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News for 24 December 2014

All the news for Wednesday 24 December 2014


Men's National Team confirms Chile Tour roster

The Canadian Men's National Field Hockey Program has announced the Men's National Team roster which will be travelling to Santiago, Chile in January for a training tour.

The touring roster consists of twenty-two atheltes who have been selected from the 2015 Men's National Team and Senior Development Squads.

As a part of their ongoing preparation for World League 2, which will take place at the end of February, the men will train in Chile before playing six matches from January 18-25, 2015.

"We played a lot of matches this year for us - not on a world scale - but certainly for us it was great to play as many matches as we did," says Canadian Men's National Team head coach Anthony Farry. "Now, we need to match that this year and probably exceed it a little in order for us to be successful."

The men are coming off a tour in New Zealand during which they played seven matches, four of which were against the World No. 6 ranked New Zealand Blacksticks.

Eighteen of the twenty-two players who will be going to Chile were on the New Zealand tour.

Canadian Men's National Team Chile Tour Roster

Name

Position

Hometown

Adam Froese

Defender

Abbotsford, BC

Antoni Kindler

Goalkeeper

Vancouver, BC

Arif Virjee

Defender

Vancouver, BC

Brenden Bissett

Forward

New Westminster, BC

David Carter

Goalkeeper

Vancouver, BC

David Jameson

Defender

Vancouver, BC

Devohn Noronha Teixeira

Forward

Mississauga, ON

Gordon Johnston

Defender

Vancouver, BC

Harp Virdi

Forward

Vancouver, BC

Hudson Stewart

Midfield

Vancouver, BC

Iain Smythe

Forward

Vancouver, BC

Jagdish Gill

Defender

Toronto, ON

James Kirkpatrick

Forward

Victoria, BC

John Smythe

Midfield

Vancouver, BC

Leo Bannister

Midfield

Vancouver, BC

Mark Pearson

Midfield

Tsawwassen, BC

Matthew Sarmento

Forward

Vancouver, BC

Oliver Scholfield

Forward

Vancouver, BC

Paul Wharton

Midfield

Vancouver, BC

Richard Hildreth

Forward

Vancouver, BC

Scott Tupper

Defender

Vancouver, BC

Sukhpal Panesar

Midfield

Surrey, BC

Taylor Curran

Midfield

North Vancouver, BC


Field Hockey Canada media release



National hockey captain Azlan on the verge of setting record

By Aftar Singh


National hockey captain Azlan Misron in action during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March.

KUALA LUMPUR: Defender Azlan Misron is set to create Malaysian hockey history in the World League Second Round in Singapore from Jan 17-25.

The Perak-born player, who made his international debut in a Test series against New Zealand in 2001, is tipped to be the first national player to secure more than 350 international caps.

Azlan, who captained Malaysia to finish fourth in the Incheon Asian Games in September, has so far represented the country 346 times.

The 31-year-old Azlan, who started his career as a forward but switched to be a defender five years ago, is likely to play in all the six matches – three group matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final – in Singapore.

“It is very rare for a player to don national colours 300 times. I’m delighted that I’m going to reach the 350 mark,” said Azlan, a father of two.  

“I have been representing Malaysia for the last 13 years. It has been a long time and an honour. As long as my services are needed, I’ll continue to play,” said Azlan, who has been the captain since 2007.

For the World League Second Round, world No. 13 Malaysia are the top seeds. They are in Group A with Oman, Ukraine and Fiji.

Japan, ranked 16th in the world, are in Group B with Poland, Bangladesh and Singapore.

The top three teams will qualify for the two World League semi-finals which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Brasschaat, Belgium, in June. The World League is a qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Azlan said Malaysia would go all out to live up to the favourites’ tag in Singapore.

“The MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) have set a top-two target for us, but I believe we are capable of winning the tournament,” said Azlan.

There are 25 players in the training squad. National coach Tai Beng Hai will name the final 18-man team after the three friendly matches against Poland (Jan 4 and Jan 6) and Bangladesh (Jan 8).

The Star of Malaysia



PHF decides to take up CT incident at FIH

Mohammad Yaqoob

LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Rana Mujahid has vowed to contest Pakistan’s case at the FIH against injustice done to the national team after defeating India in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy semi-final.

The secretary also warned that the game would die in the country if the government does not come for its support.

He was briefing the media after attending the PHF Congress here on Tuesday under President Akhtar Rasool.

“Head coach Shahnaz Sheikh presented his report on the Champions’ Trophy and the sad incident which occurred before the final.

“The PHF has its former president Qasim Zia in the FIH Executive Board and he will fight Pakistan’s case,” Mujahid said. “The PHF has been functioning since 1948 and it knows well how to tackle such issues.

“Since the matter is of great importance, outsiders should comment on it carefully as we want to promote friendly relations with other countries through hockey,” he said.

“We will contest the case of Pakistan at proper forum (FIH) as we will not compromise the dignity of the nation at any cost,” he said.

Rana Mujahid, flanked by head coach Shahnaz Sheikh and chief selector Islahuddin, further said the PHF had some objections over the entire incident.

“After pressure from Hockey India, the FIH tournament director had reversed his earlier decision in which he was satisfied with the explanation given by Pakistan team chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh. Later, he imposed one match ban on two Pakistani players and issued warning to one other.

“You can imagine how painful the incident for the chief coach might be as he was summoned by the FIH official thrice just hours before the final.

“It disturbed Shahnaz badly who was mentally involved in preparing and discussing the match strategy with the players,” Rana remarked.

Meanwhile, Rana said that despite financial constraints, the Pakistan team won back-to-back silver medals in Asian Games and Champions Trophy.

“It is not possible to run the affairs of hockey in the country if the players are not given what they deserve. The game will die if it does not get government’s financial support,” he said.

He said the Congress passed a resolution, appealing to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is patron-in-chief of the PHF, to release grant of Rs500 million, which the Inter-provincial Ministry had recommended. He said the situation was pity when the PHF was bagging for sponsorship to send the national team to India to participate in the Champions Trophy.

He said though Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had helped out the PHF in the recent past by granting Rs100 million and then Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad also helped the national team enabling it to play the Champions Trophy but without prime minister’s support, the national game of hockey could not be run further.

He said the PHF was also trying to establish its own marketing unit.

To a question, the secretary said the PHF has planned six tours for the national team for next year but if the government’s grant was not released the plan could not be fulfilled.

“We have to confirm our participation at the Azlan Shah Cup besides the tours to Europe, Australia and China are also on the cards. We are awaiting a positive response from the government before confirming all these tours,” he said.

He said the Congress also approved some amendments in the PHF constitution under which FIH’s constitution would be followed completely.

He said though the FIH had fixed age of 70 for its office-bearers to participate in the elections, the PHF has decided to follow it with some changes as the age restriction for PHF secretary would be 65 instead of 70.

Furthermore, the PHF had also dissolved its women wing like the PCB and now all its women affairs would be run by a general manager.

In addition, women will have 20 per cent quota in every unit of the PHF, so women members in the Executive Board will now be four instead of two.

He said that except ice hockey all other games of hockey in Pakistan would be conducted under the umbrella of the PHF as per decision of the FIH.

He further said the PHF would also form its anti-corruption and anti-doping units following the FIH constitution to keep the game clean from all menaces.

Meanwhile, to a question, chief selector Islah said Pakistan team needs to play 20 to 25 international matches to emerge as one of the best teams in the world.

He said as Pakistan did not play any match against a European team for the last one-and-a-half years, they could not click in the first three matches of the Champions Trophy but later it gave much improved performance in quarter-final, semi-final and final.

Dawn



PHF demands adequate funds from government for revival of hockey

Women’s wing abolished, PHF to appoint general manager to look after women’s hockey in country



LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has urged the federal government to sanction required funds for the promotion and revival of the national game. Addressing media at the National Hockey Stadium here Tuesday, after the PHF congress meeting, PHF secretary general Rana Mujahid Ali said the national federation had felt a wave of discontent amongst the boys who brought laurels for the country in last three months. “Financial difficulties faced by the families of the players, who bagged two silver medals in two back to back international events, may discourage the players as the PHF, due to paucity of funds, is not in a position to extend any financial help or reward to the players,” Mujahid added. “If the same situation persists and the government does not lend a hand to the PHF to come out of the financial crunch then it would be difficult to revive the game and attract good players. The national sport of the country will die and hockey stars will be forced change professions,” he added.

The PHF official recalled that how painful it was for the federation to arrange funds for the national hockey team to ensure its team’s participation in the Champions Trophy. Mujahd said the PHF Congress passed a unanimous resolution requesting the Prime Minister for approving a summary of Rs.500 million, prepared by the Inter Provincial Coordination Ministry, for the implementation of the PHF Action Plan to uplift the standard of hockey in Pakistan.

To a question, he said the PHF would raise the issue of change of mind of the tournament director of the Champions Trophy at the forthcoming FIH executive board meeting. “Former PHF president Qasim Zia, who is an elected member of the FIH executive board, will question the behavior of tournament director in the meeting,”. It is pertinent to mention that after pressure from Hockey India, the FIH tournament director had reversed his earlier decision in which he was satisfied with the explanation given by Pakistan team chief coach Shahnaz Shiekh. Later he imposed one match ban on two Pakistan players and issued warning to one player. Mujahid added how painful it was for chief coach Shahnaz to be summoned by the FIH official thrice just hours before the start of the final against Germany in the Champions Trophy. “It disturbed Shahnaz badly who was mentally involved in preparing and discussing the match strategy with the players,” Mujahid maintained.

Informing key decisions taken during the 51st Congress meeting, the PHF secretary said certain amendments had been approved in the PHF Constitution as directed by the FIH. “The FIH is concerned with the menace of corruption and doping in world sports and it has taken a pre-emptive step to eliminate it before it affects hockey. Therefore, the PHF have decided to maintain a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and doping and incorporated it in the preamble of its constitution.” He said the PHF women’s wing has been abolished as directed by the FIH. “A general manager (women) will be appointed to look after the women’s hockey throughout Pakistan. But women will be given 20 percent representation in the PHF congress and the executive board,” Mujahid said. The PHF congress also approved the annual calendar of hockey activities and the estimated budget of the PHF for the year 2015-16.

The Daily Times



No funds, no hockey: PHF secretary general

By Nabil Tahir


THE ACTION PLAN: The PHF congress passed a unanimous resolution urging the Prime Minister to approve a summary of Rs500 million to uplift the standards of hockey in Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: “If the federal government does not provide the required funds for the development of the national sport, hockey will come to its end and the players will leave due to a financial crisis,” said Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary General Rana Mujhaid at the 51st annual congress meeting of PHF held at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

“Due to lack of funds, PHF is not able to pay a respectable amount to its players because of which the relation between the players and the federation is getting sour. It is very disappointing as the national team has earned two consecutive silver medals in the last international events and still they, together with their families, are facing monetary difficulties.

“The players must be encouraged and supported by the government to make their ends meet,” urged Mujahid.

Mujahid further elaborated that the PHF congress has passed a unanimous resolution urging the Prime Minister to approve a summary of Rs500 million, prepared by the Inter Provincial Coordination Ministry, for the implementation of the PHF action plan to uplift the standards of hockey in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the meeting also shed light on the behavior of Champions Trophy’s tournament director Wiert Doyer with the Pakistani players and head coach Shahnaz Sheikh before the Champions Trophy final, which affected the national team’s performance against Germany.

“Former President of the PHF Qasim Zia who is an elected member of the FIH Executive Board will question the behavior of Doyer at the forthcoming FIH Executive Board meeting that changed after being pressurised by Hockey India” said Mujahid.

He also informed that a general manager (women) will be appointed to look after women’s hockey throughout Pakistan and women will be given 20% representation in the congress and the executive board. The annual calendar and the estimated budget of the PHF for the year 2015-16 was also approved in the meeting.

The Express Tribune

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