News for 09 April 2020
All the news for Thursday 9 April 2020
Belgium to host FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2021
The sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup will be organised by the Royal Belgian Hockey Association, taking place in the province of Liège, Belgium between 3-7 February 2021.
The showpiece event – awarded to Belgium’s National Association by the FIH Executive Board – will see 12 teams competing in both the men’s and women’s competitions, all aiming to follow in the footsteps of Austria men and Germany women, who were crowned champions at the 2018 Indoor World Cup event that took place in Berlin (GER).
Speaking about the decision, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “With its speed, intensity and excitement, indoor hockey is an important and much-loved form of our sport, and I am greatly looking forward to the sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup taking place in Belgium. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Royal Belgian Hockey Association for agreeing to host this fantastic event, which I am sure will be a big success for everyone involved, including the 24 teams from all over the world that will compete. It promises to be a truly wonderful occasion for all fans of our sport!”
In partnership with the Province of Liège, this world class event will be played in Liege’s Country Hall venue, home of Liège Basket Club as well as numerous other big sport, music and entertainment events. The support of the Province of Liège will be of great importance to the success of this event, as will the proximity to hockey powerhouse nations such as Germany and the Netherlands.
The Royal Belgian Hockey Association (RBHA) expressed their delight about the decision, stating their readiness to step up to the next level following their successful organisation of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships 2018 competition in Antwerp.
“I’m very happy that we have been given the chance to organise the prestigious FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, and I’m sure we will be able to stage an event of the highest quality”, said RBHA President Marc Coudron, expressing both his gratitude and excitement about organising a World Cup for the first time in his National Association’s history. “I think it is crucial for us to continue to develop hockey everywhere in Belgium. This great partnership with the Province of Liège will definitely help us in achieving that aim. During these particularly hard times for our world, I’m also happy to be able to announce positive news for Belgian hockey, and for Belgian sport in general.”
FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2021 - Qualified teams
Men
1. Belgium (Host)
2. Germany (Champion of Europe)
3. Austria (Europe quota)
4. Netherlands (Europe quota)
5. Russia (Europe quota)
6. Czech Republic (Europe quota)
7. New Zealand (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
8. Australia (Oceania quota - Champion TBC)
9. Iran (Champion of Asia)
10. Kazakhstan (Asia quota)
11. Champion of Africa (TBC)
12. Champion of Pan America (TBC)
Women
1. Belgium (Host)
2. Belarus (Champion of Europe)
3. Netherlands (Europe quota)
4. Czech Republic (Europe quota)
5. Germany (Europe quota)
6. Ukraine (Europe quota)
7. Austria (Europe quota)
8. New Zealand (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
9. Australia (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
10. Kazakhstan (ASI Champion)
11. Champion of Africa (TBC)
12. Champion of Pan America (TBC)
#IHWC2021
#IndoorHockey
FIH site
Belgium to host FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2021
By Michael Houston
After consecutive tournaments in Germany, Belgium will host the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup for the first time ©Getty Images
Belgium have been awarded the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Indoor Hockey World Cup for 2021 with the competition being hosted in the nation for the first time.
Set to take place in the city of Liège, it will mark the third time that the host nation have competed in the competition that had its inaugural tournament in 2003.
Belgium were first represented in the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in 2015 when the women's team qualified and would feature one more time in the 2018 edition in the men's tournament with the team making the quarter-finals on their debut.
The sixth edition of the Indoor Hockey World Cup will be organised by Royal Belgian Hockey Association (RBHA) from February 3 to 7 2021.
Both the men's and women's competitions will see 12 teams competing in both with Austria and Germany going in as the respective defending champions in each.
FIH chief executive officer Thierry Weil said, "With its speed, intensity and excitement, indoor hockey is an important and much-loved form of our sport, and I am greatly looking forward to the sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup.
Belgium's men have had the nation's best result to date in the competition when they made the quarter-finals of the Indoor Hockey World Cup in 2018 ©Getty Images
"I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Royal Belgian Hockey Association for agreeing to host this fantastic event, which I am sure will be a big success for everyone involved, including the 24 teams from all over the world that will compete."
RBHA also said they were ready to hold the World Cup after they held the 2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Antwerp.
"I think it is crucial for us to continue to develop hockey everywhere in Belgium," Weil added.
"This great partnership with the Province of Liège will definitely help us in achieving that aim."
The competition will take place in Liège's Country Hall, home of the Liège Basket Club as well as being a music and entertainment venue.
Eight of the 12 spots in both competitions have been decided with Asian champions Kazakhstan qualifying in both, joining Germany and Belarus who are the reigning European champions.
New Zealand and Australia won the Oceania quotas in both tournaments, but have yet to qualify.
Elsewhere, the champions of Africa and the champions of Pan America will take the other two spots in the men's and women's competitions.
Inside the Games
Malaysia want to host new Nations Cup
By Jugjet Singh
MALAYSIA are keen to stage the Nations Cup, to be introduced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in the middle of next year.
The Malaysian Hockey Confedceration (MHC) received an email from the FIH recently, and even though it is not a formal invitation to host, Malaysia are certainly interested to have the Nations Cup here. FIH need a reply by April 30.
“We got an email from FIH, stating they will be organising a Nations Cup for the eight teams (including the hosts) who are out of the Pro-League bracket, and we are keen to host it,” said MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
“We will send a positive reply soon. We are seriously interested in the offer from FIH as our senior and junior World Cup bids were given to India.
“We hope the Nations Cup will benefit our players and fans.”
The top eight teams outside of the Pro-League (men and women) for the Nations Cup will be decided at the end of the Pro-League season, or in June if the tourament is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The eight teams will be invited based on their rankings, and Malaysia are currently ranked World 11th.
The Nations Cup, though second tier, is valuable to Malaysia as it hands out world ranking points. The national team’s status has suffered by not being in the Pro-League’s eight teams.
“Our hosting capabilities are well known to the FIH and it would not be too taxing for us to host the Nations Cup,” said Subahan.
“We successfully hosted the FIH Series Finals (in 2019) and it would not be too difficult to host eight teams next year.”
While the dates of the Nations’ Cup have not been officially decided due to the Covid-19 situation, the tentative months are May and June.
FIH had said in their e-mail that since Malaysia are among those expected in the “eight bracket”, they are giving the nation a leg-up to decide if they want to participate or become the hosts.
New Straits Times
What is it like to be coached by Hager, Revington & Ralph?
Hager Team Talk at The Stoop 2019
It’s been more than a year since Mark Hager was appointed as head coach of the GB women’s team but what is he like to work with? We asked Shona McCallin, Esme Burge and Amy Costello that question during the first episode of Inside The Circle: The Podcast, which you can listen to by clicking here.
In interviews and on the side of the pitch, Hager comes across on TV as a calm, thoughtful and well-spoken coach. But McCallin revealed that, behind closed doors, the team often see a more humorous side to him when they step off the pitch.
“The word character describes him quite nicely,” she explained.
“On the pitch and off the pitch he’s quite different, which is how it should be. It’s professional and then a bit more relaxed.
“Off the pitch he’s the life and soul of the party. He’s a bit unpredictable, you’re never quite sure what he’s going to come out with and talk about or say. But he’s a great guy with great values and loves his family to bits as well.
“Coaching wise, the three of them – Paul Revington, David Ralph and Mark – work really well together. They bring a different combination of different energies, skills and coaching methods.
“Mark loves his goalscoring, which is something you’d expect from someone who has scored millions of goals for Australia and likes to remind us all of how many he’s scored. He’s a good, attacking, goalscoring-focused coach with Revs and Ralphie helping him with the defensive stuff and everyone else.”
While Hager may come across as fairly quiet while matches are being played, Revington can often be heard above the roar of the crowd instructing the team with his unique, booming voice.
The former Ireland, Malaysia and South Africa head coach is exactly the same in training and often has the team in stitches, even when he’s trying to tell them off.
Burge said: “I think we have some laughs at some of the stuff he comes out with. There’s been some funny one-liners.
“He definitely burns the calories on the pitch with the amount he runs around. He told us the other day that ‘people question why I stay so thin because I’ve got such a bad diet and I eat all this rubbish. But that’s because I’m screaming and shouting’.
“But that’s great, his enthusiasm is absolutely amazing and we’ve got that nice balance. We’ve got him and then we’ve got Ralphie, who’s a lot calmer but when he needs to will send a message out and it will be really strong.”
Recalling one particular incident, Costello said: “One of [his best one-liners came when] we were doing a small-sided game or something and it wasn’t very good. He turned around and said ‘I could get my pillow now and be sleeping and be more enthusiastic than this’. That was quite amusing.”
Hager was appointed into the role just weeks before the team embarked on their first FIH Hockey Pro League matches last year and as such it took some time for them to adjust to his way of playing.
But the progress they have made in the last few months has been noticeable, as they comfortably qualified for the Olympics in testing circumstances before putting in some impressive performances against Australia and New Zealand back in February, although the results may not have gone their way.
The 1996 Olympic bronze medallist’s attacking instincts have clearly benefitted the team too. The last 16 goals they have scored have been shared amongst 11 players, while a total of 15 players have found the target since he took charge.
This is something that Burge feels will make them a really strong threat heading into the Tokyo Olympics next summer.
The midfielder said: “I definitely think it’s really important that we’ve got threats all over the pitch now.
“When teams are scouting us now they won’t be able to identify someone and say ‘here’s the target player who scores all the goals’. We’ve got numerous players who have got a real good eye for goal.
“It makes us more confident too, we really bounce off each other at training and it gives a general confidence that when we get in that circle we’ve got so many people who can put the ball in the back of the net no matter if it’s scrappy or a wonder goal.
“That confidence is building and now goalscoring is snowballing. Hopefully we can peak at the right time.”
Subscribe to Inside The Circle: The Podcast by clicking here. You can also listen on Spotify, Deezer, Podchaser, RadioPublic and YouTube.
The next episode will be released on Monday 13 April.
Great Britain Hockey media release
Sophie Bray calls the tune as East Grinstead thrive outdoors
By The Hockey Paper
On song: Sophie Bray was in superior form this season PIC: PETER SMITH
East Grinstead coach Mary Booth called star forward and captain Sophie Bray the ‘pied piper’ of her team after she finished runaway league top goalscorer, notched her 100th regular season goal and helped the club secure second place in the Investec Women’s Premier Division.
Bray, 30 in May, netted 24 goals in the regular season, more than double her nearest challenger. On the final weekend before hockey was suspended due to coronavirus, Bray was in stellar form again as she scored a brace in a 6-1 thrashing of Surbiton.
East Grinstead finished second behind Surbiton in the regular season, while an England Hockey board meeting, due to take place after April 20, will determine whether the Sussex club compete as the second club in Europe.
It was quite a turnaround after their early season woes. After East Grinstead’s opening three losses at the start of the season following a raft of new squad faces, the Sussex team went on a 15-game unbeaten run.
“She was frustrated but she dug deep and led by example,” said Booth. “The 15 games without defeat suggested we are a team which means business.
“She is like the pied piper but in that she brings the players with her in the most charismatic of ways.
East Grinstead are a club on the rise PIC: ANDREW SMITH
“Sophie has high expectations of herself. She is loyal and principled and is the first to say that she should have done better in games. But she is still one of the best forwards in the world.”
Bray admitted that she relished the freedom to roam with her creativity in the final quarter.
And Booth said: “I said ‘just go’. She took players with her and there was no point in us being scared. We know we have a good goalkeeper, defence and our short corner defence is solid.”
Bray, who ended her 154-capped international career last February, told The Telegraph last month that it was a complex issue surrounding her leaving the GB programme.
“So much is unknown for me, it makes it quite hard,” she said. “I don’t think it was completely a coaching decision. It is still unexplained.”
But she has clearly been able to channel her love for the game into domestic hockey.
She added: “I love the game, it’s such an incredible sport and the team we have is so special. It is still a pleasure to step out on the pitch with them. For so many years, hockey was always a hobby and for a number of years it became a profession and now it’s switched back to a hobby. That’s what is so special. Whatever level you play, so much is still the same, it’s about enjoying it with the people around you.”
BRAY: GOAL MACHINE
English league
2007-08 – Trojans (Division One) – 7 goals
2008-09 – University of Birmingham (Conference West) – 13 goals (Regular Season) + 4 goals (Promotion Tournament)
2009-10 – University of Birmingham (Premier Division) – 13 goals (Regular Season) + 1 goal (Championships)
2010-11 – University of Birmingham (Premier Division) – 12 goals
2014-15 – East Grinstead (Conference East) – 15 goals (Regular Season) + 5 goals (Promotion Tournament)
2015-16 – East Grinstead – 1 goal (Regular Season)
2018-19 – East Grinstead – 18 goals (Regular Season)
2019-20 – East Grinstead – 24 goals (Regular Season)
Totals: Regular Season: 103
Promotion Tournament: 9
Championships: 1
Total: 113
Stats supplied by Colin Pike
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The Hockey Paper
England Hockey wants injury data before coaches’ safety summit
By Rod Gilmour
England Hockey is open to the idea of a coaches’ summit after safety aspects in the junior game were deemed too dangerous – but only if clubs engage with its injury monitoring service first.
Earlier this year, John Shaw, the two-time GB Olympian, called for changes at junior level after expressing fears that the reverse stick hit could lead to a fatality.
Shaw told THP that he wished for a hockey collective with knowledgeable coaching insight to discuss the issue directly with England Hockey.
England Hockey told THP said in a statement: “The most important step for England Hockey and our clubs to take at this point in time is to promote visibility of our Injury Monitoring System and ensure that any injuries are logged as comprehensively as possible.
“With the best possible information over a sustained period of time, we can then engage in informed conversations around safety in the sport, and make informed decisions.
“We are open to continued debate at the appropriate time, and our Health & Safety working group will consider how best to involve clubs in that process. In the meantime we implore everyone in the sport to consistently report injuries via the EH website.”
Shaw, who coaches at Southgate HC, told this newspaper that hockey was “fundamentally responsible” for the dangers he believes are encroaching upon the sport.
“We are playing a game now which is potentially lethal and there is a risk by putting players in at a low level [for a stick shot].”
“A lot of people say reverse stick is exciting – of course it is. I understand why kids are copying it [from elite level], but they don’t have the skill set on the edge of the stick.”
— Read our Safety in Hockey coverage
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The Hockey Paper
Rising star McIvor give heartfelt reaction to Euro U-18 postponement
By John Flack.
Niamh McIvor with the Ulster senior schools trophy. Pic: Billy Pollock
Niamh McIvor has delivered a heartfelt reaction to the postponement of the European Under 18 Championship until next year when it will be staged as a one-off Under 19 event in 2021.
The trip to Kazan was to have been an early pinnacle of her short career which had gone from strength to strength this season.
A couple of weeks ago, the 17-year-old striker was to have played in the Kate Russell Cup for her school in Galway and then line out for Pegasus against UCD in the Irish Senior Cup final but those events were among the early casualties of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the Belfast Royal Academy student fully accepts that hockey has been put into perspective by the impact of the disease. Niamh has several relatives working on the front line of the health service in Northern Ireland.
Naturally, her primary concern is for their well being and her thoughts also go out to all those who are suffering or have lost loved ones in the current crisis.
Niamh starts her articulate and moving account by giving her reaction upon hearing the news that this year’s Under 18 Euro tournament had fallen victim to the pandemic.
“When I first became aware of the tournament cancellation, I was naturally really disappointed until I read further that this is actually a postponement.
“I was expecting the cancellation news to be honest as the Covid-19 situation unfolded and it was becoming inevitable that the tournament would not be feasible with ongoing restrictions to people’s movements to avoid the virus spreading further.
“I was thinking that my season, from a personal note, was going so well having won the Denman Ulster Shield with Pegasus and the Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup with BRA.
“Then coronavirus comes along, followed by the cancellation of the Kate Russell finals with BRA, the Irish Senior Cup final and the European Club finals with Pegasus and now the Irish U-18 Europeans, so it couldn’t have been worse.
Niamh McIvor taking on UCD’s Lena Tice for Pegasus. Pic: Billy Pollock
“To hear, however, that the U-18 tournament will now be played in 2021 is fantastic news. The whole team, players and management have been working towards this opportunity collectively since we were at U-16 level, three years ago in Cork.
“The majority of the squad is still together from that era with new fantastic players coming in to strengthen the squad even further.
“All that hard work is not in vain; we just need to re-plan, refocus and set our sights on 2021, to ensure we are fully prepared to take on the best countries across Europe.
“Most people do not realise how much effort and work we put into such preparations. Every day, we capture information about our health and well-being; we adhere to dietary guidance and we follow a professional fitness regime laid out by our coach Gavin and Sami.
“Even though we haven’t been able to train on the pitch for weeks now, the backroom team, led by our manager Leah Spillane, still gets us together once a week to bond via a video conference call. Our spirits are still high and now they will be even higher given our new goal for 2021.
“Given we are all in isolation now, it’s easy to take your eye of the ball and become a little complacent with regards to fitness and ball work.
“Its important that we stick together as a team, to motivate each other, to keep bonding and encourage each other to keep working hard.
“The weekly conference calls with the entire team helps to keep us focused, however most nights we would now be on some sort of video chat calls with different team members, catching up, comparing notes and maintaining those bonds.
“The hardest thing I find at the moment is not being able to get onto the pitch, to see my friends face to face and the banter that comes with all of that.
“It’s strange on reflection that when that freedom to play sport that we take for granted is no longer a priority given the situation we are in, it allows you to understand how much it means to you as a person and an athlete. 
On the attack for Pegasus. Pic: Billy Pollock
“For over four years now, playing for the Junior Irish squad, my hockey routine has become part of my life.
“Training, strength and conditioning, hockey drills, playing in the cold and wet, winning, losing, always learning, having a laugh with the other players – all of that has suddenly stopped and it leaves a huge void.
“I really miss it and cannot wait until we can get going again. Until that happens of course, my thoughts are with all those on the front line including my two aunts and uncle who are putting their lives at risk every day to provide us with the critical care that is needed.
“I feel really sad for those poor families who have lost someone to this dreadful virus and until that threat is lifted, my dreams and desire to play hockey are insignificant.”
The Hook
Not finance, future of students a concern for Bawa
Not an indoor person, Dronacharya Awardee Merzban Patel is keeping calm by reading autobiographies. The hockey coach says he is bored sitting at home.
Shayan Acharya
Hockey coach Merzban Patel has taken to online classes. - FILE PHOTO/NANDAKUMAR MARAR
Merzban Patel doesn’t remember the last time he had such a long break. The septuagenarian hockey coach has been busy grooming young talents.
Not an indoor person, the Dronacharya Awardee is having a hard time sitting at home, in Vile Parle, as the country is under a 21-day lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I am getting bored. I am not used to sitting at home, so I don’t know how to spend time. I don’t like watching television, so I read the newspapers and the health columns,” Patel, who is fondly known as Bawa in Mumbai’s hockey circles, told Sportstar on Wednesday.
Over the past four decades, Bawa has groomed a lot of Olympians and international players from Mumbai, and is now associated with the Children’s Academy School as hockey coach. Patel, whose monthly income is Rs 12, 500, did not receive his salary this month.
“The school was shut, so there was no hockey. We can only get our salaries once the school reopens,” he said.
“I have some savings, so we are running the show with that. Some of my old students have helped me whenever required; they are always around,” the veteran coach said.
More than financial woes, Patel is concerned for his wards. “We all need to stay at home at this time. I have set a guideline for them, so that they can train well. But then, if this situation continues for two to three months, it will be difficult to manage,” he said.
His old wards Merwyn Fernandes and Joachim Carvalho — two former India internationals — suggested that he offer online classes, and he obliged. “I showed the boys how to practice inside the house. But then, I don’t think they would be training seriously, and I can’t monitor every move,” he said.
“Many kids don’t even have enough space in the house to execute the drills. But at least, they should try and continue. I try to motivate them. What else can I do sitting at home?” Patel said.
He feels the lockdown is likely to be extended. “I can’t stay at home like this. The day they announced my name for the Dronacharya award, I was training kids at the MHA. So, it is very difficult to spend time…”
Patel is keeping calm by reading autobiographies. “As of today, I am doing fine. Kal kisko pata (who knows what happens tomorrow).”
Sportstar
Ashok Diwan stranded in USA, writes to Batra for help
Originally scheduled to fly back to Delhi on April 20 by Air India, Diwan has been stranded due to the ongoing pandemic crisis related to COVID-19.
Vijay Lokapally
Members of the 1975 Hockey World Cup winning team (from Left to Right) - Onkar Singh, Ashok Kumar, Michael Kindo, Brig. H.J.S. Chimni, P.E. Kaliah, B.P. Govinda, Ajit Pal Singh (Captain), Aslam Sher Khan, Brig. Harcharan Singh, Varinder Singh, V.J. Philips, Ashok Diwan and Leslie Fernandez seen during a felicitation function in New Delhi. - S. Subramanium
Ashok Diwan, hero of the 1975 World Cup winning hockey team, has made a distress appeal to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N. K. Batra on Thursday.
Reaching out to Batra, he has pleaded, “I need your help as you know I am stuck in USA and have developed some health problems. Being a high blood pressure (patient) I had to attend hospital in emergency last week in California.”
Originally scheduled to fly back to Delhi on April 20 by Air India, Diwan has been stranded due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“My travel dates have been pushed (further). I am not feeling well these days and doesn’t have any (medical) insurance here. As you know the medical costs are very high here,” wrote Diwan.
The former goalkeeper added, “I request Union Sports Minister (Kiran Rijiju) and Union External Minister (S. Jaishankar) to instruct the Indian Embassy at San Francisco to help me with a hospital for my checkup or if they can arrange earlier departure from San Francisco to India. I will pay the bills when I come back in India.”
Diwan concluded with a fervent appeal, “Treat this as urgent as I am really in bad health here.”
Sportstar
Hockey India donates Rs 21 lakh to Odisha Chief Minister's Relief Fund
The Hockey India has donated Rs 21 lakh to Odisha Chief Minister's Relief Fund to fight the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
With the number of cases on the rise in the state of Odisha, the Hockey India Executive Board took a unanimous decision to make the contribution in order to support the Government of Odisha in its fight against the pandemic.
"The State of Odisha has always been a huge supporter of Hockey, and given the current crisis that we are all facing, everyone at Hockey India hopes that this contribution of Rs. 21 lakh can make a difference in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Odisha is doing their best to fight the pandemic in the state, and we hope that through this contribution, Hockey India can also help the people of Odisha, who have always been huge support for Indian hockey," stated Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, President, Hockey India.
Rajinder Singh, Secretary General, Hockey India reflected the President's thoughts and said, "Hockey India has always received huge support and motivation from the people of Odisha, and I am proud that the Hockey India Executive Board took this unanimous decision to contribute a total amount of Rs. 21 lakhs, to the Odisha Chief Minister's Relief Fund. We hope our contribution will help the state provide vital facilities and care to those in need, and also provide support to the heroes who are working tirelessly to fight this pandemic.”
Sportstar
Former international umpire Eric Denis passes away
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is saddened to learn of the passing of Eric Denis, a much loved and hugely respected umpiring figure both within his native Belgium and on the international scene. He was 52 years old.
Denis umpired at the very highest level, officiating at the 1998 FIH World Cup in Utrecht and at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games before transitioning into the role of umpire mentor, offering his experience and guidance to the next generation of umpires in Belgium.
He was also a key figure in the European Hockey Federation’s Umpire Development Programme (UDP), offering his expertise to mentor some of Europe’s most promising officials.
On behalf of the entire hockey family, we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Kathy, sons Maxime and Mathys, and all his family and friends at this difficult time.
FIH site