News for 21 April 2015
All the news for Tuesday 21 April 2015
Rot-Weiss and UHC move three clear in Germany
Rot-Weiss Köln and UHC Hamburg have moved three points clear of Harvestehuder THC at the top of the German league following the latest match weekend.
That is primarily because of UHC’s 3-2 win over HTHC on Staurday thanks to Oliver Korn’s winner with five minutes to go. MoritzFürste made it 1-0 12 minutes in before Leon Willemsen equalised almost immediately.
Ricardo Nevado restored the lead at half-time only for Austrian star Benjamin Stanzl to level the game for a second time. Korn, though, sealed the deal at the death in a tie that UHC coach Kais al-Saadi described as being played at “an incredible pace”.
His side surived a last minute Michael Korper effort to secure their victory. A day later, UHC were given a huge scare by Düsseldorf in their second match of the weekend.
Once again, it required a late goal with Fürste scoring a 68th minute penalty stroke to snatch a 4-3 win.
It lifted his side to 31 points after 14 games, the same total as Rot Weiss who were 4-1 winners at Munich. They did fall 1-0 behind to a Florian Michel goal but two second half goals from Benjamin Wess and one each from Christopher Zeller and Martin Chorus turned the tide.
Harvestehuder are back on 28 points while Uhlenhorst Mulheim are on 27 with Berliner HC looking to catch up on the leading quartet.
Euro Hockey League media release
WP set the standard
JONATHAN COOK at the AB Jackson
Wade Witbooi of Eastern Province is shadowed by Stephen Cant of Northern Blues at the Greenfields SA U21 Men's Interprovincial Tournament on AB Jackson Greenfields Turf in Pietermaritzburg Monday. Blues won 4-2.
There were wins for defending champions Western Province, as well as Northern Blues and WP Peninsula on day one of the Greenfields SA U21 Men’s Interprovincial Hockey Tournament at the AB Jackson Greenfields Turf Monday.
Western Province stamped their mark with a comprehensive 5-0 defeat of Southern Gauteng.
Blitzes, in the 33rd and 34th minutes, and another double strike in the 55th and 59th, were complemented by the match opener in the 24th.
All five were field goals, which is in part indicative of the space and time coach Bruce Jacobs’ WP line-up were able to create for themselves.
The mercurial James Drummond bagged a brace with Ryan Crowe, Nqobile Ntuli and Ryan Julius getting the rest.
The final match between KZN Inland and Peninsula was a hard-fought affair.
The first chukka was played at a furious pace with turnovers upsetting the teams’ rhythm at both ends of the pitch.
Inland earned a penalty corner in the 12th minute but the opportunity was lost.
Three minutes into the second chukka, Pens skipper Ed Reed flashed a rising, full-blooded shot wide.
Just over a minute later Inland broke out fast and the combination of Tevin Kok, Pambili Gada and Amkelwe Letuka saw the latter add the finishing touch for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. Inland keeper Tim Kirkman denied Rushin October soon after.
And in the 28th Kok timed a rising shot to perfection but the ball’s direction didn’t match the quality of the strike.
Inland started superbly after half-time, creating room for Gada to nail a rasping shot that on another day might have flown goal-side of the post.
The third quarter saw Inland put together some fine combinations, but the goal didn’t come, which came back to haunt them.
Inland’s inability to finish saw Pens come back to take a 2-1 lead with eight minutes left in the match after fine goals from Reece Arendse and Jordon Groenewald in the 50th and 52nd minutes respectively.
With seven minutes left, Amkelwe Letuka was just wide as Inland sought the equaliser. Both sides came close to adding to the goal tally, Pens keeper Antoni van Loggerenberg making a match-winning tackle on Kok with two minutes to go.
Due to concerns about load shedding, Tuesday’s matches have each been brought forward by two hours. Inland tackle Northern Blues in the 3pm clash.
Northern Blues came back from a goal down to take a 3-1 lead before running out 4-2 winners against a gutsy Eastern Province.
Blues’ goals came from Stephen Cant, Stephan van Vollenhoven, Ashley Kemp and Dario Lourenco while Patrick Bailey and Dillan Langeveld breached the Pretoria team’s defence for EP.
In the early match, Southern Gauteng Witsies let slip a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with a never-say-die North West.
Witsies scored through Grant Perry (2) and Keagan Fraser while Ruan de Jong, Petrus Bothma and captain Sinoxolo Mbekeni got on the scoresheet for North West.
RESULTS
Southern Gauteng Witsies 3 North West 3; Northern Blues 4 Eastern Province 2; Western Province 5 Southern Gauteng 0; WP Peninsula 2 KZN Inland 1.
FIXTURES
Tuesday 9am KZN Coastal Raiders vs Eastern Province; 11am Free State vs Southern Gauteng; 1pm Western Province vs North West; 3pm Northern Blues vs KZN Inland.
* Results from the women’s U21 IPT in Bloemfontein were not available at the time of publication.
AS FAR AS MEN'S FIXTURES CHANGE, THE ONLY CHANGE IS TUESDAY GAMES BEING MOVED FORWARD TWO HOURS EACH.
NO OTHER CHANGES AT THIS STAGE.
SA Hockey Association media release
Warriors stroll to yet another thumping win
By BRIAN YONGA
Butali Warriors’ William Okech during their KHU Premier League clash with Wazalendo at City Park on November 30, 2014. FILE PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Premier League champions Butali Sugar Warriors will require something special to stop them after they hammered Wazalendo 7-1 at the weekend to cement their place at the top of the standings with six points.
Barnabas Odhiambo continued his fine form for he is new club, scoring a brace to take his tally of the season to three as the champions ran riot over a hapless Wazalendo. The former Nakuru Sikh player gave his team the lead in the 15th minute before adding his second after the break.
Another acquisition, Seth Oburu, who joined from Strathmore Gladiators, also scored his second goal of the season for the Kisumu-based team, formerly known as Kisumu Simba.
Others who scored for the three-time league champions were veteran Said Okwemba, Zack Aura, Frank Wanangwe and Hannington Otieno to maintain their team’s unbeaten run.
Dedan Ipaatah scored Wazalendo’s consolation in the 60th minute as the club suffered their second defeat of the season after losing 2-3 to Strathmore last weekend.
Butali coach Cliffe Okello praised his team for playing as a unit in their opening day victory against Greensharks last weekend.
“This will be a long season and I think the team that drops the less number of points will win it, at the moment we are in good shape but still have a long way to go,” Okello said.
The 2013 champions Kenya Police are second also on six points but with an inferior goal difference after their 2-1 win over Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U).
USIU men are third with three points. The 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union laboured to a 6-5 win against Parklands Sports Club to register their first victory of the season.
Daily Nation
25 probables announced for India-Japan series
NEW DELHI: Hockey India on Monday announced a list of 25 probables for the upcoming India-Japan series, to be played in Bhubaneswar from May 3 to 9, which will be in preparation for the FIH Hockey World League Semifinal (men), scheduled in June.
The preparatory camp for the upcoming series will take place at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from April 22 to 30.
The Indian men's team bagged the bronze medal at the recently-concluded 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and will be looking at to continue their form in the upcoming tournament.
Commenting on the training camp, head coach Paul van Ass said, "The team is in good shape and high in confidence in the last one year. They have delivered and ended at important positions in the past tournaments, with the last being the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
"The last tournament showcased the intent with which the players play and the ability to come back into the game. We will take the upcoming camp as ground to further refine the skills of the players and enhance their performance. Besides working on the strengths, we will work on the areas of concern and ensure we are up for the battle for the entire 60 minutes of the game."
The list of 25 core probables:
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Harjot Singh.
Defenders: Gurbaj Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, VR Raghunath, Jasjit Singh, Gurmail Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Harmanpreet Singh.
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh, SK Uthappa, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Pardeep Mor.
Forwards: SV Sunil, Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Satbir Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Lalit Upadhyay.
The Times of India
Punjab ‘A’ stun formidable PIA in Jr hockey
Anwar Zuberi
KARACHI: History of sorts was created on Monday when former champions PIA crashed out in the quarter-finals of the 34th National Junior Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium.
The credit goes to Punjab “A” who shocked the airlines 4-3 on penalty strokes after one-all stalemate in the regulation time.
Earlier, defending champions National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) inflicted 4-1 defeat on hosts Sindh to become first team to cruise into the last four.
After emerging pool “D” champions, Punjab “A” gave a tough time to airlines restricting them to one-all draw in the stipulated time.
PIA was the first to open their account through Abu Bakar off penalty corner in the 18th minute.
However, the lead was short lived as Asif Ali scored the equaliser five minutes later.
As the two teams failed to settle the issue in the remaining two quarters of 15-minutes apiece, the match was extended to penalty strokes.
Punjab “A” capitalised four of the five strokes through Mohsin Sabir, M. Asif, Faizan Ali and Mudassir as Asif Ali failed to avail the opportunity.
On the other hand, PIA could only convert through Nohaiz Malik, Owais-ur-Rehman and Rana Sohail. The two players who faltered were Ali Haider and Wasim Akram.
It is pertinent to mention that debutant SSGC had stunned PIA 3-1 in their last league match on Sunday to top pool “B”.
“Punjab “A” had beaten PIA 2-1 in the play-off to seize third position in the last year’s event at the same venue and this time too, they (Punjab A) lived up to their billing,” their coach Babar Abbdullah told Dawn.
In the first quarter, holders NBP inched closer overcoming Sindh 4-1 to join Punjab “A” in the last four. Full back Mubashir Ali slammed two goals, both off penalty corners in 15th and 60th minutes.
Shan Irshad and M. Naveed netted once in the 10th and 43rd minutes. Baraduddin scored the consolation goal for losers in 58th minute.
The remaining two quarter-finals will be played on Tuesday. SSGC takes on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the first at 2.30pm while Wapda will be up against Railways in the second at 4.30pm.
Wednesday is the rest day in the event. The semi-finals are slated for Thursday while curtain falls on the event on Friday with the play-off for third-fourth position and final on card.
Tuesday’s fixtures:
Quarter-finals: SSGC v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 2.30pm; Wapda v Railways at 4.30pm.
Dawn
Hockey trials for 4-nation selection from Saturday
LAHORE: Trials to select Pakistan team for participation in the 4-Nation Hockey Tournament will be held at the National Hockey Stadium on Saturday. The four-nation event is being held in Hobart, Australia from May 2.
Currently, the national training camp is in progress at the same venue. Around 38 probables are attending the camp from which the national selection committee headed by Islahuddin Siddiqi will select the final team.
Dawn
Samiullah backs audit of PHF, National Games
Kashif Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s legendary hockey Olympian Samiullah Khan backed the government’s decisions of conducting an audit of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and controversial National Games held in 2013.
Samiullah, dubbed the ‘Flying Horse’ in his playing days for his speed and skills, said that the standard of Pakistan hockey has fallen drastically over the last few years whilst other teams have improved by leaps and bounds and said that instead of promoting the national game, the PHF has misused the funding.
“Despite spending over Rs1 billion during the last five years, the PHF has achieved nothing. A few years back, we were at No 8 [in the world rankings] and now we’re at 10th,” bemoaned Samiullah while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.
“It’s even more disappointing that the Pakistan team, which has won the World Cup four times, failed to qualify for the last edition of the World Cup. Over Rs1 billion was released by the previous government to the PHF which unfortunately couldn’t be properly spent on the promotion of game.
“I’m surprised where the money was spent, as PHF did not establish any new stadium and even hostel for players,” he added, appreciating the government’s decision of ordering an audit of PHF’s financial affairs.
“Proving corruption is the work of auditors, but I’m pretty sure that funds were badly misused and fell victim of mismanagements. I came to know that during foreign tours, the PHF high-ups used to stay in six-star hotels.”
He also said that he was happy upon hearing that the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination has decided to conduct an audit of the 2013 National Games.
“In five days they spent over Rs130million for these games and a fair audit should be conducted to unmask all those who either misused the funds or were involved in any kind of corruption,” he said.
Samiullah said that there seems to be mistrust between government and the PHF, which has resulted in the decline of hockey.
“I think government has reached the conclusion that huge funds should not be handed over to the PHF and this is a good step,” he said, adding that PHF should be given target-oriented funding.
“I think, instead of handing them billions of rupees, the PHF should be given funding in instalments for each tournament.”
Samiluallah reckoned that there was no dearth of hockey talent in the country.
“Within four years time, we can grab the top-four ranking with honest efforts and hard work but no one is sincere in achieving that target,” he said, suggesting that the incumbent PHF should be replaced with talented team, which can activate the corporate sector for sponsorships.
Nevertheless, he appreciated the efforts made by head coach Shahnaz Sheikh due to which the team won silver medals at last year’s Asian Games and the Champions Trophy.
Dawn
Summer Bash at the Beach, USA Field Hockey Announces New, Fun Summer Youth Event in VA Beach
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is pleased to unveil another exciting event to the lineup, occurring July 24-26, 2015 in Virginia Beach, Va. at the Virginia Beach National Training Center. In its inaugural year, the Summer Bash at the Beach has been created by USA Field Hockey to encourage a competitive atmosphere while emphasizing family fun.
USA Field Hockey has formatted the tournament to consist of 42 teams made up of a U-14 Girls Division and a U-12 Co-Ed Division. The divisions will be separated into six pools consisting of seven teams in each pool. All teams are guaranteed six games lasting 25 minutes long with two 12 and half minute halves. The matches will be 7 v 7 with a maximum roster size of 12 athletes. Provision has been made to expand the tournament if necessary to accommodate as many USA Field Hockey clubs as possible.
Matches will be scheduled to take place at the National Training Center in the morning hours leaving the afternoon open for athletes and families to enjoy the sun, surf and Virginia Beach culture. The facility boasts two brand new, state of the art Astroturf watered turf fields, providing the very best surfaces available in field hockey.
With hotels being in high demand during the summer months in Virginia Beach, USA Field Hockey has again teamed up with JBS Destination Solutions/The Global Housing Bureau as the official housing provider to make sure the best quality hotels are available during this time of year at the best prices available. The Summer Bash will be Stay to Play event.
“We were thrilled that the Virginia Beach National Training Center was available and are happy to be bringing the tournament to the beach,” said Steve Locke, USA Field Hockey Executive Director. “Along with having a great atmosphere and location, we also wanted to have an affordable experience. We have set the registration price at $750 and the location is drivable for a large portion of our East Coast field hockey community.”
“USA Field Hockey is excited to offer this tournament to continue the opportunities for youth players to develop their skills while enjoying the sport,” added Locke. “We are committed to growing the sport and feel it is important to offer our youth fun and positive playing experiences. Due to some recent changes, USA Field Hockey will no longer be a sanctioning partner in the Disney Junior Classic event but we look forward to hosting teams at the first annual Summer Bash at the Beach.”
Registration for the Summer Bash at the Beach will open on Monday, April 27, 2015 at 12:00 noon MST. Teams will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. The registration cost is $750 per team and payment is due at registration. Any comments or questions can be directed to Emily Thomas, USA Field Hockey Membership and Events Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
USA Field Hockey will also be taking the opportunity at this event to train and provide instruction to new umpires. This will consist of a pre-tournament training camp and on-field training throughout the event. The opportunity to get umpire certification will be available. For more information, contact Steve Horgan, USA Field Hockey Director of Umpiring, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
USFHA media release
Hockey stalwarts awarded for decades of service
Crichton Christie, Sue Shepherd and Bill Shepherd awarded Hockey New Zealand Life Membership. Photo / Supplied
Three Northland hockey stalwarts who helped create New Zealand's best hockey facilities and one of the sport's strongest centres have been awarded Hockey New Zealand's first Life Memberships.
Crichton Christie, Sue Shepherd and Bill Shepherd received the honour at Hockey New Zealand's AGM in Napier on Saturday night.
"Hockey Northland has punched well above its weight over many years. We are recognised within the hockey fraternity to be one of the most forward-thinking of all associations in the country," Mrs Shepherd said.
Northland Hockey chief executive Grant McLeod said the honours were richly deserved by all three recipients.
Hockey Northland now has one of the top hockey venues in the country and the only one with a covered grandstand, which as an added bonus is one of the region's heritage buildings.
Crichton Christie received his Life Membership for services to hockey over 45 years, specialising in development projects for the sport in Northland.
A Life Member of Hockey Northland, since 1975 he has had roles as treasurer, board chairman, president and committees at local and national level.
He was a board member of NZ Hockey Federation (later Hockey NZ), and awarded the NZHF Pakistan Trophy for services to hockey in 1985 and again in 2009.
Bill Shepherd was also awarded the Pakistan Trophy it in 2009.
His Life Membership Award is for special services to hockey and a number of capacities at club, association and New Zealand level since 1962.
He was president of Hockey New Zealand from 2011 to 2014, and is chairman of Hockey Northland. Achievements include Life Membership of Ruatangata Hockey Club for 50 years as a player and club leader; Life Member of Hockey Northland; a Hockey New Zealand Long Service Award and Hockey Northland Sportsman of the Year in 1984.
He was a New Zealand Senior Masters player in Perth in 1998, Hong Kong in 1996, winning the gold medal, and Adelaide 1994, also winning the gold medal.
Mr Shepherd received a Queen's Service Medal in 2013 for services to farming and hockey.
His wife Sue was also awarded Life Membership for special services to hockey for over 50 years as an administrator, coach, board member, fundraiser, photographer and promoter.
Mrs Shepherd has coached and managed teams from junior club to regional level over many years and convened a number of local and national tournaments in Whangarei for Hockey NZ.
She has been a main player in improving Whangarei's nation-leading facilities.
Northern Advocate
Maheswari gunning for golden finish
K. MAHESWARI was among the last batch of Malaysian women that won the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games bronze medal, and come May 13, she will be looking for a golden outing.
The incumbent Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) vice-president will be going for broke when she challengers S. Shamala for the women's deputy president post.
But Maheswari, Group Chief Regulatory Officer at Kenanga Group, made it clear that she is not in a battle with her challenger, but will go for broke in a fight to salvage women's hockey.
"I was fortunate, or you can call it unfortunate, to be in the last women's hockey team which won a medal at the Asian Games. It has been a long 33 years since we last touched a medal at that level, which portrays the state of the sport.
"And I want to make it clear that I'm not in a battle with my opponent, but in a fight to salvage the women's section," said Maheswari.
The MHC vice president also revealed that her current position in MHC was just as an endorser, after decisions are made.
"Most of the time we were just told after decisions and plans were made and so I could not actively involve myself even though I was a vice-president. The deputy president is a decision making post, and that's why I am keen to see myself at the top of the podium so that I can play a more active role," said the former international who has been nominated by Kuala Lumpur HA.
Nominations close on April 28 and the last day for withdrawals is May 9. As of today, Maheswari's challenger is Shamala, also an incumbent vice-president.
When asked if she has started her state-wide campaign: "I'm not the kind of person who would pick up the phone and call state affiliates looking for votes. The affiliates know my work-rate as I have been in the hockey circle for a long time. Yes, some states did call and ask me if I'm interested, but I'm not the kind who will go on a campaign trail."
There is a proposed line-up linking her to a certain camp, making its round on social media as the election fever heightens.
"No Im not linked to any camp. Actually I do not favour taking sides in camps or campaigns, but would rather the delegates make their own line-up on voting day."
With MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and deputy president Puan Sri Raja Noora Ashikin not seeking re-election, May 13 looks set to be a battle of many fronts for every position.
Thirty-two delegates will cast their votes, half of them women, for 10 posts -- president, two deputy presidents, and seven vice-presidents.
Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal will stand for president and KLHA have names George Koshy as his challenger. George and Subahan would need three nominations to be eligible to contest the post.
Koshy has also been nominated as the men's deputy president, and he is expected to announce his decision on which post he will stand when nominations close.
Incumbent vice-president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad has also said he will be going for broke, for the deputy's post.
The new MHC constitution did away with the secretary's post and replaced it with a CEO, while there will be two deputy president's to govern both genders.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey