Plans to start IPL in Hockey Too

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus Sports on Tuesday announced an ambitious World Series Hockey with prize money of more than $1 million that will feature domestic and international players and will be an annual event spread over 10 Indian cities. Indian national team players have already signed up for the league. A host of top players like Sandeep Singh, Adrian D'Souza, Dhananjay Mahadik and Sardara Singh were present during the announcement.

The prize money for the tournament will be more than $1 million initially and players can make Rs 40-50 lakh annually from guaranteed fees, endorsements and performance incentives. Players will initialy be contracted for three years.

Teams will be owned by corporate franchises and players will be allocated on the basis of draft picks. Team owners will have to shell out running expenses, commitment to hockey development and commitment to infrastructure development.

The league is likely to run into trouble with Hockey India (HI), which is the body recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). HI had threatened to take action against players who take part in any IHF tournament.

Around 40 domestic players have already signed up for the league that is expected to kick off in November or December next year. The league will feature 100 matches held over 10 weeks. "We are in talks with foreign players through agents," IHF president R.K. Shetty said.

“This joint initiative between IHF and Nimbus will reinvigorate our national game while injecting additional funds for the development of hockey.

"Nimbus Sport is one of Asia’s largest sports management companies. With this association, we are confident that Indian hockey is set for its biggest ever boost. World Series Hockey is a win-win situation for everyone as it will bring back hockey fans and make them cheer the national sport and local talent,” Shetty added.

He said that the structure of the league is different from the Premier Hockey League, which enjoyed fair amount of success 2005-2008.

Harish Thawani, executive chairman of Nimbus Communications Limited, said the event is only the first in a number of initiatives that have been planned for hockey.

"Nimbus Sport shall team up with IHF and will organize, manage, develop, produce, stage, promote and market the league. It will also market all broadcasting and all other electronic media rights, in connection with the league," according to a statement from Nimbus, which is also the official broadcaster of the Indian cricket board.

Thawani said no player can be stopped from participating in the league.

"IHF is recognised by the sports ministry and infrastructure like stadiums are owned by IHF. Stadiums in Mumbai and Bangalore are owned by the Mumbai Hockey Association and Karnataka State Hockey Association respectively and both associations are part of IHF," said Thawani.

"We are willing to release players for national camps and international tournaments. The players are free to represent the country. After this, I don't think HI should object to players becoming part of World Series Hockey. If it does so, then it amounts to restraint on trade."

Shetty said they want HI to back the league.

"We are not fighting with HI. All we are saying that this is beneficial for the game and the players. It will also help the hockey infrastructure in the country," he said.

The league will be an annual event and a 10 team competition in its first year and will be played using a city based model. The entire event will take place on 'home and away' basis culminating into multi header play offs. Around 60 international players would be picked up by the American style draft system.

"It will not be cattle like auction as we see in other leagues," Thawani said in an indirect reference to the Indian Premier League.

Nimbus has struck the deal for 15 years and will bear "the cost of the league as well as provide IHF with an annual fee for the development of hockey amounting to over Rs.30 crores over the period of the contract or a share of league profits, whichever is higher."

The first edition of World Series Hockey will take place between November/December 2011 and February 2012, will feature upto 100 matches and upto 250 hockey players from India and around the world. Each match of the league will be produced and broadcast live on multiple media platforms, including television.

SARDAR SINGH OF INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM IN MENS FIH ALL STAR TEAM 2010

FIH All Stars 2010 - Men:
Name, Nation & FIH All Star Record
Jamie Dwyer (AUS) - 2006,2007,2008,2009 & 2010
Ashley Jackson (ENG) - 2009 & 2010
Rehan Butt (PAK) - 2008 & 2010
Barry Middleton (ENG) - 2008, 2009 & 2010
David Alegre (ESP) - 2010
Des Abbott (AUS) - 2010
Eddie Ockenden (AUS) - 2008, 2009 & 2010
Guus Vogels (NED) - 2007, 2008 & 2010
James Fair (ENG) - 2010
Jong Ho Seo (KOR) - 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
Lucas Vila (ARG) - 2010
Matthias Witthaus (GER) - 2007, 2008 & 2010
Max Müller (GER) - 2009 & 2010
Moritz Fürste (GER) - 2007, 2009 & 2010
Nick Wilson (NZL) - 2010
Sardar Singh (IND) - 2010
Teun de Nooijer (NED) - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
Tobias Hauke (GER) - 2010

Ric Charlesworth (AUS - Coach) – 2009 & 2010
Markus Weise (GER - Coach) – 2008, 2009 & 2010

RANI RAMPAL OF INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM IN FIH WOMENS ALL STAR TEAM OF 2010

Each FIH All Star list is created using the recommendations and opinions of various hockey experts from across the globe including players, officials, coaches and journalists.

The following players were selected for the 2010 FIH All Star Teams.

FIH All Stars 2010 – Women:
Name, Nation & FIH All Star Record
Luciana Aymar (ARG) - 2006,2007,2008,2009 & 2010
Soledad Garcia (ARG) - 2010
Noel Barrionuevo (ARG) - 2009 & 2010
Carla Rebecchi (ARG) - 2008 & 2010
Casey Eastham (AUS) 2009 & 2010
Madonna Blyth (AUS) - 2007, 2009 & 2010
Fu Baorong (CHN) - 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2010
Zhao Yudiao (CHN) - 2010
Helen Richardson (ENG) - 2009 & 2010
Rani Rampal (IND) - 2010
Beth Storry (ENG) - 2010
Crista Cullen (ENG) - 2006, 2007 & 2010
Natascha Keller (GER) - 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2010
Maartje Paumen (NED) - 2008, 2009 & 2010
Naomi van As (NED) - 2008, 2009 & 2010
Marsha Marescia (RSA) - 2007, 2009 & 2010
Joyce Sombroek (NED) - 2010
Kayla Sharland (NZL) – 2010

FIH announces 2010 All Star teams

The FIH can announce the All Star teams for 2010, which feature a total of 36 players and four coaches who have lit up the hockey world over the past 12 months with their achievements.

The impressive squads feature a number of legendary icons who have been named on the All Stars lists on many previous occasions, such as five time nominees Luciana Aymar (ARG), Jamie Dwyer (AUS) and Teun de Nooijer (NED). Between them, these three players have also collected a staggering 14 FIH Player of the Year titles over the past decade.

However, they are far from being the only high achievers in the All Star teams. Three players have notched up their fourth appearances on the lists, with Natascha Keller (GER), Fu Baorong (CHN) and Jong Ho Seo (KOR) all featuring in the 2010 squads. Madonna Blyth (AUS), Crista Cullen (ENG), Maartje Paumen (NED), Naomi van As (NED) and Marsha Marescia (RSA) have each been named in the women’s FIH All Stars team for a third time, with Barry Middleton (ENG), Eddie Ockenden (AUS), Matthias Witthaus (GER), Moritz Fürste (GER) and the now retired Netherlands goalkeeper Guus Vogels also achieved the same feat in the men’s All Star team.
Argentina penalty corner star Noel Barrionuevo makes the list for a second time, joined by her team-mate Carla Rebecchi, Casey Eastham (AUS), Helen Richardson (ENG), Ashley Jackson (ENG), Rehan Butt (PAK) and Max Müller (GER).

As well as these more familiar names, a number of other gifted individuals have made the FIH All Star lists for the first time. Argentina’s Soledad Garcia earned her place in the women’s list thanks to outstanding performances as her team won the BDO FIH World Cup and Samsung FIH Champions Trophy. India’s Rani Rampal (Player of the Tournament – BDO FIH World Cup) and China’s Zhao Yudiao (FIH Young Player of the Year 2010) have also made the list, having proven themselves as two of the hottest young talents in the game. Kayla Sharland is another first time FIH All Star due to her stand-out displays for the young and gifted Black Sticks team, while goalkeeping duo Beth Storry (ENG) and Joyce Sombroek (NED) were both sensational throughout the BDO FIH World Cup for their respective nations.

Of the 18 strong men’s All Star list, seven players are there for the first time. James Fair makes it an impressive double for England goalkeepers, joining Beth Storry in the 2010 All Star teams, while Kookaburra’s striker Des Abbott also makes the list following a year in which he won the top prize at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, ABN AMRO Champions Trophy and the Commonwealth Games. Spanish midfielder David Alegre has been an impressive performer for his country, being joined on the list by Argentina’s Lucas Vila, brilliant India defender Sardar Singh and Nick Wilson of New Zealand, a striker nominated by his peers for the FIH Young Player of the Year Award. The winner of that particular award was Germany midfielder Tobias Hauke, who also becomes an FIH All Star for the first time.

In terms of coaches, Argentina’s Carlos Retegui and Danny Kerry of England have been named on the women’s All Stars list while Kookaburra’s boss Ric Charlesworth and Markus Weise of Germany have made the men’s list. Retegui had a near flawless 12 months, guiding Las Leonas to success at the BDO FIH World Cup and Samsung FIH Champions Trophy, while Danny Kerry’s England team took great strides forward by winning a trio of Bronze medals at the Champions Trophy, World Cup and Commonwealth Games tournaments. Charlesworth’s inclusion is no surprise when you consider his staggering coaching achievements this year, overseeing Australian triumphs at the ABN AMRO FIH Champions Trophy, Hero Honda FIH World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. Markus Weise has also achieved great things in 2010, directing his exciting young Germany team to a Silver Medal at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup.

Sunday Practice

Hi,
Message to all hockey lovers. We players practise every sunday 07.30am at DAV, school ground, Nerul. So if you wanna join us in playing Hockey. Please get in touch with me or any of the members mentioned in this blog. You are always welcome. Few snaps have been uploaded, please take notice of it, and download it as per your requirement.
Warm regards,
Gurmeet Singh.
(HAONM)

The official website of FIH has been changed.

From 1 December 2010, the official website of the International Hockey Federation is www.fih.ch, replacing the old www.worldhockey.org address. Although this will continue to work for a short period during this transitional phase, we strongly recommend that you update your records as the FIH no longer supports the use of the WorldHockey brand.

International Hockey Federation unveils new branding & tagline

The International Hockey Federation has today unveiled its new branding line.



The new branding introduces the tagline “FairPlay Friendship Forever”, which has been created to clearly and simply communicate the core values of hockey whilst also strengthening the FIH brand in an increasingly competitive market.

3rd FIH Indoor World Cup, Poznan-2011

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce the official Pools for the 3rd FIH Indoor World Cup for men and women. The double event – which takes place once every four years – will be played in the Polish city of Poznan from the 8th to the 13th February 2011.

For the first time in the short history of the FIH Indoor World Cup, all five continents will be represented at the third Edition of the tournament. The national indoor teams of Iran (men) and Kazakhstan (women) are history makers by representing Asia in an Indoor World Cup for the first time, with the respective men's and women's teams from Uruguay and Argentina being the first ever participants from South America, showing the increasing popularity of the indoor game outside of its European heartland. There are also Indoor World Cup debuts for Namibia (men & women) and England (men).


Pools for 3rd FIH Indoor World Cup – Men
Poznan (POL), 8-13 February 2011


MEN

Pool A
Germany
Poland
Netherlands
Canada
Australia
Namibia

Pool B
Austria
Russia
England
USA
Iran
Czech Republic
WOMEN

Pool A
Netherlands
Czech Republic
Ukraine
Austria
Argentina
Kazakhstan

Pool B
Germany
Belarus
Australia
Poland
Namibia
Uruguay

Asian Games Men's and Women's All Star teams announced

Following the completion of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou (CHN), the men and women all star teams have been announced. The teams were selected by the Asian Hockey Federation.


Men
Goalkeepers: Kumar Subramaniam (Malaysia), Salman Akbar (Pakistan)
Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Hu Huiren (China)
Midfielders: Yeo Woon Koon (Korea), Lee Nam Yong, Tsuouchi Kazuhiro (Japan), Ozawa Kazuyuki (Japan), Arjun Halappa (India), Rashid Muhammad (Pakistan)
Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Seo Jongho, Jonghyun, Tenku Abdul Rashid Jalil (Malaysia) Rehan Butt (Pakistan) and Na Yubo (China).


Women
Goalkeepers: Zhang Yimen (China)
Defenders: Lee Seon Ok (Korea), Ma Yibo (China), Li Shuan (China), Joydeep Kaur ( India), Mayumi Ono (Japan), Irina Dobrioglo (Kazakhstan), Ratnaporn Shangpranam (Thailand)
Midfielders: Song Qinging (China), Park Seonmi (Korea), Kim Darae (Koreas), Yukari Yamamoto (Japan), Nadia Abdul Rehman (Malaysia).
Forwards: Zhao Yudiao ( China), Fu Baorong (China), Park Mihyun (Korea), Rani (India) and Kaori Chiba ( Japan).

National coach Harendra quits

Dejected at India's semifinal defeat to Malaysia in the Asian Games at Guangzhou, National coach Harendra Singh on Tuesday resigned from his post.

Harendra informed Hockey India Secretary Narinder Batra of his decision through an email which was also made available to the media. “I accept the moral responsibility for the debacle at the 16th Asian Games,” Harendra said.

“Keeping in view the dismal performance of the men's hockey team in the semifinal match against Malaysia (on Nov 23, 2010), I tender my resignation as the National coach with immediate effect,” wrote Harendra.

He thanked Hockey India, Union Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India for “all the support and encouragement” received during his tenure as the National coach. “I am thankful to all the officials of the said organisations for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve the country. I thank all my players and the support staff who have stood by me.”

In response to the development, Mr. Batra said, “This is not the time to get emotional and I have asked Harendra to concentrate on the bronze medal match (against Korea). I want the team to be together and the resignation and other issues (Chief Coach Jose Brasa's future with Indian hockey) can wait. We have enough time to discuss them when the team returns.”