News for 23 January 2009
Friday, 23 January 2009 08:05 | 
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All the news for Friday 23 January 2009
Argentina beat India 4-2, level series
ARGENTINA: Indian hockey team succumbed to their second straight defeat, going down 2-4 in the final match to allow Argentina level the four-match Test series on Friday.
A shaky defence and a profligate forward line let down India as Sandeep Singh and his men squandered a 2-1 lead and conceded three second half goals to share the honours in the four-match series which they lead 2-0 at the midway stage.
Bharat Chikara opened India's account in the seventh minute with a field goal before captain Sandeep Singh sounded the board from a penalty corner set-piece.
Argentina struck in the 31st, 37th, 39th and 58th minutes through Matias Vila, Juan Gilardi, Facundo Callioni and Matias Paredes respectively to emerge winners at the Estadio Panamericano.
The Indian team kicked off its campaign on a positive note, blanking the hosts 2-0 in the series opener and following it with a narrow 3-2 win.
Trailing them 0-2, Argentina staged a brilliant comeback in the second half of the series and beat India 2-0 in the third Test to stay afloat and eventually drew level with Friday's win.
The Indian team now leaves for Mumbai en route to Chandigarh for the Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup starting later this month. Apart from the hosts, the event will also feature Germany, Holland and New Zealand.
The Times of India
India loses the fourth test, series drawn 2-2
Argentina came back strongly from a goal down to beat India 4-2 in the final Hockey Test at Estadio Panamericano in Mar del Plata, Argentina and thus leveled the four match series 2-2.
India who led 2-1 at half time paid the penalty of wasting goal scoring opportunities coupled with a shaky defence in the second session.
The goal scorers for India were Bharat Chikara (7th min) with a field attempt and Sandeep Singh (35th min) from a penalty corner setpiece.
Argentina struck in the 31st, 37th, 39th and 58th minutes with goals by Vila, Gilardi, Callioni and Paredes.
India had won the first two Tests but lost the remaining two.
The team now leaves for Mumbai enroute to Chandigarh for the Four Nation Punjab Gold Cup which will also feature Germany, Holland and New Zealand.
The Punjab Gold Cup shall be played from 31 January to 09 February.
Ad Hoc Committee Media Release
Argentna defeats India 2-0
It was a story of missed chances by India as they went down 2-0 to Argentina in the third Hockey Test at the Estadio Panamericano at Mar del Plata, Argentina today.
They however lead 2-1 in the four match series. Argentina scored both the goals in the first half through Matias Paredes (6th min) and Lucas Vila (32nd min). India began on an attack mode hoping to break the ice early but constant missing from the forward line cost them dearly. In the 2nd minute Shivendra Singh set up by Rajpal Singh, playing in a new role of linkman, saw his shot kissing the post and going wide. Immediately after, Deepak Thakur and Tushar Khandker wasted golden opportunities with only Argentine goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi to beat.
Argentina regrouped thereafter and mounted concerted attacks on the Indian defence with crafty maneuvers from winger Ignacio Bergner and striker Tomas Argento.
India was put on the backfoot as Matias Paredes stole the ball from Sandeep Singh in the 6th minute and shot home with a reverse to give Argentina the lead.
India missed a chance for the equaliser soon after but Thakur was unable to control a long slap ball from Sandeep Singh. Argentina steadily gained momentum with good midfield coordination and ball control even as their defenders Lopez and Gilardi kept the Indian attacks at bay.
India conceded a penalty corner to their rivals in the 32nd minute when there was a carried foul in the striking circle. Lucas Vila made no mistake for Argentina as he beat goalkeeper Baljit Singh with a low flick on the right.
Shortly before changeover time India earned their first penalty corner but wasted the opportunity as skipper Sandeep Singh dragflicked over the bar.
There were a few spirited attacks by India in the second half but Argentina custodian Vivaldi stood like a rock blunting them. He first foiled Bharat Chikara as the Indian inside forward came from the left flank and then Prabhjot Singh from a 45 degree angle. Attempts from Thakur and SV Sunil also went up in smoke as Vivaldi proved his class.
India will play the final test here tomorrow before flying home.
Ad Hoc Committee IHF Media Release
India lose 0-2 to Argentina, lead series 2-1
ARGENTINA: Indian forwards squandered innumerable scoring chances to see the visitors go down 0-2 to Argentina in the third hockey 'Test' at the Estadio Panamericano on Thursday.
However, by virtue of two back-to-back wins in the opening two Tests, the visitors lead the four-match series 2-1.
Matias Paredes (6th min) and Lucas Vila (32nd min) were the goal scorers for Argentina.
Irrespective of the result, it was Sandeep Singh's men who initiated the attack right from the word go only to see the Indian forwards missing as many as three chances in the first five minutes.
India could have broken the ice as early as in the second minute of the match but luck did not favour them. Shivendra Singh's shot from linkman Rajpal Singh's set up kissed the post and went wide.
Striker Deepak Thakur and Tushar Khandker immediately followed it up when they wasted golden opportunities to take the lead with only Argentine goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi to beat.
After the early hiccups, the Argentines regrouped themselves and started concerted raids on the Indian citadel with crafty manoeuvres from winger Ignacio Bergner and striker Tomas Argento.
In the sixth minute, Argentine forward Parades pounced on India skipper Sandeep's defensive lapse to shot the ball home with a reverse and give the hosts 1-0.
Soon after, Thakur squandered a chance to draw parity for India as he was unable to control a long slap ball from Sandeep.
The Argentines slowly and steadily started to take control of the game with good co-ordination and ball control from their midfielders, backed up by some solid defending from Lopez and Gilardi.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 32nd minute through Vila who made no mistake in beating Indian goalkeeper Baljit Singh with a low flick on the right after the visitors conceded a penalty corner following a carried foul in the striking circle.
Minutes before half-time, India had a golden opportunity to reduce the lead from their first short corner of the match but Sandeep's dragflick was way over the bar.
After the changeover, India came out all guns blazing and mounted a few spirited attacks on the Argentine goal but on most occasions custodian Vivaldi came to the hosts' rescue.
An agile and athletic Vivaldi stood between India and goal in the second half as he foiled as many as four raids on his citadel.
Vivaldi first thwarted inside forward Bharat Chikara's from the left flank and then followed it up with an acrobatic save to keep away Prabhjot Singh from finding the net with a powerful shot from 45 degree angle.
In the later stages of the match, the Argentine goalkeeper also foiled Thakur and SV Sunil's attempts to give his side the first victory of the series.
The Times of India
India go down to Argentina
Mar del Plata, Argentina, January 22, India were left to rue their missed chances as they went down 2-0 to Argentina in the third hockey Test at the Estadio Panamericano here today. Argentina scored both the goals in the first half through Matias Paredes (6th min) and Lucas Vila (32nd min).
India began in an aggressive mode hoping to break the ice early but the forwards failed to utilise the chances, which came their way. In the second minute, Shivendra Singh, playing in a new role of linkman, was set up by Rajpal Singh. However, the dragflicker saw his shot kissing the post and going wide.
Immediately after, Deepak Thakur and Tushar Khandker wasted golden opportunities with only Argentine goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi to beat. Argentina regrouped thereafter and mounted concerted attacks on the Indian defence with crafty manoeuvers from winger Ignacio Bergner and striker Tomas Argento.
India was put on the backfoot as Matias Paredes stole the ball from Sandeep Singh in the sixth minute and shot home with a reverse to give Argentina an early lead. India missed a chance for the equaliser soon after as Thakur was unable to control a long ball from skipper Sandeep Singh. Argentina steadily gained momentum with good idfield co-ordination and ball control even as their defenders Lopez and Gilardi kept the Indian forwards at bay.
The Tribune
Missed chances cost India
By OUR CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Jan. 22: India’s forwards squandered innumerable scoring chances to go down 0-2 to Argentina in the third hockey test at the Estadio Panamericano in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on Thursday. However, by virtue of back-to-back wins in the opening two tests, the visitors lead the four-match series 2-1 with the fourth and final match to be played on Thursday night.
Matias Paredes (6th minute) and Lucas Vila (32nd) were the goal scorers for Argentina.
Irrespective of the result, it was Sandeep Singh’s side that initiated the attack right from the word go only to see the forwards missing as many as three chances in the first five minutes.
Striker Deepak Thakur and Tushar Khandker immediately followed up when they wasted golden opportunities to take the lead with only Argentine goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi to beat.
After the early hiccups, the Argentines regrouped themselves and started concerted raids on the Indian citadel with crafty manoeuvres from winger Ignacio Bergner and striker Tomas Argento.
In the sixth minute, Argentine forward Parades pounced on India skipper Sandeep’s defensive lapse to slot the ball home with a reverse and give the hosts 1-0.
Counter-punching Argentina doubled their lead in the 32nd minute through Vila who made no mistake in beating Indian goalkeeper Baljit Singh with a low flick on the right after the visitors conceded a penalty corner following a carried foul in the striking circle.
The Asian Age
India beat Chile 3-0
s2h Team
Indian girls taking on Chile women team, preparing for the Cop America Cup
India defeated hosts Chile 3-0 in the ongoing 4-Nation tournament in Chile. The match was played on Tuesday night.
Besides India, Chile, Italy and Argentna are in the fray.
Surinder Kaur leads Indian challenge, with MK Kaushik as the chief coach.
Due to some visa and other problems, four girls of the team left India only on Tuesday, and it is not known whether they could join the team for the encounter against the hosts.
Indian team will go to Argentina from here to play a Test series there
Stick2Hockey.com
Netherlands blanks USA
The Women's National Team played an official match against the Netherlands on Wednesday. Final score: The Netherlands 4, USA 0.
"The USA played well, but still has some work to do against such high quality competition," said Women's National Team Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "The Pan American Cup continues to be the main focus of this period, and this series is supporting our efforts to be as prepared as possible for this important competition. Caroline Nichols should be acknowledged on her strong showing in today's game."
"The USA improved significantly today from Monday's test game, and need to continue doing so, with the Pan Am Cup in our sights," said Women's National team Assistant Coach, Steve Jennings.
The Women's National Team celebrated some milestone caps today:
Carrie Lingo - 150th International Cap
Tiffany Snow - 100th International
Jessica Javelet - 1st International Cap
Jamie Whitten - 1st International Cap
Heather Schnepf - 1st International Cap
The series continues Friday, January 23 with another unofficial test match against the Netherlands.
SCORING RECAP:
#24 Eva de Goede FG, in the 12th min
#15 Janneke Schopman FG, 19th min
#18 Naomi Va As FG, 26th min
#18 Naomi Va As FG, 43rd min
USA Roster
7 Gey, Jesse
8 Dawson, Rachel
10 Snow, Tiffany
11 Silvetti, Sara
13 Smith, Keli
12 Whitten, Jamie
17 Lingo, Carrie
38 Schnepf, Heather
19 Nichols, Caroline
21 Laubach, Claire
24 Rizzo, Dina
25 Tran, Amy
26 Bashore, Kayla
27 Crandall, Lauren
28 Powley, Lauren
30 Javelet, Jessica
USFHA media release
PIA take off smoothly in National Hockey
LAHORE, Jan 21: Reigning champions Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) made an impressive start in its campaign to defend the title, winning the opening match against Sui Gas 4-2 in the 56th National Hockey Championship at the National Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday.
The winners led the first half 3-1.
Olympian Shafqat Rasool broke the ice in the 12th minute, capitalizing a field attempt. Three minutes later, Mohammad Imran made the score 2-0 through another field try. Sui Gas’s presence was felt in the 17th minute when Aqeel Ahmed slammed a goal to make it 2-1. But the offensive national carriers soon increased the lead to 3-1 when another Olympian Mohammad Zubair fired home a field goal in the 19th minute. Though PIA kept pressure on Sui Gas, it failed to tick the scoreboard further till the end of the first half.
After resumption, Sui Gas displayed a much-improved game showing strong defence. They reduced the margin to 3-2 when Shabbir struck a field goal in the 59th minute. But a 64th minute strike by Waqas Akbar completed the tally. PIA wasted all the three penalty-corners that it got.
In another match, three goals each by international Haseem Khan, Naeem Akbar and Ammar Ashraf helped National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) teach a lesson to NWFP by giving them an 11-0 thrashing.
The bankers opened account through a field goal by Mohammad Taufeeq in the fifth minute. Three-goal Naeem Akbar made it 2-0 in the 16th minute. The lead remained intact till the first half.
The second session saw the bankers in a ruthless mood. They made several dangerous inroads through both wings to crush NWFP’s defence into pieces.
Haseem completed his three-goal rally in as many minutes, scoring all field goals in the 40th, 41st and 43rd minute to complete the hat-trick. Naeem added his second goal in the 47th minute. Ammar found the net for the first time in the 49th minute as NBP were leading 7-0. Naeem made it 8-0 with his third goal in the 57th minute. Then Ammar fired home again in the 59th and 65th minutes while Taufeeq contributed his second in the 66th minute to seal the fate of the match.
Meanwhile, a goal each from Kashif Idrees and Akbar helped Railways hold Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) to a 2-2 draw.
Railways conceded a 2-0 lead in the first half as KESC struck the first through Amir Iqbal in the 27th minute off a short-corner, doubling the lead in the 29th minute when Salman Khan found the cage. But Kashif Idrees (56th minute) and Akbar (69th minute) denied KESC a win.
The fourth encounter saw Balochistan also coming from behind to lock the score 4-4 with PTV.
The winners were 3-2 ahead in the first half.
For PTV, Zulifqar (11th and 23rd mins), Mohammad Fayyaz (28th min) and Waqas Butt (56th min) were the scorers. Balochistan struck through Mohammad Amin (sixth and 69th mins), Mohammad Wasif (16th min) and Mohammad Yasir (45th min).
Then two goals each by Usman and Hanif Shahzad guided Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to a 5-2 victory against Federal Territory.
Usman scored in the 20th and 49th minutes while Hanif in the 51st and 65th minutes. Samiullah (28th min) was the other scorer. Asad scored two for the losing outfit.
A solitary goal by Arshad in the 64th minute in the Army-Habib Bank Limited (HBL) encounter, helped Army beat a strong opponent 1-0.
Meanwhile, Navy trounced Sindh 3-0 after leading by 1-0 at halftime.
Falak Zaman, Mohammad Imran and Mushtaq Ahmad scored for the winners in the sixth, 37th and 54th minutes.
Finally, three goals by Rizwan Butt enabled Punjab to beat Police 9-2 after taking a 5-2 lead in the first half. Rizwan scored in the fourth, 20th and 46th minutes. Moazzam Ali (19th and 28th mins), Asif Aslam (29th and 47th mins), Mohammad Saqlain (36th min), Rana Shahzad (57th min) were the other scorers. Niaz Ahmad (15th min) and Farzand Ali (24th min) were the scorers for the losing side.
Thursday’s fixtures: Sindh v Steel Mills; PIA v Balochistan; KESC v NWFP; Wapda v Navy; Capt. T v Punjab; Police v Port Qasim; NBP v Railways.
Dawn
A connect with India through hockey
When the New Zealand hockey squad boards the plane for the four-nation Punjab Gold Cup in Chandigarh, there will be a youngster eager to set foot on Indian soil.
Not only is he excited about making his debut for the Kiwis, he is also impatient to be in the land of his forefathers.
Priyesh Bhana, 24, and the lone player of Indian origin in the squad, known as Black Sticks, is following in the footsteps of players of Indian origin who have successfully represented New Zealand at the international level.
“I'm excited about coming to India and it's going to be a very special debut for me playing in the land of my forefathers,” Bhana told the Hindustan Times in an email.
Bhana's grandfather Bhanabhai Sukha was born in Machhad village in Navsari district of Gujarat and had settled in New Zealand. Bhana was born in Hawera, Taranaki to Girishbhai and Nalinibhen.
He has played representative hockey through his early years at all levels and made his debut for New Zealand as a 17-year-old in the Indoor World Cup in Leipzig, Germany in 2002.
He represents Manuwatu and North Harbour in the domestic leagues and this season played as a professional in Leige Belgium.
His good showing in Belgium earned him a call to the senior squad that would be taking the field without established internationals and Olympians Ryan Archibald, Blair Hopping, David Kosoof, Hayden Shaw, Ben Collier and Shay McAleese, all of whom will miss the tour because of commitments with European leagues.
Though three other players — David Green, Shay Neal and Blair Hilton — will be making their debut in the Punjab Gold, to be played from January 31 to February 9, Bhana will be under the spotlight not only for his roots but also as a potential for the upcoming Indian tour of New Zealand.
New Zealand squad
Kyle Pontifex, Steven Graham, Dean Couzins, Richard Petherick, Andy Hayward, David Green, Nick Haig, James Nation, Casey Henwood, Steve Edwards, Phil Burrows, Blair Hilton, Lloyd Stephenson, Shay Neal, Joel Baker, Nick Wilson, Priyesh Bhana, Simon Child.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
PHF to finalise plans for important assignments soon
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Pakistan hockey’s think-tank will sit down next week in Lahore to finalise preparatory plans for a couple of international assignments awaiting the national senior and junior teams later this year.
Qasim Zia, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president, told ‘The News’ on Thursday that five coaches associated with the Pakistan senior team and the Under-21 squad will soon report for national duty after being released by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
“I’ve talked to the concerned authorities and PIA has accepted our request to release five of their employees who are supposed to train our senior and junior teams,” said Qasim, a former Olympian.
“We have chalked out a plan for major international assignments of 2008 and will soon finalise it after getting an input from the coaches,” he said.
Qasim’s PHF is under fire for failing to begin preparations for this May’s Asia Cup and June’s Junior World Cup — the two major international assignments for Pakistan this year.
The Asia Cup winners will directly qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be held in India. Pakistan will be looking to regain the Asia Cup to be played in Dubai this May.
Another event of immense importance for Pakistan hockey is the 2009 Junior World Cup to be co-hosted by Malaysia and Singapore. Pakistan barely qualified for the event and are now still planning to begin preparing for the 20-nation spectacle.
One big reason behind PHF’s failure to launch training camps was the fact that most of the coaches it had hired for the national senior and junior teams are employed by PIA.
Ayaz Mahmood, a former Olympian, was appointed as Pakistan’s head coach. Qamar Ibrahim, Kamran Ashraf, Ahmed Alam and Khalid Bashir were the other coaches on PIA’s payrolls who were hired as coaches by PHF.
The national carrier initially refused to release the coaches, saying that it would only be able to let them go once it had suitable replacements.
However, Qasim said that he has finally managed to secure their release.
“It should take a couple of days before they get the release orders,” said Qasim, a central leader of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and a Punjab MPA.
Qasim said that the coaches will soon assemble in Lahore where the PHF will ask them for their input before finalizing the training programme.
ìWE will take every possible step to ensure that our best possible teams compete in the Asia Cup and the Junior World Cup,î said Qasim, a member of the title-winning Pakistan team of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The News International
New coach up for a challenge
Mark Hager has never been one to turn his back on a challenge. Few would be as big, surely, as the one he must meet as new coach of a Black Sticks women's team who need to climb the rankings and again become a factor on the international scene.
Hager touched down here this week after eight years working in the successful hockey scene across the Tasman. After four years as assistant coach of the Australian women's team and four in the same role with men, as well as coaching the junior men's national side, Hager felt it was time to move on and into a head coach role. He has signed a four-year contract.
"I rang [Hockey NZ chief executive] Ramesh Patel after the senior coaching roles were filled in Australia and applied for the job here," said Hager. "Being an assistant was probably becoming too comfortable. I needed a challenge and this one came up.
"Despite the disappointment they must have felt after last year's Olympics, I can see talent is there. But without ranking points you drop further off the pace," said Hager. "We must now look ahead towards the Oceania Championships in August and the Champions Challenge in South Africa in November."
Hager's first contact with his players will come early next month with camps in Auckland and Wellington.
Before that he plans, in the next couple of days, to chat with former coach Kevin Towns and former captain Lizzy Igasan to ascertain her plans.
Towns has named the 50 players who will be involved in the training camps and trials which will eventually produce a squad of 24 for proposed matches against Britain and Argentina in June.
"With eight or nine from the previous squad overseas, it will be a good chance to look at some new players," said Hager. "Apart from the players who might be contracted to continue playing in Europe, I expect them all to be back for the trials in May.
"I'm aware of the funding cuts - Hockey NZ have been very open with me - but there is nothing we can do about it. It is where we are at and where we finished at the Olympics. It is time to move on. Now we are the underdogs."
Hager has laid it down. Turn up unfit and keep walking. There is, he insists, work to be done as much off the turf as on it and, yes, he wants to find three players capable of giving the team a world class drag-flick exponent.
"I will ask them all to have a go," said Hager. "Just as I will be looking to develop our own style. To win you have to score goals. Defending all day will give me grey hairs and a heart attack."
Hager, 229 caps for Australia, and 179 goals (none, he insists, from drag flicks), a legend in his homeland, will be joined by his wife Michelle - they live in Perth - and two of his daughters in April with his oldest daughter following in July.
MARK HAGER
Born: Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.
DOB: April 28, 1964
International caps: 229
International goals: 179
Debut: v England 1985
Last international: Bronze medal match (won), Atlanta Olympic 1996
Coaching: 2001-04 assistant coach Australian women; 2005-08 coach Australian junior men (under-21), assistant coach Australian men.
NZ Herald
No foreign coach in sight, Beng Hai set to stay put
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has yet to find a suitable foreign coach, and the early indication is that Tai Beng Hai will hold the reins at least until the Asia Cup in Dubai.
MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said yesterday: "I know we promised a foreign coach months ago, but have yet to sign one.
"The reason is because the top coach we wanted said he is going to retire from hockey soon, while the one we are negotiating with now has asked far more than what we expected."
MHF is said to have approached Australia's Terry Walsh, who had a stint in Malaysia in the 1980s, while its negotiations with another Aussie has almost reached a stalemate as his asking price plus benefits is too high for the MHF to consider.
The MHF council, after the elections in November, decided not renew the contracts of then national coach Sarjit Singh, assistant coach Gurmit Singh and goalkeepers coach Shahid Ali Khan which expired on Dec 31.
Instead, Tai Beng Hai and Nor Saiful Zaini were appointed caretaker coaches until a foreign replacement is found.
"We will make an announcement in a day or two on what we plan to do next. And if we can't get a foreign coach, we will look for the best in Malaysia.
"The caretaker coaches will also stay in the coaching group, as we will not sideline them but strengthen the coaching outfit instead, by adding more to the list," said Tengku Abdullah, who was speaking to the media after receiving three cars from Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd for MHF's official use in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The seniors have two major assignments this year, the Azlan Shah Cup on April 3-12 and the Asia Cup in Dubai on May 8-15.
The Asia Cup champions get a direct entry into the 2010 India World Cup.
Meanwhile, Junior World Cup organising committee chairman Tan Sri Admiral (Rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor said the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has given a 50 per cent discount on the 80,000 Swiss Francs (RM250,000) organising levy.
"And the 40,000 Swiss Francs will be equally shared by Singapore and Malaysia, thus bringing down the total organising cost.
"Also, since visiting teams will be footing their own hotel and food bills, we are now looking at a much smaller budget," said Anwar.
While the local cost has yet to be finalised, the total shared cost with Singapore will come to about S$440,000 (RM1 million).
And a visit from FIH competitions committee chairman Dennis Meredith also brought more good news, as he returned happy with the progress of both pitches in Johor Baru.
New Straits Times
MHF finding it hard to hire a foreign coach
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Federation’s (MHF) hopes of getting a foreign coach is unlikely to materialise.
MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said they had approached two Australians for the job.
One, he said, had already signed up with another team.
“The other is willing to become the national coach but he is asking for more than what we are willing to pay,” said Tengku Abdullah.
The foreign coach will be under the payroll of the National Sports Council (NSC), who are understood to be willing to pay US$10,000 (RM35,000) a month.
Tengku Abdullah said they would try to persuade the Australian coach to accept the NSC-approved salary.
“If he still insists on wanting more, then we will not hire a foreign coach and will, instead, look for a suitable local coach,” he said.
Tai Beng Hai, who was removed as the National Juniors coach in 2007, is the interim caretaker coach of the national team, replacing Sarjit Singh, whose contract expired at the end of last month.
Beng Hai is being assisted by Tenaga Nasional’s Nor Saiful Zaini and Lailin Abu Hassan.
Tengku Abdullah said they were running out of time as the national team needed a reliable coach to prepare them for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from April 3-12 and the Asia Cup in Dubai from May 8-13.
“The Asia Cup is an important tournament for us to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals in New Delhi,” said Tengku Abdullah.
The winners of the Asia Cup will qualify automatically for the World Cup Finals .
If Malaysia fail to win the Asia Cup, they will have to play in a qualifying tournament scheduled in November.
Tengku Abdullah later received three Hyundai cars worth RM200,000 on behalf of MHF from Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd.
The three cars — il0, Getz 1.4 and Matrix 1.6 — will be used by MHF to transport coaches, officials and staff for coaching programmes.
The Star of Malaysia
Junior World Cup organising cost cut by 50%
KUALA LUMPUR: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) have slashed the organising fees for the Junior World Cup by 50% from 80,000 Swiss franc (about RM250,000).
And this is good news for Malaysia and Singapore, who will co-host the Junior World Cup from June 7-21.
Tan Sri Anwar Mohamed Nor, chairman of the Malaysian organising committee, said that FIH had slashed the organising fees due to the current economic crisis.
“Malaysia will pay 20,000 Swiss franc while Singapore will pay the other half. We thank the FIH for reducing the organising fees by half,” said Anwar, who is also the former Malaysia Hockey Federation (MHF) president.
Anwar also said that the total organising cost for both countries is S$440,000.
“We have a few sponsors but we still need a title sponsor for the Junior World Cup.
“We thank the Johor government for their full support for the tournament,” said Anwar.
He added that FIH competitions chairman Dennis Meredith had inspected the new Junior World Cup stadium in in Johor Baru a few days ago and was happy with the progress.
“The main pitch is ready and the adjacent pitch is expected to completed by March. We hope to hold a four-nation tournament in April to test the two pitches.
The draw for the Junior World Cup will be out at end of this month, with the 20 countries divided into four groups of five teams.
The Star of Malaysia
KHU increases Premier League teams to 12
By ERIC ODANGA
The Kenya Hockey Union has increased to 12 the number of teams in the Premier League. The league had 10 teams last season.
The new teams in the league are KCA University and United States International University - Africa (USIU). This one of the 10 resolution reached by the KHU match and fixtures committee under vice chairman Nashon Randiek held last Saturday at the City Park Stadium.
No team was relegated from the Premier League in what Peter Kiruma, the KHU secretary, said was an effort to maintain competitiveness and a good spread.
Nakuru Athletic Club who were supposed to go down have been retained to ensure that top-flight hockey remains in Nakuru.
The women’s league will be split into two with the introduction of a national league. Kiruma explained the number of teams will determine the format which may be played over three legs. But the initial stages of the men’s league will be on a home and away basis.
The only variation is in the play-offs which will be on a home and away basis. Participation fee for Premier League sides is Sh20,000 and Sh10,000 for National League sides.
The player registration fee remains Sh500 national league players and Sh1,000 for and premier league sides. Transfer fee is Sh5,000 and Sh7,500 for a special transfer. The deadline for player registration is February 14.
Some of the teams which have shown interest in joining the national league are Kisii Club and Masinde Muliro University who could field men’s and women’s teams. Egerton University, Eldoret Simba and Africa Nazarene University have also applied to join the men’s national league.
The KHU national selection committee will be naming provisional teams and trainers. Both men’s and women’s teams are expected to start early training for the Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana in Accra from July 10-19. This is a World Cup qualifier.
The men’s World Cup will be in New Delhi, India while the women’s tournament will be in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2010.
In the meantime, the KHU has asked seven junior players who have not returned kit and equipment to do so and have their cases reviewed.
Daily Nation
FIH President Leandro Negre to meet IOC President
FIH President Leandro Negre will travel to Lausanne on Monday 26 January 2009 to meet IOC President Jacques Rogge. It will be the first official meeting between Rogge and Negre since the FIH President was elected at the end of November 2008.
Negre will speak with Rogge about the role of hockey in the Olympic Movement and will discuss his ideas as the FIH President to move hockey forward.
‘I am looking forward to meet the IOC President’, Negre stated. ‘The relationship between the IOC and the FIH is excellent and it is a pleasure to exchange ideas with the IOC President.’
WorldHockey
National Hockey Indaba
The South African Hockey Association will be hosting a National Hockey Indaba from the 23rd – 25th January 2009 at Queensmead in Durban. Presentations will be delivered by the all the National coaches amongst them will be newly appointed Men’s National coach Greg Clarke.
Key areas to be focussed on:
1. High performance
2. Youth Hockey
3. Schools hockey
4. Tactical focus
5. Technical focus
6. Role of the Manager
7. Umpiring
8. Getting players into the Zone
A number of guest speakers have been invited to share there knowledge from a number of diverse fields. This will be an opportunity for hockey to learn from different codes of sport that have achieved a measure of success in different spheres. A team building aspect has also been included as to break the previous shackles of provincialism and for the coaches to work together as a team for the better of all the National teams.
Hockey in South Africa is sure to benefit from this wonderful initiative taken by the National Association. This is but the first of many initiatives that the South African Hockey Association has planned for 2009. Despite financial constraints a concerted effort is being made to make a step up after the disappointing Olympic results.
Coaches invited to attend the indaba are:
Greg Clark
Gareth Ewing
Moabi Malebye
Dave Viney
Allistairr Fredricks
Kurt Cerfontein
Shane Knox
Braam van Wyk
Darryn Gallagher
Devon van der Merwe
Keegan Walters
Glen Bridgeford
Nathi
Alan Paton
Brendon Carolan
Virgil Bonhomme
Ladies
Jenny King
Patrick Thsushani
Alice Cadman
Sibongilie Landa
Gregg Hesom
Lindsay Wright
Andi Bernstein
Jade Hearne
Jeannette Mackie
Reece Basson
Fabian Gregory
Misty Reing
President of the South African Hockey Association Mr. Dave Carr will address the group and will be attending the activities as well. Executive members Reggie Smith, Lennie Botha and Gary Dolley will also be in attendance.
SA Hockey Association media release
Irish Hockey Announce Official Hotel Partnership with the Mercer Accommodation
The Irish Hockey Association is delighted to announce that the Mercer Accommodation and the New Great Southern Hotel Group has become the official hotel partner of Irish Hockey.
Commenting on the partnership Chief Executive Angus Kirkland said The IHA is delighted to have the Mercer Group as its Official Hotel Partner. The Montrose Hotel in particular offers our players, opponents, sponsors and officials a wonderful venue to relax after the stresses of competition and training and is perfectly located for the National Hockey Stadium at UCD.
The Mercer Groups large number of rooms in Dublin and Cork means this partnership will allow us to be confident in hosting any sized International competition as we lead up to 2012. he continued.
The ESB Irish Hockey Awards evening will also be hosted at another of the Groups Hotels, the well known Burlington Hotel on May 23rd. The black tie event which usually draws a crowd of four hundred will be well catered for by this prestigious top Dublin hotel.
Commenting on the partnership Adrienne Hughes, Group Sales Manager, said The Mercer Accommodation Group is extremely proud to announce our partnership with the Irish Hockey Association and I am delighted that we are now considered the preferred hotel supplier for the association for 2009. With hotels located in Dublin, Cork and Kerry, I feel our group has something to offer all members of the Irish Hockey Association and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the IHA"
Further information on the Mercer Accommodation Group & New Great Southern Hotel Group
The Mercer Accommodation Group was established in 1997 and currently operates three fantastic Hotels in Dublin - the Montrose Hotel, Tara Towers Hotel and the Mercer Hotel. These hotels are dotted around Dublin City, in locations perfect for exploring all of what the capital city has to offer. The Mercer Accommodation Group of hotels offers business and leisure travelers a variety of quality Irish hotels and Budget Accommodation options. With three hotels in central Dublin and Budget Accommodation in Dublin and Galway we can cater for all types of accommodation requirements. Find out more at www.mercergroup.ie
The New Great Southern Hotel Group was established in 2008 and consists of the newly built Cork International Airport Hotel, Cork Airport, the historic Parknasilla Resort in Sneem, Co. Kerry and the recently re-furbished Burlington Hotel, Dublin 4. The Irish owned New Great Southern Hotel Group focuses on luxury and unique hotels in Ireland. Our hotels differ with their individual styles but all boast the same level of professional service and comfort. Find out more at www.greatsouthernhotelgroup.com
Irish Hockey Association media release
Protests against Pataudi's comment on hockey
K. Arumugam
Amritsar, Jan 20: Sarhad-e-Punjab Sports Club came out strongly against former test cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi for his recent comment on hockey. He advocated cricket as national game of India instead of hockey, in a television show. The Club organized a massive protest in front of Hall Gate on Tuesday. Around two hundred hockey lovers, including many from schools, colleges and universities, participated.
Some of the slogans written on the banner were striking, and is given below:
Hockey Hamara Rashtriya Khel – Pataudi Kya Karega Fail
Sirf Hockey ko hi hai Rashtriya Kehl Hone Ka Adhikaar.
Hockey Hamari Jaan – Hamari Shaan.
Pataudi, Don't spread Lies, lie low
Hockey is Nation's Pride; Pataudi is Nation's Blind
Hail Hockey, Nail Pataudi
Hockey is India's Fame, Pataudi India's Shame.
Hockey is India's Game, Pataudi India's Shame
The Club president Gurinder Singh Mattu castigated Pataudi’s irresponsible comment on hockey. Quoting Indian hockey's past achievement and its inherent potential to rise again to win the hearts of the people, he called upon the people to register their protest in whatsoever form they deemed fit.
Another speaker P.S Randhawa reminded the people that the Indian cricket team had to struggle for 20 years to win its first World Cup. Speakers remarked that there was a time when India was known for Hockey and Gandhi Ji. If the national anthem, the national flag and the national language cannot be replaced by any other song, flag and language then why must we think to replace our national game which is not only a game but the culture and heritage of India.
MEG posts win
BANGALORE: MEG and Centre prevailed over Corps of Military Police (CMP) 2-1 in the State ‘A’ division hockey championship here on Thursday.
Samson Fernandes (8th min) and Poovanan (70th) scored for MEG while S. Dung Dung netted for CMP (12th).
The Hindu