News for 04 February 2016
All the news for Thursday 4 February 2016
FIH confirms teams and schedule for women’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2016
Reigning Olympic, World Cup, World League, European, Pan American and Oceania champions all confirmed
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to confirm the match schedule and six women’s teams who will compete in the Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 taking place at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, England between 18-26 June.
The Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and USA will all go head to head as they battle it out to be crowned the best of the best as Champions Trophy winners.
The opening day of play sees hosts Great Britain get their campaign started with a match against defending champions and recently crowned Hockey World League champions Argentina on Saturday 18 June.
A super Sunday then follows, featuring some mouth-watering games that will see continental rivals go head to head in what is expected to be a highly charged day of hockey action.
Many of the Great Britain team represented England in this very venue last summer as they defeated world number one ranked Netherlands in the final of the EuroHockey Championships. Netherlands will therefore be looking to make amends as Europe’s top two women’s teams meet at 14:00.
That follows the game between Oceania rivals Australia and New Zealand at 12:00, while Argentina and USA will battle it out to see who is the best of the best from the Americas at 16:00.
Other schedule highlights include a rerun of December’s Hockey World League Final between Argentina and New Zealand on Thursday 23 June, while those who were in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during the London 2012 Games will be able to witness a rematch of the gold medal game between the world’s top two ranked teams - Netherlands and Argentina, on Saturday 25 June.
Reigning Olympic and World Cup champions Netherlands, who currently top the FIH world rankings, will be looking to get back to winning ways at international events after missing out on the titles at last year’s Argentina Hockey World League Final and the Unibet EuroHockey Championships.
Defending champions Argentina, who recently leapfrogged Australia into second place in the world rankings, will be looking to win two events in succession. They qualified for this year’s Champions Trophy by winning the Argentina Hockey World League in Rosario only a few months ago.
Oceania champions Australia will be looking to go one better at this year’s event, as they finished runners up to Argentina’s ‘Las Leonas’ in the last edition of the Champions Trophy held in Mendoza, Argentina in 2014.
World number four ranked New Zealand will have taken a lot of confidence from their performance at last year’s Argentina Hockey World League Final. There they reached the final of their first FIH international event for a number of years, only to lose to Argentina.
Hosts Great Britain, ranked sixth in the world (based on England’s rankings), will be looking to build upon last year’s success when they won the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Valencia, Spain. They will be looking to draw upon the buzz and passion created by their home fans in this city during the London 2012 Olympics, where they won bronze, and more recently during England’s run to the Unibet EuroHockey Championship title last summer.
USA qualified for this year’s event through the Champions Challenge in Glasgow, Scotland back in April 2014. Following that triumph they went on to finish fourth in the Radobank Hockey World Cup in 2014 before winning the 2015 Pan American Games, defeating Argentina in the final and guaranteeing their place in the Rio 2016 Olympics as continental champions.
This will be the last major international hockey competition before these teams meet again at the Rio 2016 Games. With the matches taking place in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, host of the 2012 Games, the Champions Trophy will officially kick off hockey’s Olympic festivities.
With the Olympic, World Cup, World League, European, Pan American and Oceania champions all now confirmed, the stage is set for a truly epic competition. The event is already selling out quickly, with many of the Finals tickets already snapped up.
Don’t miss out on seeing the world’s best women’s hockey teams live in London. Buy your tickets now, here.
To see the full match schedule, click here.
The men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 will take place in a location yet to be confirmed in Argentina between 11-19 June. More information about that event will be published on FIH.ch shortly.
FIH site
Thrilling win for struggling Mumbai against all odds
K Arumugam
After suffering four close encounters, Dabang Mumbai was just looking for one long eluding victory to face the long drawn out Hockey India League further, and just got that with a thrilling over Ranchi outfit which, ironically, won the last four matches. The way the hosts Dabang Mumbai eked out 7-5 victory over juggernauted Ranchi Rays is really enticing.
Dabang lost its main striker Affan Yousuf a couple of minutes before the half time on account of furious umpire Ripudaman Sharma flashing a red card for wilful attack on the marker. This was a serious punishment.
This came after Harmanpreet Singh, who is increasingly becoming an embarrassment for Dabang, missed out a stroke, pushing the ball straight into the left leg of just substituted goalie Australian import Lovells. He conceded some penalty corners too.
These two set backs occurred after old guard Diwakar Ram stunned Ranchi in the 11th minute with a great thundering flick into the cage off a penalty corner after the pushed ball was supplied to him with a guile body spin. As in the past matches, Dabang struck first. But within 7 minutes ever green Ashley Jackson equalized (1-1).
Mathew Swann posted a guile field goal to give the hosts 3-1 lead in the 21st minute, which survived next 17 minutes till Sarvanjit did a wonder.
In between Ashley again struck to give his side first time lead (3-4).
Nilakanta Sharma, struck off hard working German import Florian Fuchs with a strong forehand to give great lead for the hosts (41st minute 5-4).
When the match was tantalizingly poised, Florian Fuchs latched on to rebound from goalie to give Dabang a good lead that sustained (48th min 7-4). It was one goal that should have rattled the morale of the visitors, as it came almost a solo.
In the last quarter, Ranchi went for full throat. It got many penalty corners. On three occasions, the tem went for long push and intended conversion of PC into field goal attempts.
Those did not work.
Sandeep Singh, who was briefly on the field, made his presence felt with a penalty corner goal straightaway, taking the score to 5-7 from 4-7.
Ranchi Rays wanted a field goal in the last three minutes, but it would not come as Dabang did not give up attacking style.
Its first win for Dabang Mumbai in five matches while it is first loss for Ranchi in the last five encounters.
Stick2Hockey.com
Dabang Mumbai downs Ranchi Rays
Nandakumar Marar
Nilakanta Sharma (left) of Dabang Mumbai celebrates after scoring a goal against Ranchi Rays in the Hockey India League match in Mumbai on Wednesday. Photo: Vivek Bendre
Mumbai take on Uttar Pradesh Warriors next on February 6 at Lucknow while Ranchi would clash with Kalinga Lancers on February 8 at Bhubaneswar.
Dabang Mumbai brought down the champion Ranchi Rays on the road to recovery in CIL Hockey India League 2016. Captain Matthew Swann led the way with tireless running, netting one field goal and setting up Nilakanta Sharma for another in a rousing 7-5 victory.
Affan Yousuf went out with a red card for a foul, the home team played with a player short, Harmanpreet Singh missed a stroke, but all that did not matter.
Florian Fuchs dived to sweep home a Roshan Minza pass from the right for a thrilling goal. Diwakar Ram scored a penalty corner. Ranchi drew level at 3-3, kept chasing the ball in an attempt to catch up but was thwarted by the Mumbai team’s defence, especially in penalty corners. Ashley Jackson flicked in two goals from set pieces.
Lakra injured
Birender Lakra suffered a knee injury and will undergo a MRI. Mumbai assumed dominance in the first quarter as has been the trend at the Mahindra stadium so far. Hamanpreet tried the direct route over the first two penalty corners attempts, then did a wristy switch off the third to Diwakar who sounded the board.
Ranchi drew level in the second quarter via skipper Jackson’s direct conversion, then came the first field goal by Swann. Gurjant Singh’s reverse hit pass rocketed through a crowd of legs towards the right post for the Australian to deflect in. Lakra’s absence in the defence was a big blow to the visitors. Ranchi then slipped in a field goal through Sarvanjit. Ranchi captain Jackson displayed his touch in drag flicks (4-3) before Dabang Mumbai discovered a hero in Nilakantha, who sounded the boards with a superb trap and flick.
Fuchs came up with a timely dive to sweep home his first goal (7-4), the creator being Minz on the right flank.
The result: Dabang Mumbai 7 (Diwakar Ram, Matthew Swann 2 FG, Nilakantha Sharma 2 FG, Florian Fuchs 2 FG) bt Ranchi Rays 5 (Ashley Jackson 2, Sarvanjit Singh 2 FG, Sandeep Singh).
The Hindu
10-man Mumbai stun Ranchi Rays
Players in action during the Dabang Mumbai-Ranchi Rays match in Mumbai on Wednesday. Tribune photo
Mumbai,; Despite playing with a man short for the entire second half, Dabang Mumbai stunned defending champions Ranchi Rays 7-5 to pull off their first victory in the Hockey India League.
Former India forward Affan Yousuf was shown a red card at the fag end of the second quarter. Despite the handicap, Mumbai put on a spirited display to overcome the table toppers and snap their four-game winning streak.
Mumbai scored three field goals through captain Matthew Swann, Nilakanta Sharma and Florian Fuchs after Diwakar Ram gave them an early lead with a penalty corner conversion.
For Ranchi, skipper Ashley Jackson scored twice and Sandeep Singh scored one, all three goals coming from penalty corners. Sarvanjit Singh scored a brilliant field goal. The victory took Mumbai’s tally to nine but they still sit in the last position. Ranchi secured one point for not losing by more than two goals and they remain on top with 22 points.
Mumbai, desperate for a win, came out with a lot of purpose. They had wasted a lot of penalty corners in the last two games. They squandered two more today before Ram scored in the 10th minute after Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick was blocked.
Mumbai then split open the Ranchi defence by switching the ball constantly from flank to flank, but once again some poor finishing let them down.
In the second quarter too, the home team generally had the upper hand though Ranchi slowly came back into the game and equalised through Jackson in the 18th minute. Mumbai, however, surged in front again through Swann, who deflected in Gurjant Singh’s cross from the left. But Mumbai suffered a big blow when Affan was sent off for deliberately striking a rival defender with his stick.
Mumbai wasted a golden chance to increase their lead when Harmanpreet’s penalty stroke was saved by the keeper. Mumbai allowed Ranchi to equalise with a field goal by Sarvanjit in the 38th minute and then went behind after a Jackson goal. The hosts made amends in the very next minute and went ahead 5-4.
Today’s match
Punjab v UP ( 5.50pm)
The Tribune
Dabang Mumbai shock Ranchi Rays to end losing streak
Making light of the red card shown to their forward Yousuf Affan at the fag end of the second quarter, Mumbai produced top-drawer stuff to stun Ranchi with a spirited display that stopped the visitors four-game winning streak.
Down to ten men for the entire second half, a struggling Dabang Mumbai secured their first victory in the Hockey India League with a thrilling 7-5 win over table toppers and defending champions Ranchi Rays.
Making light of the red card shown to their forward Yousuf Affan at the fag end of the second quarter, Mumbai produced top-drawer stuff to stun Ranchi with a spirited display that stopped the visitors four-game winning streak.
Led brilliantly by Australian captain and schemer Matthew Swann, Mumbai scored three field goals which are counted as a double strike as per the rules of the HIL through Swann, Nilakanta Sharma and Florian Fuchs after Diwakar Ram gave them an early lead with a penalty corner conversion.
For Ranchi their skipper Ashley Jackson scored twice off penalty corner awards along with Sandeep Singh at the fag-end of the game while the other goal, a fine field effort, was notched by Sarvanjit Singh.
The victory, their first in five games, took Mumbai s tally to 9, still in last position in the six-team table, while Ranchi secured one point for not losing by more than two goals and remained on top with 22 points from six games.
Mumbai take on Uttar Pradesh Warriors next on February 6 at Lucknow while Ranchi would clash with Kalinga Lancers on February 8 at Bhubaneswar.
After a string of four losses Mumbai were under pressure in the do-or-die game, but came out with flying colours in the opening quarter which they totally dominated and ended up with a 1-0 lead through a penalty corner strike by former India player Diwakar Ram.
Mumbai had wasted a number of penalty corners in the last two games and then squandered two more today before Ram earned them a goal off the third on the second attempt in the 10th minute after Harmanpreet s first shot was blocked.
Mumbai then split open the Ranchi defense by switching the ball constantly from flank to flank, but once again some poor finishing let them down.In the second quarter too, the home team generally had the upper hand though Ranchi slowly came back into the game and equalised off their first penalty corner award which was converted by captain Jackson in the 18th minute of play. Mumbai, however, surged in front again through an opportunistic field strike, that counts for two in the tournament, by their hard-working captain Swann who put his stick in time to deflect in an excellent centre from the left flank which was provided by Gurjant Singh.
DNA
Mumbai shock Ranchi to end losing streak
MUMBAI: Down to ten men for the entire second half, a struggling Dabang Mumbai secured their first victory in the Hockey India League with a thrilling 7-5 win over table toppers and defending champions Ranchi Rays here Wednesday.
Making light of the red card shown to their forward Yousuf Affan at the fag end of the second quarter, Mumbai produced top-drawer stuff to stun Ranchi with a spirited display that stopped the visitors' four-game winning streak. Led brilliantly by Australian captain and schemer Matthew Swann, Mumbai scored three field goals - which are counted as a double strike as per the rules of the HIL - through Swann, Nilakanta Sharma and Florian Fuchs after Diwakar Ram gave them an early lead with a penalty corner conversion.
For Ranchi their skipper Ashley Jackson scored twice off penalty corner awards along with Sandeep Singh at the fag-end of the game while the other goal, a fine field effort, was notched by Sarvanjit Singh. The victory, their first in five games, took Mumbai's tally to 9, still in last position in the six-team table, while Ranchi secured one point for not losing by more than two goals and remained on top with 22 points from six games.
Mumbai take on Uttar Pradesh Warriors next on February 6 at Lucknow while Ranchi would clash with Kalinga Lancers on February 8 at Bhubaneswar. After a string of four losses Mumbai were under pressure in the do-or-die game, but came out with flying colours in the opening quarter which they totally dominated and ended up with a 1-0 lead through a penalty corner strike by former India player Diwakar Ram.
Mumbai had wasted a number of penalty corners in the last two games and then squandered two more today before Ram earned them a goal off the third on the second attempt in the 10th minute after Harmanpreet's first shot was blocked.
Mumbai then split open the Ranchi defense by switching the ball constantly from flank to flank, but once again some poor finishing let them down. In the second quarter too, the home team generally had the upper hand though Ranchi slowly came back into the game and equalised off their first penalty corner award which was converted by captain Jackson in the 18th minute of play.
Mumbai, however, surged in front again through an opportunistic field strike, that counts for two in the tournament, by their hard-working captain Swann who put his stick in time to deflect in an excellent centre from the left flank which was provided by Gurjant Singh. But Mumbai suffered a big blow when frontline player Yosuf Affan was sent off with a red card for deliberately striking a rival defender with a stick just before the end of the first half, which forced them to play with ten men thereafter.
Mumbai wasted another golden chance to score again when Harmanpreet failed to find the target and instead hit the goalpost off a penalty stroke award. The 'stroke' was given when off the fourth penalty corner award rival captain Barry Middleton stopped a goal-bound shot from his counterpart Swann with his foot.
Mumbai allowed Ranchi to equalise the score with a field goal by Sarvanjit Singh, a long angular scoop, in the 38th minute of play and then went behind for the first time in the game through another penalty corner strike by Jackson. The hosts made amends in the very next minute and went ahead 5-4 with an excellent first-timed shot from the top of the circle for a field goal by their impressive player Nilakanta Sharma who was fed by Swann from outside the striking circle.
And soon after two penalty corner awards to Ranchi failed to produce any goal, Mumbai went on a speedy counter from the right and the excellent centre from Roshan Minz was deflected in by their ebullient German striker Fuchs for a fabulous field goal and a potentially match-winning 7-4 lead with ten minutes left on the clock.
Ranchi pressed hard late in the match and earned a string of five penalty corners, including one in the last minute, but could score only once off these set-pieces when Sandeep Singh found the mark. Down 5-7 when the last short corner was awarded, Ranchi took the gamble of trying to convert it into a field goal situation and score to restore parity, but the move failed and Mumbai emerged deserving victors.
The Times of India
Numbers speak: PCs catching up
K. Arumugam
There is an intense race going on to strike more field goals, but slow starter PC goals is catching up fast like proverbial tortoise-rabbit race. As Hockey India League S4 has seen 15 matches, numbers reveal many things. Last season 69 goals, 4 draws but now 68 goals no draws.
Last 15 days have seen 15 action filled matches in the ongoing Season Four of Hockey India League.
Unlike previous occasions, no match was drawn this season, all matches produced clear winners.
In the last HIL 4 matches ended draw out of first 15.
The margin of victory were close, barring a solitary match, all the losers have got grace points.
Ranchi Rays is the only team win all home matches.
Punjab Warriors came second in this respect with two home wins out of three played
Delhi Waveriders has the distinction of winning most away matches, three out of four.
Uttar Pradesh Wizards is the only team to lose all the three home matches.
Dabang Mumbai lost both the home matches, one more has to go which is 16th match of CIHIL.
Dabang Mumbai is only the team to have lost a match on new field goal bonus scheme, in the sense, had two goals were not given against one goal struck, Mumbai would have drawn its last match 3-3 instead of losing to Kalinga 4-6.
Bonus goal to field goal did not affect outcome of any other match result.
Delhi Waveriders is the most travelled team; had played a match each in all other four centres before returning to home to play two matches.
So far, four teams have played 5 matches while Delhi had played 6, Dabang Mumbai 4.
With additional goal awarded to each field goal, the race for field goals was observed in the beginning. But as the league progressed, more and more penalty corner goals, despite some poor conversions, have caught up.
So far 38 field goals have been struck, 27 penalty corners. Three other goals came through penalty stroke conversion. Total goals in first 18 matches: 68, almost 4 plus fraction goals per match.
Compared to previous year, this year HIL produced ONE GOAL LESS.
Stick2Hockey.com
Hockeyroos squad for GB
Australian women's Olympic preparation events confirmed; squad named for GB tests
Every member of the Hockeyroos squad will be given the chance to push their credentials for Olympic selection during Australia’s six-match series against Great Britain in WA, which begins next week.
Head Coach Adam Commens will be able to call upon a group of 29 athletes, including uncapped development squad players Jocelyn Bartram, Madi Ratcliffe and Kaitlin Nobbs for the matches, which run from 12-21 February in Bunbury and Perth and will be live streamed via Epicentre.tv.
The series forms an early component of the Australian women’s preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It follows on from four tests against the Netherlands and Germany at the TPG International Tri-Series in Singapore last month.
“Singapore was a great opportunity to expose our entire squad to top level competitive hockey. The games against GB give us another opportunity to use the full depth of the group against a high quality international opponent that is improving all the time,” said Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens.
While the series squad contains a number of newer faces, Commens doesn't necessarily expect them to play in the matches.
“It’s great to have access to our entire training squad. It’s unlikely we’ll use some of our younger players but to have them here training with us means we have some talented youngsters to draw on if need be.
“The matches against Great Britain will help shape our thoughts leading up to the Hawke’s Bay Cup, which is when we’ll begin to narrow our focus towards the team for the Champions Trophy and Olympic Games.”
The annual Hawke’s Bay Cup invitational event in New Zealand takes place in April. Australia’s women will then host New Zealand, India and Japan in a four nations event in Darwin in early June. The Champions Trophy in London later in June is the final event before Olympic selection.
It was announced overnight (AEDT) that Australia will face the Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Great Britain and USA at the Champions Trophy. The Hockeyroos will open their campaign with back-to-back games against USA and New Zealand on 18 and 19 June.
Great Britain, ranked sixth in the world, are serious contenders for an Olympic medal and have named a strong 22-athlete group for the tour to Western Australia that includes 15 of the England team that became European champions last August.
Amongst them, 21 year-old Lily Owsley who was recently crowned International Rising Star by the sport’s international federation, the FIH, and captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, who is expected to become Great Britain’s most capped female player ever during the series when she surpasses Karen Brown’s record of 355 appearances for her country. Brown, an assistant coach with England and GB, was recently named International Women's Coach of the Year.
Tickets
Tickets for the matches between the Hockeyroos and Great Britain are on sale now, available from Ticketmaster.com.au.
Live streaming
Don't miss a minute of the six matches. All live and free online via Epicentre.tv.
Hockeyroos v Great Britain Fixtures
Friday 12 February: 8:30pm AEDT / 5:30pm AWST, Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium
Sunday 14 February: 5:00pm AEDT / 2:00pm AWST, Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium
Tuesday 16 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Thursday 18 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Saturday 20 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Sunday 21 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Hockeyroos squad for matches against Great Britain
Teneal Attard (Mackay, QLD)
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC)
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW)
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD)
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT)
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA)
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD)
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QAS athlete]
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT)
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW)
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD)
Rachael Lynch (Melbourne, VIC)
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA)
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW)
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SASI athlete]
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC)
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA)
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW)
Georgie Parker (Berri, SA)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Madi Ratcliffe (Warrnambool, VIC)
Casey Sablowski (South Coast, NSW)
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA)
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW)
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW)
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD)
Ashlee Wells (Moe, VIC)
Kellie White (Crookwell, NSW)
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW)
Hockeyroos’ events for Olympic Games run-in
12-21 February: Hockeyroos v Great Britain (Bunbury and Perth, WA)
2-10 April: Hawke’s Bay Cup (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand)
[Featuring Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand]
30 May – 5 June: Four Nations Event (Darwin, NT)
[Featuring Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand]
18-26 June: Champions Trophy (London, Great Britain)
[Featuring Argentina, Australia, Great Britain, Netherlands, New Zealand and USA]
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey India names women’s squad for upcoming South Africa tour
Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday announced the national women’s squad for the tour of South Africa. (PTI Photo)
Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday announced the national women’s squad for the tour of South Africa, which includes two matches each against Germany, Scotland and the hosts from February 20 to March 1.
The tour which is one of the many international exposure tours planned for the Indian eves ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio will see ace midfielder Ritu Rani lead the team with assistance from defender Deepika.
The team, which has qualified for the summer Olympics for the first time in 36 years, will play under the guidance of chief coach Neil Hawgood across various locations in South Africa.
India will play two matches each against the national teams of Germany, Scotland and hosts South Africa. Further matches are planned against the South African Under-21 squad.
“We are looking forward to the tour which will take place right after the South Asian Games. We are up against three world class teams and it will help us immensely in our preparations ahead of the Rio Olympics,” Hawgood said in a release.
The Indian goalpost will be guarded by Savita, Rajani Etimarpu and Yogita Bali, while the defensive wall will comprise of Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika, Namita Toppo, Jaspreet Kaur, Sunita Lakra, P. Sushila Chanu, Gurjit Kaur and Rashmita Minz.
The pack of midfielders will comprise of Ritu, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Renuka Yadav, M. Lily Chanu, Narinder Kaur, Nikki Pradhan and Manpreet Kaur.
The Indian attack will consist of Rani Rampal, Poonam Rani, Vandana Kataria, Anuradha Devi Thokchom, Preeti Dubey and Navpreet Kaur.
“We are taking a larger squad for the tour to South Africa so that we can assess more probables as we lead into the Olympics,” Hawgood reasoned.
“There are a few other international exposure trips that have been planned and all these trips will serve the purpose of preparing the girls for Rio later this year,” the Australian, who is in his second stint with the side, added.
Prior to the tour, India will be heading to Guwahati to play the in South Asian Games against Sri Lanka and Nepal from February 7 to 11.
Hindustan Times
Champs face leaders in the Men's Premier Division
Holcombe's Harry Trusler takes a shot. Credit www.hockeyimages.co.uk
Currently top of the Premier Division, Holcombe are preparing to take on last year’s Men’s Hockey League champions Wimbledon as the outdoor programme resumes on Saturday.
Holcombe are the only team in the top flight to remain unbeaten, but they are still only level on 27 points with second-placed Surbiton and still have work to do to between now and March.
But with Ashley Jackson, Barry Middleton and Iain Lewers away playing in the Hockey India League, Alistair Bray and Sam Ward both injured and Adam Jordan unavailable, Holcombe will not be at full strength.
“It will be interesting to say the least, but we can only play the cards we’ve been dealt,” said Holcombe president and first team manager Keith Martin.
“It has given us the opportunity to give some of our other players the chance to prove their worth to the first team.
“We’re ten points ahead of Wimbledon, but they will be desperate for points to stay in the play-off positions, while we reckon we only need about another six to make sure we finish in the top four.”
For their part, Surbiton will want to go top with a win over Brooklands Manchester University at Sugden Road, and may just do that – if only for a few hours on Saturday with the games at Holcombe and Surbiton being five and a half hours apart.
Surbiton will then turn their attentions to the Men’s Cup quarter finals, where they travel to the University of Birmingham on Sunday.
In other Premier Division matches on Saturday Reading go to Beeston, while East Grinstead are at home against Cannock in the day’s other 6pm match.
The final top flight match of the weekend sees Hampstead and Westminster play host to Canterbury on Sunday.
The top two clash in the Men’s Conference West on Sunday, with Cardiff and Met hosting Team Bath Buccaneers, while third-placed University of Birmingham are on the road at fourth-placed Indian Gymkhana.
Men’s Conference North leaders Loughborough Students are preparing to face third-placed University of Durham on Sunday, while Bowdon entertain Deeside Ramblers in a second versus fourth match.
And leaders Richmond head to second-placed Southgate in an important match in the Men’s Conference West, with the winners taking top spot. Elsewhere, third-placed Sevenoaks are at home against bottom of the table Harleston Magpies.
FIXTURES – Saturday, February 6
Men’s Hockey League
Men’s Premier Division
Holcombe v Wimbledon 18:00
Surbiton v Brooklands Manchester Univ 12:30
Beeston v Reading 14:00
East Grinstead v Cannock 18:00
Men’s Conference West
Indian Gymkhana v Univ of Birmingham 14:00
Univ of Exeter v Chichester Priory Park 14:00
Men’s Conference North
Wakefield v Sheffield Hallam 13:30
Olton and West Warwicks v Univ of Durham 13:30
Men’s Conference East
Bromley and Beckenham v Teddington 16:30
Southgate v Richmond 18:00
FIXTURES – Sunday, February 7
Men’s Hockey League
Men’s Premier Division
Hampstead and Westminster v Canterbury 14:00
Men’s Conference West
Cheltenham v Fareham 12:30
Cardiff and Met v Team Bath Buccaneers 12:30
Guildford v Isca 14:00
Men’s Conference North
Loughborough Students v Univ of Durham 14:00
Bowdon v Deeside Ramblers 14:30
Preston v Lichfield 14:00
Doncaster v Olton and West Warwicks 14:00
Men’s Conference East
Oxted v West Herts 12:45
Brighton and Hove v Cambridge City 13:00
Sevenoaks v Harleston Magpies 14:00
Men’s Cup, quarter finals
Sheffield Univ Bankers v Beeston 12:00
Banbury v City of Peterborough 12:30
Chichester Priory Park v Havant 13:30
Univ of Birmingham v Surbiton 14:30
England Hockey Board Media release
Top two clash in Investec Women's Premier Division
Univ of Birmingham's Joey Turnbull and Hannah Martin celebrate a goal v Beeston. Credit Andy Smith
In what could prove to be a crucial match for both sides’ title ambitions, leaders the University of Birmingham take on second-placed Surbiton in the Investec Women’s Premier Division on Saturday.
Just two points separate the two sides, meaning the winner of the clash at Edgbaston will be top of the table next week.
They drew 1-1 when they last played in the outdoor league back in November, with Lily Owsley giving the students the lead mid-way through the second half only for Jo Hunter to pull Surbiton level nine minutes from the end.
“It’s a massive game, and it does feel a bit like Round Two!” said University of Birmingham Head Coach Phil Gooderham. “We will be without Lily Owsley on GB duty and Emily Defroand is a bit of a doubt, but Surbiton will be missing more players than us.
“Being top of the table is a different feeling for us having never been there before, but we’ve just focused on continuing the work we started in the first half of the season. The goal at the start of the season was to reach the play-offs, and that hasn’t changed.”
Following their victory in the Super6s Championship last weekend, East Grinstead will be aiming to keep up their good form when they play host to Clifton, the side who they leap-frogged in the last matches before the Winter break.
Third-placed Canterbury head to Bowdon Hightown as they bid to keep pace with the top two, while Bowdon will be desperate for points to boost their survival hopes.
Holcombe dropped out of the top four following their defeat to Surbiton in the last set of matches, and they are at home against Leicester this Saturday.
And Reading are preparing to face bottom club Buckingham in the day’s other top-flight match.
Hampstead and Westminster head to Cambridge City in the Investec Conference East. They lie second, and need to string together a run of results to close the eight-point gap to leaders Slough who also have an away match, at Harleston Magpies.
In the Investec Conference North, Brooklands Poynton leap-frogged the University of Durham into second spot in the last set of matches on November. And the two sides are due to meet this Saturday at Georges Road. Elsewhere, leaders Wakefield head to Springfield.
Stourport host Swansea City in the Investec Conference West, with both sides targeting top spot in the league, assuming leaders Sutton Coldfield don’t get a result at Bristol Firebrands.
FIXTURES – Saturday, February 6
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Holcombe v Leicester 12:00
Univ of Birmingham v Surbiton 12:30
Reading v Buckingham 13:30
East Grinstead v Clifton 13:30
Bowdon Hightown v Canterbury 13:45
Investec Conference East
Cambridge City v Hampstead and Westminster 12:30
Maidenhead v Sevenoaks 13:30
Wimbledon v Chelmsford 14:00
Harleston Magpies v Slough 14:00
Ipswich v St Albans 14:00
Investec Conference North
Brooklands Poynton v Univ of Durham 11:45
Belper v Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 12:00
Beeston v Liverpool Sefton 12:00
Ben Rhydding v Loughborough Students 13:30
Springfields v Wakefield 14:00
Investec Conference West
Oxford Hawks v Olton and West Warwicks 12:00
Bristol Firebrands v Sutton Coldfield 12:00
Isca v Trojans 12:30
Univ of Bristol v Gloucester City 13:00
Stourport v Swansea City 14:30
England Hockey Board Media release
Irish top two show down on outdoor league return
The Irish Hockey League (EYHL) is one of the first to return to action around Europe with reigning champions Monkstown looking to get one over leaders Lisnagarvey.
Garvey – who reached the KO16 in 2013 – are leading the league by four points at the halfway stage with a team packed with international players. Mikey Watt is the latest player to join the club, linking up with the Ulster club after spells with Grange in Scotland, Surbiton in England, Dragons in Belgium, RS Tenis in Spain and SCHC in the Netherlands.
He joins Irish internationals Timmy Cockram, Paul Gleghorne, Jonny Bell, Neal Glassey and Sean Murray in a line-up that has won seven successive victories. The last game they lost was a 5-2 defeat to Monkstown.
Town are looking to win a fourth national title in-a-row and sit second in the table. They have seven players from the Irish panel that travelled to South Africa in their squad but Peter Caruth is a doubt for the showdown due to illness.
Banbridge and Three Rock Rovers – two other clubs that have played in the EHL – occupy the other playoff places in the league at the halfway stage.
Euro Hockey League media release
5s to kick off hockey season
Zanzeer Singh
THE Lautoka Hockey Association in Fiji will start off its 2016 season with a five-a-side series later this month.
The association has invited teams from Nadi and Ba in order to strengthen its competition.
The association's media liaison officer Fergus Underwood said some of their senior players had moved to the Southern Division for employment this year.
He said they would implement a development program to groom new players.
Underwood said an under-15 side would be developed to prepare for the trials for the national team for the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in 2018.
"We want our senior players in the West to be able to match players in the Southern Division," he said.
"A few of our elite players have moved to Suva because of employment. We will start with a five-a-side series which will run until Easter.
"The idea is to have more Western players representing the nation during the international events.
"Ba, Lautoka and Nadi will have a combined competition.
"This will lift our standard and we hope to to be more competitive against the Southerners.
"We will develop an under-15 team and there will be development at the primary and secondary school level as well."
The association will hold its annual general meeting on February 13.
The Fiji Times
Special times demand special measures
By Ijaz Chaudhry
Dar HA Europe Tour 2015-Just look at number of sponsors displayed in front
Dar Hockey Academy is presently the best organized, the most resourceful and the biggest reservoir of polished hockey talent in the country.
Founded in late 2006, the academy’s achievements have shown an upward graph throughout. In 2009, its boys won the first national junior selection; since then every Pakistani age group side has had some representation from the Dar HA. In 2012, first national senior selection was gained; so far four have donned the blazer.
The dynamic management of Dar HA’s founder president, Olympic gold medallist Taqueer Dar, has enabled the academy to make four training tours of Europe since 2010 during which it played against teams in major hockey countries: Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. It also won a junior tournament in India, a few years back.
Hence, it was no surprise that the Dar HA boys were in abundance at this year’s national championships in Karachi. 20 teams were in the fray: 15 departmental sides, four provincial teams and one from the federal capital Islamabad.
No less than 12 of the 15 departmental sides included Dar HA boys; 27 of them. These included all the four semifinalists: PIA, WAPDA, National Bank and Army. Only one of the losing quarter finalists didn’t have a Dar HA boy on its rolls. Such was the demand.
The academy is based in Lahore and a vast majority of the boys hail from the Punjab. It is pertinent to mention that the academy provides free lodging, boarding and schooling to the outstation boys. Therefore, it was shocking to see the Punjab team selectors didn’t name any academy player in the provincial outfit for these nationals. The Punjab team suffered for this omission. It failed to win any of the matches and finished at the bottom of the pool. Punjab even lost to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the other provincial outfit in its pool.
In these 62nd national championships, the last four matches i.e. the final, the two semis and the third position game, were the most closely fought contests. These four sides had nine Dar HA boys playing for them.
All this leads to a very logical proposition. What about having a Dar Academy team in the nationals?
Much deserved.
This will have many positives. The morale of the Dar HA boys and management would go sky high. The academy is being run through private sponsors without any help from the government or federation. With the Dar HA figuring in the national championships, not only the current patrons would be more forthcoming but new sponsors will also get interested.
The detractors might say that there is no provision in the PHF rules to give playing rights to a private academy.
These are exceptional times for Pakistan hockey. Out of the Olympics, out of the World Cup, out of favour with the sponsors, out of favour with general public… the list goes on.
Special times require out of box measures.
It could turn out to be a revolutionary step. The presence of the Dar HA at the nationals would set an example and encourage other private academies/clubs to raise their standards so as to be eligible for the same privilege.
At least one club can claim for similar rights. Pakistan’s junior national teams, which appeared in the Junior Asia Cup and Sultan of Johor Cup a few months back, included six players from one club, ‘Gojra Sports’. In fact, this club, founded by late Ustad Aslam Roda, though not as resourceful as the Dar HA, along with Iqbal Bali’s ‘The Gojra Club’ has been providing numerous players to Pakistan teams over last three decades.
Hockey has become the identity of the small tehsil town of Gojra in district Toba Tek Singh. Interestingly, some Gojra boys are with the Dar HA as well.
Playing rights for private academies/clubs could help nurture the same club culture in Pakistan which is prevalent in all the top hockey countries. Club teams play in the national league rather than the departmental or regional teams (selected by the provincial or city associations).
As the academy/club players practice among themselves almost all the year round, they are the well knitted sides with greater understanding among the team members than the provincial or regional sides which are selected before the major tournaments mostly after just one day trials. Even the departmental teams assemble only on the eve of big events.
If given the opportunity, which they fully deserve, the Dar HA and Gojra Sports are bound to do well on the national circuit.
An example already exists across the border. OTHL (One Thousand Hockey Legs) was initiated in India by an NGO, the Hockey Citizen Group, led by noted hockey journalist and historian K.Arumugam in 2008. So far, they have introduced about 2,400 children to the sport with the aim of providing them with an opportunity to understand and play hockey. Like the Dar HA, the OTHL is also funded by businesses and organisations, and children are provided equipment and coaching free of cost.
Their boys have played for the state teams but the OTHL players are yet to win selection for the national junior team. Yet, the Hockey India appreciated the initiative and granted affiliation to the OTHL in 2014. This has resulted in OTHL’s participation in India’s national junior championships.
The Dar Hockey Academy has stronger credentials. It is rendering great service to Pakistan hockey by providing finished products to Pakistan’s national teams, senior as well as age group.
If the PHF earnestly desires to put Pakistan hockey on the right track then such steps are very much required.
Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey and other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info
Fieldhockey.com
PHF hires Naveed Alam as director
LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed former Olympian Naveed Alam as director development and domestic with effect from Feb 1.
Naveed has taken charge of the post created recently. He was last time associated with the PHF as coach -- at the time of 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Pakistan finished a poor eighth at the 2008 Olympics after he remained mostly in the legal courts over the PHF elections under which Qasim Zia and Asif Bajwa were elected as president and secretary, respectively. The Qasim Zia-led body however remained in place.
Naveed was to join Akhtar Rasool-led PHF as member of the selection committee before Akhtar resigned due to immense pressure from the Prime Minister House, which wanted to see incumbent president retired Brig Sajjad Khokhar, who worked as selector and manager of the national team during the tenure of retired Brig Musarratullah Khan.
Another post is also being created for Musarratullah in the PHF and most probably he may work as director general.
Dawn
Fazilla quits national team to help coach Sarawak
by Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Prolific goalscorer Fazilla Sylvester Silin has quit the Malaysian women’s hockey team to become a coach.
The 28-year-old forward quit the team last week to take up a job as an assistant coach of the Sarawak girls’ team preparing for the Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Kuching from July 22-31.
“I have contributed enough to the national team. The time has come for me to focus on coaching,” said the 80-capped Fazilla, who made her international debut at the 2007 Korat SEA Games in Thailand.
“There are hardly any women hockey coaches in Malaysia. I am happy that Sarawak offered me the job as assistant coach.
“My home state has helped me to become a national player. Now, I want to give something back to Sarawak by helping them to finish on the podium in Sukma.
“My goal is also to help Sarawak produce more women players for the national team,” said Fazilla.
Fazilla’s scoring prowess was not only confined to the national team. She scored 25 goals to help Castelldefels Club win promotion to the Spanish Women’s League Division One in the 2012 season.
At the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games, she netted 10 goals to help Malaysia win the gold.
Fazilla was also a member of the team that won the bronze in the Asian Champions Trophy in Japan in 2013.
She last featured for Malaysia in the Singapore SEA Games last June where Malaysia won the gold.
Last month, Fazilla was among the 30 players called up by national coach K. Dharmaraj to prepare for next year’s World League second round and Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
Dharmaraj wished Fazilla all the best in her coaching career.
“If Fazilla wants to make a comeback to play for the national team the door is always open,” said Dharmaraj.
The Star of Malaysia
Chasing The Dream with USWNT Athlete Caitlin Van Sickle
As part of our weekly Wednesday Chasing the Dream posts, we’ll be featuring a USWNT athlete up until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“Keep your head in the fridge and your heart in the fire.”
Whether by staying cool and level-headed when her opponent is barreling full tilt into the defensive end on a 1 v 1 breakaway to utilizing her unwavering passion to play when the score is tied and exhaustion is kicking in, USWNT defender Caitlin Van Sickle constantly strives to keep this mantra in mind.
“If you can slow your thoughts down in an intense moment, you’ll more than likely make a better decision,” said Van Sickle. “I don’t think that I’ve necessarily mastered that but it’s something I constantly remind myself. It’s all about being cool and calm when that big moment comes.”
Ironically, her nickname also cleverly ties into the fridge portion of the saying. Poppy, short for popsicle, was given to her by a college teammate due to the icy treat’s similarity to her last name. Whichever name you call her, her presence on the pitch is undeniable.
Van Sickles’ career with field hockey began on an ordinary day in fourth grade gym class. On that day, in her hockey-oriented hometown of Wilmington, Del., something clicked. It took one, full class for her to realize something much was behind that wooden field hockey stick.
“I probably didn’t know it at the time, but my P.E. teachers planted a seed in my mind and I’m thankful for that,” said Van Sickle. “You never know how that can influence a kid. This was instrumental for me. I never would have guessed back then I’d be here now. “
Through this incredible journey, Van Sickle and her USWNT teammates are on, she has learned to “follow your dreams because you never know where you may end up.”
After years of playing, building and growing, Van Sickle’s heart for the game showed through in her play at the University of North Carolina, where she was an All-American from 2010 to 2012 and competed in NCAA National Championships all four years. Van Sickle joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2013.
When she’s not in a competitive field hockey environment, Van Sickle enjoys watching movies especially her family’s favorite The Sound of Music. Van Sickle also enjoys swinging a different kind of sport stick in her rare but treasured free time. Golf was introduced to Van Sickle at an early age by her mother a professional instructor and golfer. Although a challenging sport of its own to master, Van Sickle uses golf to unwind, not bothering to keep score. Through it all, the down time and training with the USWNT, family is a constant for Van Sickle.
“My parents are always wanted me to follow my dreams and didn’t steer me in any particular way,” said Van Sickle. “They were supportive with whatever I was doing. Their support has shaped who I am and who I will be and that’s something I want to instill in my kids."
USFHA media release
Post-match fracas lands Kurukshetra girls in trouble
Isha Jain & Manvir Saini
LUCKNOW/CHANDIGARH: Women hockey players from Kurukshetra University (KU) and Lucknow University (LU) clashed after the final of the North Zone inter-university hockey tournament that was played at the Lucknow University ground on Monday.
Seconds after the match got over -in which LU defeated KU by a narrow 2-1 margin -exaggerated celebrations by the home team didn't go down too well with KU girls. A brawl ensued and the KU players allegedly assaulted the two officiating umpires. In a written complaint (a copy of which is with TOI) to the tournament organising secretary against six KU players, umpire Rishi Kumar alleged that KU players challenged his decision and abused him and his co-umpire Sumit Kumar Pal. Kumar also said that the players manhandled them. The six KU players in the dock are team captain Bharti Sharma, Shilpa, Kavita Rani Deepti, Neha Sharma and Paramjit.
Giving their side of the story , Bharti accused the umpires of cheating and favouring the LU team. " After the match, Aditi Bura and I walked up to the umpires to tell them that they had been unfair and partial to the LU team. He pushed us and said, 'Hum UP ke hain' (we belong to UP). We had simply objected to this bad gesture of touching me," Bharti told TOI.
"The umpires also told us in a mocking manner that they were following the principle of 'jiski field, uski shield'. Why would they give us the medals if we were so grossly wrong?" she questioned.
Bharti went on to add that members from the opposition team started threatening them before the police reached the ground. "We didn't hit anyone. In fact, our coach rebuked us for challenging the decision of the umpires,'' she said. Dalel Singh, the director sports of KU, termed the accusation as a desperate attempt of LU to cover up their "criminal wrongs".
The Times of India
Sardar accused of assault, denies charge
Uthra Ganesan
Hockey captain Sardar Singh has rubbished the allegations levelled against him by the British hockey player. Getty Images
Indian hockey was hit by controversy on Wednesday after an assault case was filed by a 21-year-old British woman against national captain Sardar Singh late on Tuesday night.
The complaint was filed with the Ludhiana police commissioner, who has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate before deciding whether an official FIR should be filed.
The Indian-origin woman, who is a former Under-19 England player, claimed to have been in a relationship with Sardar for the past four years and alleged he tortured her “mentally, physically and emotionally”, even forcing her to undergo an abortion last year.
The woman claimed they got engaged in 2014 with the assent of both families, but Sardar had refused to marry her.
“We have been in a relationship for four years since the London Olympics.
He proposed to me during the 2014 World Cup followed by an engagement in India,” she said before returning to England.
Sardar refuted the charges.
“I know her but there was no such thing (engagement) between us. Right now I am concentrating on the HIL and will reply to all allegations once I go through the complaint report and consult my lawyer,” Sardar said in Chandigarh.
Hockey India distanced itself from the mess saying it was a private affair between two adult individuals.
Sources said things soured between the two following a heated exchange in Antwerp during the Hockey World League semifinals last year that ended in a scuffle with local authorities intervening to settle the matter.
The Hindu
Hockey captain Sardar Singh denies he assaulted girlfriend; Hockey India backs player
Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh (Getty Images)
"I will speak to my lawyer about the issue. My focus is on Rio Games," Sardar said.
Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh, who has been accused by his long-time girlfriend of 'attempt to rape' in a complaint filed at a police station in Ludhiana, has denied the charges.
The girl, who also claims to be Sardar's fiancee, has also accused Sardar of 'blackmail, mental harassment and physical harassment,' reported IBNLive.
Sardar, who is currently playing for Punjab Warriors in the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL), has denied assault reports, says NDTV.
"I know her, but it's wrong to say that I have assaulted her. I am sad to hear about such a thing." Sardar said to the channel. The veteran midfielder said he is 'focused on Rio Olympics and will take legal recourse'.
"I will speak to my lawyer about the issue. My focus is on Rio Games," Sardar said.
Singh also asked for time to clarify his position.
Meanwhile, Hockey India has stood firmly behind Sardar Singh, saying they would lend all help possible to the hockey captain to fight his case. A spokesperson told a news channel that the controversy would not affect Singh's captaincy of the Indian team.
The woman, an Indian origin Britisher who is a hockey player as well in the UK and met Sardar during the 2012 London Olympics. She filed a complaint on February 1 at the Kum Kalan Police Station in the Ludhiana city.
"I have been in a relationship with Sardar Singh for last four years. I have been engaged to him for last two years. After engagement, Sardar forced me to be in a physical relationship on the terms that we are going to get married," the complainant told ANI.
"Our relationship developed and within a year of 2015 he got me pregnant. After consulting with Sardar on this matter, he refused to speak to me and was adamant that I should abort the child right away," she added.
The complainant further said that after Sardar forced her to abort the child following which she returned to UK and consulted her family.
"I was left with no other option but to abort this child against my will. After this matter, Sardar abandoned me, he doesn't speak to me, has no contacts with me. He actually denied the fact that I am his fiance when it is a world known matter," she said.
"After being physically and mentally harassed by Sardar Singh, as a woman it's not fair that I should take this abuse and not just by him but by his elder brother as well as him," she added.
She also said that she has filed an FIR. Meanwhile, Sardar's family members have alleged the entire episode to be a conspiracy to malign his image and ruin his career.
A formal complaint in the case would be registered following a preliminary investigation.
The woman is reportedly flying back to the UK after filing the complaint and says her family is with her in the steps she has taken against Sardar, said report.
"The British High Commission advised me to go to India and take up the case. My parents are in the UK. They are supporting me and are always there with me," said a report quoting her.
DNA
Assault charge false: Sardar
Sardara Singh
Chandigarh/Sirsa, Rubbishing sexual harassment charges against him, Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh today said the complainant, a former member of the British hockey team, was known to him “but it is wrong to say that I assaulted her”.
The Ludhiana Police Commissioner, Paramraj Singh Umranangal, has formed a special investigation team (SIT) under Additional DCP Satbir Singh Atwal to look into the matter.
In her complaint to the Ludhiana police, the woman has alleged that Sardar Singh had sexually exploited her on the promise of marriage.
“At present, my focus is on the ongoing HIL. I have a match tomorrow. It is a very grave allegation. I will go through the police report and consult my lawyer. I will answer all queries but I need some time,” said Sardar Singh. Denying he was ever engaged to the complainant, he said: “Nothing of the sort happened.” At his Sant Nagar residence in Sirsa district, his father, Gurnam Singh, claimed that it was a plot to ruin his son's career.
He said his son had carved out a niche for himself through sheer hard work and had brought glory to the country. He said the complainant was his son's friend and had visited the family at their Sant Nagar residence. “She was not engaged to my son.The allegations are false," said a visibly upset Gurnam Singh. Sant Nagar sarpanch Gurdeep Singh said: "The truth will soon come to the fore soon and I have no doubt that our boy will be proved innocent." Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee Sardar Singh is a DSP with the Haryana Police. In Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said: "Whosoever is found guilty will not be spared.”
The Tribune
Sardar denies sexual assault charges; SIT formed
LUDHIANA: The Punjab Police constituted a special investigation team (SIT) on Wednesday to probe the allegations of sexual exploitation against Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh by a former under-19 British hockey player. Sardar rubbished the allegations levelled against him by the 21-year-old woman of Indian origin from Leeds.
As per the complaint filed at the Koom Kalan Police Station in Ludhiana district on Tuesday, the victim has alleged that she met Sardar during the 2012 London Olympics for the first time, and they soon got involved.
The complainant also alleged that she was also forced to abort a child at Singh's insistence.
Ludhiana police commissioner Paramraj Singh Umranangal said, "I have issued orders for the constitution of a SIT to investigate the complaint. It will comprise additional deputy commissioner of police Satvir Singh Atwal, assistant commissioner of police Gurpreet Kaur and SHO, Koom Kalan Surjeet Singh Nagra. We will take necessary action once the SIT gives its report in the next few days."
According to PTI, The Indian hockey captain said, "I know her, but it's wrong to say that I assaulted her. My concentration is on the ongoing HIL. I came to know about the allegations after Tuesday's match. It is a very serious allegation. I will look at the report and consult my lawyer. I will answer all questions but I need some time," he said.
Asked whether he had got engaged to the complainant, Sardar said: "Nothing like that happened between us."
Talking to media persons at his house in Sirsa district of Haryana, Sardar's father Gurnam Singh, rubbished the charges against his son. "It is a conspiracy to spoil Sardar's career. The accusations (of the woman) are baseless. There is nothing like that," he maintained.
According to sources, the UK player said she had filed the complaint in Ludhiana as Sardar had taken her to Bhaini Sahib Gurdwara, the headquarters of the Namdhari sect, near Ludhiana, where he allegedly promised to marry her, but later backtracked.
In her complaint lodged with the police, the woman has accused Sardar of "mentally, physically and emotionally" torturing her.
"We have been in a four-year relation "We have been in a four-year relationship which was known to all in India and abroad. I met him during the London Olympics and he finally proposed to me during the 2014 World Cup in Hague.
He then invited me to his native village where Sardar and his family formally initiated the engagement," she has alleged.
The Times of India
Sardar Singh denies sexual harassment charge
NEW DELHI: Under-fire India hockey captain Sardar Singh on Wednesday rubbished alleged sexual harassment charges leveled against him by a British hockey player of Indian origin, saying even though he knew her they never got engaged as claimed by the woman.
The 21-year-old woman has filed a written complaint with Ludhiana police, claiming she has been engaged to Sardar for the past four years and alleged that he "mentally, physically and emotionally tortured" her.
"I know her but it's wrong to say that I assaulted her," Sardar said.
She also alleged that Sardar forced her to abort their child last year against her wishes and later refused to marry her. Sardar said these are serious allegations and he will retort back at an appropriate time as he is presently focusing on the ongoing Hockey India League, where he is captaining the Jaypee Punjab Warriors side.
"Presently my full concentration in on the ongoing HIL. After last night's match, I came to know about the allegations. Tomorrow I have a match again. It is a very serious allegation. I will look at the report ans consult my lawyer. I will answer all questions but I need some time," he said.
Asked whether he got engaged with the complainant, Sardar outrightly denied it, saying: "Nothing like that happened between us."
In her complaint to the Ludhiana Police Commissioner P S Umranangal, the woman had accused the veteran midfielder of "mentally, physically and emotionally" torturing her.
The 21-year-old, in a startling revelation, has also claimed that Sardar, whom she met during the London Olympics in 2012 and has been engaged to him for the past four years, also forced her to abort their child in 2015.
"We have been in a four-year relationship which was known to all in India and abroad. I met him during the London Olympics and he finally proposed to me during the 2014 World Cup in Hague. He then invited me to his native village where Sardar and his family formally initiated the engagement," she alleged.
"After this me and Sardar were expecting our first child in mid-2015. I spoke to him regarding this and he said sorry I don't want to have the child and you must abort it immediately otherwise I won't speak to you and there will be no contact.
"So under pressure and with him also threatening and blackmailing me physically and emotionally, I aborted our child under the consultation of my parents. After this, Sardar abandoned me," the woman further alleged.
The complainant said she filed the FIR to make public Sardar's fraud and the injustice which she has meted on her.
"I filed the FIR because Sardar has resorted to fraudulent means. He lied to me, cheated me, physically, mentally and emotionally abused me," she said.
"It has come to the point now that I need justice as a woman. If Sardar has any self-respect, he will call me or contact my lawyers. I have full faith in Indian law and Indian judiciary," she concluded.
The Times of India
Know Sardar Singh: Youngest hockey captain, Padma Shri awardee
Neetika Walter
Indian hockey skipper Sardar Singh.
Indian hockey skipper Sardar Singh is all over the news for the past couple of days, because of a police complaint by a UK-based Indian-origin woman who was his girlfriend and claims to be his fiancée. The woman, in her complaint to the Ludhiana police, has accused Sardar of physical and mental abuse. The police are investigating the accusations, and a special investigation team (SIT) has been set up too.
As the two parties have now indulged in allegations and counter-allegations and it will take the agencies some time to establish the truth, we give you a list of things that you should definitely know about Sardar Singh.
The 29-year-old Sardar Singh hails from Rania town of Sirsa district in Haryana.
Sardar Singh holds the position of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in Haryana given to him as reward for his achievements.
He became the youngest player to become captain of the Indian Hockey team and led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
He became the Player of the Tournament in the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won gold.
Not only this, Sardar Singh became the highest-paid marquee player at the inaugural Hockey India League auction for the Delhi team, which was later named Delhi Waveriders.
Sardar Singh of Jaypee Punjab Warriors (Blue) and Talwinder Singh of Delhi Waveriders in action during their Hockey India League match in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Mohd Zakir HT)
Sardar was awarded the Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian honour in India, in 2015.
His brother Didar Singh has also played for the Indian team.
In 2010, Singh was signed by the Belgian club, KHC Leuven, to play in the Belgian Hockey League. After his impressive performance at the 2013 Asia Cup, Sardar was signed by the Dutch club, HC Bloemendaal as well.
Hindustan Times