Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

Daily Hockey news updated @ 10:00 GMT

News for 18 November 2015

All the news for Wednesday 18 November 2015


JAC 2015: Mas v Kor quarters

by Jugjet Singh

MALAYSIA drew 2-2 with Japan to finish second in Group A, and will play South Korea in the quarter-finals of the Junior Asia Cup tomorrow.

Before Malaysia stepped onto the pitch yesterday, Bangladesh had upset South Korea 2-0 in Group B. So, the stats were that if Malaysia beat or hold Japan they will meet South Korea in the quarter-finals, and if they lose, they play Bangladesh.

The quarter-finals are what matters most in this tournament, as winners advance to the Junior World Cup in India next year.

"Even though we did not beat Japan, by boys still gave a good account of themselves and after a days rest, we will be ready for the most important match of the tournament which is the only chance to qualify for the Junior World Cup.

"We did not pick or choose our opponents, and I believe South Korea can be beaten to realise our dream of playing in India next year," said Malaysian coach Arul Selvaraj.

Malaysia took the match to Japan with zest, and off a concerted attack an the 15th minute, Azwar Rahman scored a field attempt for his first goal of the tournament.

Japan were contended with defending, and gave Malaysia too much space to attack, but final touches eluded a higher scoreline in the early minutes.

After the half-time break, Japan started toying around with the ball while Malaysia kept missing sitters.

Japan drew level in the 49th minute, when Miyu Tanimitsu scored a penalty corner goal.

Malaysia replaced No 1 goalkeeper Ridzwan Azmi with Fazri Rahim in the 62nd minute, and it was to give match exposure to the other golakeeper.

And with four minutes left on the clock, Haziq Samsul gave Malaysia the lead, but Japan drew level at 2-2 with a penalty corner from YAMADA Shota Yamada in the 69th minute and Malaysia will play against South Korea in the quarters.

India will meet Oman in the quarters, and even though they have qualified for the World Cup as hosts, they are the early favourites to enter the last four.

RESULTS: Group A: India 4 China 1, Japan 2 Malaysia 2.

Group B: Oman 1 Pakistan 7, South Korea 0 Bangladesh 2.

Nov 18: REST DAY

Nov 19: Quarter-finals: India v Oman (3.45, Pitch II); Bangladesh v Japan (4pm, Pitch I); Malaysia v South Korea (6.15pm, Pitch I), Pakistan v China (8.30pm, Pitch I).

GROUP A
            P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
INDIA       3  3  0  0  11 6  9
MALAYSIA    3  1  1  1  10 7  4
JAPAN       3  1  1  1  5  5  4
CHINA       3  0  0  3  2  10 0

GROUP B
            P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
PAKISTAN    3  3  0  0  13 2  9
BANGLADESH  3  2  0  1  8  7  6
S KOREA     3  1  0  2  5  7  3
OMAN        3  0  0  3  7  17 0

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Malaysia meet Korea in Junior Asia Cup quarterfinals

By Jugjet Singh

MALAYSIA will play South Korea in the quarter-finals of the Junior Asia Cup on Thursday, after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan in Kuantan on Tuesday.

The quarter-finals will determine who will advance to the Junior World Cup in India next year.

Malaysia took the match to Japan with zest. Off a concerted attack at the 15th minute Azwar Rahman scored via a field atempt for his first goal of the tournament.

Japan drew level in the 49th minute, when Miyu Tanimitsu scored a penalty corner goal.

With four minutes left on the clock Haziq Samsul gave Malaysia the initial lead however Japan drew level at 2-2 with a penalty corner from Shota Yamada in the 69th minute, thus setting up Malaysia’s match against South Korea in the quarters.

India will meet Oman in the quarters - both qualified for the World Cup as hosts and are early favourites to enter the last four.

RESULTS: Group A: India 4 China 1, Japan 2 Malaysia 2. Group B: Oman 1 Pakistan 7, South Korea 0 Bangladesh 2.

Nov 18: REST DAY

Nov 19: Quarter-finals: India v Oman (3.45, Pitch II); Bangladesh v Japan (4pm, Pitch I); Malaysia v South Korea (6.15pm, Pitch I), Pakistan v China (8.30pm, Pitch I).

New Straits Times



Malaysia to meet South Korea after draw with Japan

by S. Ramaguru


Malaysia’s Mohd Azwar Rahman (third from right) celebrates his goal against Japan in the 2-2 draw in the Junior Asia Cup. – Bernama

KUANTAN: It was the match-up that Malaysia never wanted right from the start of the Junior Asia Cup.

But, as fate would have it, Malaysia will now play South Korea in the quarter-finals at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

A 2-2 draw with Japan saw Malaysia finish second in Group A, with India taking top spot after beating China 4-1.

Malaysia and Japan were faced with a dilemma even before they took to the field because South Korea, the team they both wanted to avoid in the last eight, suffered a surprise 2-0 loss to Bangladesh.

Malaysia and Japan knew that whoever lost last night would have the “easier” game in the quarter-finals – against Bangladesh, who finished second in Group B.

But National Juniors coach A. Arulselvaraj decided to take the gung-ho approach and go for a win.

“We told the players not to worry about the other results and to just play their game,” he said.

In the end, the teams played to a draw, with Mohd Azwar Rahman (15th minute) and Mohd Shamsul Haziq (67th) scoring for Malaysia and Miyu Tanimitsu (49th) and Shota Yamada (69th) netting for Japan.

So, as Malaysia prepare for a tough time against South Korea tomorrow, Japan can look forward to their quarter-final clash against Bangladesh.

In the other Group A match, India made it three wins out of three by thrashing China 4-1 to top the group.

India, champions in 2004 and 2008, will meet Oman in tomorrow’s quarter-finals while China will face Group B winners Pakistan.

India opened accounts through Harmandpreet Singh in the 16th minute before Ajit Pandey doubled it in the 37th minute.

Although Guo Haifeng reduced the deficit for China in the 43rd minute, Manpreet Singh made the scoreline more comprehensive with a brace in the 52nd and 67th minutes.

The Star of Malaysia



Bangladesh stun South Korea 2-0 in Junior Asia Cup

by S. Ramaguru

KUANTAN: Bangladesh sprang the biggest surprise of the Junior Asia Cup when they defeated South Korea 2-0 in a Group B match at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.

Bangladesh finished second in the group behind Pakistan, who hammered Oman 7-1 in an earlier match to stretch their unbeaten run to three games.

The South Koreans were lethargic and they failed to match the better organised Bangladeshis.

It was South Korea’s first loss to Bangladesh. The best that Bangladesh had ever done against South Korea prior to this win was a 1-1 draw in the Asian Cup in Hiroshima in 1993.

Goals from Md Sarower Hossain (25th minute) and Milon Hossain (46th) were enough to give them a famous victory.

But team manager Mohamed Islam isn’t looking too much into the result.

“It’s the next match that matters. Beating the Koreans was a good result and will boost the players’ confidence.

“The quarter-final match is the most important ... and we hope it will be the Japanese. We believe that we stand a better chance against them than playing against Malaysia,” he said.

South Korea team manager Yoo Moon-ki was disappointed with the result but not surprised by his players’ lack of self-belief.

“They’re very inexperienced at the international level. Today, Bangladesh played very well and deserved to win.

“We will plan for the next game and hope to do better,” he said.

In the other match, it was all Pakistan as they led 5-1 in the first half, courtesy of a hat-trick by Muhammad Dilber (3rd, 62nd, 65th) and a brace by Abu Mahmood (8th, 28th). Muhammad Bilal Qadir (15th) and Muhammad Atiq (34th) added to Oman’s misery.

Oman only goal came in the fifth minute through Shafi Al-Shatari.

Three-time champions Pakistan top Group B with nine points, followed by Bangladesh (six points), South Korea (three) and Oman with no points.

The Star of Malaysia



Dilber nets thrice to take Pakistan to quarter-finals

By Nabil Tahir


Pakistan need to win the quarter-final against China to qualify for next year’s Junior World Cup in India. PHOTO COURTESY: ASIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION

KARACHI: Muhammad Dilber Hussain’s hat-trick guided Pakistan’s junior hockey team to a comfortable 7-1 win over Oman in the last Pool B match of the 8th Men’s Junior Asia Cup, which saw the Colts top their pool, at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan, Malaysia on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old opened the scoring in the third minute, but the lead lasted only two minutes as Oman’s Shafi alShatari equalised in the fifth.

However, that was it for Oman who found it difficult to curtail Pakistan’s attack as Abu Mahmood got the Colts back in the lead with a goal in the eighth minute through a penalty corner, while Muhammad Bilal Qadir added another in the 15th minute to make it 3-1.

Goals kept on coming for the Colts as Mahmood once again found the net by successfully convert a penalty corner in the 28th minute, while Muhammad Atiq opened his account by scoring a minute before the interval to give Pakistan a commanding 5-1 lead at half time.

Oman became more offensive in the second half which saw Ammaar alShaaibi getting booked and while he was out serving his five-minute penalty, Pakistan found the net again through Dilber, who converted in the 62nd minute and added another three minutes later to complete his hat-trick and the 7-1 rout.

Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman praised the team for their performance, especially reserving his appreciation for Dilber.

“It was a great effort by the team,” Zaman told The Express Tribune. “The boys showed impeccable attacking skills by putting seven goals past the opponents.

“We will take the positives out of the game and work hard on deriving a balance between attack and defence for the next match. Dilber was outstanding. I knew he can contribute for the team, but seeing him play this well is something really impressive,” he added.

Meanwhile, the hat-trick hero credited the team for his performance. “The energy I get when the whole team plays together is what enables me to gain confidence and score,” said Dilber. “It was the efforts of the whole team which led to such an amazing result.”

Pakistan now need to win their quarter-final against China to progress in the tournament and qualify for next year’s Junior World Cup in India.

The Express Tribune



India easy winner over china 4-1



Kuantan, Malaysia, 17th November, 2015: Indian colts had no difficulty to put aside whatever feeble challenge the Chinese posed in the last pool match of the Junior Asia Cup. By defeating China 4-1 today, India marked third consecutive win, and moved to the quarterfinal berth.

Manpreet (Jr.) fired two goals for India through Penalty Corner conversions while Harmanpreet and Ajit Pandey scored one goal apiece to ensure India’s third consecutive victory.

India started on an attacking note pressing hard on the weak Chines defense, but could only convert in the 16th minute through a penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh was the scorer for India. The first half came to an end with India leading 1-0. India raced through to score their second goal through Ajit Pandey in the 2nd minute of the second half to give India a 2-0 lead.

China struck back soon after in the 43rd minute through a penalty corner taking the score to 2-1. India thereafter increased their pace in the game to convert two goals in quick succession through Manpreet (Jr.) to ensure India’s win over China. With this win India sits atop the chart in Group B.

“It is good that we have continued with our winning momentum. It gets tougher from here, and we all realise that we now enter the knockout zone hence every match is a new championship for us. I am glad that the boys stuck to the basics and were confident in paving through the opponents defense. We head back now to prepare for the quarterfinals and hopefully we will have enough to rejoice after that match as well,” said Harendra Singh, Coach, Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team.

Stick2Hockey.com



Junior Asia Cup: India beat China to top pool, face Oman in quarterfinal

KUANTAN (Malaysia): India defeated China 4-1 in their last pool match to maintain a clean slate going into the quarterfinals of the junior men's Asia Cup hockey tournament, here on Tuesday.

The win over China helped the Indian colts, who had earlier defeated Japan 2-1 and hosts Malaysia 5-4, register their third consecutive win in the tournament and finish on top of Pool A.

India will now meet Oman, the bottom-placed team of Pool B in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

For India, Manpreet Singh Jr (52nd, 67th minutes) fired two goals through penalty corner conversions while Harmanpreet Singh (16th) and Ajit Pandey (37th) scored one goal apiece.

China's lone goal was scored by Haifeng Guo in the 43rd minute.

India started the match on an attacking note pressing hard on the weak Chinese defense, but could only broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet.

The first half came to an end with India leading 1-0.

India doubled their lead in the second minute of the second half through Ajit.

But China pulled one back soon after in the 43rd minute through a penalty corner converted by Guo.

India, thereafter, increased their pace in the game to convert two goals in quick succession through Manpreet Jr to ensure the win.

It is good that we have continued with our winning momentum. It gets tougher from here, and we all realise that we now enter the knockout zone hence every match is a new championship for us. I am glad that the boys stuck to the basics. We head back now to prepare for the quarterfinals and hopefully we will have enough to rejoice after that match as well," Indian junior men's hockey team's chief coach Harendra Singh said.

The Times of India



MHC: Faizal Shaari faces total ban

by Jugjet Singh


FAIZAL .. World League Round Two player-of-the tournament back in murky waters.

INFAMOUS striker Faizal Saari has, yet again, failed to turn up for national training and the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are ready to throw the book at him.

Faizal went on marriage leave and was asked to turn up for training last weeek, but went AWOL. This is the second time Faizal has snubbed national training.

"We do not tolerate indiscipline, and Faizal will be referred to the Disciplinary board (before the Razak Cup on Nov 26) with the proposal to ban him from international as well as domestic tournaments," said MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal in Kuantan yesterday.

Faizal, a Terengganu Hockey Team player, is no stranger to controversy as a money dispute with MHC saw him dropped from the Asian Games line-up after getting into plenty of controversies before and after the World Cup.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Faizal faces ban after ignoring national call of duty

by S. Ramaguru


Faizal Saari (left) has not reported for national duty since getting married in October. – filepic

KUANTAN: National striker Faizal Saari risks facing domestic and international bans if he continues to stay away from national training.

The once-feared striker failed to report for training after getting married in mid-October.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have, in a bold move, dropped Faizal from the national squad when he failed to answer the call-up.

MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal has called for disciplinary action to be taken against the player.

“Yes, we will refer him to the disciplinary board,” he said on Tuesday.

“The player will face a total ban if we find that he is not responsive to answering the national call-up. We have had enough of it from him. My call to Faizal is to report for training immediately or face the consequences.”

The national team started training in September, after naming Stephen van Huizen as the new national team coach.

The team are preparing for the next year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

The only ones excused from training are those who have been playing in the leagues in Europe.

The Star of Malaysia



Spotlight on: Argentina men



2014 Pan American Champions Argentina (FIH World Ranking: 5) have always produced international teams with plenty of talent, but over the past two years the current men’s team has developed into a side that can challenge the very best in the world.

Head Coach and former Argentina international Carlos “Chapa” Retegui – the man who, remarkably, guided both the men and the women’s national sides to Bronze medals at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup – is overseeing the revolution, helping “Los Leones” (The Lions) to realise their massive potential. 
Their performances at the World Cup helped the South Americans surge from 11th to seventh in the FIH World Rankings. Now up to fifth, they have earned the right to be both respected and feared in equal measure.

Key players include veteran captain Matias Paredes, creative genius Lucas Vila and striker Manuel Brunet, although it is Gonzalo Peillat who often grabs the headlines. The powerfully built 23-year-old – who was named FIH Young Player of the Year for 2014 – is an exceptional defender and feared penalty corner specialist who regularly challenges for the tournament top scorer award in every competition.

Peillat was in sparkling form in July’s Pan American Games, scoring 14 times in six matches as Argentina won the Gold medal for a record ninth time. The team also excelled at the Argentina Hockey World League Semi-Final in Buenos Aires, finishing second behind Olympic champions Germany but doing more than enough to seal tickets to both the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the Hero HWL Final in Raipur. Make no mistake about it, Argentina are currently riding high on a wave of confidence and are certainly capable of challenging for the HWL title.

Nickname: Los Leones (The Lions)

Key player: Lucas Vila. Coach Carlos Retegui is really getting the best out of a player who has long been considered to be one of the most naturally gifted attackers on the planet. Vila has a reputation for scoring spectacular goals and always provides assists for his team-mates. The 28-year-old has been central to Argentina’s rapid raise up the FIH World Rankings table and is sure to make a big impact in Raipur.

FIH site



Rookie German coach handed Rio hockey gold treble task

BERLIN: The German Hockey Federation (DHB) have appointed their youngest-ever head coach in their bid to complete the hat-trick of men's hockey golds at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Having steered Germany's men to gold at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, veteran head coach Markus Weise, 52, has taken up a position with the German Football Associaton (DFB) to be replaced by 34-year-old Valentin Altenburg.

The relatively unknown Altenburg has been promoted from the Under-21 team, to whom he will return after the Rio Olympics, but makes no secret of his desire to win gold in Brazil.

"I'm looking forward to working with the guys," said Altenburg.

"We want to work together to get right to the very top.

"There will be some resistance along the way, but I'm curious to see how we handle it."

On Sunday, Altenburg will travel to India with his team for the Hockey World League finals in Raipur, India, from November 27-December 6, where they have drawn Argentina, Netherlands and hosts India in their group.

"No one is expecting him to be a second Markus Weise as chief coach of the men's hockey team," said DHB president Wolfgang Hillmann.

"But I am sure that with this strong experienced side and first-class professional staff, he will find his way to develop this team optimally for Rio."

The Times of India



Squad announced for Junior World Cup qualifier


Pictured: Catherine Tinning, courtesy www.photosport.nz

Head coach Sean Dancer has named a squad of 22 players for the Women's Junior World Cup qualifier being held in Australia from 18-24th January.

The squad has been selected from the recent Future Black Sticks Camp where 50 athletes came to Auckland for four days to train under the guidance of the national coaches.

It’s still to be confirmed which other teams will compete at the tournament, but it’s expected that Australia, who have recently had a series against Argentina, will be the Kiwis’ toughest competition.

The top two finishers at the tournament are guaranteed a spot at the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup being held in December 2016 in Santiago, Chile.

“I’m pleased with the depth that we are developing in this group, there is more competition between the players as they vie for selection,” Dancer said.

“The key focus for our players over the next couple of months will be to improve their fitness – this is where we want to see the big gains.”

The Junior Black Sticks are also getting a taste for international competition with 40 players set to come to Auckland for the Junior Black Sticks training camp being held from 4-7 December.

Following the camp, 38 players will be named to play against Australia in January.

The Future Black Sticks are players identified as having the potential to be a Black Stick within 1-3 years. The Junior Black Sticks are players identified as having the potential to be a Black Stick within 3-5 years.

Women’s Junior World Cup Qualifier Squad
18-24 January, 2016

SHIRT #

PLAYER

REGION

1

ROBERTS, Brooke (GK)

North Harbour

2

NATION, Kirsten (GK)

Canterbury

3

DICKINS, Stephanie

North Harbour

4

DOWE, Maddison

Auckland

5

HULL, Megan

Midlands

6

DAVEY, Tarryn

Midlands

7

JOOP, Tessa

Southern

8

TINNING, Catherine

Canterbury

9

ROBINSON, Amy

Midlands

10

McDONNELL, Nicola

Auckland

11

JAQUES, Alia

Midlands

12

RITCHIE, Deanna

Auckland

13

WINTERBOTTOM, Courtney

North Harbour

14

STEELE, Phoebe

Canterbury

15

POLOVNIKOFF, Samantha

Northland

16

NUZUM, Siobhan

Midlands

17

McLEAN, Maddi

Southern

18

WADDELL, Casey-Mae

Central

19

JONES, Hattie

North Harbour

20

REED, Kayla

North Harbour

21

ANDERSON, Jessie

Canterbury

22

ROBINSON, Tori

Midlands


Hockey New Zealand Media release



Glynn makes the 'hardest' decision to retire


Katie Glynn's 77 career goals make her New Zealand's second-highest female goal-scorer. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand women's hockey striker Katie Glynn has retired from the international game as she's succumbed to injuries.

The 26-year-old says it's the hardest decision she has ever had to make, but knows it's the right call as the Black Sticks schedule intensifies ahead of next year's Rio Olympics.

Debuting in 2009, Glynn scored 77 goals throughout her career, making her New Zealand's second-highest female goal scorer of all time.

Having struggled with knee and back injuries in the last two years, Glynn and coach Mark Hager were hopeful she would be back playing internationals next year.

She had been named in the national squad following the 2015 National Hockey League and was hopeful of making the extended Olympics squad which is due to be named at the end of the year.

"As much as I've been trying to push through and hope things would improve, I'm still really restricted and it has become incredibly hard for me to keep training as I would like," said Glynn. "It's been a really hard couple of years, I've found it both mentally and physically exhausting.

"I was really grateful for the opportunity to be selected in the national squad but I have had to be realistic and, as much as I don't want to stop, I know deep down that it's the right thing to do."

Hager says Glynn was an outstanding player who will be missed both on and off the field.

"She is one of the players that helped create the team that it is now," Hager said. "She drove the culture, was a top goal scorer, was match hardened, always won the 50/50 contest and loved ... the tough games."

Glynn played in all the major global hockey events, including the 2014 World Cup, 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 2012 London Olympics, 2010 World Cup and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Although no longer in the black shirt, Glynn hopes she will be back playing for her Roskill-Eden Hockey Club and at the 2016 National Hockey League and she's also interested in coaching at regional and national level - she's a fulltime sports manager at Auckland's Diocesan School and coach of their first XI. "I'm really passionate about coaching and, now that I'm not playing, I have the time to put towards it," said Glynn.

The New Zealand Herald



Champs Butali lead, Police in hot pursuit

By BRIAN YONGA


Said Okwemba of Butali controls the ball during their Kenya Hockey Union men's premier league match against Kenyatta University at City park on August 9, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

The Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League title race took another twist this weekend as champions Butali Sugar Warriors moved to the top of the table at the expense of rivals Kenya Police.

Police, who had topped the standings since August, failed to get maximum points in their two matches over the weekend, allowing Butali to reclaim the leadership on goal difference as both teams completed their first leg fixtures tied on points.

(READ: Sweet victory as Butali Warriors top hockey league)

Warriors were ruthless in their weekend matches, thrashing Mombasa Sports Club and Mvita XI 8-1 and 5-0, respectively, to push their points tally to 37, same as Police, but with a 17-goal advantage.

However, Police bounced back from Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Strathmore University Gladiators to beat Wazalendo 3-0 in Sunday’s late kick-off.

Kenya international Samuel Wokila scored a second-half hat trick to sink Wazalendo, but the law enforcers will be disappointed with two dropped points.

Police coach Kenneth Kaunda however believes the league is far from decided and challenged his charges to shrug off the weekend’s setback.

“This is a very competitive league and there are still a lot of matches to be played,” Kaunda told Daily Nation Sport. “We are disappointed we could not reap maximum points, but it is not the end of the world. We will keep fighting.”

His Butali counterpart Cliffe Okello said: “Police allowed us back in and we will try to ensure that we don’t drop any more points.

“But it won’t be easy because teams are training hard.”

The two teams, who have each lost once in the league, now turn their attention to next month’s African Club Championship in Zambia. The next three spots remain unchanged with Greensharks, Sikh Union Nairobi and USIU occupying third, fourth and fifth places, in that order.

In the women’s National League, USIU Spartans moved into fourth place with 17 points.

Telkom Orange remain perched at the top with 30 points, eight ahead of Strathmore Scorpions. JKUAT moved into eighth place after their first victory this season, 3-0 over Daystar Falcons.

Daily Nation



Hockey academy to rope in Mir Ranjan Negi to train young players of MP

Shruti Tomar

Former goalkeeper of Indian field hockey, Mir Ranjan Negi, will teach the minutes of goal keeping and other techniques of field hockey to budding players of Madhya Pradesh.

Negi is going to organise a camp soon in the state capital for hockey enthusiasts.

According to an officer of sports department, the department is also in discussion with Negi to impart training in capsule classes to upgrade the level of hockey in Madhya Pradesh State Hockey Academy (MPSHA).

During his short visit to Bhopal on Sunday, Negi has discussed the matter with some officers of sports department. Negi also met education minister for state Deepak Joshi.

The former goalkeeper of the India national field hockey team has also been invited as a chief guest for school nationals, which is scheduled to be held in December by the education minister.

Talking to HT, Negi said, “I have expertise in goal-keeping so I have decided to impart training to goal keepers of MP by organising a camp... During my visit to Bhopal, some officers from sports department approached me to impart training to players of MP in capsule classes.”

Negi said, “In next few years, MP will be developed as hub of hockey because the state has world-class infrastructure for hockey. I also hail from Indore. It’s a matter of immense pleasure for me to serve my birth place,” he added.

However, director sports Upendra Jain, was caught unaware of the talks. “I am not aware of any such discussion. If Negi joins hands with sports department of MP it will be beneficial for hockey of MP,” he said.

Recently, three juniors from Bhopal were selected in junior hockey team from Bhopal, which was once called nursery of hockey. The move to rope in Negi to train young hockey players will further push the prospects of hockey.

At present, former hockey Olympian Ashok Dhyan Chand is a technical advisor of MPSHA.

Hindustan Times



PR Sreejesh receives Kerala sports award


PR Sreejesh. (AFP Photo)PR Sreejesh. (AFP Photo)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian hockey team vice-captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was given the Lt. Col. GV Raja Award for 2014-2015 by the Kerala Sports Council along with a cash reward of Rs.3 lakh here on Tuesday.

It is the highest honour for any athlete in Kerala. The award was given in a public meeting presided over by state sports minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. It was handed over by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Sreejesh will be participating in a three-match Test series against Australia in Chhattisgarh followed by the Hockey World League (HWL) Final in Raipur.

"This is a moment of pride and joy for me to be bestowed with such an honour. I would like to thank the Kerala Sports Council for considering me worthy enough of such a high honour. I hope I can keep up the good work and prove to be a source of inspiration for the upcoming athletes in the state," Sreejesh said.

Sreejesh was also among the five nominated for the World Goalkeeper of the Year Award last season.

The Times of India



CEO Mike Heskin Moving On From Hockey Ireland



Hockey Ireland have today announced that CEO Mike Heskin is moving on from the organisation and taking up a new post as Director of Sport at NUIG.

Speaking about the departure, Chair of the Board, Rob Johnson, and Hockey Ireland President, Richard Kendrick said “We would like to congratulate Mike who has found a new career closer to his home and family in Galway, and wish him continued success with his new role.

Mike has been CEO of Hockey Ireland for 3 years and in that time, he has implemented many beneficial changes and raised the profile of Hockey in Ireland both nationally and internationally.  One of Mike's many strengths is his ability to build relationships both internally within the hockey community, and outside with many other important bodies related to sport in Ireland, EHF and FIH, along with our sponsors.  With Mike’s moving on, he will leave a vacancy that will be challenging to fill. The Board have initiated a process that will ensure the change will be as seamless as possible.

We wish him and his family the very best for the future and we are sure we will find him watching hockey from the side-lines in the West”.

Speaking about his time at Hockey Ireland, Heskin said “I have really enjoyed my time with Hockey Ireland and hope that I have made a contribution.

Hockey Ireland is entering a very exciting time and I believe, in the capable hands of the current staff and board, it will blossom and reach its full potential. It is especially pleasing to see one of our senior international teams qualify for an Olympics, the launch of the EY Hockey League domestically, the role out of the Clubmark project and all under our new brand of Hockey Ireland.  I wish everybody in hockey every success”.

rish Hockey Association media release

Fieldhockey.com uses cookies to assist with navigating between pages. Please leave the site if you disagree with this policy.
Copyright remains with the credited source or author