News for 12 March 2009
Thursday, 12 March 2009 07:50 | 
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All the news for Thursday 12 March 2009
Hockeyroos star retires on top
Australia’s most capped female hockey player, Nikki Hudson, announced her retirement from the sport today at the State Hockey Centre, Brisbane.
Following recurring hamstring injuries which have plagued her over the past couple of years, Hudson today stated that she had fulfilled every goal she aspired to on the hockey field and believed now was the right time to announce her retirement from the sport.
“I feel the timing is right, as I have achieved all I ever wanted on the hockey field. I have been very fortunate to have played at three Olympics, which is the pinnacle for any hockey player,” said Hudson.
“Injuries I have been carrying for the past couple of years are causing me grief, and now I think I’m ready for life after hockey,” she said.
The announcement was first made public to her team mates in the dressing room following the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers game against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday night.
Although the thought of a fourth Olympic Games sat in the back of her mind, Hudson’s body was telling her it time to move on from the sport she has played at the elite open level for 16 years.
“I have made some wonderful friendships through the sport of hockey and played under some great coaches. I will miss the sport that has been such a big piece of my life for the past twenty six years,” Hudson stated.
Hudson has decided not to play on with the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers for the remainder of this year’s Australian Hockey League, but hopes to play club hockey on the Gold Coast later this year.
Making her debut for the Hockeyroos as a seventeen-year-old, Hudson has played 303 international matches and scored 99 goals as an Australian striker.
The highlight of Hudson's career was competing for the Gold Medal winning Hockeyroos at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, where she was awarded top scorer at the tournament with six goals.
Hudson who played for the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers from 1993-2008 also represented Australia at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy Tournaments in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Hockey Australia and Hockey Queensland congratulates Nikki on her stellar hockey career and extends sincere gratitude to Nikki for her contribution to the sport of hockey.
NIKKI HUDSON OAM
DOB: 6 July 1976
Position: Striker
Hockeyroos Shirt Number: 32
International Matches: 303
International Goals: 99
Australian Debut: 1993
Participation in International Tournaments:
Olympic Games
2008 Beijing 5th
2004 Athens 5th
2000 Sydney 1st
World Cup
2006 Madrid 2nd
2002 Perth 4th
1998 Utrecht 1st
Champions Trophy
2008 Monchengladbach 5th
2006 Amsterdam 5th
2005 Canberra 2nd
2004 Rosario 4th
2002 Macau 4th
2001 Amsterdam 3rd
2000 Amsterdam 3rd
1999 Brisbane 1st
1997 Berlin 1st
1995 Mar Del Plata 1st
Commonwealth Games
2006 Melbourne 1st
2002 Manchester 3rd
1998 Kuala Lumpur 1st
Junior World Cup
1997 Korea 2nd
International/Domestic awards :
Captain of the World Eleven Team in 2006
Young Australian Sportsperson of the year
Hockey Australia media release
Hockeyroos veteran Nikki Hudson announces her retirement from international hockey
Australia's most capped women's hockey player Nikki Hudson has announced her retirement from the sport, ending her 16-year international career.
Hudson, 32, had initially wanted to play on at the 2012 London Games after the Hockeyroos' disappointment at the Beijing Olympics where the Australian women finished fifth.
However, Hudson said her body had had enough.
"Injuries I have been carrying for the past couple of years are causing me grief and now I think I'm ready for life after hockey," she said.
"I feel the timing is right as I have achieved all I ever wanted on the hockey field.
"I have been very fortunate to have played at three Olympics which is the pinnacle for any hockey player."
Hudson, a Sydney Olympic gold medallist, played 303 internationals and scored 99 goals.
She is the only Hockeyroo to break the 300-game barrier.
Fox Sports
India struggle, but gains full points
K. Arumugam
Even as penalty corner conversions remained a sore point, India managed to retrieve full three points against Malaysia in their first match of the Genting 4-Nation Junior tournament. India won the hosts 3-1.
Debutante Victo Singh made his first match memorable by latching on to a rebound in the final moments before the hooter, to pep up the frustrated team’s morale. The team was definitely found wanting in scoring skills, struggling to finish despite garnering seven of the total dozen penalty corners in the first session.
Diwakar Ram converted India’s 9th penalty corner in the 44th minute to give India a 2-1 lead. Three minute earlier, Malaysia made use of their first penalty corner to neutralize Victo Singh’s effort. Tajudin Izwan was the goal tender.
Hard working winger Jaykaran finished off a melee in style to put India on the strong pedal.
India in all got 12 penalty corners, but Diwakar was off the target many times. Malaysian goalkeeper Adnan Hakim too was at his elements.
Malaysians seemed to have done their homework better, as their first rusher could thwart Indian ace Diwakar’s unifocal middle of the net flicks. Some indirect variation was also tried by India, but in vain.
Young Malaysians made some good moves late in second half but the Indian defence stood firm. Malaysia even got three penalty corners continuously without fructifying any.
Chief coach AK Bansal was seemingly unhappy, though he is fully aware of the fact that the new turf was difficult to negotiate.
“Well, am happy we won the match, got three points. We could have definitely played better, but in every tournament the first match is difficult one”, he said.
Earlier in the first match, Pakistan defeated Singapore 8-0. Captain Abdul Haseem posted four goals. All Pakistan’s goals were throu’ field efforts.
India will take on Singapore tomorrow in the first match, while the hosts engage Pakistan in the second.
Stick2Hockey.com
India colts beat Malaysia in Genting four-nation tournament
MALAYSIA: India defeated hosts Malaysia 3-1 in their opening encounter of the Genting four-nation U-21 hockey tournament at Taman Daya Stadium on Wednesday.
The Indian colts, who led 1-0 at the half time, found the goals through debutant Victo Singh (35th min), skipper Diwakar Ram (47th min) and Jay Karan (50th min), while Ahmad Tajuddin (44th min) was the lone scorer for Malaysia.
India began their proceedings on a fast pace but under constant drizzle and forced a penalty corner in the opening minute after striker Pramod Kumar was obstructed in the striking circle, only to see Diwakar flick the ball straight to the Malaysian custodian Adnan Abdul Hakim.
The Indians were the better side on display and dominated the entire match but Diwakar was not at his usual best and could score only once from as many as eleven penalty corners.
India should have broken the ice in the eighth minute of the match when Jay Karan was set up by Danish Mujtaba, but the crafty striker failed to drive home the ball.
The match also witnessed both the teams taking time to adapt to the new International Hockey Federation (FIH) free hit rules in the 23mt area.
The hosts committed numerous defensive lapses and paid the price just before half time when Victo, donning the national colours for the first time, finished off from a Belsajar Horo pass.
But Malaysia came back strongly after the break and found the equalizer from a penalty corner set piece deflection by Tajuddin.
India, however, tightened their belts scoring two goals in a span of three minutes. First, Diwakar sank one low to Hakim's left and then Jay Karan completed the tally after moving in tandem with Pramod Kumar.
India will next play Singapore on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Pakistan thrashed Singapore 8-0 in a one-sided encounter.
The goal hunt was led by skipper Haseem Khan (four), Inayatullah, Adeel Husain, Mohd Toufeeq and Umar Mohd Bhutta.
The Times of India
Defensive Juniors fall to speedy Indians
By Ajitpal Singh
THE National Juniors hardly went forward and their tactics to defend still proved not good enough to stop India from winning their opening Four-Nation Invitational Tournament match 3-1 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
Despite the defeat, the Malaysians can stand proud as they played well as a unit, unlike in previous matches, but the speedy Indians proved too much to handle.
In the first half, the Malaysians foiled six penalty corner attempts with goalkeeper Abdul Hakim Adnan at his best, but a defensive mix-up by the hosts allowed India to take the lead through Victo Singh in the 35th minute.
Keeping their cool, Malaysia equalised through Izwan Firdaus Tajuddin who scored from a penalty corner set-piece in the 44th minute.
But just three minutes later, Diwakar Ram regained the lead for India with a penalty corner goal. India scored their third through Karan Jay's field attempt in the 50th minute.
Malaysia coach K. Rajan said his charges were let down by defensive errors.
"My boys stood their ground in the first half but India's relentless attacks broke their momentum. I need to do some work on the defence," said Rajan yesterday.
"Overall, I'm happy with my charges but they will need to be cautious against Pakistan tomorrow (today)."
Earlier, Abdul Haseem Khan scored four goals as Pakistan destroyed Singapore 8-0.
Abdul Haseen scored in the fourth, 26th, 34th and 66th minutes. Inayat Ullah (eight), Adeel Hussain Syed (23rd), Muhd Toufeeq (61st) and Muhd Umar Bhutta (66th) were the other scorers
New Straits Times
Indians stamp supremacy
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia fell 1-3 to India in their opening match of a four-nation junior hockey tournament at the Taman Daya Stadium here yesterday, leaving them with plenty of hard work ahead.
It was a scoreline which reflected India’s superiority and with the maturity their players showed, Malaysia were found wanting time and again.
Team manager Johari Abdul Aziz said: “But the good thing that came out of today’s match was that we were willing to match the Indians in all aspects of the game.
“But our defending was a letdown. Once under pressure, we gave the ball away too easily and it was to cost us dearly.”
In fact, India’s superiority was evident from the start as they kept the pressure on the Malaysian defence with their fluidity in attack.
It was only the Malaysians’ determination and the heroics of goalkeeper Abdul Hakim Adnan that kept the Indians at bay. But there was nothing the backline could do as forward Victo Singh, making his debut with the Indian team, spun around in the D as the Malaysian defence stood rooted to put his side ahead in the very last minute of the first half.
But there was an equaliser from Malaysia in the 43rd minute via a penalty corner which took a deflection off Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin’s outstretched stick to end up in the left hand corner of India’s goal.
India could not be kept at bay for long and in the 47th minute they struck from a penalty corner, which Diwakar Ram converted with such deadly accuracy. India were further rewarded in the 50th minute with Jay Karan adding the third goal with a backflick and India’s supremacy was confirmed.
The Indian had 12 penalty corners against three for Malaysia.
In an earlier match, Pakistan steamrolled Singapore 8-0 with skipper Abdul Haseem Khan scoring a hat-trick.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan Jrs beat Singapore 8-0
From our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan juniors outplayed Singapore 8-0 in the opening match of the four-nation Invitational Junior Hockey in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Wednesday. According to details, captain Abdul Haseem Khan scored the first hat-trick of the tournament. At the end of the first half Pakistan team were leading by 5-0. Abdul Haseem Khan scored four goals in all, while Inayat Ullah, Muhammad Taufeeq, Omer Bhutta and Adeel Hussain netted once each. Pakistan will now face host Malaysia in the second match on Thursday (today). Pakistan will play its last pool match on Friday against India.
The News International
SA men’s hockey teams in tough series
By Jonathan Cook
THE South African men’s hockey team have one win from two games in their tri-series with Germany and Russia in Bloemfontein.
In their most recent Test match on Tuesday night, SA beat Russia 4-0 after the teams had changed over with the score 0-0. With 17 minutes left in the match SA were 2-0 after Durban’s Gareth Carr found the back of the net twice. SA finished with two more goals for a confidence-building win after they had lost 6-1 to Germany on Monday night.
Against Germany, new SA captain Austin Smith’s side were 3-1 down at half-time with Western Province’s Adam Wilson netting for the home country.
However, Germany’s skill in the South African 22, their incisive running along the baseline and penalty-corner prowess proved strong for the home side on the night.
The SA U21 side are also taking part in Bloemfontein as they prepare for the Junior World Cup in Malaysia in June, and they met Russia on Monday evening.
After the scores were 2-2 at the break, Russia eventually won 3-2 with the SA goals coming from University of Cape Town student Antony Vervoort’s drag flick and Durban man Mondli Dlamini’s penalty-corner rebound.
The Witness - © www.witness.co.za 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
T&T tackle Brazil in fifth place semis
Nigel Simon
Buoyed by its first win of the Third Pan American Men’s Hockey Cup in Santiago, Chile, 10-0 over Uruguay on Tuesday, T&T will face Brazil in the fifth to eight place semifinal today.
The match-up between, T&T, third in Group A, and Group B cellar-placed team, Brazil flicks off at 3 pm and will be followed by the other fifth to eight place semifinal between Uruguay and Mexico and 5.30 pm at the Prince of Wales Country Club, Las Arañas, La Reina. In its three matches to date, the Calypso “Stick-men” suffered a 4–3 loss to USA after leading 3–1 with nine minutes left, followed by a 7–0 pounding from Argentina before hammering Uruguay-led by a hat-trick from Mickell Pierre in the battle of winless teams for its first points on Tuesday.
The Brazilians suffered a 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Chile (seven points), which won Pool B on goal-difference from Canada.
The Canadians had earlier defeated Mexico 7-0.
Today’s matches
Fifth to Eight place playoff
T&T vs Brazil, 3 pm.
Mexico vs Uruguay, 5.30 pm.
The Trinidad Guardian
U16 and U18 national age group squad announced
England Hockey has today announced the four 18-athlete squads set to take part in the U16 and U18 Easter Invitational four nations tournaments in Nottingham and Seville.
All four sides will take on their Dutch, German and Spanish counterparts over the weekend of 10-13 April 2009. The U16 and U18 girls’ tournament takes place at Highfield Sports Club in Nottingham while the U16 and U18 boys travel to Seville, Spain, for their event.
The squads are as follows:
U16 Boys (Head Coach Nick Clark)
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Tom Batchelor: Saxon Tigers / East Grinstead / Cranleigh
Adam Clarke: Wessex Leopards / Guernsey / Elizabeth College
Nat Crawley: Saxon Tigers / Reigate Priory / St Bedes
Brendan Creed: Pennine Pumas / Bowdon / Altrincham GS for Boys
Luke Emmet: Wessex Leopards / Chichester Priory / Bishop Luffa School
Richard Flint: Pennine Pumas / Preston / St Anne’s
Jonny Gall: Saxon Tigers / Ipswich / Ipswich
Harry Gibson (GK): Wessex Leopards / ECV Hornets / Uffchulme
Dave Goodfield: Mercia Lynx / Telford / Charlton School
Josh Guy: Pennine Pumas / / Weaverham High
Jack Hardy: Mercia Lynx / Reading / Pangbourne College
George Lilley: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / William Edwards
Chris Linney: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / ACS Hillingdon
Ben Mackey: Wessex Leopards / Havant / Springfield School
David Overton (GK): Saxon Tigers / Beeston / St George’s
Matt Parker: Mercia Lynx / Beeston / Worksop College
Joe Sharp: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne School
Sam Temple-Baxter: Saxon Tigers / Alford / JSTC
U16 Girls (Head Coach Sue Chandler)
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Grace Balsdon: Saxon Tigers / Canterbury / Kent College, Canterbury
Gemma Brookes (GK): - / Stourport / Chantry High School
Martine Chicenzola: Wessex Leopards / Teddington / Godolphin & Latimer
Emily Court: Mercia Lynx / Rover Oxford / Kings High, Warwick
Charlotte Cox: Wessex Leopards / Chichester / St Phillip Howard
Sophie Crosley: Saxon Tigers / Sevenoaks / Bromley High
Elisa Filarmonica: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / Queenswood
Jessica Hickman: Mercia Lynx / Leicester / Leicester Grammar
Lucy Hyams: Saxon Tigers / Canterbury / Kent College, Canterbury
Joanna Leigh: Pennine Pumas / Bradford / Wakefield Girls
Jessica Orrett: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Millfield
Alice Pyrgos: Wessex Leopards / Trojans / Bryanston
Maddie Tait: Saxon Tigers / Surbiton / St George’s
Amy Tennant (GK): Pennine Pumas / Bowdon / Altrincham Grammar
Lauren Thomas: Mercia Lynx / Buckingham / Aylesbury High School
Anna-Frances Toman: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne
Elizabeth Totten: Pennine Pumas / Poynton / Cheadle Hulme
Latasha Webb: Mercia Lynx / Cannock / Ecclesbourne
U18 Boys (Head Coach Craig Keegan)
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Nick Bandurak: Mercia Lynx / Cannock / Wolverhampton Grammar
Tom Batchelor (GK): Wessex Leopards / Havant / Havant College
Dominic Bowden: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Millfield
Andrew Bull: Pennine Pumas / Brooklands MU / Holy Cross
Will Byas: Pennine Pumas / Doncaster / Repton
Will Collins: Mercia Lynx / City of P’borough / Uppingham School
Alex Czerniewski: Mercia Lynx / Coventry & NW / Lawrence Sheriff
David Devey: Mercia Lynx / Stourport / Bridgenorth
Phil Dutoy: Pennine Pumas / Bowdon / Holmes Chapel
Scott Evans: Pennine Pumas / Brooklands MU / Holy Cross
George Farrant: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Millfield
Mark Galloway: Pennine Pumas / Preston / Newman
Nick Giles: Pennine Pumas / Formby / Formby High
Peter Jackson: Pennine Pumas / Brooklands MU / Congleton
Aathavan Lingeswaren: Wessex Leopards / / Whitgift
Harry Martin: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / Ipswich School
Patrick Smith (GK): Mercia Lynx / Southgate / SWCHS
Ben Stoney: Pennine Pumas / Sheffield Halam / Birkdale
U18 Girls
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Emily Atkinson: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Clifton College
Louisa Boddy: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne
Holly Brown: Mercia Lynx / Doncaster / Worksop
Holly Chipman: Wessex Leopards / Olton & WW / Cheltenham College
Charlotte Crampton-Smith: Wessex Leopards / / Millfield
Sarah Haycroft: Wessex Leopards / Surbiton / Kingston Grammar
Sabbie Heesh (GK): Mercia Lynx / Belper / John Port
Lucy Horn: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Bablake
Josie Inverdale: Wessex Leopards / Reading / Reeds
Rachel Mack: Mercia Lynx / Olton / Bromsgrove
Jennifer Mashford (GK): Saxon Tigers / Teddington / Richmond
Kate Maxey: Saxon Tigers / Chelmsford / New Hall
Shona Mccallin: Mercia Lynx / Beeston / Repton
Holly Payne: Mercia Lynx / Leicester / Bablake
Georgia Rawlinson: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Cheltenham College
Alice Sharp: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne
Hayley Turner: Mercia Lynx / Cannock / Kings, Worcester
Jenna Woolven: Mercia Lynx / Reading / Borlase
England Hockey Media release
Vijay strikes five goals
CHANDIGARH: Vijay Jatale struck five goals as Maharashtra overwhelmed Gujarat 17-0 after leading 7-0 at the interval in a Group ‘E’ league match of the 57th all-India Police hockey championship at the Sector-18 Stadium, here on Wednesday.
Coached by Dhanraj Pillay, Maharashtra proved too good for Gujarat as Vinod Nimbore (four), Anmol Bhosale (three), Vinod Mangude (two), Rakesh Kamble, Amit Vesur and Ganesh Gupta slotted the other goals.
In Group ‘H,’ Border Security Force (BSF) outplayed Tripura 9-2 at the Sector 42 Stadium, thanks to four goals by Varinderjit Singh. The other goals for BSF came from Harbhajan Singh, Mandeep Singh, John Jogo, Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh Jr. Tripura had face saving goals from Mahanand Kindo and Barna Bas Nag.
In Group ‘C,’ Orissa bounced back after trailing 0-2 to pip Uttar Pradesh 3-2. Manish Gupta scored two goals to put Uttar Pradesh in a strong position, but Orissa responded through two goals by Jenric Tete, while Bijay Ekka scored the match-winner two minutes before the hooter.
In Group ‘B,’ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was held to a 1-1 draw by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Mangra Munda put CISF ahead in the 28th minute and SSB equalised in the 46th minute through Kishore Lakra.
The Hindu
Thika High School to host hockey league matches
By ERIC ODANGA
Alice Kombe (right) of Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) and Becky Owour of Impala during the 2008 Kenya Hockey Union league match. Photo/FILE
Thika High School is the home ground for Thika Rovers in the Kenya Hockey Union league. According to the fixtures released on Wednesday, Thika Rovers host Barbarians on March 14 when the three KHU Leagues start in Nairobi, Thika, Kisumu and Nakuru.
Martin Milla, the KHU fixtures secretary, said it was highly unlikely that the fixtures would be changed. “We intend to follow the fixtures and changes would only be made under exceptional circumstances,” Milla said.
Champions Kisumu Simba have a tough opening against Strathmore University while the 2008 runners-up Green Sharks play the United States International University, Africa. Twelve teams will compete in the Premier League.
This is as a result of promoting KCA University and USIU-A. No team has been relegated from the Premier League this season.
Some of the teams, among them a Thika-based army side, did not register for the league. Also, Kenyatta University, who played in the 2008 league, will miss out.
According to the season’s fixtures, several tournaments have been slotted in between the league. The first one is the annual Vaisakhi International tournament from April 10 to 13 at Nairobi's City Park Stadium.
The Kinshen Cup and the Wazalendo Invitational share the same weekend of May 1 to 3 and a new tournament, the Nyanza Open, is slated for May 30 to June 1.
Daily Nation
India tour cancelled
Hockey New Zealand advises that the proposed tour to India by the Black Sticks Women in April has been cancelled.
India Hockey has postponed the four nation’s tournament due to a clash with general elections in India and has rescheduled the tournament in September. Unfortunately due to existing commitments (Oceania Cup in late August and NHL in September) the Black Sticks will no longer participate in the tournament.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
No Terror shadow over hockey
Mihir Vasavda
Mumbai: Putting to rest doubts regarding India hosting the hockey World Cup in 2010, the international hockey federation (FIH) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have confirmed that New Delhi would stage the event. The game's governing body, however, will monitor the situation carefully.
After the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, doubts were raised over the hockey mega event being held in India.
Allaying fears, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said they are in constant touch with the FIH and all the federations and there are "no doubts" over India hosting the World Cup.
"Security is always an issue be it an event of any scale. We have to be very careful. The state and the central government will also be involved. We assure all of you of a safe Games and the World Cup."
Speaking to DNA, a senior FIH official said security is an extremely important issue considering it is out of control of all parties involved in hosting the World Cup.
"The FIH is monitoring the situation carefully. The developments in the sub-continent are worrying, especially because they have nothing to do with sports and are completely out of control of all parties involved in the 2010 World Cup. But we are in constant touch with the IOA and all the Indian authorities," the official said.
The highly placed official ruled out the possibility of moving the World Cup out of India. "At this stage, the 2010 FIH men's World Cup will take place in India," he said.
Australian coach Ric Charlesworth had raised doubt over security in the sub-continent and whether it would be safe to hold the event.
The FIH official said it has been sending its team for assessing security measures constantly and a delegation has already visited New Delhi twice this year.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Sohail, Waseem available for Asia Cup
From our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas and former captain Waseem Ahmad have confirmed their availability to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup in May. Both players will reach Pakistan on April 19 and they will join the Pakistan camp from the next day. Secretary PHF Muhammad Asif Bajwa confirmed that Club Rotterdam has allowed both players to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup. "Sohail and Waseem's inclusion will be a good sign for the Pakistan team. Pakistan need senior players in the team to raise a winning combination for the Asia Cup, and we hope that forward Rehan Butt and goalkeeper Salman Akbar will also get permission from their club to represent Pakistan before the Asia Cup," Bajwa said.
The News International
Sohail and Waseem are available for Asia Cup
Staff Report
LAHORE: Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas and former captain Waseem Ahmad have announced their availability to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup to be held in May this year. “Both players will reach Pakistan on April 19 and they will join the national camp on April 20,” a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) told reporters on Wednesday.
PHF general secretary Muhammad Asif Bajwa said the Club Rotterdam had allowed both players to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup. “Comeback of Sohail and Waseem is a good sign for Pakistan hockey. Pakistan need senior players in the team to make the winning combination for the Asia Cup,” added the PHF official. He said the PHF hoped that forward Rehan Butt and goalkeeper Salman Akbar would also get permission from their European club to represent Pakistan before the Asia Cup.
Sohail and Waseem announced retirement from international hockey after the 2004 Champions Trophy in Lahore. After the announcement both players joined league hockey in Europe. Sohail represented Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Waseem represented Pakistan WAPDA in the 56th National Hockey Championship earlier this year. Sohail received the highest goal-scorer award at the conclusion of the national championship. Sohail is the world record holder of scoring 274 goals in 224 international matches.
Meanwhile, PHF president Qasim Zia, chief selector Hassan Sardar, Olympians Rana Mujahid Ali, Anjum Saeed, Mansoor Ahmad and Akhlaq Ahmad have welcomed the decision of Sohail and Waseem to return to international hockey. They said after the inclusion of senior players the Pakistan squad would be strengthened and the morale of junior players would get a boost. They hoped that Pakistan would win the Asia Cup and qualify for the World Cup.
The Daily Times
Pak manager wants Asian Champions Trophy on grass
by K. Arumugam in Johor Bahru
“You play well, win or lose is at the hands of the Almighty, I believe in this” is what Pakistan manager had to say on the eve of the 4-Nation tournament in Johor Bahru.
Kwja Md. Junaid, who claims to have played 300 matches for Pakistan, is here as the Coach of the Junior Team.
“This team is capable of winning here, we have good individual skills, it depends on how we perform on a particular day. To win a medal, here or elsewhere, we need to groom players, and we are on this mission”, he said.
Junaid was assistant coach of Pakistan for the last Junior World Cup. He also coached the Chinese team for a brief spell.
Replying to a query, he said that in the West children start play hockey at the early ages, that too on synthetic turf, which is not possible in this part of the world. It is therefore ideal to have some tournaments on grass. “at least for the nostalgic sake”, he quipped.
Apart from the turf ground, the main reason for Asians not doing well at global level is due to the absence of competitions. “How many tournaments take place here?” he asked.
“We need to organize quality tournaments such as Champions Trophy, we should play more between us as well”.
“Hockey on turf is excellent, I don’t deny it, it should go on. But there is no harm if we organize one or two tournament on grass also. Grass has its own charm that none can deny”, he argued.
Terming the Pakistan team in Johor Bahru has some outstanding talents, he painted a positive picture of Pakistan hockey. “These players are here to be groomed for future. It is their and my dream to see they play for Pakistan”.
Pakistan played two matches here in the run up to the tournament. First one was 3-3 draw while Pakistan over run the hosts in the next (7-1).
Stick2Hockey.com
FIH publishes Rules of Hockey 2009
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has published the Rules of Hockey which come into effect from 1 May 2009. From this date, they will apply to all matches at international level. National Associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level.
A starting date is specified but not an end date. FIH will avoid implementing changes to these Rules before 2011 and perhaps beyond. However, in exceptional circumstances FIH retains the right to make changes which will be notified to National Associations and published on the FIH website: www.worldhockey.org.
One of the objectives of the FIH and therefore of the Hockey Rules Board is to decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play. With this in mind, the Rule specifying how a free hit is taken has been reviewed. The player taking the free hit may use a “self-pass”. This enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit.
In addition, attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area have been reviewed in general and in relation to the “self-pass”. The HRB is concerned that the ball is often played hard, indiscriminately and therefore potentially dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 metres area. The 2009 Rules specify that these free hits must not be played directly into the circle.
These revised Rules are referred to as Mandatory Experimental Rules. They are mandatory because they must be played throughout hockey; they are experimental to show that they will be reviewed after experience before deciding if they become permanent Rules.
These are the main changes in the Rules. Other small changes to wording and some additional notes provide improved interpretation and explanation of certain Rules.
The Rules are provided here on the FIH website. The rules books are currently being printed and will be available in a few weeks.
WorldHockey
New hockey rules to take effect from May: FIH
KARACHI: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has published the rules of hockey which come into effect from May 1.
The new rules will apply to all matches at international level. National associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level, an FIH statement said on Wednesday.
A starting date is specified but not an end date. FIH will avoid implementing changes to these rules before 2011 and perhaps beyond.
However, in exceptional circumstances, FIH retains the right to make changes which will be notified to national associations.
One of the objectives of the FIH and therefore of the Hockey Rules Board is to decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play.
With this in mind, the rule specifying how a free hit is taken has been reviewed. The player taking the free hit may use a "self-pass". This enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit.
In addition, attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area have been reviewed in general and in relation to the "self-pass". The board is concerned that the ball is often played hard, indiscriminately and, therefore, potentially dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 metres area.
The 2009 rules specify that these free hits must not be played directly into the circle.
These revised rules are referred to as Mandatory Experimental Rules. They are mandatory because they must be played throughout hockey; they are experimental to show that they will be reviewed after experience before deciding if they become permanent rules.
The Times of India
Hockeyroos star retires on top
Australia’s most capped female hockey player, Nikki Hudson, announced her retirement from the sport today at the State Hockey Centre, Brisbane.
Following recurring hamstring injuries which have plagued her over the past couple of years, Hudson today stated that she had fulfilled every goal she aspired to on the hockey field and believed now was the right time to announce her retirement from the sport.
“I feel the timing is right, as I have achieved all I ever wanted on the hockey field. I have been very fortunate to have played at three Olympics, which is the pinnacle for any hockey player,” said Hudson.
“Injuries I have been carrying for the past couple of years are causing me grief, and now I think I’m ready for life after hockey,” she said.
The announcement was first made public to her team mates in the dressing room following the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers game against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday night.
Although the thought of a fourth Olympic Games sat in the back of her mind, Hudson’s body was telling her it time to move on from the sport she has played at the elite open level for 16 years.
“I have made some wonderful friendships through the sport of hockey and played under some great coaches. I will miss the sport that has been such a big piece of my life for the past twenty six years,” Hudson stated.
Hudson has decided not to play on with the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers for the remainder of this year’s Australian Hockey League, but hopes to play club hockey on the Gold Coast later this year.
Making her debut for the Hockeyroos as a seventeen-year-old, Hudson has played 303 international matches and scored 99 goals as an Australian striker.
The highlight of Hudson's career was competing for the Gold Medal winning Hockeyroos at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, where she was awarded top scorer at the tournament with six goals.
Hudson who played for the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers from 1993-2008 also represented Australia at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy Tournaments in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Hockey Australia and Hockey Queensland congratulates Nikki on her stellar hockey career and extends sincere gratitude to Nikki for her contribution to the sport of hockey.
NIKKI HUDSON OAM
DOB: 6 July 1976
Position: Striker
Hockeyroos Shirt Number: 32
International Matches: 303
International Goals: 99
Australian Debut: 1993
Participation in International Tournaments:
Olympic Games
2008 Beijing 5th
2004 Athens 5th
2000 Sydney 1st
World Cup
2006 Madrid 2nd
2002 Perth 4th
1998 Utrecht 1st
Champions Trophy
2008 Monchengladbach 5th
2006 Amsterdam 5th
2005 Canberra 2nd
2004 Rosario 4th
2002 Macau 4th
2001 Amsterdam 3rd
2000 Amsterdam 3rd
1999 Brisbane 1st
1997 Berlin 1st
1995 Mar Del Plata 1st
Commonwealth Games
2006 Melbourne 1st
2002 Manchester 3rd
1998 Kuala Lumpur 1st
Junior World Cup
1997 Korea 2nd
International/Domestic awards :
Captain of the World Eleven Team in 2006
Young Australian Sportsperson of the year
Hockey Australia media release
Hockeyroos veteran Nikki Hudson announces her retirement from international hockey
Australia's most capped women's hockey player Nikki Hudson has announced her retirement from the sport, ending her 16-year international career.
Hudson, 32, had initially wanted to play on at the 2012 London Games after the Hockeyroos' disappointment at the Beijing Olympics where the Australian women finished fifth.
However, Hudson said her body had had enough.
"Injuries I have been carrying for the past couple of years are causing me grief and now I think I'm ready for life after hockey," she said.
"I feel the timing is right as I have achieved all I ever wanted on the hockey field.
"I have been very fortunate to have played at three Olympics which is the pinnacle for any hockey player."
Hudson, a Sydney Olympic gold medallist, played 303 internationals and scored 99 goals.
She is the only Hockeyroo to break the 300-game barrier.
Fox Sports
India struggle, but gains full points
K. Arumugam
Even as penalty corner conversions remained a sore point, India managed to retrieve full three points against Malaysia in their first match of the Genting 4-Nation Junior tournament. India won the hosts 3-1.
Debutante Victo Singh made his first match memorable by latching on to a rebound in the final moments before the hooter, to pep up the frustrated team’s morale. The team was definitely found wanting in scoring skills, struggling to finish despite garnering seven of the total dozen penalty corners in the first session.
Diwakar Ram converted India’s 9th penalty corner in the 44th minute to give India a 2-1 lead. Three minute earlier, Malaysia made use of their first penalty corner to neutralize Victo Singh’s effort. Tajudin Izwan was the goal tender.
Hard working winger Jaykaran finished off a melee in style to put India on the strong pedal.
India in all got 12 penalty corners, but Diwakar was off the target many times. Malaysian goalkeeper Adnan Hakim too was at his elements.
Malaysians seemed to have done their homework better, as their first rusher could thwart Indian ace Diwakar’s unifocal middle of the net flicks. Some indirect variation was also tried by India, but in vain.
Young Malaysians made some good moves late in second half but the Indian defence stood firm. Malaysia even got three penalty corners continuously without fructifying any.
Chief coach AK Bansal was seemingly unhappy, though he is fully aware of the fact that the new turf was difficult to negotiate.
“Well, am happy we won the match, got three points. We could have definitely played better, but in every tournament the first match is difficult one”, he said.
Earlier in the first match, Pakistan defeated Singapore 8-0. Captain Abdul Haseem posted four goals. All Pakistan’s goals were throu’ field efforts.
India will take on Singapore tomorrow in the first match, while the hosts engage Pakistan in the second.
Stick2Hockey.com
India colts beat Malaysia in Genting four-nation tournament
MALAYSIA: India defeated hosts Malaysia 3-1 in their opening encounter of the Genting four-nation U-21 hockey tournament at Taman Daya Stadium on Wednesday.
The Indian colts, who led 1-0 at the half time, found the goals through debutant Victo Singh (35th min), skipper Diwakar Ram (47th min) and Jay Karan (50th min), while Ahmad Tajuddin (44th min) was the lone scorer for Malaysia.
India began their proceedings on a fast pace but under constant drizzle and forced a penalty corner in the opening minute after striker Pramod Kumar was obstructed in the striking circle, only to see Diwakar flick the ball straight to the Malaysian custodian Adnan Abdul Hakim.
The Indians were the better side on display and dominated the entire match but Diwakar was not at his usual best and could score only once from as many as eleven penalty corners.
India should have broken the ice in the eighth minute of the match when Jay Karan was set up by Danish Mujtaba, but the crafty striker failed to drive home the ball.
The match also witnessed both the teams taking time to adapt to the new International Hockey Federation (FIH) free hit rules in the 23mt area.
The hosts committed numerous defensive lapses and paid the price just before half time when Victo, donning the national colours for the first time, finished off from a Belsajar Horo pass.
But Malaysia came back strongly after the break and found the equalizer from a penalty corner set piece deflection by Tajuddin.
India, however, tightened their belts scoring two goals in a span of three minutes. First, Diwakar sank one low to Hakim's left and then Jay Karan completed the tally after moving in tandem with Pramod Kumar.
India will next play Singapore on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Pakistan thrashed Singapore 8-0 in a one-sided encounter.
The goal hunt was led by skipper Haseem Khan (four), Inayatullah, Adeel Husain, Mohd Toufeeq and Umar Mohd Bhutta.
The Times of India
Defensive Juniors fall to speedy Indians
By Ajitpal Singh
THE National Juniors hardly went forward and their tactics to defend still proved not good enough to stop India from winning their opening Four-Nation Invitational Tournament match 3-1 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
Despite the defeat, the Malaysians can stand proud as they played well as a unit, unlike in previous matches, but the speedy Indians proved too much to handle.
In the first half, the Malaysians foiled six penalty corner attempts with goalkeeper Abdul Hakim Adnan at his best, but a defensive mix-up by the hosts allowed India to take the lead through Victo Singh in the 35th minute.
Keeping their cool, Malaysia equalised through Izwan Firdaus Tajuddin who scored from a penalty corner set-piece in the 44th minute.
But just three minutes later, Diwakar Ram regained the lead for India with a penalty corner goal. India scored their third through Karan Jay's field attempt in the 50th minute.
Malaysia coach K. Rajan said his charges were let down by defensive errors.
"My boys stood their ground in the first half but India's relentless attacks broke their momentum. I need to do some work on the defence," said Rajan yesterday.
"Overall, I'm happy with my charges but they will need to be cautious against Pakistan tomorrow (today)."
Earlier, Abdul Haseem Khan scored four goals as Pakistan destroyed Singapore 8-0.
Abdul Haseen scored in the fourth, 26th, 34th and 66th minutes. Inayat Ullah (eight), Adeel Hussain Syed (23rd), Muhd Toufeeq (61st) and Muhd Umar Bhutta (66th) were the other scorers
New Straits Times
Indians stamp supremacy
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia fell 1-3 to India in their opening match of a four-nation junior hockey tournament at the Taman Daya Stadium here yesterday, leaving them with plenty of hard work ahead.
It was a scoreline which reflected India’s superiority and with the maturity their players showed, Malaysia were found wanting time and again.
Team manager Johari Abdul Aziz said: “But the good thing that came out of today’s match was that we were willing to match the Indians in all aspects of the game.
“But our defending was a letdown. Once under pressure, we gave the ball away too easily and it was to cost us dearly.”
In fact, India’s superiority was evident from the start as they kept the pressure on the Malaysian defence with their fluidity in attack.
It was only the Malaysians’ determination and the heroics of goalkeeper Abdul Hakim Adnan that kept the Indians at bay. But there was nothing the backline could do as forward Victo Singh, making his debut with the Indian team, spun around in the D as the Malaysian defence stood rooted to put his side ahead in the very last minute of the first half.
But there was an equaliser from Malaysia in the 43rd minute via a penalty corner which took a deflection off Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin’s outstretched stick to end up in the left hand corner of India’s goal.
India could not be kept at bay for long and in the 47th minute they struck from a penalty corner, which Diwakar Ram converted with such deadly accuracy. India were further rewarded in the 50th minute with Jay Karan adding the third goal with a backflick and India’s supremacy was confirmed.
The Indian had 12 penalty corners against three for Malaysia.
In an earlier match, Pakistan steamrolled Singapore 8-0 with skipper Abdul Haseem Khan scoring a hat-trick.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan Jrs beat Singapore 8-0
From our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan juniors outplayed Singapore 8-0 in the opening match of the four-nation Invitational Junior Hockey in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Wednesday. According to details, captain Abdul Haseem Khan scored the first hat-trick of the tournament. At the end of the first half Pakistan team were leading by 5-0. Abdul Haseem Khan scored four goals in all, while Inayat Ullah, Muhammad Taufeeq, Omer Bhutta and Adeel Hussain netted once each. Pakistan will now face host Malaysia in the second match on Thursday (today). Pakistan will play its last pool match on Friday against India.
The News International
SA men’s hockey teams in tough series
By Jonathan Cook
THE South African men’s hockey team have one win from two games in their tri-series with Germany and Russia in Bloemfontein.
In their most recent Test match on Tuesday night, SA beat Russia 4-0 after the teams had changed over with the score 0-0. With 17 minutes left in the match SA were 2-0 after Durban’s Gareth Carr found the back of the net twice. SA finished with two more goals for a confidence-building win after they had lost 6-1 to Germany on Monday night.
Against Germany, new SA captain Austin Smith’s side were 3-1 down at half-time with Western Province’s Adam Wilson netting for the home country.
However, Germany’s skill in the South African 22, their incisive running along the baseline and penalty-corner prowess proved strong for the home side on the night.
The SA U21 side are also taking part in Bloemfontein as they prepare for the Junior World Cup in Malaysia in June, and they met Russia on Monday evening.
After the scores were 2-2 at the break, Russia eventually won 3-2 with the SA goals coming from University of Cape Town student Antony Vervoort’s drag flick and Durban man Mondli Dlamini’s penalty-corner rebound.
The Witness - © www.witness.co.za 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
T&T tackle Brazil in fifth place semis
Nigel Simon
Buoyed by its first win of the Third Pan American Men’s Hockey Cup in Santiago, Chile, 10-0 over Uruguay on Tuesday, T&T will face Brazil in the fifth to eight place semifinal today.
The match-up between, T&T, third in Group A, and Group B cellar-placed team, Brazil flicks off at 3 pm and will be followed by the other fifth to eight place semifinal between Uruguay and Mexico and 5.30 pm at the Prince of Wales Country Club, Las Arañas, La Reina. In its three matches to date, the Calypso “Stick-men” suffered a 4–3 loss to USA after leading 3–1 with nine minutes left, followed by a 7–0 pounding from Argentina before hammering Uruguay-led by a hat-trick from Mickell Pierre in the battle of winless teams for its first points on Tuesday.
The Brazilians suffered a 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Chile (seven points), which won Pool B on goal-difference from Canada.
The Canadians had earlier defeated Mexico 7-0.
Today’s matches
Fifth to Eight place playoff
T&T vs Brazil, 3 pm.
Mexico vs Uruguay, 5.30 pm.
The Trinidad Guardian
U16 and U18 national age group squad announced
England Hockey has today announced the four 18-athlete squads set to take part in the U16 and U18 Easter Invitational four nations tournaments in Nottingham and Seville.
All four sides will take on their Dutch, German and Spanish counterparts over the weekend of 10-13 April 2009. The U16 and U18 girls’ tournament takes place at Highfield Sports Club in Nottingham while the U16 and U18 boys travel to Seville, Spain, for their event.
The squads are as follows:
U16 Boys (Head Coach Nick Clark)
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Tom Batchelor: Saxon Tigers / East Grinstead / Cranleigh
Adam Clarke: Wessex Leopards / Guernsey / Elizabeth College
Nat Crawley: Saxon Tigers / Reigate Priory / St Bedes
Brendan Creed: Pennine Pumas / Bowdon / Altrincham GS for Boys
Luke Emmet: Wessex Leopards / Chichester Priory / Bishop Luffa School
Richard Flint: Pennine Pumas / Preston / St Anne’s
Jonny Gall: Saxon Tigers / Ipswich / Ipswich
Harry Gibson (GK): Wessex Leopards / ECV Hornets / Uffchulme
Dave Goodfield: Mercia Lynx / Telford / Charlton School
Josh Guy: Pennine Pumas / / Weaverham High
Jack Hardy: Mercia Lynx / Reading / Pangbourne College
George Lilley: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / William Edwards
Chris Linney: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / ACS Hillingdon
Ben Mackey: Wessex Leopards / Havant / Springfield School
David Overton (GK): Saxon Tigers / Beeston / St George’s
Matt Parker: Mercia Lynx / Beeston / Worksop College
Joe Sharp: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne School
Sam Temple-Baxter: Saxon Tigers / Alford / JSTC
U16 Girls (Head Coach Sue Chandler)
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Grace Balsdon: Saxon Tigers / Canterbury / Kent College, Canterbury
Gemma Brookes (GK): - / Stourport / Chantry High School
Martine Chicenzola: Wessex Leopards / Teddington / Godolphin & Latimer
Emily Court: Mercia Lynx / Rover Oxford / Kings High, Warwick
Charlotte Cox: Wessex Leopards / Chichester / St Phillip Howard
Sophie Crosley: Saxon Tigers / Sevenoaks / Bromley High
Elisa Filarmonica: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / Queenswood
Jessica Hickman: Mercia Lynx / Leicester / Leicester Grammar
Lucy Hyams: Saxon Tigers / Canterbury / Kent College, Canterbury
Joanna Leigh: Pennine Pumas / Bradford / Wakefield Girls
Jessica Orrett: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Millfield
Alice Pyrgos: Wessex Leopards / Trojans / Bryanston
Maddie Tait: Saxon Tigers / Surbiton / St George’s
Amy Tennant (GK): Pennine Pumas / Bowdon / Altrincham Grammar
Lauren Thomas: Mercia Lynx / Buckingham / Aylesbury High School
Anna-Frances Toman: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne
Elizabeth Totten: Pennine Pumas / Poynton / Cheadle Hulme
Latasha Webb: Mercia Lynx / Cannock / Ecclesbourne
U18 Boys (Head Coach Craig Keegan)
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Nick Bandurak: Mercia Lynx / Cannock / Wolverhampton Grammar
Tom Batchelor (GK): Wessex Leopards / Havant / Havant College
Dominic Bowden: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Millfield
Andrew Bull: Pennine Pumas / Brooklands MU / Holy Cross
Will Byas: Pennine Pumas / Doncaster / Repton
Will Collins: Mercia Lynx / City of P’borough / Uppingham School
Alex Czerniewski: Mercia Lynx / Coventry & NW / Lawrence Sheriff
David Devey: Mercia Lynx / Stourport / Bridgenorth
Phil Dutoy: Pennine Pumas / Bowdon / Holmes Chapel
Scott Evans: Pennine Pumas / Brooklands MU / Holy Cross
George Farrant: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Millfield
Mark Galloway: Pennine Pumas / Preston / Newman
Nick Giles: Pennine Pumas / Formby / Formby High
Peter Jackson: Pennine Pumas / Brooklands MU / Congleton
Aathavan Lingeswaren: Wessex Leopards / / Whitgift
Harry Martin: Saxon Tigers / Old Loughtonians / Ipswich School
Patrick Smith (GK): Mercia Lynx / Southgate / SWCHS
Ben Stoney: Pennine Pumas / Sheffield Halam / Birkdale
U18 Girls
Junior Regional Performance Centre Squad / Club / School
Emily Atkinson: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Clifton College
Louisa Boddy: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne
Holly Brown: Mercia Lynx / Doncaster / Worksop
Holly Chipman: Wessex Leopards / Olton & WW / Cheltenham College
Charlotte Crampton-Smith: Wessex Leopards / / Millfield
Sarah Haycroft: Wessex Leopards / Surbiton / Kingston Grammar
Sabbie Heesh (GK): Mercia Lynx / Belper / John Port
Lucy Horn: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Bablake
Josie Inverdale: Wessex Leopards / Reading / Reeds
Rachel Mack: Mercia Lynx / Olton / Bromsgrove
Jennifer Mashford (GK): Saxon Tigers / Teddington / Richmond
Kate Maxey: Saxon Tigers / Chelmsford / New Hall
Shona Mccallin: Mercia Lynx / Beeston / Repton
Holly Payne: Mercia Lynx / Leicester / Bablake
Georgia Rawlinson: Wessex Leopards / Firebrands / Cheltenham College
Alice Sharp: Mercia Lynx / Belper / Ecclesbourne
Hayley Turner: Mercia Lynx / Cannock / Kings, Worcester
Jenna Woolven: Mercia Lynx / Reading / Borlase
England Hockey Media release
Vijay strikes five goals
CHANDIGARH: Vijay Jatale struck five goals as Maharashtra overwhelmed Gujarat 17-0 after leading 7-0 at the interval in a Group ‘E’ league match of the 57th all-India Police hockey championship at the Sector-18 Stadium, here on Wednesday.
Coached by Dhanraj Pillay, Maharashtra proved too good for Gujarat as Vinod Nimbore (four), Anmol Bhosale (three), Vinod Mangude (two), Rakesh Kamble, Amit Vesur and Ganesh Gupta slotted the other goals.
In Group ‘H,’ Border Security Force (BSF) outplayed Tripura 9-2 at the Sector 42 Stadium, thanks to four goals by Varinderjit Singh. The other goals for BSF came from Harbhajan Singh, Mandeep Singh, John Jogo, Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh Jr. Tripura had face saving goals from Mahanand Kindo and Barna Bas Nag.
In Group ‘C,’ Orissa bounced back after trailing 0-2 to pip Uttar Pradesh 3-2. Manish Gupta scored two goals to put Uttar Pradesh in a strong position, but Orissa responded through two goals by Jenric Tete, while Bijay Ekka scored the match-winner two minutes before the hooter.
In Group ‘B,’ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was held to a 1-1 draw by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Mangra Munda put CISF ahead in the 28th minute and SSB equalised in the 46th minute through Kishore Lakra.
The Hindu
Thika High School to host hockey league matches
By ERIC ODANGA
Alice Kombe (right) of Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) and Becky Owour of Impala during the 2008 Kenya Hockey Union league match. Photo/FILE
Thika High School is the home ground for Thika Rovers in the Kenya Hockey Union league. According to the fixtures released on Wednesday, Thika Rovers host Barbarians on March 14 when the three KHU Leagues start in Nairobi, Thika, Kisumu and Nakuru.
Martin Milla, the KHU fixtures secretary, said it was highly unlikely that the fixtures would be changed. “We intend to follow the fixtures and changes would only be made under exceptional circumstances,” Milla said.
Champions Kisumu Simba have a tough opening against Strathmore University while the 2008 runners-up Green Sharks play the United States International University, Africa. Twelve teams will compete in the Premier League.
This is as a result of promoting KCA University and USIU-A. No team has been relegated from the Premier League this season.
Some of the teams, among them a Thika-based army side, did not register for the league. Also, Kenyatta University, who played in the 2008 league, will miss out.
According to the season’s fixtures, several tournaments have been slotted in between the league. The first one is the annual Vaisakhi International tournament from April 10 to 13 at Nairobi's City Park Stadium.
The Kinshen Cup and the Wazalendo Invitational share the same weekend of May 1 to 3 and a new tournament, the Nyanza Open, is slated for May 30 to June 1.
Daily Nation
India tour cancelled
Hockey New Zealand advises that the proposed tour to India by the Black Sticks Women in April has been cancelled.
India Hockey has postponed the four nation’s tournament due to a clash with general elections in India and has rescheduled the tournament in September. Unfortunately due to existing commitments (Oceania Cup in late August and NHL in September) the Black Sticks will no longer participate in the tournament.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
No Terror shadow over hockey
Mihir Vasavda
Mumbai: Putting to rest doubts regarding India hosting the hockey World Cup in 2010, the international hockey federation (FIH) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have confirmed that New Delhi would stage the event. The game's governing body, however, will monitor the situation carefully.
After the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, doubts were raised over the hockey mega event being held in India.
Allaying fears, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said they are in constant touch with the FIH and all the federations and there are "no doubts" over India hosting the World Cup.
"Security is always an issue be it an event of any scale. We have to be very careful. The state and the central government will also be involved. We assure all of you of a safe Games and the World Cup."
Speaking to DNA, a senior FIH official said security is an extremely important issue considering it is out of control of all parties involved in hosting the World Cup.
"The FIH is monitoring the situation carefully. The developments in the sub-continent are worrying, especially because they have nothing to do with sports and are completely out of control of all parties involved in the 2010 World Cup. But we are in constant touch with the IOA and all the Indian authorities," the official said.
The highly placed official ruled out the possibility of moving the World Cup out of India. "At this stage, the 2010 FIH men's World Cup will take place in India," he said.
Australian coach Ric Charlesworth had raised doubt over security in the sub-continent and whether it would be safe to hold the event.
The FIH official said it has been sending its team for assessing security measures constantly and a delegation has already visited New Delhi twice this year.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Sohail, Waseem available for Asia Cup
From our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas and former captain Waseem Ahmad have confirmed their availability to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup in May. Both players will reach Pakistan on April 19 and they will join the Pakistan camp from the next day. Secretary PHF Muhammad Asif Bajwa confirmed that Club Rotterdam has allowed both players to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup. "Sohail and Waseem's inclusion will be a good sign for the Pakistan team. Pakistan need senior players in the team to raise a winning combination for the Asia Cup, and we hope that forward Rehan Butt and goalkeeper Salman Akbar will also get permission from their club to represent Pakistan before the Asia Cup," Bajwa said.
The News International
Sohail and Waseem are available for Asia Cup
Staff Report
LAHORE: Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas and former captain Waseem Ahmad have announced their availability to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup to be held in May this year. “Both players will reach Pakistan on April 19 and they will join the national camp on April 20,” a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) told reporters on Wednesday.
PHF general secretary Muhammad Asif Bajwa said the Club Rotterdam had allowed both players to represent Pakistan in the Asia Cup. “Comeback of Sohail and Waseem is a good sign for Pakistan hockey. Pakistan need senior players in the team to make the winning combination for the Asia Cup,” added the PHF official. He said the PHF hoped that forward Rehan Butt and goalkeeper Salman Akbar would also get permission from their European club to represent Pakistan before the Asia Cup.
Sohail and Waseem announced retirement from international hockey after the 2004 Champions Trophy in Lahore. After the announcement both players joined league hockey in Europe. Sohail represented Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Waseem represented Pakistan WAPDA in the 56th National Hockey Championship earlier this year. Sohail received the highest goal-scorer award at the conclusion of the national championship. Sohail is the world record holder of scoring 274 goals in 224 international matches.
Meanwhile, PHF president Qasim Zia, chief selector Hassan Sardar, Olympians Rana Mujahid Ali, Anjum Saeed, Mansoor Ahmad and Akhlaq Ahmad have welcomed the decision of Sohail and Waseem to return to international hockey. They said after the inclusion of senior players the Pakistan squad would be strengthened and the morale of junior players would get a boost. They hoped that Pakistan would win the Asia Cup and qualify for the World Cup.
The Daily Times
Pak manager wants Asian Champions Trophy on grass
by K. Arumugam in Johor Bahru
“You play well, win or lose is at the hands of the Almighty, I believe in this” is what Pakistan manager had to say on the eve of the 4-Nation tournament in Johor Bahru.
Kwja Md. Junaid, who claims to have played 300 matches for Pakistan, is here as the Coach of the Junior Team.
“This team is capable of winning here, we have good individual skills, it depends on how we perform on a particular day. To win a medal, here or elsewhere, we need to groom players, and we are on this mission”, he said.
Junaid was assistant coach of Pakistan for the last Junior World Cup. He also coached the Chinese team for a brief spell.
Replying to a query, he said that in the West children start play hockey at the early ages, that too on synthetic turf, which is not possible in this part of the world. It is therefore ideal to have some tournaments on grass. “at least for the nostalgic sake”, he quipped.
Apart from the turf ground, the main reason for Asians not doing well at global level is due to the absence of competitions. “How many tournaments take place here?” he asked.
“We need to organize quality tournaments such as Champions Trophy, we should play more between us as well”.
“Hockey on turf is excellent, I don’t deny it, it should go on. But there is no harm if we organize one or two tournament on grass also. Grass has its own charm that none can deny”, he argued.
Terming the Pakistan team in Johor Bahru has some outstanding talents, he painted a positive picture of Pakistan hockey. “These players are here to be groomed for future. It is their and my dream to see they play for Pakistan”.
Pakistan played two matches here in the run up to the tournament. First one was 3-3 draw while Pakistan over run the hosts in the next (7-1).
Stick2Hockey.com
FIH publishes Rules of Hockey 2009
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has published the Rules of Hockey which come into effect from 1 May 2009. From this date, they will apply to all matches at international level. National Associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level.
A starting date is specified but not an end date. FIH will avoid implementing changes to these Rules before 2011 and perhaps beyond. However, in exceptional circumstances FIH retains the right to make changes which will be notified to National Associations and published on the FIH website: www.worldhockey.org.
One of the objectives of the FIH and therefore of the Hockey Rules Board is to decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play. With this in mind, the Rule specifying how a free hit is taken has been reviewed. The player taking the free hit may use a “self-pass”. This enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit.
In addition, attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area have been reviewed in general and in relation to the “self-pass”. The HRB is concerned that the ball is often played hard, indiscriminately and therefore potentially dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 metres area. The 2009 Rules specify that these free hits must not be played directly into the circle.
These revised Rules are referred to as Mandatory Experimental Rules. They are mandatory because they must be played throughout hockey; they are experimental to show that they will be reviewed after experience before deciding if they become permanent Rules.
These are the main changes in the Rules. Other small changes to wording and some additional notes provide improved interpretation and explanation of certain Rules.
The Rules are provided here on the FIH website. The rules books are currently being printed and will be available in a few weeks.
WorldHockey
New hockey rules to take effect from May: FIH
KARACHI: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has published the rules of hockey which come into effect from May 1.
The new rules will apply to all matches at international level. National associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level, an FIH statement said on Wednesday.
A starting date is specified but not an end date. FIH will avoid implementing changes to these rules before 2011 and perhaps beyond.
However, in exceptional circumstances, FIH retains the right to make changes which will be notified to national associations.
One of the objectives of the FIH and therefore of the Hockey Rules Board is to decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play.
With this in mind, the rule specifying how a free hit is taken has been reviewed. The player taking the free hit may use a "self-pass". This enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit.
In addition, attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area have been reviewed in general and in relation to the "self-pass". The board is concerned that the ball is often played hard, indiscriminately and, therefore, potentially dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 metres area.
The 2009 rules specify that these free hits must not be played directly into the circle.
These revised rules are referred to as Mandatory Experimental Rules. They are mandatory because they must be played throughout hockey; they are experimental to show that they will be reviewed after experience before deciding if they become permanent rules.
The Times of India