News for 31 January 2009
Saturday, 31 January 2009 05:03 | 
| 
All the news for Saturday 31 January 2009
Indian women defeat Argentina 2-1 in the 3rd Test
Stick2Hockey.com
First ever Web Live in India by stick2hockey.com
K. Arumugam
We at Stick2Hockey.com are happy to announce that we are bringing out the Punjab Gold Cup live. India New Zealand tie, starting today evening 4.45 (New Delhi is at GMT+5:30 Start time is 10:15 GMT), will be the first match to be web telecast (text) in India.
We are extremely happy to add another feature to your beloved site.
We have worked out extensive match to match, historical and contemporary, user-friendly statistics. All these input will be used for effect commentary.
Kindly note that the final commentary will be available at the site for long time. The information in the text will be verified with the official match sheets after the match is over. If there are any discrepancy, the text will be accordingly saved in the archives.
This is also a record in Asia that any website is making Live Commentary
Stick2Hockey.com
Will India be successful second time also?
K. Arumugam
India's first ever double leg four nation competition, the Punjab Gold Cup, is all set to commence at the traditional hockey bastion, Chandigarh, on Saturday.
Chandigarh has the unique distinction of hosting the first ever four nation in Chandigarh, that was in 1995, Indo-Pan American Friendship Cup.
India won the Gold that time, which was played in a hot summer and on simple round robin format. USA, Argentina, Canada were the participants, besides India.
The field this time is intense in terms of world rankings of the team in the fray. That Germany and Netherlands are in India is a good development, and the tournament is expected to dish out exciting fare.
The matches have been planned for the evening, starting at evening 4.30 and 6.30.
Col Balbir Singh, who has been made manager, now, was incidentally the manager of the First Four Nation that India hosted in Chandigarh.
Will his team be able to repeat the past is a question we will be asking in the coming week
Stick2Hockey.com
Punjab Gold Cup begins today
Vijay Lokapally
CHANDIGARH: Pargat Singh has launched an ambitious campaign to revive the spirit of the game that he once so passionately played. His organisational skills will now be on display as the four-nation Punjab Gold Cup beckons hockey lovers to the Sector 42 Stadium here.
India, Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand are in the fray in a competition that has generated considerable interest in the city.
As an acknowledged quality defender, gritty and untiring, Pargat had served India with distinction and then he helplessly watched the rapid decline as Indian hockey hit rock bottom.
This tournament is part of a process that has been set in motion with the disbanding of the Indian Hockey Federation and hopes being raised by the same set of officials and former internationals. Only the garb has changed as India, coached by Harendra Singh, has to face three quality opponents.
India’s opponents in the Gold Cup are all ranked higher. “I take it as an advantage. Indian hockey has not done well and we have nothing to lose. We will only rebuild from here. It is a great opportunity for me and the team,” said Harendra.
India, however, will miss the services of Sardar Singh due to an injury but the rousing form of Deepak Thakur, the flair of Tushar Khandekar, the confidence of drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and a blend of experience and talent is what Harendra is banking upon.
The matches will be shown live on DD Sports from February 1.
The schedule: Jan 31: India v New Zealand (4.45 p.m.); The Netherlands v Germany (6.45). Feb 1: New Zealand v Germany (4.30 p.m.), India v The Netherlands (6.30 p.m.). Feb 3: The Netherlands v New Zealand (4.30 p.m.), India v Germany (6.30 p.m.). Feb 4: Germany v New Zealand (4.30 p.m.), India v The Netherlands (6.30 p.m.). Feb 6: The Netherlands v New Zealand (4.30 p.m.), India v Germany (6.30 p.m.). Feb 7: The Netherlands v Germany (4.30 p.m.), India v New Zealand (6.30 p.m.). Feb 9: Third place (3.30 p.m.); Final (6 p.m.).
The Hindu
Test of character for Team India in opener
By Harpreet Kaur Lamba
Chandigarh, Jan. 30: Character! For years, this nine-letter word has acted as a catalyst in the sporting arena, separating champions from also-rans; the winner from the above average.
For Indian hockey, taking its small steps towards redemption, the next 12 days will be nothing short of that.
Gearing up for competitive hockey — they face world and Olympic champions Germany, Euro champions and Athens silver medallists and World No. 4 Holland, and seventh-placed New Zealand — ten months after the disastrous Chile qualifiers, this is make or break time for the hosts.
The fact that all the other three are ranked higher — India slipped out of the top-10 for the first-time last year – is enough to give the home team the jitters.
Saturday will be a test of nerve as India take on the Kiwis in the opening tie of the Punjab Gold Cup four-nation tournament at the Sector-42 Stadium here.
Fresh from their Argentina sojourn, where they drew the four-match series 2-2, India were brimming with confidence as they went through the paces on Friday.
Said coach Harendra Singh, "The Argentina trip was an ideal platform to regain our confidence. This event is now an opportunity to bring the game back on track.
"All the others are ranked higher than us and for anyone else, it would mean pressure. But as a coach, I see this as an added advantage. The game has seen its worst. We are in the rebuilding phase now, and whatever we can gain out of this event will work in our favour. This event might be the first step towards redemption," he said. Seasoned Dilip Tirkey will man the defence and will be supported by skipper Sandeep Singh, who will have to shoulder the responsibility if India are to have any real chance in the tournament. The return of the experienced Arjun Halappa and Ignace Tirkey lends solidarity to the midfield, while the forward line boasts of names like Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Tushar Khandker.
Though skill and experience are qualities this team possess in plenty, the taste of victory has been long forgotten. It will be the inner demons that will need taming to begin on the right note.
The Black Sticks, on the other hand, are here with a young team. Coach Shane McLeod has inducted five debutants in Priyesh Bhana, Blair Hilton, David Green, Shay Neal and Joel Baker but will surely miss the services of regular members Ryan Archibald, drag-flicker Hayden Shaw, Ben Collier and David Kasoof.
Germany and Holland are the other teams in the tournament, that is seen as a build-up to the 2010 World Cup and Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
The Asian Age
India eyeing winning start against Kiwis
CHANDIGARH: After a forgettable 2008, Indian men's hockey team will be looking to redeem themselves when they begin their journey in the inaugural four-nation Punjab Gold Cup with a match against world number seven New Zealand, on Saturday.
In the mouth-watering second match of the day, Olympic champions Germany will take on the Netherlands at the floodlit Sector-42 hockey stadium.
India, who made a comeback to international hockey after a hiatus of almost a year with a series against Argentina earlier this month, have their task cut out in their first tournament since last year's Olympic debacle as Beijing Games champions Germany, European champions the Netherlands and the mighty Kiwis stand in their way.
A rusty India, led by new captain Sandeep Singh and under coach-in-charge Harendra Singh, started their four-Test campaign in Argentina on a promising note, winning the first two matches but faltered in the later stages to see the series end in a 2-2 draw.
But Sandeep and his men has to be careful that they don't lower their guard in the four-nation event as the Germans, Dutch and Kiwis would look to punish the hosts at every given opportunity.
However, crowd support is one thing that India would be looking to bank upon.
Playing at home could provide the platform they need to get back to winning ways and skipper Sandeep seemed to be in no mood to squander such a wonderful opportunity.
"We want to win the Punjab Gold Cup and get into the winning groove," Sandeep said.
The eight-time Olympic champions have also been bolstered by the return of forward Arjun Halappa and veteran Ignace Tirkey, both of whom were out of the Argentina-bound squad due to injuries.
The 10-day tournament, being organised by the Punjab Sports Department under the supervision of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), will be inaugurated by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The inaugural ceremony of the event, to be attended by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi and IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh, will witness a colourful performance by Bhangra dancers.
To encourage youngsters to take up the national game and ensure good turnout during matches, the organisers have decided to pack the stadium with nearly 2,500 hockey players and school children from across the state at government's expense.
"We are keen to promote hockey at the grassroots level. This tournament is also unique as it is being organised by the state government instead of the sports federation. The tournament will boost our national sport and create interest among youngsters," said Badal, who is also the chairman of the organising committee.
"The young hockey trainees from rural areas of Punjab will be brought here to witness top world stars in action during the tournament," he added.
Meanwhile, the tournament will be telecast live on Doordarshan instead of ESPN as the organisers failed to raise enough sponsorship money (Rs 60 lakh) due to the recession, resulting in a last-minute change of broadcaster.
The Times of India
Stage set for hockey extravaganza
Gopal Sharma Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 30 The four-nation Punjab Gold Cup Hockey Tournament beginning here tomorrow provides the Indian team an excellent opportunity to regain the lost ground and give a boost to the image of the country as a formidable hockey nation.
Being hosted at the initiative of the Punjab Sports Department, the 10-day tournament will see top teams like Holland and Germany besides New Zealand in action, giving the hosts a platform to refurbish its image after it touched a new low when they went down to England in Beijing Olympics qualifiers in Santiago (Chile) in March last. The second defeat against England - first in the league phase - meant eight-time gold medallists India were out of Olympics to be held in Beijing in August for the first time since 1928!
Suspension of K P S Gill as IHF chief by the IOA and the appointment of an ad-hoc committee led by Aslam Sher Khan to run hockey afterwards meant that hockey was in turmoil in the country.
During the four-Test series against Argentina earlier this month India started the series with a bang. After winning first two games, India let the hosts off the hook losing the next two as the series ended in a 2-2 draw.
The tournament starting here at the Sector 42 hockey stadium will be an ideal opportunity to iron out the deficiencies in the squad and forge a coherent unit ahead of the sterner tests ahead. With hockey World Cup tournament slated to be hosted by India in February next year and then the Commonwealth Games, again in New Delhi in October next, a shoddy performance in the home environs is bound to be morale shattering.
Led by young Sandeep Singh, India would do well not to dwell on their ranking (11th) and concentrate on playing to their strength. As they displayed in the first two games Argentina earlier this month, the Indian squad is not short on skill. Return of forward Arjun Halappa and wily Ignace Tirkey is bound to give much-needed experience to the squad.
With the presence of Olympic Champions Germany and European champions the Netherlands besides New Zealand means the hosts would do well not to lower their guard.
Sandeep revealed that Halappa and Tirkey would be positioned in the midfield as the hosts get ready for the opening match of the 10-day tournament against New Zealand. The experienced duo will stand in good stead providing cushion to the rival forwards. A not-so-sound midfield was one of the reasons of the successive defeats India suffered against Argentina in the last two games, Sandeep said.
The tournament will be inaugurated by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Among others, the inaugural ceremony will be attended by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi and IOA secretary general Randhir Singh.
Today’s fixtures:
India vs New Zealand at 4.45 pm
Holland vs Germany at 6.45 pm
The Tribune
India favourites, NZ manager
Vaibhav Sharma Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 30 “There is little doubt that the Indian team, being the home side, will be favourites, not just for tomorrow’s game, but also for the tournament. But we are not here for an exhibition game and will show it on the field tomorrow,” Tony Edward, the New Zealand hockey manager said on the eve of the four-nation opener for Punjab Gold Cup tournament.
While that might have pleased one or two patriots, it did little to break the cautious approach of the Indian coach-in-charge Harendra Singh. “We are looking at things in a very practical manner. Holland and Germany are too good for us. It will be competitive out there, no doubt, but we also have to be realistic and fight every second of the stipulated 70 minutes if we wish to see ourselves standing in the end,” Singh said while speaking to The Tribune.
Both teams practiced hard through the day but the real battle begins tomorrow as India and New Zealand play the opening game of the day, and also the tournament. Harendra also said his main focus was to rectify the mistakes made in the Test series in Argentina.
“We had a few failings in the Test series in Argentina, especially with the mid-field. But with the pairing of Ignace Tirkey and Arjuin Halappa now in place, I hope that we will be able to create the required cushion, and ball-holding ability to aid our possession.”
His captain and drag-flick specialist Sandeep Singh echoed his coach’s views. “We have a good mix of young and old. The quality is there in our side as it is in every team featuring in the tournament. What matters is how we make good of hours of practice, in a concise manner and ripen them in the given 70 minutes. All said, may the best side win.”
The Tribune
We need to play regularly against top teams: Sandeep
BY Our Correspondent
Chandigarh, Jan. 30: If sport is all about fairytale stories, the case of Sandeep Singh is a bit of stark reality. An emerging poster-boy of Indian hockey, the drag-flicker’s journey was cut short when a freak bullet injury ruled him out of action in 2006.
On his way to joining his teammates for the World Cup in Monchengladbach, Sandeep was bed-ridden for months. Told — even by doctors — that his days as an international player were all but over, the braveheart refused to listen and did what his heart told him.
"Get back to the game. That was the only thought that crossed my mind all the time. The doctors said that I would need at least five years to hold a stick, but I could not accept it," said Sandeep.
Not one to be written off, the 23-year old headed to Holland, and underwent three months of physiotherapy and rigorous workouts. In no time, he was back on his feet and took the field in the Premier Hockey League 2008 in Chandigarh after a mere six months.
Saturday will be yet another chapter in Sandeep’s life as he will lead India in front of his home crowd for the first-time ever. Asked if this was an even bigger moment, the new skipper couldn’t help but smile at fate.
India lock horns with New Zealand in the opening match of the four-nation Gold Cup hockey and Sandeep reckons that playing top teams like Germany and Holland will help them prepare for upcoming mega-events.
"We have to play regularly against the top teams to come up at the international level... That’s my wish as a captain."
The Asian Age
Players to undergo dope test in Punjab Gold Cup hockey
CHANDIGARH: Players of all the four teams participating in the inaugural Punjab Gold Cup invitational hockey tournament will undergo dope tests.
Organising committee officials said the players will be tested as per the guidelines of the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) anti-doping policy.
Dope tests will be conducted under the supervision of experts, according to organising secretary and former Indian hockey team captain Pargat Singh.
The blood and urine samples of the players will be collected during pool and classification matches. Dope testing equipment is being transported from Delhi to Chandigarh for the purpose, he added.
The tournament is starting on Saturday at the Sector 42 hockey stadium.
The Times of India
2009 Women's Pan Am Cup Team Announced
CHULA VISTA, CA (January 30, 2009) - USA Field Hockey today announced the team roster for the 2009 Women's Pan American Cup, to be held February 7-15, 2009 in Hamilton, Bermuda.
The Pan American Cup pits the region's top eight teams in competition for a spot in the 2010 World Cup. The USA will face Chile, Jamaica and Mexico in Pool B, while 2008 Olympic Games bronze medal winners Argentina are top seeds in Pool A. The winner will qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be held in Rosario, Argentina, August 30 to September 12, 2010.
The USA Field Hockey Women's Pan American Cup Team features a number of 2008 Olympians, as well as members of the Developmental Squad promoted to international competition. The roster ranges from veterans Carrie Lingo and Keli Smith, who recently celebrated their 150th and 100th cap respectively, to Heather Schnepf, who earned her first two caps in the test series with the Netherlands in January.
| NAME | POSITION | SCHOOL | HOMETOWN |
| Kayla Bashore* | Midfielder | Indiana | Shoemakersville, PA |
| Lauren Crandall* | Defender | Wake Forest | Doylestown, PA |
| Rachel Dawson* | Defender | North Carolina | Berlin, NJ |
| Sarah Dawson | Striker | Iowa | Berlin, NJ |
| Katie Evans | Striker | Delaware | Newtown Square, PA |
| Jesse Gey* | Striker | North Carolina | Green Lane, PA |
| Claire Laubach | Midfielder | Wake Forest | Bristow, VA |
| Carrie Lingo* | Midfielder | North Carolina | Rehoboth Beach, DE |
| Caroline Nichols* | Midfielder | Old Dominion | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Lauren Powley* | Midfielder | Maryland | Mountaintop, PA |
| Katie Reinprecht | Midfielder | Princeton | North Wales, PA |
| Dina Rizzo* | Striker | Maryland | Walpole, MA |
| Heather Schnepf | Midfielder | Iowa | Medford Lakes, NJ |
| Sara Silvetti | Defender | Maryland | Wapwallopen, PA |
| Keli Smith* | Striker | Maryland | Selinsgrove, PA |
| Tiffany Snow* | Striker | Old Dominion | Escondido, PA |
| Amy Tran* | Goalkeeper | North Carolina | Grantville, PA |
| Barb Weinberg | Goalkeeper | Iowa | Louisville, KY |
(*) denote members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for Women's Field Hockey
STAFF:
Lee Bodimeade, Head Coach
Steve Jennings, Assistant Coach
Vinny Comiskey, Trainer
Dr. David Higgins, Team Doctor
Kate Reisinger, Team Manager
This is the third Pan American Cup tournament. Argentina defeated the USA in both of the previous finals in 2004 and 2001, and another Argentina-USA final is a distinct possibility.
The Pan American Cup is the first international tournament for the USA since the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The USA recently completed a five game series against the Netherlands at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in preparation for the Pan Am Cup. The Dutch, gold medal champions at the 2008 Olympic Games, were a formidable opponent for a U.S. squad looking to identify the next generation of National Team members.
USFHA media release
PHF chief hopes to get coaches released
By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: Following his failure to get a number of coaches released from PIA for national duty, Pakistan hockey chief Qasim Zia is planning to visit Karachi soon to sort out the issue by meeting top officials of the national carrier.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation president told ‘The News’ that he may meet a few senior PIA officials in Karachi early next week to get a few former Olympians released for national hockey duty.
“I’ll be going to Karachi in a few days to meet PIA officials and try to resolve this issue,” said Qasim, a former Olympian who is a key Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader in the Punjab.
Qasim’s PHF is facing strong criticism over its failure to even launch preparations for a couple of important assignments facing the national senior and junior teams in 2009.
The Pakistan senior team will be aiming to regain the Asia Cup crown in Dubai this May in a bid to earn a direct berth for the 2010 World Cup in India.
A failure to win the Asia Cup will put record four-time Pakistan at risk of missing the World Cup for the first time as they will have to win a qualifying tournament in November this year to book a place in the quadrennial spectacle.
In spite of the Asia Cup’s importance, the PHF is yet to begin training for the tournament and blames the unavailability of coaches for it.
PHF had appointed former Olympian Ayaz Mahmood as the Pakistan team’s head coach a couple of months back, making Asia Cup his test case. However, Ayaz is yet to join national duty as PIA has refused to release him, as he is currently stationed in Moscow.
The PHF president has tried to pull some strings in the past few days but has so far failed to get Ayaz released.
He said that the PHF may replace Ayaz with some other former Olympian if PIA decides against relieving him for Pakistan duty.
“But I’ll give it one more try before appointing a new coach,” said Qasim, who was a part of the Pakistan team that won the Olympic gold in 1984 in Los Angeles.
The PHF was forced to replace Qamar Ibrahim with
another ex-Olympian Khawaja Junaid earlier this week after
PIA refused to release the former in spite of repeated PHF requests.
Junaid will now supervise Pakistan’s preparations for the 2009 Junior World Cup to be co-hosted by Malaysia and Singapore in June.
Pakistan barely qualified for the Junior World Cup after failing to make the cut for the Junior Asia Cup final in the south Indian city of Hyderabad last summer. It was only after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) decided to raise the number of teams from 16 to 20 that Pakistan managed to get a place in the event’s draws.
Pakistan share Pool A with defending champions Argentina, Belgium, Egypt and Russia.
Qasim said that the PHF will take all out steps to ensure that Pakistan raise strong teams for the Asia Cup and the Junior World Cup.
The News International
SSGC stay on top of National Hockey table
From our correspondent
LAHORE: Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) continued to head the table in the 56th National Hockey Championship, as they defeated Railways by 3-2 on the fifth day of the final round, here at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday.
SSGC now have 10 points from their four matches, of which they have won three and drawn one. They have scored 13 goals while nine have been made against them.
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) are second on the table with nine points. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Port Qasim and Pakistan Army are bunched together next with six points each.
In yesterday’s other final round matches, PIA beat Pakistan Navy 3-0 while NBP scored a narrow 2-1 over Army as all marched ahead. No match was played in the Tray Championship.
Following is the programme for tomorrow’s (Saturday) matches: Final round — Habib Bank Limited (HBL) v SSGC at 9am, Port Qasim v Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at 11am, Army v Punjab at 1pm, Navy v NBP at 3pm.
Tray Championship — Sindh v Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) at 9am, Steel Mills v North West Frontier Province (NWFP) at 11am, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) v Pakistan Television (PTV) at 1pm, Balochistan v Capital Territory at 3pm.
The Tray Championship is currently being headed by KESC, who have 12 points from four matches of which they have won all.
The News International
Beng Hai and Nor Saiful get nod to take charge of the national team
KUALA LUMPUR: Interim coaches Tai Beng Hai and Nor Saiful Zaini have been given the mandate to prepare the national hockey team for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in April and the Asia Cup in May.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will also hire a foreign consultant, but only if the local coaches need one.
MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah gave the green light for Beng Hai to take full control of the team and chart their fortunes for the two assignments.
But that doesn’t mean the MHF have given up on their search for a foreign coach.
MHF deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad said they would take their time to look for the right candidate to take over.
“It is agreed that the local coaches will handle the team for the Sultan Azlan Shah and the Asia Cup tournaments. These are important assignments and we cannot afford to take it easy. They (the local coaches) will get our full support and will have a free hand in planning and executing the training programmes,” he said.
“Our target remains the same — to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
“We will also let the local coaches decide if they want a foreign consultant to help them on the short-term basis. They can also decide to take on other coaches for training goalkeepers and forwards.
“Once they make a request, we will take bring it up to the National Sports Council (NSC).”
The MHF and the NSC had, in November, decided to hire a foreign coach to replace Sarjit Singh, whose contract was not extended when it expired on Dec 31.
But the MHF’s search proved futile, forcing them to appoint Beng Hai and Nor Saiful as interim coaches on Jan 5.
Meanwhile, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is set to be a six-team affair.
The MHF have had problems getting teams to compete in the tournament, which will be held in Ipoh from April 3-11.
So far India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Egypt have confirmed their participation. Japan are expected to give their reply next week.
Azmi said they would make a final decision they get Japan’s answer.
“We will stick to six teams if we cannot get other teams to come. We’ve run the tournament with six teams before. We have not plan to postpone the tournament,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Something special
By Nontobeko Mtshali
The South African Special Olympics team have bagged two victories - learning indoor hockey within a few months and representing the country on the global stage.
The team of 14 indoor hockey players will be heading to Idaho in the United States on Monday to represent SA at the Special Olympics World Winter Games - a first for a South African team.
"This is an achievement for Special Olympics South Africa," said the organisation's chairperson, Mathews Phosa, at a press conference.
"We have encouraged, enabled and empowered a group of athletes who are now role-models for all intellectually disabled people in our country … They demonstrate (that) 'If you can see it and believe it, you can be it'," said Phosa.
The team's members all hail from Limpopo, and they were chosen in June last year, said Special Olympics SA executive director Annemarie van Wieringen.
Lucas Radebe, the Special Olympics SA ambassador, said it was important for the public to know about the team and support them.
"We've got to highlight and give these people (the team) exposure so that people can know we have these guys representing us in this category," he said.
The team's assistant manager, Thembile Mhlongo, said they had practised in classrooms during the initial training.
"They were training in classrooms, and because they live far apart, coaches trained different groups during different times," she said.
The team's talent and the coaches' determination, said Mhlongo, saw them win at the national level, and a lucky draw landed them on the international playground.
One of the athletes, Simon Pesa (21), said he was ecstatic about taking part in the World Winter Games.
He was also part of the South African team that competed in China during the Special Olympics World Summer Games. That team, according to Phosa, bagged a whopping 86 medals.
"I think that this time again we're in for more surprises," he said.
During the World Winter Games, South Africa's team will be battling it out with about 2 500 athletes from 85 nations taking part in alpine and cross-country skiing, figure and speed skating, floor hockey, snowboarding and snow-shoeing.
Independent Online
Thumping win for Thrissur
THALASSERY: Last year’s runner-up Thrissur started its campaign with an emphatic 10-0 win over Kottayam in the 54th State senior men’s hockey championship at the Municipal stadium here on Friday.
Host Kannur improved its chances of a place in the semifinal with wins over Idukki and Alappuzha respectively.
The results (league): Kozhikode bt Kasaragod 2-0; Thrissur bt Kottayam 10-0; Ernakulam bt Wayanad 4-0; Kannur bt Idukki 10-0; Kollam bt Idukki 8-0; Kannur bt Alappuzha 1-0; Kollam drew with Alappuzha 1-1.
The Hindu
MEG scrapes through
BANGALORE: Promoted ‘A’ division team MEG scrapped through to an odd goal in three win over Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) in a group ‘A’ league match of the 12th Field Marshal Cariappa Memorial hockey tournament at the KSHA stadium here on Friday.
Rohit Tirkey struck both the goals for the Sappers in the 23rd and 63rd minutes of the game while Ganesh Patil pulled one back for MLI converting the third penalty corner that the team earned.
In the day’s other match, Pioneer Corps Training Centre (PCTC) scored a 4-2 win over Kodava Samaj in group C. Cyprian Aind (2), A.K. Barla and Manju netted the goals for PCTC while for Kodava Samaj, for whom this was its second straight defeat, P.M. Chengappa and Monish scored.
The Hindu
BSF register impressive win
Jalandhar, January 30. BSF boys defeated Khusropur Sports Club 2-1 in the senior category of the 15th Invitation Hockey Tournament underway here at the local Khusropur Sports Complex.
The match started on a fast note with a lone field goal scored by Kulbir Singh of Khusropur Club in the first half 1-0. Till half time the winners were leading by 1-0.
In the second half the BSF boys managed to open its account with two field goals posted by Horro taking the score to 2-1.
In another match of the day, Khusropur Sports Club boys dashed the hopes of the rival Doaba High School, Jalandhar in the junior category by 2-1.
The best scorer of the tournament Horro was given a cash award of Rs 1,000 by Punjab Minister for Revenue Ajit Singh Kohar.
The Tribune