the standings at the end of the regular season as the league semi-finals and final were unplayed.
"This means that Surbiton is both men’s and women’s league champions, while East Grindstead (women) and Hampstead & Westminster (men) were declared as runners-up and qualified for Europe as well."
It was also confirmed that with regards to promotion and relegation, the teams’ standings when the league stopped will be their final standings.
Concerning the League Play-Offs, it was judged that there was no fair method to resolve the league's play-offs in line with regulations.
Teague emerges joint topscorer
Two other T&T players based in England, Marcano brothers, Tariq and Teague were just one match shy of finishing their 18-match Conference East season schedule with their St Albans club.
With one match left to play, St Albans, coached by former T&T international Dillet Gilkes was fifth on the ten-team table with 23 points, level with sixth-placed Spencer, and three behind Old Loughtonians in the battle for the final semifinal spot.
Cambridge City led the table on goal-difference from Wapping and was declared champions with Chichester, third with 29 points.
However, the younger of the Marcano brothers, Teague did had the honour of ending the season as joint topscorer with Cambridge City's Gareth Andrew with 18 goals each, ten more than his brother Tariq who featured in all 17 matches as well.
The Trinidad Guardian
Hockey star Salman Akbar calls for revamp of 'unprofessional' PHF
Faizan Lakhani
Hockey player Salman Akbar. Photo: Reporter
National hockey team’s goalkeeper Salman Akbar has said that the sport has been suffering at the hands of the authorities and their mismanagement and lack of vision, reported Geo News.
Akbar said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) management were unwilling to improve their ways and did not want to revamp their administration.
He also criticised the PHF for their lack of vision and said that having just a few tournaments every now and then was not a long-term solution.
"You can’t improve your hockey by just organising a few games on Independence Day or Defense Day. Even a league of two-three weeks will not help you. What you need is a domestic system where players remain busy playing hockey all over the year," Salman said.
"I say this with disappointment that people sitting in PHF are not professionals. There have been Olympians from all eras who remained part of the federation and they couldn’t do anything for betterment of the game."
"You need a good administrator in office and former players should be on field."
Salman exemplified other hockey-playing nations and said that Pakistan desperately needed to adopt a long-term policy that could possibly come to fruition by 2032.
"Look at Belgium and India, they have 10 to 12 years worth of efforts. If we start something today, we’ll be able to gain something in 2032. You can’t achieve anything overnight or with short-term goals," he said.
"PHF is saying that they’re aiming for 2024 Olympics. The question arises that do they even have a pool of players who can continue for next four years?"
When asked of his experience working under foreign coaches, the hockey player shared his positive experience as he felt that they did not have ego issues or an agenda.
"I have worked with two different foreign coaches and feel that we have done well under them. Our local coaches don’t have that level. We came down to top from 17th because of our local coaches," he said.
"We need someone who can understand the modern day hockey," he said.
Meanwhile, Akbar said that maintaining social distance while playing was a nearly impossible feat and added that it would ruin the "aggression" of the sport.
"I can’t even imagine playing hockey and staying 1.5 away from opponents. Even as a goal keeper if I have to block an attempt, I will have to run forward towards the striker," he said.
"You can do training while distancing, but to have a proper match while maintaining social distance is impossible. It will destroy the aggression of hockey. May there will have to be some new rules if it has to happen."
Geo Super
Hockeyroos quartet take on Push Up Challenge for mental health
Performing one push up is hard enough at the best of times but what if you were faced with the prospect of doing 3,046 in the space of three weeks! Four Hockeyroos are teaming up to do just that to raise funds and awareness for mental health.
Edwina Bone, Renee Taylor, Rachael Lynch and Laura Barden are currently attempting to complete The Push Up Challenge, which started on 11 May.
Every day, each individual or team taking part in the challenge is required to get through a certain number of push ups, each day’s number signifying a different statistic to do with mental health in Australia.
The total of 3,046 represents the number of lives lost in Australia to suicide in 2018, a figure that shocked Bone and moved her to wrangle her three team mates to join her for the challenge.
“Especially during this time, it is key to have more awareness of not just our own mental health, but also of those around you,” said Bone.
“The Push Up Challenge is a way to motivate people to be active and also remind us to reach out to family and friends to see how they are going in these times of change. I appreciate my teammates’ help and support because without it my arms would’ve failed me by now.”
As well as doing her share of the push ups, Taylor is also attempting to complete the entire total herself.
“I quite enjoy doing push ups so I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could complete the 3,046 in 21 days,” said Taylor.
“It’s also raising awareness for mental health with each day’s push up total relating to a mental health statistic.
“Getting a team together who can help support you through something tough and challenging is also really good.”
Mental health awareness is a cause close to Lynch’s heart. The 2019 FIH Goalkeeper of the Year and qualified nurse is a Lifeline Community Custodian and also an ambassador for suicide prevention charity, R U OK.
“The push up challenge is not only an opportunity for us to challenge ourselves physically and mentally but also to raise some awareness around mental health,” said Lynch.
“I’m glad I have my team mates alongside me but I’m looking forward to the daily grind of pumping out big numbers of push ups.”
When Bone reached out to Barden to see if she would be interested in being involved, the Victorian was only too happy to oblige.
“3,046 is a scary number, a shocking statistic for those who lose their life every year to suicide, and is why this challenge is great way to raise awareness and promote the importance of mental health,” said Barden.
“It’s also a number that I’m not sure my arms can handle alone… so I’m grateful I’ve my got my team to help push me through.”
CLICK HERE to donate. All funds raised from The Push Up Challenge go to headspace.
Hockey Australia media release