News for 20 January 2009
Tuesday, 20 January 2009 10:14 | 
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All the news for Tuesday 20 January 2009
Its 3-2 in favour of India in the second test
K.. Arumugam
India's form against the hosts continued on day two as well. In a tense fight, when the teams stood 2-2, a penalty corner conversion by Sandeep Singh gave India the edge.
India won the first Test honours 2-1. With this India takes 2-0 lead in the 4-Match friendly series.
This is first time any Indian senior team visited Argentina for a friendly series. India's biggest duel in Argentina was in Buenos Aires Word Cup (1978)
Next two days (Tuesday and Wednesday are earmarked for rest before the rivals resume another two matches at stadium Panamericano de Mar del Plata.
Argentina team: Juan Manuel Vivaldi; Lucas Argento, Matías Rey, Juan Ignacio Gilardi y Juan Martín López; Matías Paredes, Matías Vila (capitán), Lucas Rey, Mario Almada, Rodrigo Vila y Lucas Vila: Coach: Carlos Retegui; Substitutions: Joaquín González Rothberg, Tomás Argento, Ignacio Bergner, Facundo Callioni, Lucas Cammareri, Agustín Corradini, Pedro Ibarra, Francisco Corradini.
Indian team: Baljeet; Dilip, Sandeep, Prabodh, Prabhjot, Deepak, Gurbaj, Tushar, Rajpal, Shivendra, VS Vinaya, Coach: Harendra, Substitutes: Vikram, Ravipal, Bharat, Sunil.
Goals: 12m Shivendra (I), 13m Mario Almada (A) 40m Prabhjot (I), 37 Pedro Ibarra (A) and 60m Sandeep Singh (I)
Umpires: Juan Manuel Boneli and Parnam Singh
Stick2Hockey.com
India beat Argentina, take 2-0 lead
MAR DEL PLATA (Argentina): India registered their second successive win, defeating Argentina 3-2 in the keenly-contested second hockey Test at the Estadio Panamericano on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
India, who made a comeback to international hockey after almost a year, beat Argentine 2-0 in the first Test on Monday.
Centre-forward Shivendra Singh (12th min), Prabhjot Singh (40th min) and captain Sandeep Singh (59th min) scored the goals for the visitors while Mario Almada (13th) and Pedro Ibarra (46th) found the net for Argentina.
Eight-time Olympic champions, India, started from where they left yesterday and launched a flurry of attacks on the Argentine goal from the word go.
Indian forward line of Prabhjot, last match's goal scorer Deepak Thakur and Shivendra continuously unnerved the experienced Argentine defence with frequent raids while Tushar Khandker was exemplary on the left flank.
As early as in the fourth minute, India had a chance of taking the lead but Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi saved Shivendra's deflection from a Prabhjot set up.
For the second consecutive day, the Indian mid-fielders and linkmen Vikram Pillay, Rajpal Singh and VS Vinaya were outstanding at their work, setting up the forwards with accurately measured passes.
The constant pressure on the Argentina goal finally bore fruit in the 12th minute when Shivendra deflected home from a Sandeep set piece to give India a 1-0 lead after Argentine medio Tomas Argento obstructed Thakur just outside the box.
However, the lead was shortlived as the hosts equalised in the very next minute through wily Almada who was lurking dangerously around the Indian striking circle and was quick to wrong foot the Indian defence.
The Times of India
India takes honours first test in Argentina.
India beat Argentina 2-1 in the first Test of the Four Match Series at the Panam National Stadium at Mar del Plata, Argentina today.
Both the goals were scored by striker Deepak Thakur as India led 1-0 at half time.
Matias Paredes reduced the margin for Argentina.
The hosts began full press and got their first penalty corner in the 4th minute but goalkeeper Baljit Singh foiled the dragflick of Juan Ignacio Gilardi.
India soon settled down with controlled midfield play from VS Vinaya and Gurbaj Singh constantly setting up forwards Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandker (This is the CORRECT Spelling) and Prabhjot Singh.
India should have taken the lead in the 7th min when Rajpal sent a sizzling cross to Thakur, but the Indianoil striker's deflection was well taken by Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi and off the rebound Thakur shot wide.
Argentina attempted numerous forays with rapid interchanges and overheads but they were superbly checked by deep defender and old India warhorse Dilip Tirkey.
However on one occasion Mario Almada managed to get past Tirkey but Baljit Singh dived to his right to bring off a spectacular save.
India took the lead in the 18th min with a forwardline combo as Rajpal intercepted in the centre to set up Khandker. The wily Jhansi lad pushed to the overlapping Prabhjot who dodged past two Argentine defenders before the release to Thahur who did not miss.
Argentina missed two chances to restore parity from penalty corners soon after as Pedro Ibarra's flicks was saved by Baljit.
India nearly scored another goal in the 28th min after the forwards combined to open Argentina's defence seams but custodian Vivaldi checked Thakur's deflection.
India earned their first penalty corner three minutes later after Gilardi body checked Shivendra Singh. The new Indian skipper Sandeep Singh could not beat Vivaldi with his power packed dragflick.
Argentina picked up the match pace in the second half and created spaces from their midfield where Lucas Rey and Tomas Argento fed accurately to the wings.
The hosts earned another penalty corner in the 37th min after a soft give away by Rajpal. India was lucky to survive after Gilardi's indirect was stopped on the goal line by Khandker.
Soon after in the 41st min India found the mark again after Sandeep Singh sent an accurate slapshot into the Argentine circle where it was not controlled by Facundo Callioni. The ever ready Deepak Thakur seized the opportunity and pushed past bewildered Vivaldi.
Thakur again led a sortie shortly after which resulted in another penalty corner for India, The well executed flick by Sandeep was saved on the line by Matias Vila to India's disappointment.
India conceded two more soft penalty corners as captain Sandeep Singh was found wanting in his defensive tackles. However Argentina could not capitalize as Baljit again stood out.
The uninterrupted attacks continued on India but Argentina were unsuccessful to bring one back with a backhand attempt by Rodrigo Vila, followed by Mario Almada and Lucas Vila.
Argentina finally reduced the margin in the 65th min as they converted a penalty corner deflection by Matias Paredes.
The second test will be played here tomorrow.
Adhoc Committee IHF Media Release - Stick2Hockey.com
Thakur brace scripts India’s win
By Our Correspondent
New Delhi, Jan. 19: A double from Deepak Thakur guided India to a 2-1 win over Argentina in their first match of a four-test series at the Panam National Stadium at Mar del Plata, Argentina, on Sunday.
The Indian Oil striker sounded the boards in the 18th and 41st minutes, while Matias Paredes reduced the margin for the hosts.
The hosts looked the more attacking of the two sides as they forced their first penalty corner as early as in the fourth minute but Indian goalkeeper Baljit Singh foiled Juan Ignacio Gilardi’s drag-flick.
India soon settled down with controlled midfield play from V.S. Vinaya and Gurbaj Singh setting up forwards Thakur, Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandker and Prabhjot Singh. Argentina attempted numerous forays with rapid interchanges and overheads but they were superbly checked by deep defender Dilip Tirkey.
India took the lead in the 18th minute with a forwardline combo as Rajpal intercepted in the centre to set up Khandker. The wily Jhansi lad pushed to the overlapping Prabhjot who dodged past two Argentine defenders before the release to Thakur who did not miss.
Argentina missed two chances to restore parity from penalty corners soon after as Pedro Ibarra’s flicks were saved by Baljit.
India earned their first penalty corner in the 31st minute, but skipper Sandeep Singh could not beat Vivaldi with his drag-flick.
Soon after in the 41st minute, India found the mark again after Sandeep sent an accurate slapshot into the Argentine circle where it was not controlled by Facundo Callioni. Thakur seized the opportunity and pushed past the bewildered Vivaldi.
Argentina finally reduced the margin in the 65th minute.
The Asian Age
Deepak helps India defeat Argentina
MAR DEL PLATA (Argentina): Deepak Thakur's brace scripted India's 2-1 win against Argentina in the first Test of the four-match hockey series at the Panam National Stadium on Monday.
The veteran Indian Oil striker sounded the boards on the 18th and 41st minutes, while Matias Paredes reduced the margin for Argentina in the 65th minute with a penalty corner deflection.
It was, however, the hosts who looked more attacking of the two sides as they forced their first penalty corner as early as in the fourth minute but Indian goalkeeper Baljit Singh foiled Juan Ignacio Gilardi's drag-flick.
India soon settled down with controlled midfield play from VS Vinaya and Gurbaj Singh constantly setting up forwards Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandker and Prabhjot Singh.
India could have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Rajpal sent a sizzling cross to Thakur, whose deflection was well taken by Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi and off the rebound, Thakur shot wide.
Argentina attempted numerous forays with rapid interchanges and overheads but they were superbly checked by deep defender and old India warhorse Dilip Tirkey.
However, on one occasion, Mario Almada managed to get past Tirkey but Baljit dived to his right to bring off a spectacular save.
India finally took the lead in the 18th minute when Rajpal intercepted in the centre to set up Khandker. The wily Jhansi lad then pushed to the overlapping Prabhjot who dodged past two Argentine defenders releasing to Thakur who did not make any mistake this time.
Argentina soon had a couple of chances to restore parity from penalty corners but on both occasions, Baljit foiled Pedro Ibarra's flicks.
The Times of India
Deepak Thakur's goals helps India beat Argentina
ARGENTINA: Deepak Thakur scored a brace as India beat Argentina 2-1 in the first hockey Test of the four-match series at the Panam National Stadium here.
Thakur slotted goals in the 18th and 41st minute while Argentina pulled back one through Matias Paredes in the 65th minute of the match Sunday.
The hosts got their first penalty corner in the fourth minute but goalkeeper Baljit Singh foiled the dragflick of Juan Ignacio Gilardi.
India soon settled down with controlled midfield play from V.S Vinaya and Gurbaj Singh constantly setting up forwards Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandekar and Prabhjot Singh.
India should have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Rajpal sent a sizzling cross to Thakur, but the striker's deflection was well saved by Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi and off the rebound Thakur shot wide.
Argentina attempted numerous forays with rapid interchanges and overheads but they were superbly checked by veteran defender Dilip Tirkey.
India took the lead in the 18th minute with the forward line combining well. Prabhjot dodged past two Argentine defenders before the release to Thakur, who did not miss.
Argentina missed two chances to restore parity from penalty corners soon after as Pedro Ibarra's flicks was saved by Baljit.
India earned their first penalty corner three minutes later, but new skipper Sandeep Singh could not beat Vivaldi with his power packed dragflick.
Argentina picked up pace in the second half and created spaces from their midfield.
India found the mark again after Sandeep sent an accurate slapshot into the Argentine circle where it was not controlled by Facundo Callioni. Thakur seized the opportunity and pushed past bewildered Vivaldi.
India conceded two more soft penalty corners as captain Sandeep was found wanting in his defensive tackles. However Argentina could not capitalise as Baljit again stood out.
Argentina continued with its uninterrupted attacks and reduced the margin in the 65th min as they converted a penalty corner deflection by Matias Paredes.
New Indian Express
Kookaburras v Netherlands preview
The Netherlands team arrived in Australia earlier this week to a very hot reception – with the mercury hitting 41.8 degrees on their first day.
One player more likely to cope with the summer temperatures is Lucas Judge – a debutant for the Dutch side, but who has also represented the ACT at U21 and AHL level. Judge is not the only player not originally from the Netherlands.
He is joined in Perth by Laurence Docherty, who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the Dutch but originally hailed from Scotland. Other players to watch out for this week are 2008 World player and World young player of the year nominees, Robert van der Horst and Jeroen Hertzberger.
Of course, after two Olympic Gold medals and being awarded World player of the year three times, Teun de Nooijer will be a huge drawcard for the Series. After 388 internationals and 16 years in the National team, this may be the West Australian public’s last chance to see this incredible player.
The Australians have been sweating it out too – having been in camp in Perth since January 11. They have been training hard in the heat and have tuned up for the Summer Series with practice matches against the Smokefree WA Thundersticks and Chinese provincial team, Liaoning. The team has faced fitness testing, individual and team strategy sessions and of course their new coaching team of Ric Charlesworth and Graham Reid.
The team boasts a good mix of experience and fresh faces. Newly crowned World young player of the year, Eddie Ockenden will be looking to show off the skills that made him one of the most dangerous and exciting players at the Beijing Olympics. 289 game veteran Brent Livermore, who returns after missing the Beijing Olympics team and World player of the Year in 2004 and 2007, Jamie Dwyer, will be looking to lead the way for five debutants - goal keepers Ross Meadows and George Bazeley, defenders Ian Burcher and Joel Carroll and midfielder Matthew Butturini.
These games will be a good opportunity for all players to push for their place in a team that faces World Cup qualifying matches, the Champions Trophy in Melbourne in December and the World Cup in New Delhi all in the next 15 months.
With excellent weather forecast for the coming week and arguably the two most exciting teams in World hockey playing with full strength squads, there is no excuse not to get behind our National Hockey Team and come out to support this fantastic Series.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and from the gate.
Tuesday, January 20:
Game 1: Australia vs Netherlands – Busselton, 7pm
Curtain Raiser: South West Academy of Sport (Men) vs WA Hockey XI 5.00pm
Tickets: Adults $12, Children (U15) $6, Family $30
Wednesday, January 21
Game 2: Australia vs Netherlands – Bunbury, 6.30pm
Curtain Raiser: South West Academy of Sport (Men) vs WA Hockey XI 4.30pm
Tickets: Adults $12, Children (U15) $6, Family $30
Friday January 23 & Sunday January 25
Game 3 & 4: Australia vs Netherlands – Perth Hockey Stadium, 7pm
Curtain Raiser: Smokefree WA Thundersticks vs Liaoning 5.00pm
Tickets:
Grandstand: VIP $75, General seating $25; Grassed area: Adults $15, Children $7, Family $35
Series Tickets (Games 3&4): Grandstand General: $35; Grassed area: Adults $22, Children $10, Family $50
Hockey Australia media release
National team forced to go on tour
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian national hockey team will have to go on a foreign playing tour as part of their preparation for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Ipoh from April 3-11.
This followed the decisions by the South Korean Sports University team and Dutch club Bloemendall HC to cancel their playing tours here next month. It has left the national team with no competitive practice matches ahead of the tournament.
Interim national coach Tai Beng Hai said: “We have to change plans and go for a playing tour to get some quality practice matches.
“We need these matches to fine tune our system of play. It will be difficult for the team if we do not get to work on our set-piece moves in competitive matches.”
The national team have another important tournament in May — the Asia Cup in Dubai. The tournament offers the winners an automatic berth to the 2010 World Cup Finals in India.
Beng Hai said that the team would continue to emphasise on the physical aspect in training before moving to tactical work next month.
He added that the National Sports Institute (NSI) had yet to submit the medical reports on the players.
Only four players are not in training because of injuries. They are Zulkifli Rejab, Riduan Nasir, S. Selavaraju and Mohamed Sallehin Ghani.
Beng Hai said that he had prepared a full programme for the team until the Asia Cup even though he was unsure of how long he would be with them.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) are still scouting for a foreign coach.
Besides the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Asia Cup, Malaysia will also play in the Champions Challenge II in July and a World Cup qualifying tournament in November if they fail to win the Asia Cup.
The Star of Malaysia
I am available for Pakistan: Sohail Abbas
Staff Report
LAHORE: Former Pakistan hockey captain Sohail Abbas has decided to come out of retirement and announced he is available to represent Pakistan in international arena. “I am available for Pakistan and I am ready to be a part of the team because I am fully fit. Representing Pakistan again will be a big honour,” he told reporters here on Monday after a meeting with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) general secretary Mohammad Asif Bajwa. He termed his meeting with the PHF official ‘very productive’. The meeting was part of the PHF efforts to seek guidance and support from former stalwarts of the game to lift hockey out of present crisis. The PHF has opened doors of selection for those former players who are maintaining their fitness and form by playing in the European leagues.
Sohail represented Pakistan in two Olympics, two World Cups and six Champions Trophy tournaments. He also holds a world record of scoring 274 goals in 224 international matches. He, along with Mohammad Waseem, announced his retirement from international hockey during the Champions Trophy 2004 in Lahore. “Reversing the decision of retirement is not that easy. But as a player I feel that I am fully fit and can serve Pakistan hockey for a while. And that is why I have made up my mind to play again for the sake of my country,” he maintained.
He said Pakistan hockey was going through a ‘rebuilding phase’ as the present regime of the PHF had started efforts to revive the game by setting up hockey academies across the country. “There is no short cut to success. We must take into consideration the fact that hockey has become a science and only those countries are able to maintain supremacy who are seriously working at grassroot level by grooming their raw talent with the latest knowledge of qualified coaches,” he pointed out.
Asif Bajwa said Sohail was a star and an asset for the country. “I am glad that he has offered his services for the country. He has very positive thinking about Pakistan hockey.” He said the PHF was making every effort to boost the national team and that was why senior players were being requested to come forward to prove their fitness and to be a part of the game. “But the selection will be made through a transparent formula and every player has to confirm his availability three weeks before an international event,” he concluded.
The Daily Times
Sohail Abbas willing to play for Pakistan
From our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Sohail Abbas has expressed his willingness to play for the country during a meeting with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Asif Bajwa in Lahore on Monday.
In a short meeting, Sohail Abbas’s availability for the Pakistan team for the upcoming Asia Cup was discussed. “Any player especially a star like Sohail Abbas could play for the country provided he is in form and is fit,” Bajwa said.
Sohail represented Pakistan in two Olympics, two World Cups and six Champions Trophy competitions. He also holds the world record of scoring the highest number of goals (274) in 224 international hockey matches.
Sohail announced his retirement from international hockey during the Champions Trophy 2004 in Lahore along with Waseem Ahmed. Sohail after the meeting said that he was available for Pakistan any time.
“I am completely fit and always ready to represent Pakistan. The meeting with secretary PHF Asif Bajwa was very positive and I hope it will produce positive results soon,” he said. Pakistan are to compete in the Asia Cup to be played in Dubai this May. The winners will qualify for the 2010 World Cup in India.
The News International
Clewlow keeps up the pace
By Graham Wilson
MEL CLEWLOW is finding another lease of life that may see her extend her international career for two more years.
Canterbury's Clewlow, 32, was the oldest member of the Great Britain squad under coach Danny Kerry that came sixth at the Beijing Olympics.
That earned a spot for the world's top six Champions Trophy in Australia in the summer which is Clewlow's first aim: “I have told Danny I would still like to be involved," said Clewlow. " London 2012? I don't know, but I would like to be around for another two years.”
Clewlow has a new job as a sports development officer for the University of Kent in Canterbury. Her club brought in the former Guildford men's player-coach Ian Jennings.
"He has been great. When I came back from Beijing I could easily have gone with the flow but he has challenged me as much as anyone,” said Clewlow.
Clewlow has helped Canterbury to a surprise indoor title and competes at the Birmingham NIA next Sunday for a place in Europe.
The competition is tough for Clewlow. GB Under-21s have just won a gold medal in the Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney and the men a bronze, while a young Kerry squad came home with two draws and one defeat against Spain.
Daily Express
Poland wins EuroHockey Indoor Junior Nations Championship
Poland became the new men’s European Indoor Junior Champion. The Polish team defeated host Austria in the final (5-4). Spain grabbed the bronze medal by defeating Switzerland in the match for the third position (3-2),
Following completion of the first weekend of EuroHockey Indoor Junior Nations tournaments 2009, the final ranking, promotion and relegation positions from the Men’s competition are confirmed as follows.
Indoor Junior Nations Championship (Men), Vienna (AUT), 16-18 January 2008
Final Ranking:
1. Poland - European Champion
2. Austria
3. Spain
4. Switzerland
5. Russia
6. Sweden
7. Belarus (relegated to Trophy in 2011)
8. Denmark (relegated to Trophy in 2011)
Indoor Junior Nations Trophy (Men), Budapest (HUN), 16-18 January 2009
Final Ranking
1. Czech Republic (promoted to Championship in 2011)
2. Scotland (promoted to Championship in 2011)
3. Croatia
4. Portugal
5. Bulgaria
6. Hungary
7. Slovakia
8. Greece
European Hockey Federation media release
Victoria & NSW win U18 indoor titles
The curtain came down on 2009 U18 Australian Indoor Hockey Championship in Melbourne on Saturday, wrapping up another great tournament of non stop action.
An intense day of final round matches and semi finals for the men locked in New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA) as the final contenders for the women and Victoria (VIC) and WA for the men’s final.
Much to the delight of home fans VIC was the talk of the day after vice captain Tom Sinclair scored six goals to lead the home side to a gratifying 7-3 win over WA to secure back-to-back honours. Tom Ryan put the icing on the cake and sealed a win that will be celebrated for years to come.
In an amazing show of dominance the U18 NSW women's team went a step further and secured its sixth straight title. NSW seems to keep getting better and better and will hold the honour for another year.
It was always going to be a close encounter between NSW and WA, with both sides sporting goal scoring machines. WA had the volcanic Josie Boesser and NSW had Kirsten Pearce both of which had amassed incredible personal goal tallies. The rivalry was fierce but in the end NSW was stronger on all areas of the court and captured the title with a 4-1 victory. In a show of a well rounded team effort, NSW’s four goals were shared between Emma Scriven, Mardi Watts, Kirsten Pearce and Claire Jones.
Hockey Victoria congratulates the two new champions and thanks all States for participating in a great tournament.
FINAL MATCHES
Under 18 Women:
NSW 4 def WA 1
Goalscorers:
NSW - E Scriven 15 PC, M Watts 28 FG, K Pearce 37 FG, C Jones 40 FG.
WA - J Boesser 34 FG.
Under 18 Men:
VIC 7 def WA 3
Goalscorers:
VIC - T Sinclair 6 FG & 12 FG & 18 FG & 25 FG & 31 FG & 35 FG, T Ryan 39 FG.
WA - D Richardson 31 FG, M Yow 36 PC, B Clarke 40 PC.
Hockey Australia media release
Kollam wins
Principal Correspondent
PATHANAMTHITTA: Kollam defeated Ernakulam 2-1 to win the title in the 49th State senior women’s hockey championship at the Municipal stadium here on Monday.
Prijila (20th & 37th) scored a brace for the winner, while Sajila scored the consolation goal for Ernakulam in the 50th minute.
Thiruvananthapuram routed Thrissur 6-0 to take the third place. The highlight of Thiruvananthapuram’s win was a hat-trick by Shilna (10th, 15th & 20th). Maria Susan Jose (28th & 35th) and Arunima Remanan (40th) scored the other goals.
Thiruvananthapuram blanked Thrissur 3-0 to win the 38th junior boys’ title. N. Shamshudeen, who was chosen player of the tournament, scored a hat-trick. Shamshudeen sounded the boards in the 30th, 45th and 58th minutes. Kollam beat Kannur 6-4 via the tie-breaker to take third place.
Big win for MEG
Bangalore: Madras Engineering Group (MEG) defeated RBI 6-0 in a State ‘A’ division hockey league match at the KSHA Stadium, here on Monday.
Rabindra Tigga, Dyaal Dhoray, Poovanna, K.N. Somaiah, Dhirav Uthappa and Monappa scored for MEG.
Other results: MLI 2 (Mahadik 2) bt RWF 1 (Ravi Kumar); MEG Boys 2 (Tiru, Bopanna) bt SWR Hubli 1 (Jeethu).
The Hindu
Muneer Sait to officiate
Chennai: Olympian and FIH Competitions Committee member, Muneer Sait, has been nominated as one of the tournament officers by the FIH for the four-nation hockey tournament to be held at Chandigarh from Jan. 31 to Feb 9.
The Hindu
Money not an issue as Brasa gets IOA green signal
Uthra Ganesan
New Delhi: Spaniard Jose Brasa is all set to become Indian hockey’s new foreign coach. The technical committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc body has approved, in principle, the appointment of Brasa as the chief coach with the senior men’s team hoping to improve the game’s fortunes.
Sources have confirmed that Brasa, an International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach, had given a list of demands during his presentation last week to the technical committee, which has been agreed to.
Brasa had demanded a monthly salary of $12,500, besides accommodation and travel in India for himself and his family. More importantly, he had demanded a minimum three-year contract till the 2012 Olympic Games. “Although the Government policy does not allow a contract for foreign coaches for more than two years, we will seek an exception in this case, since there are many major tournaments lined up from 2010 (including the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup) till the Olympics,” an official said.
If the government agrees, this would be the first time a foreign coach would get a three-year contract. Brasa had met SAI, IOA and ministry officials here during his three-day visit last week, and had impressed with his ideas to develop Indian hockey.
A sports ministry official said that money would not be an issue. “Financially there should be no hurdle. If the candidate is deserving, the ministry is open to spending any amount to bring back glory to hockey. We cannot treat Hockey like any other sport. The sports minister is also keenly following the developments in the game,” he said.
One of the pre-conditions for Brasa accepting the job was the fact that he would be working extensively with the senior men’s team only. The last time a foreigner was appointed — Ric Charlesworth — he was expected to work at all levels of the game as well as develop the game. “Brasa had said that he would like to concentrate only on the senior team to improve their performance and standing in the world,” an official added.
With the technical committee approving of Brasa, the first step has been taken to formalise his appointment. Brasa is expected to get back to the IOA after consulting with his lawyers about the terms and conditions of his contract, after which his appointment, along with his list of demands, will be forwarded to the sports ministry for ratification.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Pillay, Shetty to promote hockey in Naxal areas
MUMBAI: Hockey ace Dhanraj Pillay, politician R R Patil and actor Suniel Shetty are coming together to promote the national game in Maharashtra's Naxal-hit Chandrapur district and help spot budding talent.
"Catch them young is our motto. We are helping groom future national players, from the tribal areas," Joint Commissioner (preventive) General, Samir Bajaj who is co-ordinating the event, said.
The annual hockey tournament is being organised by Dhanraj Pillay Foundation and Bramhapuri Taluka Hockey Association from January 24 to 30 at Bramhapuri in Chandrapur district.
Over 40 teams are participating in the event which will be inaugurated by Shetty, Bajaj said.
Shilpa Shukla, who starred in the Bollywood hit on women's hockey, 'Chak De India' and hockey greats Rahul Singh and Mir Ranjan Negi will be present to motivate the players.
Hockey has bloomed in Bramhapuri despite the lack of infrastructure and economic support, Bajaj said.
"We have launched an initiative to recognise this talent and support it through hockey development programmes. Hockey is being used as a vehicle to nurture youngsters in an atmosphere away from the economic drudgery, he said.
On the genesis of the talent scouting in such a far-flung area, Bajaj said Pillay, Singh and Negi were invited to Bramhapuri in January last year for the inauguration of a tournament organised by BTHA.
Around 10,000 people turned up for the event and the overwhelming response of the crowd and the talent of the boys caught Pillay's attention.
After the event, a few players were invited to Mumbai to participate in the Bombay Gold Cup 2008, Bajaj said.
One of the boys, Pravin Bhivgade, caught the attention of Mumbai selectors and was chosen to play with the Mumbai Junior team in the Maharana Ranjit Singh Memorial Cup 2008 at Amritsar.
Bramhapuri boys have played in other tournaments in Mumbai and made their presence felt, he said.
The tournament will go a long way in creating a platform for experts to assess the talent of the boys, upgrade the skills, shortlist the best for future development and monitoring, Bajaj said.
A hockey development camp was held here in May where youngsters received guidance from Pillay, he said.
Patil, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has been a source of great support for Bramhapuri hockey and would attend the closing ceremony, Bajaj added.
The Times of India