Monday, November 14, 2011

Innugral Navi Mumbai Hockey Cup- 2011



Hockey Association of Navi Mumbai And One Warriors presents the NAVI MUMBAI HOCKEY CUP-2011.

"ONE WARRIORS" is a group of young hockey players in Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Very Enthusiastic and Die Hard LOVERS of this game.

Selective Eight teams were invited in this event. The tournament started with league system, eight teams divided within two pools of four each and the BEST TEAM met in Finals.




Pool A- Greens Rocks (Navi Mumbai) were the highest points gainer and,
Pool B- Warriors A (Ambarnath)were in finals.

The match was a spectacular view for the audience, Tough, Rough and Fast. It also got heated up with few sticks flying.. But the matter was settled..

Both the teams ended in a draw of 2 goals, and the results were taken forward in Penalties to be decided.

Both the teams kept scoring and chasing each other.

Finally, GREEN ROCK were declared the "WINNERS" in SUDDEN DEATH penalties.

The Winners Cashed in Rs- 10000/- and Trophy
The Runners-up Rs- 5000/- and Trophy
The Best Player Of Tournament was Awarded Rs- 1000/- and a Hockey Stick
The Man of the Finals took a Trophy.

We THANK all our sponsors, who help us in all the ways, and the students who worked day and night to Conduct and Execute such a tournament.

Finally we thank All the Players and Staff, without whom the event wouldn't had been a sucess.


Regards,
Team HANM.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Jude Felix Hockey Academy for Under-Privileged Kids



The Jude Felix Hockey Academy (JFHA), Charitable Trust (Regd.),affiliated to Karnataka State hockey Association, is a non profit organization started in January 2009 by Former Internationals and national players to promote the game of Hockey amongst the under-privileged children in our country at large and develop new talent for the game.
Jude Felix is an Arjuna Awardee, Olympian and former Captain of the Indian National Hockey Team. He proudly served the national team for more than a decade.

The coaches for the program are drawn from former national and international players who come with tremendous skills, commitment and sensitivity towards this unique program.

Goals of JFHA:


* To impart professional Hockey training to children mostly from under-privileged backgrounds
* To create awareness and promote the sport amongst children
* To teach life skills using the game of Hockey
* To have holistic approach in development of children who are denied of exposure to any kind of sports activity
* To prepare the children professionally to compete at higher levels
* Train the children to enable them to avail the benefits of various sports schemes like educational scholarships and sports quota jobs offered in various government institutions
* To prepare the children to get admissions in Sports Authority of India and other State offered sports schools and sports hostels



Quality Advantage of JFHA:


* Started by Jude Felix, the Academy comes with the commitment of an International Hockey Player
* The coaches are drawn from an extensive pool of former international and national players ensuring very high quality standards of training
* The program is geared towards the holistic development of the children using Hockey and also extensively networking with state government and sports authorities to bring the best opportunities for the children




Benefits of participating in Sports:


* Provide opportunity for positive social interactions and support
* Effective medium to promote Interaction with diverse groups of children and individuals
* Effective medium to break social barriers, mindsets and prejudices in a fun learning environment
* Boosts mental health, self-confidence, and self-esteem
* Helps develop life-skills such as discipline, decision-making, problem solving, critical thinking, self-awareness, coping with stress and emotions.
* Increases the likelihood of developing good health habits and getting hooked on exercise
* Increased strength and endurance
* Develop motor skills, improve flexibility, mobility and coordination
* Leadership, teamwork, goal setting and responsibility






ACTIVITIES OF THE ACADEMY SINCE INCEPTION:


* Regular hockey training for the children on week days from 6:00am to 7:00am.Saturday 2:45 pm to 4:45 pm and Sunday 6:30am to 8:30 am.
* Along with Hockey training, life skills have also been inculcated for the trainees.( United Nations Report Enclosed herewith)
* We had started with biscuits as diet after the training and later along with bananas. From October we have included eggs also.
* Medreich Ltd, pharmaceutical company from Maruthi Sevanagar, having a charitable hospital have extended free medical support for the Academy children.
* Kelly School of Business, Indiana University, U S, had interacted with the children at the Orphanage ground during the month of August 2009.
* We had sent seven boys from the program for M E G Boys Company selections during November 2009.
* There have been regular visits by former International Hockey players to train our children.
* We had taken up the project of preparing a proper Hockey field with our own expenses and help from M E G & Centre,Bangalore
* During December 2009 Singapore Recreational Club,Singapore visited the Academy and the Orphanage, participated in the tournament we conducted and donated sports equipments and stationary items to all the children of the orphanage.
* In the month of March 2010 Four students from Singapore visited for a week and helped in creating data base of trainees and arranged the library in the Orphanage as part of their College project.
* Our trainees have started representing their school Hockey from this year.
* Our main focus is on life skills which is part of our daily training.
* Once again on Aug 6 students from Kelley Scholl of Business visited our academy.
* Our trainees are representing their School Maria Niketan in the Ongoing G S Randhawa memorial Hockey tournament for schools being played at KSHA stadium Bangalore.






FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM:


Till date we have been managing the program, with contributions or donations from friends and well wishers.
Income Tax Department (Govt. of India) has permitted us, tax exemptions under 12A and 80G (Tax exemptions for donors).

Hockey Village India




Sports & Education for a better future!

Helping others to help themselves is our device!

Everybody has a right to education – but not everybody has the oportunity! Therefore it is our aim to support rural areas in India and give the children a chance for a better education. We provide free english classes in the afternoon – then we bring them to our new hockey ground where we provide sticks to play. Volunteers in the village take care of the classes and provide the necessary infrastructure for the children. Our target is, to involve the villagers as much as we can so that they can take over the project one day…
Indian National player and FIH player Sardar Singh is the new ambassador of the village!!






Why Hockey?

Hockey is India’s national sport – even if Cricket became much more popular over the years. If you look at Indian villages you can see why – 20 kids can play cricket with a ball and a piece of wood while you need 20 sticks to make them play hockey. Talking about international level India is running behind his glorious hockey past – the country has hardly any astro turfs and at the top of the hockey country 2 associations are fighting for the rulership – ignoring that all is about sports – not politicians… But nevertheless we know from our own experience as sportsmen how amazing it is to be part of a sports team – to have the sportsmen spirit – the team spirit! To fight together – for eachother, to win and sometimes even loose… What makes you more happy then winning an important match? Sportsmen know that! How good does it feel to achieve something – for yourselve and for the team – to fight for a common target – to go to your limits and with discipline and self motivation get better and better – these are important values in life and sport can teach us. Just like education we are more then ready to share our experiences – and if you see the twinkling eyes of a child and its proud when it scores its first goal, there are no more questions to ask!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Lanco International Super Series to be broadcast in India

ESPN-STAR Sports to show exciting new format as the T20 of hockey, known as Hockey 9’s!





Hockey Australia is excited to announce that Indian fans will be able to watch their two national teams in action at the upcoming Lanco International Super Series as the tournament will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN-STAR SPORTS, from October 20th to 23rd, 2011.


The Lanco International Super Series is a newly created tournament, which has a revolutionary new format and new rules to make the game faster and more exciting – it will be hockey like you’ve never seen before! Think the T20 of hockey, known as Hockey 9’s!



20th Oct
15:30 - 18:30 hrs Star Sports Live (4 games)
22:00 & 22:30 hrs (2 India Games) ESPN (same day repeat)

21st Oct

15:30 - 18:30 hrs Star Sports Live (4 games)
22:00 & 22:30 hrs (2 India Games) ESPN (same day repeat)

22nd Oct
10:00 - 13:00 hrs ESPN Live (4 games)


23rd Oct
21:30 - 23:30 hrs Star Sports Same Day delayed


The matches can be watched anywhere in the world via the Hockey Australia website - www.hockey.org.au .

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Bharat Chetri the new captain for Indian Hockey team..




Bharat Chetri, India's goalkeeper, was announced the captain of the Indian hockey team which tours Australia next month.

The squad that was announced on Thursday also includes tainted duo Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh.

In an attempt to rotate players and provide equal opportunities, the squad has been shuffled to accommodate fit players and divide responsibilities.

This will be 27-year-old Chetri's first stint as captain. Experienced midfielder Ignace Tirkey has been appointed as the vice-captain.

Former skipper Rajpal will continue to be part of the forward line which includes youngsters like Yuvraj Walimiki, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Danish Mujtaba and Sarvanjit Singh who impressed tremendously with their performance in the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy in China.

Arjun Halappa, Tushar Khandker and Bharat Chikara make a comeback after injuries forced them out of action in the recent past.

Also in the side are Sandeep and Sardara who will look to make most of the opportunity after HI decided to revoke the two-year ban they were handed for indiscipline.

PR Sreejesh will be the second goalkeeper in the 22-member squad.

On the tour to Australia, the Indian team is scheduled to play a four-nation nine-a-side International Super Series and a tri-series with Pakistan and Australia.

Mukesh Kumar lands hockey coach job



Olympian Mukesh Kumar has been appointed coach of the Indian national hockey team and will be a part of head coach Michael Nobb's team, Hockey India announced on Wednesday.

Kumar, who was recently in news for walking out of a national camp after being denied charge of the junior team will take over his duties from Thursday, HI secretary general Narinder Batra said.

"Mukesh has been appointed as a coach of the senior men's team. He will be a part of the coach's set-up engaged with the team under chief coach Nobbs," Batra said.

Batra also said the duration of the Padma Bhushan recipient has not been worked out.

"It has not yet been finalised. It depends on the chief coach's wish because as per Nobbs' contract he also has to train our Indian coaches."

Kumar had recently walked out of the national camp in Bangalore after realizing that he was to work under then senior team coach Harendra Singh.

The 41-year-old had earlier expressed his willingness to assist a foreign coach with the national team or be given complete charge of the junior side.

"I always wanted to work under a foreign coach as his assistant. I was offered the coach's post of the women's team but I refused because I wanted to be a part of the men's set- up," he said.

Mukesh represented India in three consecutive Olympics starting from 1992 Barcelona Games and scored 80 goals in 307 international appearances.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

If Hockey India cares about players it should support World Series




The World Hockey Federation (FIH) might be crying foul, Hockey India might have been issuing warnings, but the players, it seems, are having none of it.

The whole lot - both current and not-so-current, including the side that just won the Asian Champions Trophy in China recently - is believed to have signed on the dotted lines for the World Series Hockey (WSH), the inaugural edition of which is scheduled to run from December 15 to January 22.

And why not? After all, they stand to gain in lakhs, not in thousands, considering the paltry Rs 25,000 that was offered to them by Hockey India for their title-winning effort in China.

"A performing player can earn up to Rs 40 lakh per WSH season, including incentives and prize money. Our aim is to make hockey a lucrative career option. Rs 40 lakh for playing just two months in a year isn't bad, is it?" asks Yannick Colaco, COO, Nimbus Sport, who are the joint promoters of the event along with the Indian Hockey Federation.

The WSH will be a franchise-based multi-city event with players to be acquired through the draft system, like in the NBA. "The players will be graded as per current reputation and form, but there will be no difference in pay between Indian and foreign players. All players will get equal opportunities, the incentives are the same for all, but star players will obviously earn more," said Colaco .

On the FIH's ban threat, he said all the players had signed the contracts before March 31, which was the deadline set by the world body. "We don't believe that the FIH has the right to ban any player for playing in WSH, whether they sign with us before or after March 31. However, given that all players have signed with us before March, the ban threat is anyway irrelevant," Colaco added.

He, however, expressed surprise over the stand taken by HI. "If they really care about the well-being of players, they should support WSH. More than anyone, it's the players who stand to gain the maximum. It's about their financial security. I see no reason why Hockey India should see red," he said.
Times of India

Sunday, September 11, 2011

India beat Pakistan on penalties (4-2) to win Asian Champions Trophy 2011

Continuing unbeaten streak at the tournament, India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 on penalties in the Final of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy (Men’s) in Ordos, China. Both teams played an attacking game but failed to find the target in stipulated time of 70 minutes and extra time of 15 minute, and result of the match had to be decided by penalties. Pakistan reached the final after drawing with India in the final round robin match and were leaders in the final points table with 10 point while unbeaten India were second 9 points. In the tie breaker, Rajpal Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Yuvraj Walmiki and Sarvanjit Singh, while Gurvinder Singh Chandi could not score in his attempt on Pakistan’s Goalie Imran Shah. The tie-breaker was a one on one between the striker and the goalkeeper, Striker had to starts from the 23 meter line and was given only eight seconds to score. This way of tie-breaker is known as Penalty Shoot-out and it is in testing phase by FIH.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

WSH now has a International Tournament Director....



Dennis Meredith, former director of competitions in the FIH, has been nominated as the Technical Director for the World Series of Hockey (WSH) to be held from December 15 to January 22.

Adelaide based Dennis, a former player, umpire, and administrator, was the technical director in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, and played a leading role in the conduct of the World Cup earlier. He has also been advisor on technical matters in various competitions, including the Olympic Games, Champions Trophy and World Cup.

In the WSH, Dennis Meredith will be responsible planning and structuring of all the technical aspects in conformity with the international regulations and rules. He will also be in charge of staffing and a liaison with the technical committee.

“I am proud to be associated with World Series Hockey and am looking forward to the inaugural multi city franchise-based League. My association with India has been ongoing since I first visited as an umpire in 1982 and since then have worked and overseen multiple large scale hockey projects here. The League has a lot to offer to the players and the hockey enthusiasts and I am extremely confident of its success” said Dennis.

Yannick Colaco, COO Nimbus Sport said, “World Series Hockey has already signed on the worlds best players and we are now pleased to welcome on board one of the most accomplished tournament official, Dennis Meredith. The proven expertise that Dennis brings to the table is unparalleled and his appointment is in keeping with our commitment of delivering a world class event to hockey fans across the globe.”

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Dutch women win a record 8th European title




Netherlands defeat Germany 3-0 in GANT EuroHockey Championship final


On the final day of the women's GANT EuroHockey Championship 2011, the Netherlands won the final against Germany, England defeated Spain for Bronze, and Belgium and Ireland logged wins to send Azerbaijan and Italy in Europe's second division for 2013. Kim Lammers of the Dutch team won the topscorer award, while German superstar Natascha Keller was elected Most Valuable Player.

The grand final of the tournament started with brilliant sunshine and a well filled stadium, with equal parts of the crowd supporting record and current title holder the Netherlands and the German hosts. The Dutch imposed themselves early, taking control of the game and scoring their first after 8 minutes when Marilyn Agliotti deflected a penalty corner flick into the net with a mid air swing. In a lively game, the ball went back and forth but the Dutch looked more dangerous than the Germans who struggled to find their way past Oranje's defenders. Ten minutes later, Ellen Hoog extended the lead to two goals with a fierce reverse stick shot from the top of the circle. During the remaining ten minutes in the first half, both sides had their opportunities, including short corners at both ends, but neither side could find the goal, and they went into halftime with a two goal advantage for the Netherlands.

The Dutch remained the dominating team in the second half, despite a solid performance from and some good opportunities for the German side. Yvonne Frank in the German goal put forward some great saves to ward off more Dutch goals, but she eventually could not avoid Lidewij Welten scoring a third goal for Oranje from a penalty corner rebound in the dying minutes of the match, and with dark clouds having moved in fast again, with less than 2 minutes on the clock, the skies opened up and the girls in orange danced in torrential rain and hail to celebrate another, entirely deserved European Champion title.

German men are European Champions



Germany men defeat the Netherlands to claim their first European title since 2003!!!

The men's GANT EuroHockey Championship final between Germany and the Netherlands was a fitting end to a great tournament: skillful, exciting, a fantastic showcase for the sport. In a sold out 10.000 seater stadium full of enthusiastic supporters of the two best European teams, tension was high from the starting whistle, and there was barely a minute on the clock when Philipp Zeller tipped in a ball across from Mo Fürste.

Shocked into action, the Dutch attacked to pull even, and a fast and even game developed. With extraordinary skills on both sides, both teams had a number of opportunities, and the Netherlands were more effective, pulling level through Roderick Weusthof who beat German goalkeeper Max Weinhold with a superb reverse stick shot. The game went into frantic end-to-end play, with no advantages on either side, and stayed even until the 32nd minute, when a penalty corner for Germany yielded a penalty stroke that Mo Fürste converted without hesitation to give Germany the 2-1 halftime lead.

In the second half, both sides tried to control play better, but Florian Fuchs managed to get Germany ahead again with a great finishing touch to a ball from Thilo Stralkowski for the 3-1. The Netherlands were trying hard to make up some ground, but the German defense stood firm, and there was no passing their ranks, until the Dutch succeeded in winning a penalty corner, which the ever reliable Taeke Taekema converted with another cracking flick. At 2-3 only one goal behind again, the Dutch stepped their game up and attacked relentlessly, but could not beat the wall of the German defense. The Germans were still able to also create danger on fast breaks, and in the 68th minute, Oli Korn deflected a pass across into the goal for the 4-2 lead, and effectively, the victory for Germany. With the final whistle, the new European Champions were crowned: Germany men won their first European title since 2003.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Green Rocks Champions Again



Green Rock Hockey Team are the champions of the 3rd Division Mumbai Hockey League for the Year 2010-11..

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

First Bharat Ratna should go to Dhyan Chand


First Bharat Ratna should go to Dhyan Chand---- By K. Arumugam( stick2hockey.com)

The time for sports lovers at large including cricket fans, has come. There have been voices -- which count in India -- as to cricket genius Sachin Tendulkar should be honoured with the top most civilian award Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India).

No sportsperson in India have ever been bestowed with this honour. This is in itself bad considering some unworthy individuals from other walks of life have got it. That is a different matter though.

Recently Maharashtra Chief Minister proposed in the State Assembly that Sachin should be given this honour which is passed unanimously. Sachin’s familiarity transcends all provincial boundaries, why then his home State alone should talk about this? This is a time tested politicians striving to get some cheap publicity. Nothing more than that.

Yesterday, Sachin candidly admitted MS Dhoni is the best skipper he played under. We welcomed the grace of Sachin, and savoured the moment. That should be the team spirit.

Today, perhaps as a return gift, the skipper himself advocated Bharat Ratna for Sachin. 'If he doesn't get, no one else' was his line of argument.

We, sports lovers first, would be delighted if someone a living legend like Sachin getting Bharat Rata. But we have a rider -- and we are serious about it.

This coveted award should first be given to hockey wizard Dhyan Chand posthumously. After that, it can can go to other sporting greats starting with Sachin, and why not.

Dhyan Chand, a low level solider in the British Indian Army, is world hockey’s first hero. Just like Bradman is cricket’s first global hero; Sachin is not first hero of his chosen sport, he is current hero. Time is a crucial factor, scoring hattrick of goals against Germany by a non-Aryan Dhyan Chand in the Olympics organized by Adolf Hitler has no match to it. There may have been other sporting feats in the history of India, but this Berlin magic has its own.

Because of Dhyan Chand and his achievements, hockey as a sport grew in India, and became the National Game.

He got us three Olympic gold, where his feats were outstanding all through. He scored goals in the finals especially, and inspired his generation of players to deliver.

All his game have been unblemished just like Bradman in cricket. Sachin despite his greatness did not score in many crucial games, including the latest World Cup final, as an aberration.

There is statue of Dhyan Chand in Delhi, national stadium is named after him, his birth anniversary has been declared as National Sports Day on which Arjuna and other sporting awards are disbursed by none other than the first citizen of this country.

All these have been done as per the popular wish of the country, and in recognition of hockey’s contribution to the sporting legacy of India, even now 8 out of 9 Olympic golds that India won, has the label of hockey.

Give Sachin a Bharat Ratna, not because Maharashtra Government wants, or because MS Dhoni recommends, but because he deserves it, the nation at large would cherish that.

But, it will be injustice to the soul of Dhyan Chand if that award is not conferred on him first before anybody else is thought of.

Civil society in India will not tolerate such an insult. It will rise against if such injustice would ever occur.

K. Arumugam is a hockey historian, his article on Dhyan Chand was in the XI standard English Text book (CBSE syllabus) for many years (2002-2008).

Monday, April 4, 2011

Penalty Stroke "OUT", Penalty Shootout "IN"



Shootouts to make FIH debut


With the next round of FIH tournaments just around the corner, one of the biggest changes to FIH Regulations is about to be put to the test with the Penalty Shoot-out Competition replacing the Penalty Stroke Competition to determine the result of tied classification matches. The first tournament that will see this is the Women’s Champions Challenge 2, which is due to be played in Vienna between 7 and 15 May.

The FIH.ch team caught up with FIH Competitions Manager Martyn Gallivan to help players, officials, spectators and TV audiences better understand what awaits the game with the latest amendments to the FIH Regulations.

What are the key differences between a penalty stroke and a shoot-out?
A penalty stroke is a single shot by an attacker against a goalkeeper. The ball is placed on the penalty spot 6.4 metres from the back line. A good comparison for a newcomer to hockey would be to say that it is similar to a penalty kick in football. In a Penalty Shoot-out, the ball is placed on the 23-metre line, with an attacker next to it and a goalkeeper in goal on the back line. When the whistle is blown the attacker has 8 seconds in which to try and score a goal. This more mirrors what ice hockey has as it is permitted for the attacker to move the ball forward before taking a shot.

Why has the FIH decided to change from a penalty stroke to a penalty shoot-out?
FIH Competitions Committee has been researching whether or not to move away from Penalty Stroke competitions for the last two years. After much discussion and research, it was decided to use Penalty Shoot-outs because they ultimately better replicate real game situations and tend to require more skill, and as such are a better way to determine a tied match.

When do the new regulations take effect?
Immediately. The first time we will see them in use is at the upcoming Champions Challenge 2 in Vienna.

Does this mean all tied matches will now be decided in a penalty shoot-out?
No, there will still be matches that remained tied at the end of regulation time. Just as before with the Penalty Stroke competition, the Penalty Shoot-out will only be used in classification matches (quarterfinals, semi-finals, medal games, etc). Penalty Strokes will still remain during normal time for offences that require more than a Penalty Corner.

So is the plan for London 2012 to have a shoot-out as well?
Yes, assuming a classification game ends in a tie, then there will be a Penalty Shoot-out.

Are shoot-outs currently used anywhere else in competition?
Yes. They have been used in the Australian Hockey League since 2001 and the EuroHockey League since it started in 2007/2008.

Are there any other major regulation changes that are due to take effect?
The biggest changes that will be noticed are a few things that we have been testing for the last few events. For example, the two-minute suspension for a green card has been made permanent, while the same procedure is being applied to yellow cards. Also, the experimental rule about a defender breaking the line or an attacker entering the circle too early at a penalty corner and having to go to the half-way line, has been made permanent.

During this year’s Champions Trophy and Champions Challenge tournaments we are also trying different competition formats. For example in the Rabo FIH Champions Trophy Women being played in Amsterdam, we trying a second phase of pool matches after the initial ones, followed by classification matches. In the other tournaments we are trialing knock out matches after the initial pool matches. Both of these make for longer tournaments and should provide more interest for teams and spectators alike throughout the whole tournament.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

BLUE ASTRO TURF PITCH FOR 2012 OLYMPICS.



Hockey has made a bold bid for our attention in 2012. It has announced that its pitches will be blue - and pink around the edges too. "The colour blue will define Hockey in 2012," says Locog's Debbie Jevans. "I really like the pink surround," declares Great Britain international Alex Danson. "It's another great example of hockey's willingness to lead the way."

All concerned stress that the great benefit of blue is that it makes a nice sharp contrast with the white ball for the benefit of both players and spectators, live and armchair alike. But if a need for an extra bit of brand definition played a part in the decision to switch from traditional green, the hockey authorities can hardly be blamed. Their sport, after all, has to fight for attention along with all the other smaller sports. After that, it has to make the most of whatever exposure it gets.

The designers of the two-pitch Olympic hockey centre - due for completion next spring - where the Olympics matches will be held anticipate it's being "one of the four cornerstones of the Olympic Park." But even if the tournaments are thrilling the venue will not be permanent. The longer-term future of top hockey in Britain lies in Eton Manor at the Park's northern tip. During the Games this site will contain training pools for participants in the various aquatic events, then host the Paralympic wheelchair tennis. The plan is that the facility will then be converted into a joint tennis and hockey centre, where up to 15,000 fans of big time hockey will be able to gather.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Olympic qualifiers main target: Rajpal Singh



Defending champions India will face China in their opening match of the 19th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup International hockey tournament starting at Ipoh, Malaysia on May 6.

The win or loss in Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament will not make much difference as the team is bracing up for the tough challenge ahead — to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, said Indian captain Rajpal Singh.

A 45-member Indian squad started its preparation for the Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur from May 5 under the watchful eyes of national coach Harendra Singh at Major Dhyan Chand national stadium here on Tuesday.

After missing out on a gold medal finish at Guangzhou Asian games in November last year, India now have to go through the tough qualifying rounds to confirm their participation in the London Olympics.

“Win or loss in Azlan Shah cup tournament does not matter much to us as we see it as the beginning of our preparation for the tough Olympic qualifiers, which will start next year,” Rajpal told PTI Bhasha.

India and South Korea were the co-winners of Azlan Shah Cup last year.

Eight-time Olympic gold medal winner India, for the first time in 80 years (since their debut in 1928), had failed to take part in 2008 Beijing Olympics after the shocking 0-2 loss against Great Britain in the final of the Olympic qualifiers in Santiago.

The preparatory camp is being held after the break of more than three months but Rajpal said the long gap will not affect the form and fitness of the players.

“All the international teams were on break during this period so I don’t think it will affect us. Also almost all the Indian players were busy playing domestic tournaments and National Games. We were not completely away from the game.

“We have to play a lot of international hockey ahead so the focus will be on fitness. We will work hard on this aspect,” said Rajpal.

The Indian team has been without a coach since Jose Brasa was sacked in November, following India’s bronze-medal finish at the Asian Games. Harendra had also resigned from the post on moral grounds but Hockey India did not accept his resignation.

Rajpal said Harendra shares good camaraderie with players.

“Harendra is there with the team for almost two years now and shares very good rapport with the team. He is aware of each and everyone’s calibre hence we don’t have any problem with him,” said the captain.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

FIH World hockey League


The FIH today took a critical step in developing its next major competition after sending out letters of invitation to teams wishing to participate in the FIH World League.

The FIH World League is set to make its debut in 2012 and will give every member of the FIH the opportunity to play for a place in the FIH World Cup or the Olympic Games. During the 2012-2013 period, the World League will qualify four teams directly into the 2014 FIH World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.

“We are delighted to be moving ahead with the World League competition,” said FIH Chief Executive Officer Kelly Fairweather. “We have long wanted to start an international competition that goes over multiple rounds and gives every nation a change to reach our elite events. With the World League, we have just that.”

The FIH World League, which has also previously been referred to as the World Series, will be played in four rounds. The first two rounds will take place in the 2012 calendar year, while the third and fourth rounds will conclude the cycle in 2013. The event will include men and women’s teams.

Teams have until April 1st, 2011 to confirm their participation in the FIH World League.

The men’s and women’s teams ranked first through eighth in the FIH World Ranking will receive an automatic bye to Round Three. Teams ranked in the next tier, 9th-16th will get an automatic ticket to Round Two. FIH World Ranking points will be awarded at each level. The details of the points will be announced at a later date.

The number of First Round tournaments will depend entirely on the number of entries received by the FIH. This makes the World League unique in that every nation has a chance to join the road to the World Cup and/or Olympics.

“It has long been the ambition of the FIH to give every country a chance to make it to the highest possible level,” said Fairweather. “The World League gives the smaller nations valuable international experience, while allowing them to have the chance to play the role of David against some of the Goliath countries.”

It is expected that the first round of competition will be kept as local as possible to keep travel costs to a minimum. To this end, FIH will be working closely with its five Continental Federations to organize these tournaments. Those teams making it to Round Two will join the 9th-16th ranked nations in a more regional event that may include teams from varying continents.

At the end of Round Two, eight teams will move onto Round Three to join the top eight teams that are automatically qualified. The third round will then be played in two groups of eight.

Finally in 2013, the champion will be crowned in a final round. The number of teams qualified will be determined by if the host made it through the qualification process.

While the host nations for the first two rounds have yet to be determined, those for Rounds Three and Four were already decided by the FIH Executive Board. They are:

Men’s Women’s
3A Pakistan (Feb. 2013) The Netherlands (June 2013)
3B Germany (June 2013) China (June 2013)
4 India (September 2013) Argentina (December 2013)


According to the current FIH World Ranking, the following teams would receive the byes through the Rounds Two or Three:


Men’s teams ranked 1 – 8 (bye to Round 3)
Australia, Germany, Netherlands, England, Spain, Korea, New Zealand and Pakistan

Men’s teams ranked 9 – 16 (bye to Round 2)
India, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, Belgium, China, Malaysia and Japan

Women’s teams ranked 1 – 8 (bye to Round 3)
Argentina, Netherlands, Germany, China, England, Australia, New Zealand and Korea

Women’s teams ranked 9 – 16 (bye to Round 2)
Japan, Spain, India, South Africa, USA, Azerbaijan, Ireland and Chile

Monday, February 14, 2011

FIH INDOOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP FINALS WOMEN'S RESULTS


Women – Final – Netherlands vs. Germany: 2-4

Dream Final for this 2011 FIH Indoor World Cup between the last two winners: The Netherlands, winner 4 years ago in Vienna, and Germany, winner of the original Indoor World Cup in 2003. Both teams cruised undefeated through the pools and convincingly won their Semi-Final here in Poznan.


Final Standings - Women
1. Germany
2. Netherlands
3. Ukraine
4. Belarus
5. Poland
6. Czech Republic
7. Austria
8. Australia
9. Argentina
10. Namibia
11. Uruguay
12. Kazakhstan

Tournament Awards - Women
Player of the tournament: Belle van MEER (Netherlands)
Top Scorer: Belle van MEER (Netherlands), 11 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Barbara VOGEL (Germany)
Best U-21 player: Paulina OKAJ (Poland)

FIH INDOOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP FINALS MEN'S RESULTS


Men - Final – Germany v. Poland: 3-2

For the third time in the short history of the Indoor World Cup, Germany and Poland met in the Final. They have clearly been the class of the tournament here in Poznan and met earlier in pool play in a thriller that ended in favour of the home team (3-2). Poland had to fend off a strong challenge from Austria in Semi-Final while Germany had an easy task to get past Russia.

Final Standings Men
1. Germany
2. Poland
3. Austria
4. Russia
5. Netherlands
6. England
7. Australia
8. Czech Republic
9. Iran
10. Canada
11. USA
12. Namibia

Tournament Awards - Men
Player of the Tournament: Dariusz RACHWALSKI (Poland)
Top Scorer: Robert TIGGES (Netherlands), 16 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Mariusz CHYLA (Poland)
Best U-21 Player: Patrick SCHMIDT (Austria)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

INDOOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP 08th FEB RESULTS


The FIH Indoor World Cup has got underway in Poznan, Poland, with the crowds enjoying plenty of goals on the first day. Germany men in particular were on fire, netting 18 goals against Namibia, while Belarus women also moved into double figures in their triumph over the Africans. However, host nation Poland delighted the home supporters with victories for both their men’s and women’s teams.

Men Russia - USA 6:2 (3:1)
Women Czech R. - Austria 1:0 (0:0)
Men Austria - Iran 5:1 (2:0)
Women Netherlands - Kazakhstan 9:0 (4:0)
Men Germany - Namibia 18:0 (7:0)
Women Ukraine - Argentina 2:1 (1:0)
Men Czech R. - England 1:2 (0:0)
Women Germany - Uruguay 2:0 (2:0)
Women Australia - Poland 1:2 (0:1)
Women Belarus - Namibia 12:0 (6:0)
Men Poland - Australia 3:1 (2:1)
Men Netherlands - Canada 5:1 (1:0)

Monday, February 7, 2011

FIH INDOOR WORLD CUP STARTS TODAY


The FIH INDOOR WORLD CUP- POZNAN 2011 begins on Tuesday 8th February 2011 at 12.30 (GMT +1), with the men of Russia and the USA being the first teams to take to the field on Pitch 1. To find out more information about the FIH Indoor World Cup 2011, please visit the tournament website: http://www.poznan2011.sportcentric.com .

Sunday, February 6, 2011

KUMAR IS ASIA'S BEST GOALKEEPER


Malaysian goalkeeper S. Kumar was today named as Asia's best player by the Asian Hockey Federation at its Congress held in Kuala Lumpur.

The 32 year old was the first Malaysian to win the award as prior to this Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin was awarded the Best Youth Player award.
It was indeed a surprise for Kumar, who has been adjudged the best goalkeeper in eight international tournaments.

The year 2010 was a mixed year for Kumar who lost his father, Subramaniam, in the midst of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
But he went on to represent Malaysia at the Asian Games, where Malaysia won the silver medal, their first ever such medal in the Asian Games.
"It is indeed a honour that I will cherish and I dedicate this award to my late father who encouraged me right from the begining," said Kumar.
"Without the sacrifices of my father, I will not be here today.
"My dream is to play at the Olympics and the next one year will be difficult as Malaysia needs to prepare well for the qualifiers."

ASIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION AWARDS

SULTAN AZLAN SHAH AWARD
Thailand Hockey Association

MEMBER OF HONOUR
Dato’ Seri Muneyoshi Ueda – Japan

ORDER OF MERIT
Mr. Mathavan Devadas – Singapore

AHF PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR MAN
Mr. Lei Jun – China

AHF PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR WOMAN
Ms. Shun Jun Hee – Korea

AHF PLAYERS AWARD – 2009
Man – You Hyo Sik (Korea)
Woman – Baorung Fu (China)
Boy – Muhammad Tooseeq (Pakistan)
Girl – Mazuki Arai (Japan)

AHF PLAYERS AWARD – 2010
Man – S. Kumar (Malaysia)
Woman – Park Mih Yun (Korea)
Boy – Syed Kashif Shah (Pakistan)
Girl – Zhao Yudiao