News for 17 September 2011
Saturday, 17 September 2011 11:22 | 
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All the news for Saturday 17 September 2011
Five-star Carr gets the winner for SA hockey men against Argentina
JONATHAN COOK in Randburg
KZN Coastal Raiders star Gareth Carr nailed the winning goal with just a second left in the most thrilling of Test matches for South Africa to win the first Test in the EagleTurf SA/Argentina Men’s Hockey Series 5-4 at Kaspersky Park in Randburg Friday night.
Matias Paredes picked up the ball inside the SA 23m area to open the scoring after four minutes. Justin Reid-Ross brought joy to SA supporters with a great run up the left when he beat several players and the home side looked threatening. The left flank was working for SA and Taine Paton scored a brilliant equaliser eight minutes into the game.
Then it was Amathole-Border striker Julian Hykes to get in on the act with a phenomenal shot that raised the roof of the net (2-1). After that there was mayhem in the crowd when Carr’s first penalty corner was cleared off the line by post man Fernando Zylberberg and seconds later Tim Drummond smashed past the keeper for 3-1 before the crowd erupted again when the lightning quick Lloyd Norris-Jones made it 4-1.
Lucas Vila brought heart to his team with a field goal and six goals had been scored in the first 22 minutes! Drummond and Clinton Panther then got in double shots but Argentina somehow survived.
Turning around at 4-2 up SA needed a disciplined second half to stay ahead but Lucas Rey wriggled through for Rodrigo Vila to have the simplest of tap-ins and with half an hour left and now trailing by just one goal, Argentina had plenty of time to win this game.
Norris-Jones was unlucky at one end by Vila drew the teams level soon after to make it 4-4.
Play then swung from goalmouth to goalmouth in a frenzy of activity but SA wasted two penalty corners until the dying seconds when Carr, the Durban man with big-match temperament, ballooned the back of the net with the winning corner drag-flick (5-4).
The second and final Test of the series is at 4 pm Sunday at Randburg and SA will field a new-look team as the bulk of the first-choice players fly out to their European clubs Saturday.
It will be a massive test for the untried newcomers against the dazzling Argentinians but SA has the talent to make this second encounter as stunning an exhibition of the very best in hockey as the first.
SA Hockey Association media release
CANgaroo Clash: Match #5 Recap
The fifth and final match of the CANgaroo Clash was another intense match, but another disappointing loss for Canada.
Australia came out strong, earning a penalty corner in the first minute of the match. Canada was under the pump from then on. By the 5th minute, Australia managed to score a clean goal. Canada rebounded and in the 7th minute, Gabbar Singh smashed a rocket off a short corner option to tie the game at 1 - 1.
Two minutes later Australia regained their lead with another goal from the field, putting them up 2 - 1.
Canada had chances to tie the game in the second half, but the Aussie Goal Keeper held strong against multiple attempts. Australia's strong offense pushed forward, scoring a field goal in the 66th minute to gain a 3 - 1 lead.
Three minutes later the determined Canadian side stormed back and Jesse Watson scored off of a broken penalty corner, leaving them with a mere one point deficit.
Time simply ran out, and Canada was unable to score. And so the final match of the CANgaroo Clash went to Australia A (3 - 2).
Australia A (3) - Canada (2)
Field Hockey Canada media release
Jamie Dwyer to make comeback from knee injury at Oceania Cup-Olympic Qualifier
4 time world player of the year and Olympic gold medallist Jamie Dwyer is set to play his first match for the Kookaburras for 2011 and his first since suffering a knee injury earlier in the year when the Kookaburras compete in the 2011 Oceania Cup – Olympic Qualifier in Hobart from October 5-9.
Dwyer injured his knee playing for his club team in Holland in April which required surgery and saw him sidelined for over three months.
After returning to full training, Dwyer’s recovery has gone extremely well to the point where he has been selected in the Oceania Cup squad.
The Kookaburras will also regain the services of veterans Mark Knowles and Rob Hammond who are also returning from injury. Knowles suffered a stress fracture in June while Hammond missed the Kookaburras tour of Europe due to a hamstring injury.
The Kookaburras will take on New Zealand and Fiji at the Oceania Cup-Olympic Qualifier and must finish in the top two of the tournament to receive automatic qualification to the 2012 London Olympics.
A 19 player squad has been selected and will be reduced to 18 prior to the tournament.
Following the Oceania Cup the Kookaburras will compete in a newly created tournament called the Lanco International Super Series in Perth from October 20-23. The tournament has all new rules to make the game faster and more exciting than ever before. Further information can be found at this link:
http://www.hockey.org.au/index.php?id=481
Kookaburras Oceania Cup Squad
Nathan Burgers (QLD), Andrew Charter (ACT), Kiel Brown (WA), Fergus Kavanagh (WA), Matthew Swann (QLD), Brett Dancer (WA), Matthew Butturini (NSW), Chris Ciriello (VIC), Liam De Young (QLD), Mark Knowles (QLD), Eddie Ockenden (TAS), Simon Orchard (NSW), Jamie Dwyer (QLD), Rob Hammond (QLD), Mark Paterson (NSW), Glenn Simpson (VIC), Glenn Turner (ACT), Jason Wilson (QLD), Russell Ford (VIC), Kieran Govers (NSW)
Hockey Australia media release
USA Men host Australia A Team
Ashley Meunier
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. – The USA Men’s National Team will host the Australia A Team for a four game series. The first two matches will be played in Chula Vista, CA, September 17-18 with the series concluding in Moorpark, CA, September 20-21. This will be the final stage of preparation for the Men’s Team before heading to Guadalajara, Mexico for the Pan American Games next month.
"This series will be a significant challenge and the best possible preparation for the Pan American Games,” said Head Coach Nick Conway. “Australia A are a team of real quality consisting of several players that have been identified as future Australian internationals post the London Olympics. They will undoubtedly provide us with a test that will be similar or indeed harder than what we will face in Guadalajara.”
The Australia A Team is finishing up a five game series in Canada with the final match being played this evening. Australia A is leading the series 4-0. Canada is a Pan American rival that USA will face in the final rounds of the Pan Ams providing a successful outcome in pool play.
The schedule is as follows with all times listed in local PDT. Admission is free and open to the public.
Chula Vista, CA: Saturday, September 17 @1PM and Sunday, September 18 @11AM
Moorpark, CA: Tuesday, September 20 @11AM and Wednesday, September 21 @9AM
USA Roster: Jarred Martin (Albany, NY), Michiel Dijxhoorn (Tampa, FL), Jon Ginolfi (Moorpark, CA), Will Holt (Camarillo, CA), Steven Mann (New York, NY), Pat Cota (Camarillo, CA), Rob Schilling (Moorpark, CA), Tom Sheridan (Ridgewood, NJ), Shawn Nakamura (Thousand Oaks, CA), Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura, CA), Kevin Barber (Camarillo, CA), Sean Harris (Moorpark, CA) Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, CA), Moritz Runzi (Boston, MA), Ian Scally (Thousand Oaks, CA), Andy Sheridan (Ridgewood, NJ), Pauly Kundi (Glendal, CA), Ranveer Kundi (Glendora, CA), Christian Linney (San Diego, CA), Arjan Reyatt (Brea, CA), Andrew Zayac (Columbia, MD)
USFHA media release
Harris elects not to attend Pan American Games
Ashley Meunier
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - On Monday, Head Coach Nick Conway announced the 16-man team that will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico for the XVI Pan American Games and attempt to secure a spot in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
But, one familiar name was left off.
Pat Harris (Moorpark, CA), one of the premier players in the Pan American region, has elected to not participate in the Pan Ams after earning a spot on the original 16-man roster. Instead, Harris will remain in the Netherlands to pursue a career opportunity with an organization called Onesails.
“It is really disappointing that Pat’s employment situation does not allow him to take part in the Pan American Games,” remarked Terry Walsh, Technical Director of High Performance. “Without a doubt, Pat has proven himself to be one of, if not, the best player in the Americas. This of course, has some impact on the group, however, I have been impressed by the manner in which the group has taken this in their stride.”
Harris will join Onesails, a custom sail production company, in the division of market research, data analysis and development.
“Onesails is constantly evolving, and I am hoping, along with the company, I will also have the opportunity to grow and gain valuable working experience,” says Harris.
Harris has been a member of the Men’s National Team for eleven years and was a member on the Junior National Squad prior to that. Harris moved to the Netherlands two years ago with the intent of advancing his game at the international level. In April of this year, Harris was recognized as Player of the Week in the Hoofdklasse League, the highest division of Dutch hockey.
Harris captained the team at Champions Challenge II in Lille, France in July where he was the leading goal scorer for USA and was declared player of the tournament, a commendable achievement given the high quality of opposition.
"We are obviously disappointed that Pat has elected to withdraw himself from the Pan American Games to focus on his long-term employment and lifestyle opportunities in Holland. While we are disappointed not to have Pat on the team, as he is clearly a world class player, we must respect and support his personal choices and move on accordingly.”
It is clear Harris’s presence both on and off the pitch at the biggest tournament of the year will be sorely missed.
“While this is a setback to our preparations it is one that we feel that we can absorb,” said Conway. “Our preparations are very much on track and with over a month to go before our opening match against Cuba we remain extremely confident that we have the depth of quality to hit our targets in Guadalajara.”
Harris’s decision was not simple. In fact, electing to not participate in the Pan American games was “one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life. Family, teammates and coaches have all been affected by the outcome. This is not an ideal situation, but at this point in my life, choosing my working career over hockey is a choice I feel is best for my future.”
Harris has been an exceptional performer and a praiseworthy leader for the USA Men’s Team over the years. His imprint will be permanent. USA Field Hockey wishes Harris success with his chosen endeavors.
“I sincerely hope this is not the end of my career with USA Field Hockey,” said Harris. “For now, my life is headed in a different direction, but given the chance, I would like to be involved in future tournaments.”
USFHA media release
Chance for Black Sticks to shine on world stage
JACOB MCSWEENY
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Black Sticks goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex is "over the moon'' New Zealand will host the Champions Trophy in Auckland in December. LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media
Black Sticks goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex is adamant his side should stand up and be counted at this year's men's Champions Trophy, which will be held in Auckland in December.
The announcement came this week after governance issues meant India forfeited the rights to host the tournament allowing New Zealand, who were originally headed to the second-tier Champions Challenge in South Africa, to sneak in as the host side.
Pontifex, 31, who plays for Wellington's national hockey league team was over the moon to play host.
"It's fantastic. Firstly, to be involved with the tournament and it's just amazing to have it hosted in New Zealand," he said.
"I think it will be a hockey highlight in terms of what has been hosted on New Zealand's shores."
India lost its hosting rights when it failed to produce one governing body within the country due to Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation failing to come to terms.
Pontifex said he had heard rumours of it being taken away from India and that New Zealand Hockey was interested, but he wanted to avoid getting his hopes up.
"When the notification came through the other night, well it was just awesome.
"We were still building for the Oceania Cup coming up in a few weeks over in Hobart ... then from there we would have been building for the Champions Challenge in South Africa.
"While they're extremely important hockey tournaments, with the Champions Trophy on the radar, everyone has certainly stepped it up a level."
The 127-cap goalkeeper said it was an opportunity for New Zealand to step up after previously only finishing as high as fourth.
"The competition we'll have here will be really strong so I think it's very important for our Olympic campaign that we don't just go along there and host it and make up the numbers.
"I think we really have to perform well and knock off some of those bigger teams to get us on a good roll leading into the Olympics."
Training has become more intense and people are committing to 6am starts, Pontifex said. "I'll be looking to get into the best shape possible and be seeing the ball really big and look to have a really fantastic tournament.
"Everyone is there with a bit more of a spring in their step and a bit more energy and commitment at training which is fantastic." The tournament will run from December 3 to 11 at North Harbour stadium in Albany and is the last major event before the 2012 Olympics.
Last year's tournament in Monchengladbach, Germany, reportedly attracted 38 million viewers worldwide.
Stuff
Fitness the key in chase for titles
By Jugjet Singh
THERE is no room for mistakes in the six-week TNB-Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), and fitness could well decide who get their hands on the three trophies up for grabs starting today.
Tenaga Nasional and Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) will square off in the Charity Shield at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight, and the losing team could well find themselves in a tight spot.
"This is a very short league and we can't afford to drop any points as there is no return leg like last season.
"Also, we will playing back-to-back matches and fitness will come into play in the first week itself," said KLHC skipper Azlan Misron.
Azlan is a national trainee but was left out of the Asian Champions Trophy, and is ready for the MHL unlike Tenaga Nasional skipper Madzli Ikmar.
"I just returned from Ordos (Asian Champions Trophy) two days ago and after playing some highly competitive matches, I do feel a little tired.
"However, hockey is a team sport and I believe my teammates are ready to give their best in the Charity Shield, which comes with three valuable points," said Madzli.
There are nine national trainees each in the Tenaga and KLHC squads.
The other teams in the Premier Division are Maybank. Sapura, UiTM, UniKL, Yayasan Negri Sembilan, Armed Forces and Nur Insafi.
There are only five teams in Division One -- Ipoh City Hall, SSTMI-Thunderbolt, Bukit Jalil Sports School, Uniten and UNIMAP.
Sapura, Yayasan Negri Sembilan and UiTM will be fielding foreign players, but it looks like KLHC and Tenaga are the ones going to battle for the Charity Shield, League title and TNB Cup this year.
New Straits Times
Tenaga aim to complete hat-trick of Charity Shield wins
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: History is on Tenaga Nasional’s side when they take on double champions KL Hockey Club (KLHC) in the Malaysia Hockey League’s (MHL) Charity Shield match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.
With three points up for grabs, Tenaga are the favourites to start the season with a bang. They have played in two Charity Shield matches and both times emerged as winners.
In 2009, they defeated Sapura for their first title. Last season, they beat KLHC 2-0.
Tenaga coach Lailin Abu Hassan did not mince his words. He wants Tenaga to complete a hat-trick of wins.
“We aim to make it three wins out of three. We also aim to get the three points on board. There is no second chance this season as we only get to play all the opponents once,” said Lailin.
Tenaga have a bunch of eager beavers and old warhorses to spearhead their challenge. They are counting on experienced players like Mahinder Singh, M. Kaliswaran, S. Kumar, Mohamed Amin Rahim, Mohamed Madzli Ikmar and C. Baljit Singh to get the team going.
They also have five national players – Faiz Helmy Jalil, Faisal Saari, Mohamed Azammi Adabi, Mohamed Firhan Ashaari and Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi – in their fold.
KL Hockey Club (KLHC) will also not be in charitable mood, thus promising an explosive match.
They have packed their team with national stars like Roslan Jamaluddin, Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor, Mohd Shahrun Nabil Abdullah, Mohd Sukri Mutalib, Mohamed Razie Abdul Rahim, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Ab Jalil, Azlan Misron, Mohd Fitri Saari and Kelvinder Singh.
On top of that, they also have former national stars like Ismail Abu, Chua Boon Huat, S. Baljit Singh and new recruit Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin.
Like Lailin, KLHC coach R. Vivekanandan is not taking anything for granted.
“It is a must-win game for both teams. There is no room to drop points.
“We really cannot let any of our rivals have the edge from the start of the season,” said Vivekanandan.
For Vivekanandan, he will be hoping to see the team gel as soon as possible.
“I only have my full team together a couple of days ago.
“It will be the first time the players will be playing together tomorrow as a team after the last match of the previous season,” he added.
Besides KLHC and Tenaga, seven teams – Maybank, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Armed Forces, Yayasan Negri Sembilan, UiTM, Nur Insafi and Sapura – are also chasing for the Premier Division crown. All seven will get into action tomorrow.
In Division One, five teams – Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten), Universiti Perlis (Unimap), Bukit Jalil Sports School, SSTMJ-Thunderbolt and Ipoh City Council – are in the fray.
The MHL will be played over five weeks, making it the shortest in the history of the championship. The final is on Oct 23.
The Star of Malaysia
Maken assures to look into World Cup sponsorship payment: FIH
NEW DELHI: International Hockey Federation has received an assurance from sports minister Ajay Maken that he will intervene in Indian Hockey Confederation's (IHC) threat to block sponsorship payment of $486,000 by the 2010 World Cup organisers, according to a top FIH official.
The confederation, which claims to have signed the original document with the FIH relating to the hosting of the event, is reported to be alleging breach of contract and an intended violation of the Foreign Exchange Act to justify blocking the payment.
Kelly Fairweather, chief executive of the FIH, told Sportcal, the business site for sport, "They (the confederation) don't have any status. They were suspended back in 2008, so that's now almost three years ago. I was as surprised as anybody to see this. We were given a commitment by the minister that the money relating to the World Cup, which has been outstanding for some time, would be paid back."
"This is a last-ditch attempt by the IHC to throw a spanner in the works. We didn't think it was an issue, we thought it was just a question of getting it cleared. We had a commitment from the sports minister this week," he added.
The move by the confederation, a body that represented the men's and women's hockey federations in India, followed a controversial decision earlier this week by the FIH to strip India of the Champions Trophy and award it to Auckland in New Zealand instead.
The FIH's decision came in response to a long-running power struggle between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation, two bodies purporting to govern the sport in India.
The IHF formerly made up part of the Indian Hockey Confederation.
The FIH recognises Hockey India (HI) as the governing body for hockey in India, having not recognised the IHF since 2000.
In July this year, the FIH rejected a proposed temporary 'settlement' of the dispute between HI and the IHF, brokered by the sports ministry, which, it said, ignored the requirement in the Olympic Charter and the FIH's own statutes that there should be a single governing body for a sport in each country.
Fairweather on Friday insisted that the FIH was not against some members of the IHF being "co-opted" into HI, but that a joint committee, as proposed in July, was not acceptable.
"We have always been very clear that we want one national federation. We recognise Hockey India but we're open to some arrangement which co-opts some members of the IHF. If it is accepted by them (Hockey India), we're not against that. We had a meeting two days ago with the IOA and they're of the same view.
"In terms of the IHF, it was dissolved in 2000. For us it's a clear scenario, but we're not against a solution that is in the interests of hockey, but under the umbrella of HI.
"What the ministry proposed was a joint committee. If you still have two bodies, but a joint committee, it only serves to further confuse matters. From our perspective and from that of our statutes, it's not acceptable," said Fairweather.
India remains under threat of being stripped of an Olympic qualification tournament in February next year and if that happens, it would be a serious blow to the national team because of the loss of home advantage.
"As for the Olympic qualifiers, we made it very clear that a joint settlement is not acceptable. I'm hopeful that this (withdrawing the Champions Trophy from India) will help bring the matter to a head. It's been going on for three years. The last thing we want to do is withdraw the qualifiers as well, but we're putting the ball in their court. It's not something we'd like to do. We really want to avoid that."
The Times of India
Sandeep and Sardar appeal against HI ban
CHANDIGARH: Banned Indian hockey players Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh have filed an appeal with Hockey India to get the ban lifted. The two leading players were banned for two years after they abruptly quit the national camp at Bangalore before the Asian Champions Trophy.
"Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh have filed an appeal on Wednesday stating that they regret leaving the camp midway and admitted that they have been guilty of not conforming to the rules and regulations repeatedly," HI's disciplinary committee chairman Pargat Singh on Friday.
Claiming that they are the future of hockey in India, both have assured in an e-mail that discipline would never be an issue with them and they be given a chance to represent the country, he added.
The Times of India
IHF has the muscle to play the spoilsport
MS Unnikrishnan
New Delhi: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is increasingly being made out to be the ‘fall guy’ for the present plight of Indian hockey, as neither the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) nor the International Hockey Federation (FIH), recognises its existence.
Both these bodies have “de-recognised” the IHF, to treat Hockey India as the sole custodian of the game in the country. But a court ruling gave the IHF a fresh lease of life, forcing the Sports Ministry to recognise it and creating a situation, which culminated with the FIH withdrawing the Champions Trophy and holding out the threat to pull out the Olympic qualifiers as well. It has also threatened to withdraw the recognition given to HI, leaving India without representation in the world body, which would shut out the country’s participation in international competitions.
Ironically, it was K.P.S. Gill as the president of the IHF who had pulled out hockey from the doghouse and made it a high-profile sport. When Gill first became the president of the IHF nearly 15 years ago, Indian hockey was tottering at the bottom, with no tangible result to boast of. There was no money and the IHF administration was in a mess. Gill came with a formidable reputation as a super cop who had crushed militancy in Punjab with an iron hand. As Director-General of Punjab Police, Gill’s presence at the IHF helm lifted the profile of the game, and hockey began getting the kind of mileage and respect which it had not got for a long time.
Gill not only brought in money but also tidied up the administration, with the quietly-efficient K. Jothikumaran as secretary. But as it invariably happens, when a game takes enough media space and sponsors come calling, detractors also mount and Gill was no exception. The highly successful Indira Gandhi Gold Cup international tournament series, sponsored by the Sahara Group, gave enough financial muscle to the IHF, which in turn got the players better facilities, culminating in India lifting the gold in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
The Dhanraj Pillai-led team gave a standout performance to make a top podium finish, but on return, Gill and Jothikumaran’s detractors instigated the players to revolt, seeking better rewards for their Asiad triumph.
Then Gill’s rivals tried to close in to give the knock-out punch, though very few had the guts to face Gill. They adopted subterfuge methods to create a rift in the IHF and succeeded to some extent when Jothikumaran was accused of taking money for sanctioning a tournament.
The FIH was instigated to de-recognise IHF on the plea that the men’s and women’s bodies had not merged for the administration of the game, though IHF and the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation (IWHF) had jointly formed the Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC).
But with the IHF bagging the rights to host the World Cup in Delhi, pressure mounted and the detractors succeeded in the formation of Hockey India. The immediate reason was that India had failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
The rest is history, as FIH recognised Hockey India, the Sports Ministry also had to recognise it. IHF was not prepared to accept defeat, fought the case in court and got a verdict in its favour. The Sports Ministry had no other option but to once again recognise it, which resulted in the existence of two bodies, leading to the present situation.
It will not be easy to keep the IHF out from hockey administration and any effort to merge it with HI would be at its own terms, as IHF knows well its bargaining power, and its power to play the spoilsport!
The Tribune
Delhi HC rejects IHF reimbursement plea
Utkarsh Anand
New Delhi Ruling that the central government is not bound to provide financial assistance to a National Sports Federation for organising or participating in every tournament or training camp, the Delhi High Court has dismissed the plea of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to be reimbursed Rs 85.3 lakh for taking part in five sporting events — competition and training — between 2005 and 2008.
The court however granted partial relief to the IHF and directed the Sports Ministry to release Rs 6.25 lakh, the financial assistance to which the ministry had agreed when the IHF organised the 27th Men’s Championship Trophy at Chennai from December 10 to 18, 2005.
Justice V K Jain refused to pass any propitious order on reimbursements for the other four claims — organising the 2007 men’s Asia Cup at Chennai; participation in men’s coaching-cum-competition tour at Perth in 2008; participation of men’s team in 2008 Olympic Qualifiers at Santiago in Chile; and participation in four-nation tournament in Australia in 2008.
The court noted that while the Ministry had given its go ahead to the IHF for participating in these events, it never promised for a financial assistance and that no sanction in this regard was granted.
The judge further noted that it was for the government to decide whether or not to grant financial assistance as sought by a national federation and that no federation could claim such assistance as a matter of its legal right.
“If the plaintiff was aggrieved on account of government not committing financial assistance/grant in terms of the guidelines issued by it, the appropriate remedy available to it was to file a Writ Petition seeking release of the grant. But, in absence of any financial commitment from the government, the expenditure incurred by the plaintiff cannot be recovered in a Civil Suit,” said the court.
Indian Express
The Asian Champions Trophy victory and cash awards
S. Thyagarajan
The politics and polemics of cash awards are nauseating. Every time our hockey team wins a cup the topic springs up.
Predictably, the triumph at Ordos has generated a debate, degenerating into accusations and acrimony.
The status of the Asian Champions Trophy is yet to be defined. It is not on par with the Asia Cup or the Asian Games.
Hockey India (HI) became a laughing stock. Its offer of Rs. 25,000 to each player was rejected. HI could have refrained from making that announcement. It was unprepared for the players' response. The players' stance provided enough fodder for the media to go hammer and tongs at the administration.
The Sports Ministry, the governments of Punjab and MP chipped in with generous rewards forcing HI to cut a sorry figure. The HI's helplessness was clear. It just could not afford more.
Discomforting questions
That admission raises many discomforting questions over HI finances. Its incomes, primarily, are from affiliation and tournament capitation fees. How much the administration benefited from staging the World Cup remains a grey area.
Whether the players got what was promised is also in the realm of guess. Before the World Cup, the players staged a protest in Pune. That ended with a photo-op for the IOA president Suresh Kalmadi to broker a truce. Part payment was made.
To compare hockey with cricket is rubbish. Cricket administration is miles ahead. Its professional marketing strategy is extraordinary. Whatever baby steps the IHF and now HI took have failed miserably or left midway.
Successful marketing demands a structured programme of events and expert handling of them. The BCCI has layers and layers of competitions, national and international. The returns are enviable.
Is HI capable of projecting one international event per year to garner resources by way of ticketing, TV rights, sponsorship and donations?
Payment agreement
Also wanting is a well-defined and documented system of payment agreement. Over the years the administrators got away by successfully creating divisions within the players to escape the reality of rewarding the successful team.
In the current environment such lethargy is unacceptable, even unethical. But what can be achieved if the administration lacks accounting transparency or fails in the area of marketing the sport which has a high potential?
Most federations rely on government's munificence, be it in conducting camps, financing travel and accommodation and doling out cash awards. The officials only masquerade in felicitation functions, mouthing platitudes in media interactions.
With a spectator base, hockey can well be marketed provided there is a will. Several meaningful suggestions have been cold shouldered. The move to play an India-Pakistan Test series in the UAE never took off. Such an event would definitely have enriched the coffers for both as did the annual cricket festival in Sharjah for the sub-continental powers.
The developments after Ordos teach HI many lessons. They have distorted its image as a unit to run the sport professionally. More importantly, they have re-emphasised the imperatives of framing a workable marketing strategy to make capital out of the appeal the sport enjoys within the country.
Hockey India should avoid such embarrassing moments in future.
The Hindu
Now, DJ Jenny to go nude for hockey team!
Kunaal Majgaonkar
MUMBAI: Move over Poonam Pandey. DJ Jenny is here! Miffed at the apathetical treatment meted out to the sport of hockey and its national players, Mumbai-based DJ Jenny D has decided to auction her pictures from a nude photo-shoot and donate the proceeds to Rajpal Singh's Asian Champions Trophy conquerors.
It all began when Hockey India announced a paltry sum of Rs 25,000 for each member of Indian team which beat Pakistan in the final in Ordos, China. "There were stories of our hockey players not being able to afford the right footwear before the final. The measly prize money was only adding insult to injury. Compare this to the way cricketers are treated. The injustice is there for all to see. It's a matter of serious concern," says Jenny.
The DJ, who is also a model and acts, will pose for the lenses in Mumbai on Saturday. She plans to conduct an online auction the following week. "A couple of portals have already approached me to buy the images. There's also an international men's magazine that has offered to pay me Rs 10 lakh for a nude cover shoot that would have just three hockey sticks in the frame," says the 24-year-old.
Comparisons with Poonam Pandey - who offered to pose in the buff if the Indian team won the World Cup - are bound to surface but Jenny doesn't think too much of it. "I have done photo shoots like this for causes like opposing the casting couch in the film industry and fighting for reservation for women, so this is not something that's inspired. Sensible people wouldn't associate me with Poonam Pandey," says Jenny, hinting at Pandey's delay in fulfilling her promise.
Aware that her method may cause a furore, Jenny says, "There are bound to be critics but when you come across injustice, you shouldn't consider detractors. People in India don't want to get out of that traditional shell. They forget we are in the 21st century."
The Times of India
Media Watch: Abundant Quality news in Newspapers
Media Watch: Last one week has been Hockey News Week what with hockey occupying prime space in the print media. Shifting of Champions Trophy, India winning the Asian Champions Trophy, and above all, the HI’s prize money of Rs.25k each player contributed to this extraordinary hockey coverage.
Even as late as today, there are so many hockey news items in the print media. As a part of our daily routine ‘What Newspaper Say today’ section, we are pleased to present gist of most news that appeared on today’s newspapers as a special case. We genuinely feel its media that is a great saviour of Indian hockey.
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A top model from Goa DJ Jenny is ready to go nude, and provide the monies collected by selling those photos to Winners of Asian Champions Trophy (Times of India).
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Delhi High Court rejects Indian Hockey Federation’s claim of reimbursement of its dues.
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Gist of Michael Nobbs’ detailed interaction with a newspaper to be appeared tomorrow is published under the heading ‘No player is bigger than the game: Nobbs’
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Hockey India complains to FIH against Pakistan’s Netherlands’ coach on his constant absuse of Indian players from bench / stand during the recent Ordos Asian Champions trophy (Indian Express).
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Another news item highlights the Nimbus Sports’ COO informing that thro’ WSH players can earn more than Rs.40 lakh.
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Another paper brings out its another part of long series entitled Humbled Hockey. Today’s piece in particular is bullshit, seems it is inserted by the IHF faction!! Facts and figure quoted and some of the assumption today are totally wrong.
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The Hindu has a special analytical article entitled The Asian Champions Trophy and cash awards.
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Only one leading paper Hindutan Times does not have a hockey story; but it had two yesterday.
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Another article hightlights FIH's Kelly Fairweather's hope of solving World Cup payment issue under the caption 'Maken assures to look into World Cup sponsorship payment'
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At least three papers have reported again Sandeep and Sardar' appeal against HI ban
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Another newsitem pertains to celebration of local stars: 'Hockey stars from Kodagu honoured'.
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Probably first time in a week, there is no special write up on Instant hero Yuvraj Walmiki.
Note: It is doubtful hockey would evoke so much news consistently in any other part of the world.
Stick2Hockey.com
Better custodians can raise standard of Pakistan hockey: Alam
Five goalies - Mazhar Abbas, Muhammad Sufiyan, Amjad Ali, Mujahid Ali and Asad Ali from across the country are attending the 10- day specialized camp. -APP Photo
KARACHI: Former Pakistan Captain Ahmed Alam has said that specialized goal-keeping training and coaching will help in preparing and developing the skill of future custodians.
“Better brand of goal-keepers can change the face of Pakistan Hockey,” he told APP in an interview here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan on Thursday where the coaching was in full swing.
“We are trying to impart scientific training and coaching to upcoming goalkeepers,” he said.
Five goalies – Mazhar Abbas, Muhammad Sufiyan, Amjad Ali, Mujahid Ali and Asad Ali from across the country are attending the 10- day specialized camp.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is holding the camp to groom and train the keepers to strengthen deep defence.
He said with the panel of coaches which also included Samsam Qadir and Abdul Ghafoor they are teaching new technique to players under the bars.
A modern concept is being developed in goalkeepers to act as third full back and to improve their speed and agility in the fast- moving sport.
“Goal-keeping is very important area of defence and Pakistan must prepare better keepers for good future of the game,” Alam, who represented Pakistan in 2004 Athens Olympic said.
He said boys are taught how to act in different situations and circumstances.
“They got to be swift and their reaction time on attacks should be very sharp,” he said.
“If we were able to raise the standard of the goalkeepers and groom teenagers it can be very benefiting for Pakistan,” he added.
“In modern hockey, keepers have to come forward on the top of the circle and react because of quick changing of flanks on crosses,” he said.
“Improving the standard of goal-keeping is imperative for the future of Pakistan hockey,” he said.
Dawn
Lack of experience let Pakistan down in final: Junaid
LAHORE: The manager of the Pakistan hockey team, Khawaja Mohamamd Junaid has blamed lack of experience on part of the young players as the key reasons for his team’s defeat to India in the final of Asian Champions trophy in China.
“Theses are the two major factors which let the team down in the final despite doing well in the league matches,” he told APP on Thursday.
While analyzing the overall showing of the team in the event, the team official had full praise for the young guns and termed them the “future of Pakistan hockey”.
“If we look at the formation of the team, seven players are new comers with very little international experience and exposure and in such circumstances reaching the final is a big achievement which we should acknowledge to encourage our young guns,” he asserted.
The former Pakistan captain, while focusing on the performance of the team in the final against India, said in the eight five minutes play (seventy minute full time and fifteen minutes extra time) the Green Shirts controlled the game which was evident from their persistent penetration in the Indian circle and earning as many as nine short corners.
“The young players could not avail the corners mainly due to lack of experience and international exposure,” he said.
“Then came the penalty shoot out stage in which we ran out of luck because our players could not exhibit at par conversion,” he maintained.
Junaid said that with the passage of time and learning these players will make amends to lift the level of their game to become future assets of Pakistan hockey.
“They are at the beginning of their international hockey career and expecting performing wonders from day one is not fair as they need time and grooming to blend themselves into future stars of Pakistan hockey,” he said.
He rejected that goalkeeper Imran Shah was responsible for Pakistan’s defeat in the penalty shoot out.
“I don’t agree as he did a wonderful job under the bar and in a penalty shoot out a major factor which also counts is luck which we did not have on that particular day ,” said the team manager.
Junaid said Pakistan’s team has improved a lot in defence as in the past a fragile defence was always a long standing problem of the team.
“Indian team could not make any impression in Pakistani circle as the defence adopted a strategy of ‘individual pressing’ by giving lesser space or gaps to the rival players.
“Due to our solid defence we conceded a lone short corner in the final for that we must give credit to our players”.
Junaid said he was not disappointed with the showing of the team as it reached the final.
“Our hockey progress graph is following an upward trend as we have started reaching finals of majority of the tournament which indicates the start of new young hockey culture to help achieve lost glory.”
Dawn
National Stadium to have new blue astro turf
The new turf will be laid at a cost of 35 million and hopefully be installed at the stadium by mid-November. -APP photo
LAHORE: The secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Mohammad Asif Bajwa said on Thursday that a new blue-coloured astro turf will be laid at the National Hockey Stadium by mid November.
“We will be playing at the newly introduced blue turf at the 2012 Olympics and that is why we want to have a similar pitch at home to train our players so they get used to it,” he told APP here.
He said the new turf will be laid at a cost of 35 million and hopefully be installed at the stadium by mid-November.
Bajwa expressed his gratitude to the Punjab Government for granting funds for the turf and putting in speedy efforts to equip the stadium with the most modern turf on the request of the federation.
He said the tenders for importing the turf are being invited and it will be arriving twenty days after the approval of the tenders.
“I am very much satisfied with the pace of work and it is a very good sign that we will be having a new surface in November,” he said.
The PHF Secretary said it is imperative to provide maximum training according to the London Olympics patter on blue turf with a yellow ball.
“We will be having ample time to train on blue turf and playing with a yellow ball for the Olympics and the more our players play on it the better they will be at ball handling besides getting used to the new colour of the pitch,” he said.
Dawn
ODU drops North Carolina
Lady Monarchs down second top-ranked team of the season
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Old Dominion faced its second No. 1 ranked team in two weeks Friday and for the second time, the Lady Monarchs passed the test. Old Dominion scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 win at No. 1 North Carolina to move to a perfect 7-0 on the year.
The second-ranked Lady Monarchs have now knocked off six teams ranked in the Top 10, with four of those squads ranked fifth or better. Old Dominion is a perfect 3-0 against the Atlantic Coast Conference, outscoring those rivals by a combined 11-2.
Old Dominion trailed for the first time all season when North Carolina scored off a penalty corner in the 16th minute. However, the Lady Monarchs did not wait long to respond.
Sophomore Kati Nearhouse dished the ball to Kathryn Kirk inside the circle and the senior blasted a shot past the keeper into the left side of the cage just 54 seconds after the Tar Heels goal.
The Lady Monarch goal broke a 184-minute scoreless streak that the North Carolina defense boasted. The contest remained tied at the half with the Tar Heels holding a 6-0 edge in penalty corners and a 3-1 advantage in shots at the intermission.
Old Dominion came out in attack mode to start the second half, earning the first two penalty corners and getting off the first three shots of the period. The Lady Monarch pressure paid off in the 44th minute as junior Christy Longacre rifled a penalty corner shot past North Carolina's goalie to put Old Dominion up 2-1.
With just under 10 minutes remaining, the Tar Heels earned a penalty corner and North Carolina head coach Karen Shelton took a timeout before her team attempted it. Out of the quick break, Shelton pulled her goalie to provide an extra offensive player for the Heels.
North Carolina was unsuccessful on the corner, but continued to attack and keep the ball on its side of the field. The Tar Heels got off five shots and earned four corners in the final 9:22 of the contest.
Old Dominion's defense had an answer though for every tactic North Carolina threw at it and finally, the Lady Monarchs took advantage of the Tar Heel pressure.
In the 62nd minute, Old Dominion gained possession and a streaking Emma Batten controlled the ball against a pair of backpedaling North Carolina defenders. The senior from the United Kingdom weaved her way through the defenders and once inside the circle, blasted a shot into the empty cage.
The goal for Batten was her team-leading ninth of the season.
Although North Carolina held a commanding 11-2 edge in penalty corners, Old Dominion was only out-shot by four (10-6). Incredibly strong defensive play forced senior goalkeeper Devon Seifert to make just one save, but it was a marvelous one.
NCAA
No. 3 Maryland edges out BC in OT
Roundup: No. 2 Old Dominion knocks off top-ranked UNC
No. 3 Maryland picks up their first conference win of the season. Maryland Athletics
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Maryland topped Boston College 4-3, as freshman Maxine Fluharty scored her second of two goals for the win in the 79th minute at the Newton Sports Complex.
Twice in the game, the Terrapins held a one-goal lead and the Eagles tied it up -- first, just before halftime and then just before the end of regulation.
With the Terrapins ahead 3-2 with 5:27 remaining in regulation, Boston College pulled its goalkeeper Nicole Barry to have an extra player on the field. The Eagles' Anna Weatherall scored to tie it up with just 91 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
No. 2 Old Dominion 3, No. 1 North Carolina 1
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Old Dominion faced its second No. 1 ranked team in two weeks, the Lady Monarchs passed the test. Old Dominion scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 win at North Carolina to move to a perfect 7-0 on the year.
The Lady Monarchs have now knocked off six teams ranked in the Top 10, with four of those squads ranked fifth or better. Old Dominion is a perfect 3-0 against the Atlantic Coast Conference, outscoring those rivals by a combined 11-2.
No. 5 Syracuse 5, Rutgers 1
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse opened Big East Conference play with a 5-1 victory against Rutgers this evening at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The Orange improved to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the league, while the Scarlet Knights moved to 1-5, 0-1. The Orange has now won a Big East record 15 consecutive and 18 of its last 19 BIG EAST regular-season games.
Syracuse controlled the first half, scoring two goals in the game’s first 16 minutes. Junior back Amy Kee tallied the first goal off a traditional penalty corner. Junior forward Kelsey Millman provided the push and senior midfielder Martina Loncarica the stop. The assist was Loncarica’s school record 121st point. The three-time All-American now sits alone on top of Syracuse’s career points list.
Millman recorded a goal of her own just four minutes later, when sophomore back Laura Hahnefeldt sent a ball towards a diving of Millman. It was Millman’s fourth goal of the year and Hahnefeldt’s second assist.
New Hampshire 5, Holy Cross 0
DURHAM, N.H. -- Hayley Rausch recorded two goals and her 100th career point to lead New Hampshire to Friday night's 5-0 non-conference victory against Holy Cross at Memorial Field.
New Hampshire remained unbeaten in 2011 by improving to 12-2 lifetime against Holy Cross, which is now 1-6 this season.
Rausch, who entered the game with 97 career points, inched closer to the milestone with her first goal of the game, which gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead at 23:11. She then became the fourth New Hampshire Wildcat to eclipse the 100-point milestone when she capped the game scoring to give New Hampshire a 5-0 lead at 46:56. Rausch's career totals include 37 goals and 27 assists for 101 points.
NCAA
FIH Rules of Hockey Video Library updated
Latest clips contain audio for the first time.
The FIH is pleased to announce that a further set of video clips has just been uploaded to the FIH Rules of Hockey Video Library. The new clips are from the Women’s Champions Trophy which took place in Amsterdam (NED) in June 2011. For the first time the clips will have the audio feed from the Umpires’ radios.
Each video has a description of the applicable Rule or Rules. In the Information provided with each video, the actual wording of the Rule or Rules can be found, together with any relevant guidance. The interpretation of each incident is included, along with the appropriate slide or slides from the FIH Umpires Briefing for 2011. In the time-line for each video the ‘key moments’ are indexed.
The Rules of Hockey Video Library may be accessed via the following link: - www.dartfish.tv/fih
A set of User Notes for the Video Library may be accessed by clicking here.
Since the launch of the FIH Rules of Hockey Video Library in November 2010 there have been over 72000 views. With the latest additions, the Library now contains over 100 clips.
The Video Library is a joint project between the FIH Umpiring Committee and the FIH Rules Committee, the objective of which is to provide a collection of video clips which demonstrate the Rules of Hockey and their current interpretations.
FIH site