News for 02 May 2009
Saturday, 02 May 2009 08:31 | 
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All the news for Saturday 2 May 2009
Its official, Brasa is our coach finally
K. Arumugam
In the last one month, stick2hockey.com broke a couple of news on the issue of appointment of Spain's former national coach Jose Brasa as our men's chief coach.
We let you all know all the details right from issue of appointment letter to Brasa's consent, with all professional fee and details
Today (Friday, the 1st May 2009) the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, called a press conference and confirmed Jose Brasa's appointment and divulged all other details. As we have already covered most of these, we request you to visit 'What Newspapers Say Today' for Friday's developments as in those respective newspapers' perspective.
Stick2hockey.com will cover the Kuantan Asia Cup extensively. Since Brasa will also be there, we assure we will bring his perspectives on many current issues as often as we can.
Stick2Hockey.com
Brasa gets top job
Harpreet Kaur Lamba
New Delhi, May 1: Spanish coach Jose Brasa was on Friday appointed as the men’s national hockey coach till the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
A senior International Hockey Federation master coach, Brasa led the Spanish women to the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Talking to this paper from Spain, Brasa said "he was very happy with the offer and was looking ahead to join the national team".
"It is a great opportunity and a big responsibility which I will look to fulfil to the best of my capacity. I will reach New Delhi on Monday to sign my contract, and I am very keen to join the team at the earliest."
The Indian team leave for Kuantan, Malaysia — venue for the Asia Cup tournament — on Sunday and Brasa will join the team in a few days’ time.
"Brasa will soon join the Indian men’s hockey team as the chief coach.
"An agreement between the government of India and Brasa was signed recently in this regard for a period of two years till the next Asiad in 2011," Union ministry of sports joint-secretary Pravir Krishna said here on the day.
The 55-year old will be paid 84,000 euros per annum and will bring along physical trainer David Perez, who will join the team after the Asia Cup. Unhappy with some changes in his final contract, Brasa said, "There was a 180 degree turn when I got the final contract, and I had my doubts.
"The Indian ministry could not meet my demand for a team of 5-6 people, and also my family was no invited. But all this is fine with me at the moment.
"I was firm on two things right from the start — scientific methods of training and up-to-date infrastructure and there wasn’t any cut in that.
"These are minimum requirements for any top hockey playing nation," said Brasa.
"The Indian authorities accepted it, and I accepted the job in return," he added.
Brasa, who will arrive in the city on Monday to complete the formalities, said he would like to work with the national team till the 2010 London Olympic Games and take Indian hockey to newer heights.
The Asian Age
Spanish coach for hockey team
M.S.Unnikrishnan, Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 1: After much dithering and exchange of e-mails, the Government has finally approved the appointment of Spanish coach Jose Brasa as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.
Brasa will come to India on Sunday to sign a formal contract with the Sports Authority of India before accompanying the Indian team to the Asia Cup in Malaysia. Brasa wanted to join the team in Malaysia straight from Spain, but the Indian Government informed him that his appointment could be formalised only after signing the contract, which will enable him to get a work visa.
According to the terms and conditions, Brasa will be paid an annual salary of Euro 84000 (approximately Rs 72 lakh), which will work out to Euro 7000 per month ($9000). His contract intially will be for one and a half years, till the Asian Games in November, 2010. The other important engagement for Indian hockey under him will be the 2010 The Government has also agreed to Brasa's suggestion of hiring Spanish physical trainer David Perez at an annual salary of Euro 60,000.
A senior official in the Sports Ministry said Brasa will have a "significant job" on hand, but he will have to operate within the guidelines framed by the Government. He will train four Indian coaches, including the present national coach Harendra Singh, and give a quarterly report of his evaluatigon about the team, players and the support staff.
The Tribune
Brasa appointed as chief coach of Indian team
Biswajyoti Brahma
NEW DELHI: Euro 84,000 (Rs 55 lakh). This is the amount Jose Brasa would be getting annually to coach the national men’s hockey team.
The Spaniard, who is reaching India on Monday, has agreed in principle to take up the assignment and is expected to sign on the dotted line either on the same day or a day later, a top sports ministry official said on Friday.
The salary, which amounts to 7,000 euro (Rs 4.6 lakh) a month, is much higher than what the country usually offers to foreign coaches, but the ministry has taken the decision "in an attempt to improve the standard of hockey in the country".
The official said that the ministry did not accept all the demands of the Spaniard who had asked for a contract till 2012 Olympics and a fee of 100,000 euros, which was to be increased by 10,000 euros every year.
Brasa had also asked for a five-room house and 50 per cent of his salary as incentive for winning a major tournament like the World Cup.
"We will be giving Brasa a contract till the Asian Games in November 2010 which could be extended subject to a review of the team’s performance. Besides, we will also provide accommodation to his family for 30 days. He has agreed to our offer," he said.
Brasa had also wanted his team of support staff from Spain, but the ministry agreed to only a fitness trainer, David Perez, who would be paid 60,000 euros (Rs 40 lakh) per annum by the government.
The official, however, did not say whether Brasa would be in charge of the team for this month’s Asia Cup since "he’s yet to sign the contract". But he added that once he takes over, he will play a significant role in team affairs, including the selection process.
"But then he will have to work within the rules laid down by the government. He will also have to give a detailed review of the team every quarter."
Incidentally, former coach Australian Ric Charlesworth was getting $12,000 per month for his service which was equally borne by the ministry and the International Hockey Federation (FIH). In Brasa’s case, the Spaniard would be getting less salary but the entire amount would be paid by the ministry.
"The adhoc committee running the game should have negotiated his salary before sending his proposal to us," the official said, suggesting that the committee could have helped the ministry.
The Times of India
Brasa’s appointment approved
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has approved the appointment of Jose Brasa as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team till the 2010 Asian Games.
“Brasa has accepted all the terms and conditions laid before him. He will reach here late on Sunday night and sign the contract with the Sports Authority of India on Monday or Tuesday. After that he will leave for the Asia Cup in Malaysia,” a senior Union Sports Ministry official said here on Friday.
Sources informed that the Ministry became wiser after the unpleasant episode relating to Australian great Ric Charlesworth’s appointment as the Technical Advisor and wanted to complete the formalities before allowing Brasa to join duty.
“Charlesworth had started working on a visitor visa and had signed the contract later. That created a problem while clearing his dues. So, this time we told Brasa to join the team after signing the contract,” the official said. It is learnt that Brasa had asked for a hefty salary of €90,000 per annum and a hike of €10,000 every year.
After negotiations the International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach agreed for a salary of €84,000 per annum. His contract is extendable.
Along with him, Brasa will bring a physical trainer — David Perez — for an annual salary of €60,000. His other support staff will be from India.
The Spaniard, who had coached the Spanish women’s team to gold medal in the 1992 Olympics, will quarterly review the performance of all the Indian players. Besides, he will train four home coaches.
The Hindu
Brasa named Indian hockey coach
Jose Brasa of Spain has been selected as the new Chief Coach for the Indian Men's Hockey team.
"Brasa will soon join the Indian Men's Hockey team as the Chief Coach," Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Sports Pravir Krishna said in Bhopal on Thursday.
An agreement between the Government of India and Brasa was signed recently in this regard for a period of two years, till the next Asiad in 2011. However, there is a possibility that the agreement with the Spaniard coach might be extended till the London Olympics in 2012, Krishna added.
Brasa, who coached the Spanish women's team to a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, made it clear that he would not like any sort of interference in his job.
"A lot needs to be done to improve Indian hockey and I have made it clear that I will run things the way I want to," Brasa told a newspaper.
"I was not happy with the initial contract but over the past two weeks or so, Indian officials seem to have been very keen to hire me. They have constantly been in touch and that has helped settle things," he said.
All the required approvals have already been given by the government to facilitate Brasa's becoming the hockey coach, the Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Sports said.
Soon after completing the formalities, Brasa would join the hockey team in Bhopal.
As part of preparations of Commonwealth Games and Asiad, the Indian Men's hockey team would camp for at least a year in Bhopal, he said.
Earlier, Brasa had sent his demands and a list of requirements to accept the Indian government request to coach the hockey team, sources said.
Besides emphasising on the need of technology and a good physiotherapist, Brasa asked for a staff of 14 people including two from Spain who would accompany him.
Rediff
Spain’s Brasa named India’s new coach
NEW DELHI: Jose Brasa of Spain has been appointed India’s field hockey coach for a two-year term, a sports ministry official said on Friday.
Brasa, a senior International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach, is better known for leading the Spanish women to the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “Brasa will soon join the Indian men’s hockey team as the chief coach,” sports ministry official Pravir Krishna was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. “An agreement between the Government of India and Brasa was signed recently in this regard for a two-year period till the Asian Games in 2010.”
Brasa’s appointment ends the upheaval created by the resignation of Joaquim Carvalho in March last year after the eight-time Olympic champions failed to qualify for the Beijing Games. Australian hockey legend Ric Charlesworth worked briefly as the national team’s technical adviser before returning home in July last year amid growing differences with Indian hockey officials. Former Olympian Maharaj Krishan Kaushik, who was offered the job after Charlesworth’s departure, preferred to continue with the Indian women’s team to which he was contracted until 2010.
Interim appointee Harendra Singh coached India to victory in the Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia last month, but is now expected to work alongside Brasa. The Spaniard, who will be coach until the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November 2010, could see his contract extended to the 2012 London Olympics if he impresses Indian officials.
The Daily Times
Perth-based Jiwa Mohan agrees to rejoin national team
KUALA LUMPUR: Former international Jiwa Mohan has agreed to rejoin the national hockey team on Monday for the Asia Cup, which will be held in Kuantan from May 9-16.
Jiwa, who retired last year and is based in Perth, was recalled by national coach Tai Beng Hai to beef up the midfield and to give the team more options in their penalty corner variations.
National team manager George Koshy said they were happy that Jiwa had agreed to come out of retirement to play in the Asia Cup.
“However, he needs to prove to us that he is still fit and good enough to play in the international matches,” said George.
“We will field him in a friendly against Pakistan on Tuesday.”
Jiwa, who has been working as a mechanical engineer in Perth since last June, has continued playing hockey in Australia.
He represented Curtin Trinity Pirates Club in the Perth League last year and scored 12 goals in 12 matches, earning himself a place in the Northern Territory Stingers team in the Australian Hockey League.
With Jiwa’s presence, there are now 28 players in the team and the final squad of 18 will be named by Thursday.
“The players have been training at the Kuantan pitch since Thursday. They will be given a two-day break after today’s training and will resume training on Monday,” said George.
Malaysia will open their Group A campaign against South Korea on May 9, followed by Bangladesh (May 11) and Japan (May 12).
Defending champions India are in Group B with Pakistan and China.
The Star of Malaysia
Tai cool over bumpy turf
By T.N. Alagesh
NATIONAL coach Tai Beng Hai said the slightly bumpy turf at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan will not affect his team's goal of finishing in the top four of the Asia Cup hockey tournament which will begin next week.
After the national team ended three days of training at the tournament venue yesterday, Beng Hai admitted that the artificial turf was a little bumpy causing the ball to bounce which at times resulted in his players losing ball.
He said the pitch condition, however, will not affect the players during their game and also execution of penalty corner set pieces.
"There is only a slight difference on the pitch, and the players seem to adapt well to the condition here which I believe is good news to the team."
When asked about naming his final 18 for the tournament, Beng Hai said he was is no hurry to make his selection and would only name his final squad on May 7, which would give players more time to impress selectors.
The national team had a pleasant surprise yesterday when Malaysian Hockey Federation president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah turned up to inspect the renovation works at the venue. He later watched the national team play against K. Rajan's National Junior World Cup-bound team.
New Straits Times
Indian hockey team gears up for Asia cup
By R C Sahu
Bhopal, May 1: Indian Hockey team, which is preparing hard for the upcoming Asia Cup, do not want to let go their winning spirit which they gained from their win in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after a hiatus of 13 years.
India’s hockey team posted a spectacular 3-1 win over Malaysia Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on April 12, 2009.
Team coach said they would take each match on its merit and will make strategy to tackle it accordingly.
"It is very essential to win three points compared to practicing for Pakistan or Korea. Sometimes small teams like Bangladesh can also create problems for us. Like once Egypt has done. So, we will strategize match by match. Depending on whom we face in semifinal, we will decide on the strategy," said Harendra Singh, coach-in-charge.
Asia cup hockey tournament will be played from May 9 to 16 in Malaysian city of Kuantan.
Teams in the tournament have been divided into two pools with Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka in pool A and Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh in Pool B.
Indian hockey has been on decline since the 1970s, coinciding with the game’s switch to artificial turf with more emphasis on power, speed and accuracy than deft dribble.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Lee spells danger for BPSS
By Ajitpal Singh
DANGEROUS Lee aims to become the first Sarawakian to capture the top goal scorer award in the Malaysian Hockey League (Under-19).
And Dangerous, rated the best East Malaysian player in the league, is not far off in achieving his dream.
The Kuching-born forward, who turns out for Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), has scored 13 goals, one less than current league top scorer K. Satest of Division Three club Nur Insafi.
"I created history last year when I became the first East Malaysian to play in the league. The exposure has helped me a lot in developing my skill. Becoming the tournament's top scorer is my next goal," said the 17-year-old.
Dangerous will have the chance to increase his goal tally when BJSS, the Division Two champions, take on Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) for the overall title tomorrow at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
He said BPSS are a powerful team and they have the ability to beat his team in the final.
Earlier in the league, BPSS thrashed BJSS 4-1 but the latter took the match lightly as they had won the league before the encounter.
"I played badly in that match and coach (S.Prakash) replaced me. I'm determined to make amends on Sunday (tomorrow). BPSS are very strong defensively and it will be a challenge for me to score goals," said Dangerous, who has the ability to score both field and penalty corner goals.
He said: "Hockey is not a popular sport in Sarawak but I still managed to score more goals than my teammates from the peninsula.
"There is no hockey league in Sarawak and it's difficult for players there to improve on their skills. I was lucky to get the chance to study at BJSS and play hockey for them."
On his unique name, Dangerous said: "My dad (Mathew) gave me that name because he wanted me to be brave. I am happy to live up to the name with my scoring ability in the league. I will go all out to become the top scorer in the league."
Among the other Sarawakians who saw league action this season were Christnall Michael Jieng, Abranden Vylienden Andrew (BJSS Juniors), Dielvin Anak Mula and Melvin Strute Anak Henry Jimod (Petaling Jaya City Council).
FIXTURES -- Tomorrow, Final: Bukit Jalil Sports School v Bandar Penawar Sports School (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm);
3rd-4th: Tenaga Nasional v Petaling Jaya City Council (National Stadium, Pitch II, 3pm).
New Straits Times
Only local holiday for BJSS if they do the double again
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Last year, the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) players were rewarded with a trip to Australia for bagging the double – the League and overall titles.
But this year, even if they were to bag their third straight double there will be no such trips – no thanks to the current global economic crisis.
BJSS, who bagged their seventh straight League title, will face Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) in the final of Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 competition at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
BJSS received RM10,000 for winning the Division Two League and the prize money for the overall title is RM20,000.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said that last year they went to Australia to play in a Pacific School competition after winning the double.
“But this year, with the global economic slowdown, there will be no overseas trip.
“We don’t give out cash incentives to students but will reward them with a holiday in Malaysia,” said Prakash.
“We will also buy equipment, like hockey sticks, shoes and other stuff, for them.”
He said that although the players would not be rewarded with an overseas trip, it would not stop them from giving their best in the final.
“We are not playing for money ... but to continue our reign as the best team in the junior league,” said Prakash.
“We are happy to have won seven League titles in the row ... now we want our fifth overall title.”
BJSS had won the overall title in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.
Prakash expects a torrid time from BPSS, who are gunning for their first overall title.
“The pressure is definitely on my boys to live up to their status as the number one team in the junior league,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Day Five Men’s U21 IPT
It’s semi final time at the Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town today. KZN Coastals will take on the surprise package of the tournament Eastern Province whilst favourites Northern Gauteng take on the SA U19 team.
In the 5th to 8th cross-pool playoffs, KZN Inland take on Western Province whilst Southern Gauteng take on Peninsula. 9th to 12th sees Free State take on Northern Cape whilst Border takes on North West.
Results from yesterday’s matches:
Pool A:
Northern Gauteng 4 – Northern Cape 1
Southern Gautend 2 – KZN Coastal 4
Western Province 8 – Border 4
Pool B:
SA U19 0 – Eastern Province 3
Peninsula 4 – North West 1
KZN Inland 4 – Free State 2
SA Hockey Association media release
Day Six Men’s U21 IPT
KZN Coastals will play the SA U19 team in the final of the Men’s U21 Inter-Provincial Tournament in Cape Town tomorrow. The SA U19 team came from behind to beat Northerns 2 – 1 in the first semi final whilst Coastals thumped Eastern Province 7 – 0 in the second after E.P’s only keeper was injured before the game. It was always going to be tough for E.P after this as a field player had to kit up and play a full game in goals.
In the battle for middle four, Southern Gauteng thumped Peninsula 7 – 1 whilst Western Province’s woes continued after being beaten by a young KZN Inland team 5 – 4 in strokes after the match was 1 – 1 at full time. With seven S.A U21 players in their team, Western Province will be disappointed with a 7th/8th finish at this year’s IPT.
Free State will play Border for 9th/10th which leaves Northern Cape and North West fighting it out for 11th/12th.
Results from the day:
Semi Finals:
SA U19 2 – Northern Gauteng 1
KZN Coastals 7 - Eastern Province 0
5th – 8th:
KZN Inland 1 – Western Province 1 (Inland won 5 – 4 on strokes)
Southern Gauteng 7 - Peninsula 1
9th – 12th:
Free State 10 - Northern Cape 4
Border 5 - North West 3
SA Hockey Association media release
Scottish Cup sees scrappy semi-finals
Scotland’s top talent takes the pitch in the Scottish Cup semi-finals this Saturday 2nd May at Peffermill starting with Azzurri Kelburne against Edinburgh’s Grange at 10:30.
Competitions Convenor Bill Garland said: “'This year's Scottish Cup will see two keenly contested semi-finals. Azzurri Kelburne beat Grange 8-1 back in October but found themselves level 1-1 against the Edinburgh side who put in a top performance in March.
“No doubt Grange will be out to try and better this result while league winners Kelburne will be looking to retain their title from last year.”
Azzurri Kelburne has held the cup since 2006, including beating Grange in the finals last year 4-2. The Paisley side host talent such as Olympians Niall Stott and Mark Ralph but also youth Olympians Kenny Bain, Gordon McIntyre and Ross Stott.
Grange, fourth in the league and boasting internationalists like Robert Barr, Cammy Fraser, David Knipe, Craig Harper and Fergus Dunn, will be looking to break Kelburne’s run but haven’t been able to clinch the cup since 1994.
Closer contests played out this season between other men’s semi-finalists Western Wildcats and Inverleith, who play at 14:00. The two sides drew 2-2 in October and Western pulled off a 3-1 win earlier this spring with the Wildcats ending up second in Subway’s National League with Inverleith on their heels in third place.
Western dominated their own run of the cup in the late 90’s and from 2003-2005. With players like Olympian Graham Moodie, current Scotland seniors Joe and Douglas Simpson and ex-internationalist Vishal Marawaha, the Wildcats will be looking to return to their days of glory.
However, Inverleith want a piece of the pie. Led by Beijing 2008 star Stephen Dick, alongside his brother, goalkeeper Allan Dick, and experienced senior Scotland players Derek Salmond, Chris Grassick, Adam McKenzie and Andrew Sinclair, the club aims to get the cup for the first time since 1975.
A lunch time special is on order for 12:15, as the ladies’ table toppers Bonagrass Grove take the pitch against second place Porcelanosa Kelburne followed by last year’s winners Milne Craig Western, fielding Olympian Laura Bartlett, against Giffnock at 15:45.
Garland commented: “Results between teams in the women’s semis were much closer in the first part of the season but the same teams ran out winners, Grove by 3-1 over Kelburne and Western by 4-2 over Giffnock. There may be an indication that the expected top teams, Grove and Western, are running into form at just the right time.
“However, league positions do not wholly back that up with the Kelburne side, which has taken great strides forward in the past three seasons, clinching second place in the league thus splitting the top two, Grove and Western, for many seasons.”
Since the women’s cup started, 34 years ago in the 1975-76 season, Western has dominated with a whopping 19 title wins.
But Bonagrass Grove has made their mark in recent years taking a handful of titles since 2001. And with a dozen players on tap for Scotland senior women, including experienced players like Linda Clement, Carmin Dow, Becky Merchant and Ailsa Robertson to name a few, the Dundonians seem the team to watch.
Western with their own slew of talent, such as Holly Cram, Sam Judge and Lorna Dobbie will look to defend their reign.
In a bizarre coincidence, recent Subway National league play mirrored the women’s semi-finals with Bonagrass Grove charging over Porcelanosa Kelburne 8-0 and Milne Craig Western beating Giffnock 6-2. Only time will tell if these results are an accurate preview of teams destined for the finals.
Entry to this weekend’s semi-finals is free.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
EHL Final Four: Online tickets now available!
Tickets for “EHL Final Four” – the event which features the Semi Finals and the Final of the Euro Hockey League – are now available to buy online. It is your chance to see the four remaining teams left in the competition battling it out to be crowned Champions of Europe. With many of the world’s greatest players in action, club hockey really does not get any better than this.
The event takes place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2009 in The Netherlands at H.C. Rotterdam – the very same venue that staged the memorable EHL Finals weekend in 2008. Saturday will feature the two Semi Final matches, with the 3rd / 4th place play-off match and the hugely anticipated tournament Final taking place on the Sunday.
The Semi Finals will witness reigning Euro Hockey League champions UHC Hamburg taking on the resilient and unpredictable KHC Leuven of Belgium, while H.C. Bloemendaal aim to defeat host club H.C. Rotterdam in what is likely to be a classic encounter between the two Dutch giants. Many of the game’s greatest talents will be on show in Rotterdam, including Olympic Gold Medallists such as Bloemendaal pairing Teun de Nooijer (Netherlands) and Jamie Dwyer (Australia), as well as Moritz Fürste and Carlos Nevado of UHC Hamburg who won Gold with Germany at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
To purchase online tickets, simply click here and follow the instructions. It is cheaper to buy your tickets online rather than at the venue, so not only do you guarantee your entry but also save money in the process. Parking at the venue is extremely limited, so please take this into consideration before making your travel plans.
To see more details about the EHL Final Four event, please visit www.ehlhockey.tv - the official website of the Euro Hockey League. Be sure not to miss out!
KO16 extended highlights now online
Extended highlights from all twelve of the matches from KO16 Hamburg have been posted on www.ehlhockey.tv, allowing you to watch even more action from this thrilling Euro Hockey League event. Eight matches from Round 2 as well as the four Quarter Finals are on show, including the sensational contest between reining Euro Hockey League champions UHC Hamburg and Club Egara on Day 3 and the penalty shoot-out drama that unfolded between Amsterdam H&BC and H.C. Rotterdam. To read more about this story, click here!
EHL Blogpage goes Live
The Euro Hockey League website is delighted to announce the arrival of our latest feature – the EHL Weblog page! The newest addition to our website gives the opportunity for selected EHL fans from around the globe to offer their thoughts about the latest news from the world’s premier club hockey competition, as well as telling us about what is happening in their area. To read more about this story, please click here!
Belgium's Leuven secure second EHL season
Euro Hockey League semi-finalists KHC Leuven booked themselves a place in next season’s EHL thanks to a fight-back of staggering proportions. The team found themselves 4-0 down at half time in the second Semi Final Play-Off match against Racing HC of Brussels, but produced a stunning second half performance to tie the match 4-4, a score-line good enough to put them in the Play-Off final and guarantee their participation in the EHL next season. To read more about this story, click here!
Polo, Atlétic & Egara storm back into EHL
The familiar Spanish trio of Atlétic Terrassa, RC de Polo de Barcelona and Club Egara will be back in the Euro Hockey League once again next season following a dramatic weekend of action in the Spanish Play-Offs. Atlétic Terrassa bounced back from losing the first of their three Semi Final matches against Club de Campo by winning the next two to reach the tournament Final while RC Polo needed all three matches to finally get the better of Club Egara, who had already achieved EHL qualification by winning the Spanish Cup in December. To read more about this story, click here!
You can find more information about all of these stories and many others at www.ehlhockey.tv – the official website of the Euro Hockey League.
Euro Hockey League media release
U21 Women Welcome Germany to Boston
May 1, 2009 - The USA Women's Under-21 National Team welcomes the German Under-21 National Team to Harvard University in Boston, MA for a four game test series, as both team begin their push towards the 2009 BDO Women's Junior World Cup in August. All games are open to the public - come see the team!
The series will also feature two scrimmages between the USA Under-21 National Team and the Women's Senior National Team, right from their own test series in Argentina.
LOCATION: Harvard University, Boston, MA
Competition Schedule
* Sunday, May 3 vs. USA Women's Senior National Team - 2:00PM (Scrimmage)
* Monday May 4 vs. USA Women's Senior National Team - 12:45PM (Scrimmage)
* Wednesday, May 6 vs. Germany U-21 - 11:00AM
* Thursday, May 7 vs. Germany U-21 - 2:00PM
* Saturday, May 9 vs. Germany U-21 - 11:00AM
* Sunday, May 10 vs. Germany U-21 - 11:00AM
USFHA media release
Quality players required to uplift hockey, says Samiullah
KARACHI: Pakistan's legendary hockey player Samiullah believes that talented players are not being produced and he is not very hopeful of the future of the game in Pakistan.
Samiullah fondly called 'The Flying Horse' for his speed lamented to see Pakistan hockey in the present state. "When I see where we are now it makes me feel really bad. I have been in the team during its golden period but the current scenario is very humiliating to tell you the truth," Samiullah told PPI.
The former Olympian said that Pakistan hockey has lost its ability to unearth talented players and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) must work hard to do soomething about it at the grass root level.
"PHF must establish at least four strong academies giving good incentives to players. Employment makes a player secured because one cannot live by playing hockey alone," Samiullah said. He said that the promises which the present setup of PHF made earlier have yet to materialise.
He also said that the funds have been provided by the government but what is required is that the funds should be used in a proper manner.
"There should be a monitoring department to keep a check on the smooth working of the federation in the right direction. The monitoring team must supervise the working of academies. Coaches and managers should be trained so that they could provide quality players for the national teams," Samiullah suggested.
He said that honest people should be given the job for the purpose so that they could give advice and take measures for the benefit of the national game. Adding that hockey facilities if made available to the masses will attract people.
"I have said this before and I'll say it again that the players must be encouraged to play hockey as professionals and they should be given proper employment," Samiullah said.
"Small stadiums like OISSA (Olympian Iftikhar Syed Sports Academy) will bring new blood in the hockey. I say facilities like this should be established so that the national game could flourish," added Samiullah.
"Again the fact is that there is no use of astroturf is we don't have enough players of that calibre, if we have 20 astroturf and only 200 players than what is the use of having these astroturf," he said.
Samiullah, who was instrumental in Pakistan's bronze medal win in the Olympics in 1976, said he doesn't feel that by bringing senior players in the team would help.
"The team spirit would be lost. As they have not being playing since 2004, so it would be difficult for the two different lot of players to form a joint spirit," he said.
He further said that he want to see Pakistan perform well in the Asia Cup but he is not very hopeful of the current squad. "I hope to see them make an impact in the tournament but the team itself doesn't look strong enough to make a difference," Samiullah said.
The 8th Asia Cup tournament in Malaysia which will be played from May 8 is important for Pakistan as they can qualify directly for the next World Cup by winning the title else they would have to appear in a qualification tournament.
Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup: Salman Akbar, Zeeshan Ashraf (captain), Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Saqlain, Fareed Ahmad, Dilawar Hussain, Sajjad Anwar, Waseem Ahmad, Rehan Butt, Waqas Sharif, Tariq Aziz, Abdul Haseem Khan, Shakeel Abbasi, Abbas Haider, Shafqat Rasool and Akhtar Ali.
The News International
Pakistan women’s hockey on verge of collapse: sources
Staff Report
LAHORE: Politics and vested interests of individuals have brought Pakistan women’s hockey on the brink of calamity, sources told Daily Times Friday on the condition of anonymity. “Ever since present Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) women wing’s general secretary Ms Parveen Gill got involved with the affairs of women’s hockey in 1978, the game has not only gone to the dogs but it is almost non-existent now,” sources claimed.
They said Ms Parveen was the municipal corporation lady sweepers supervisor before she made her way into PHF women’s wing ‘courtesy of her political connections’. “She won the local government councilor elections and wasting little time, formed an alliance with then Queen Mary College principal Ms SA Khan to remove then women’s wing secretary Ms Parveen Atif from the designation. She made Ms SA Khan women’s wing president and herself the secretary to begin a journey of ‘political hockey’ that spans more than 30 years to date.”
Sources said Ms Parveen was ‘notorious’ for her politics and all she had done in the last 30 years was to somehow break or make up with people in order to keep her authority intact at the expense of Pakistan women hockey. “Officials close to her have always been non-technical individuals with little knowledge of the sport and who have been helping her on the way as she left Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) in order to climb up the political ladder,” alleged sources.
They further said that there was no accountability for Ms Parveen’s actions as she kept on appointing dummy regional presidents and handed over women’s wing positions to relatives and friends, especially those school principals, who provided school transport and fake audience for so-called domestic matches. “Such individuals then always accompany her, as a return favour, on foreign tours where repeatedly the Pakistan women’s team gets thrashed by huge goal margins. Yet Ms Parveen and the officials make sure that they do all their shopping and enjoy their trip to the fullest.”
It is pertinent to mention that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) gives development grant and affiliation to those member countries that have a women’s hockey team alongside the men’s team. “Therefore, the PHF is least bothered about the women’s wing and only wants its presence on paper, having allowed the women’s wing affairs to get ruined for the last three decades by Ms Parveen’s ‘one-woman show’.”
Sources asked questions: “Why the women’s wing secretary, whose tenure ended in 2006 after getting elected in 2002, is still in power? According to which law does she participate in Pakistan hockey council and general body meetings? Why the women’s wing elections have been delayed for so long?”
The Daily Times
Goals are galore at Bandra Rink Hockey on Day One.
Goals were galore on Day One of the Carmel Rink Hockey Tournament that got underway today at Bandra, Mumbai.
The Durello Convent girls beat St Pauls Convent with a tall score of 8-0. Also the boy’s under-14 category, St. Stanislaus edged out a resilient St. Andrews 5-2 in an encounter that saw the fortunes of both sides swung unpredictably. At half time, Stanislaus led with a comfortable three-goal margin only for St. Andrews to pump in four quick goals early into the second half. However, Stanislaus held their nerve to emerge winners by the thinnest of margin. Mukul Knilnani was the top scorer for the winners with four goals.
The matches played under the women's league between KNK Nasik and MMK College saw MMK college to a victorious win of 6-2 with Sharmin Bassha from MMK College being the top scorer with 4 goals. The next match between Central Railway Versus Remix saw Central Railway taking the winning edge with 8 - 1. Not forgetting the goal keeper for Central Railway Helen Marie is an international player with a Bharat Bhushan award to her credit .
In the Club League Matches Union Bank Sports Club beat Bombay Republic to a 8-2 win with Devinder Walmiki from Union Bank being the top scorer with 4 goals. Also the match between F-united and Freunds saw F-united to a clean win with 7-4 with Nitin from F-united being the top scorer of 6 goals leading F-United to a victorious triump.
The most awaited match of the evening between Mumbai Customs and Central Railway saw Mumbai Customs winning with a score of 9 - 6 and Stanley Fernandes being the hero scoring 6 goals.
It was heartening to see a good spectator turnout despite that the fact that the Mumbai Indian’s were to play their first game of the already popular Indian Premier League (IPL).
Stick2Hockey.com
Gill’s request to I&B Minister
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill has urged Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anand Sharma to look into the matter as to why the final of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Malaysia, which India won after a gap of 13 years, was not telecast on Doordarshan.
“A lot of people have complained to me that Doordarshan took no interest in this match. It should have been shown on our national sports channel. I would request you to go into the policy matter with Doordarshan, AIR and Prasar Bharti,” Mr. Gill wrote in a recent letter to Mr. Sharma.
Mr. Gill said cricket was in focus for commercial reasons and the national television channels must keep in tune with the National Sports Policy and promote all games, particularly hockey “for which the Indians have a strong sentimental focus.”
“I hope you will examine this issue and lay down a clear policy on this,” the Sports Minister wrote.
The Hindu
Court order to leave a hole in IOA coffers
By Sandeep Narayan in New Delhi
CALCUTTA High Court’s Justice Indira Banerjee ordered Sahara India Ltd to deposit Rs 2.11 crore as sponsorship amount which was due as per their contract with the dissolved Indian Hockey Federation ( IHF) into a suspense account instead of the IOA- run ad hoc committee, which is currently in charge of the sport in India.
The legal tussle between the old IHF committee, chaired by KPS Gill, and Leisure Sports Management ( LSM), the marketing group for Sahara, began after a prayer made by the former.
Old committee alleged the LSM had obtained an interim order from this court by suppressing some facts in February last year. However, through this interim order, the Calcutta High Court stayed the notice issued by the old committee that the hockey players would play international matches without wearing the Sahara logo on their jerseys and Sahara will now continue to pay the sponsorship fee.
The irony of this entire verdict is that now the Indian hockey team will don Sahara’s logo in every tournament it participates in, but the ad hoc committee, which has been running the sport for the last one year and has been spending money on the team, won’t receive a single penny.
While Justice Banerjee has informed the ad hoc committee that they can appeal the verdict, but till then the entire sum will remain in a suspense account and can only be accessed once a newlyelected IHF is in power.
This raises a pertinent question as to how long can the IOA bankroll the Indian hockey team from its own coffers and a little bit of government funding.
“ Most of the expenditure for the team is done by the IOA. We basically pay for their travel, boarding, lodging and the costs of their training camps, not to mention player incentives. Of course we get government funding as well,” said a member of the IOA. The sponsorship money should be used for the development of the sport and should not remain in one account waiting for its rightful owner to collect it. Of course this would not happen if the elections for the IHF are held.
Asked about the implications of the court’s verdict on hockey in general, members of the ad hoc committee refused to comment.
“ We are still waiting for the order and only after reading the verdict will we know where we stand. Till then I cannot comment on the case and its repercussions or whether we will appeal,” said a member of the ad hoc committee.
Mail Today
Salute our soldiers
All is s not well with the Indian Hockey Federation. Yet, despite the uncertainty, our hockey stars remain unfazed. The Ajlan Shah triumph shows that the rays of hope are heralding a new dawn. But, let's not go overboard, says Diganta Guha
In May, 2008, K Jothikumaran, general secretary of the Indian Hockey Federation disgraced the hockey fraternity when he was caught on camera taking bribes to select a player for the Indian team. And it resulted in the suspension of the IHF by the Indian Olympic Association. It couldn?t have got worse than that.
Almost a year down the line, our senior hockey team has done the country proud by winning the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after 13 years, defeating Malaysia 3-1.
The sense of pride and ecstasy on the faces of the players was evident after the win. And why shouldn't it be? Despite the administrative hiccups within the IHF with controversies after controversies damaging the reputation of the age-old game in the country, it does go to the credit of our champions that they have managed to keep the Indian flag fluttering atop. Mind you, we failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics last year. It?s a credit that only our players deserve and nobody else. Let's make it very clear at the outset.
But, do we have reasons enough to go overboard? Does this really signify that the process of rejuvenation in Indian hockey has already started? Honestly speaking, there is a mixed view on this. There is one section which is elated, but at the same time, there are people who don't want to get carried away. Let?s explore.
Guarded elation
It?s true that India?s triumph in Malaysia is encouraging. And it is a continuity of the successful run that senior Indian hockey side is enjoying in the year 2009. Before the Ajlan Shah victory, India beat New Zealand 2-0 in the four-match Test series, emerged runners-up in the Punjab Gold Cup and drew the four-match series against Argentina 2-2. On the basis of statistics, the sun seems to be shining brightly, but hockey experts do not want to have the final word on the recent success. The general impression is that of guarded elation. Journalist Vijay Lokapally is of the opinion that our recent performances are a step in the right direction, but we should not go ga-ga over them. Agrees hockey expert K Arumugam, who runs the website stick2hockey.com, "There should be a sense of occasional joy, but we shouldn't go overboard. Frankly speaking, the tournaments we are talking about aren't of very high standards and hence they don't really reflect in your rankings." And he adds that our team hasn't had a taste of the best of players in recent times.
Even in such tournaments, the loopholes have been exposed at critical junctures. The defeat against Germany in the Punjab Gold Cup and the two losses to Argentina in the Test series have led critics to wonder what happens once these sides field their full strength in major tournaments like the World Cup or Champions Trophy. Senior India coach Harendra Singh is positive. "It's good that people are criticising us. This will only keep us on our toes and enable us to perform better with time." At the same time, he stands by his team. On the question of facing weaker oppositions, he says, "If that is so, then how come we are getting the better of teams like Pakistan and New Zealand higher ranked than we are. Nobody is talking about that," he counters. India is currently ranked 10th in the world.
Where does the problem lie?
There is another reason why such apprehensions are being expressed. One view point, as Lokapally points out, is that there are not enough replacements for seniors. Somebody like Dilip Tirkey is performing, but he does not have too many years left in his career. Singh says the basic problem lies with the catch from the grass-root levels. ?We have a bunch of talents, but I am not happy with coaching in the grass-root level. We have to polish the skills of the players in the camps since they are deprived of a proper coaching at the junior level. The government has to take more initiatives.?
Apart from this, the way the players are chosen is also not correct as Arumugam points out. There is no development team between Under-21 and the India seniors, he says" And this creates the problem," he adds. Singh is of the view that it is important to identify the right players and this is what is called vision. He has already presented a blue print for improving hockey standards to the IHF and he hopes to take it further. There is a dearth of good academies in the country with modern facilities, which is a complaint that Singh raises. But junior India coach A K Bansal informs that already 15-20 academies have come up and ?Even the Tata Football Academy is eager to start a new hockey academy, which is a positive sign.? But there is a need for more professional academies all over the country, as Singh says.
The positive side
We have all this while been critical of the overall set up in Indian hockey. But there is definitely a ray of hope. Everything cannot happen overnight. It takes time and despite odds, our performance is worth lauding. "Self- belief is important and I am trying to instil that in my boys. Inside the dressing room we should not think too much about the opponents. We should bank on our potential. Let the opponents think about us," says the senior India coach. Even the harshest of critics say that the recent success has injected some energy into Indian hockey. There is a need to make a proper plan for these big tournaments so that the team is prepared for the World Cup coming up in 2010 that India is slated to host. "Choosing the right tournament is important so that the players get a taste of world class hockey," adds Arumugam. Bansal, says there are some good players who can make it to the senior side, but ?We don?t want to rush through things as the Junior World Cup is slated for June. We need them for the World Cup before we can induct them into the senior side.?
Bansal names players like Innocent Kullu, Diwakar Ram and Pramod Kumar who have shown a lot of promise. The senior team according to many is a well mix of youth and experience ? on one hand, there are the senior pros like Dilip Tirkey with more than 400 international caps, Ignace Tirkey, Adrian D?Souza and Arjun Hallappa. And on the other hand, there are SV Sunil and captain Sandeep Singh among others who provide the perfect mix. Bansal adds, that once Diwakar Ram comes into the senior team, there will be two drag flickers in the side - Ram and Sandeep. Currently, the pool of 25 players for the senior side is good enough as Arumugam says. But there is always room for improvements.
Why should we laud our champions?
There is a specific reason why Indian players should be given their due. The Indian Hockey Federation is passing through a transitional phase with the might of long-standing president
K P S Gill over after the Indian Olympic Association sacked him and his team last year. IHF is currently run by an ad-hoc committee. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has already told the IHF to conduct elections within six months or else, India would lose the right to host the 2010 World Cup. Leandro Negre, president FIH recently met JB Roy, president of the Bengal Hockey Federation. There is an attempt to democratise the system that has been polluted thanks to the one-man show of Gill during whose regime corruption was at its peak. Sources inform that Sahara, the sponsor of the junior and senior sides is not happy with the lack of accountability in the accounts. There is so much of nepotism around and the worst part is that there is no job guarantee for the players which is why anybody would shy away from taking up hockey as a profession, There is also a need for market forces to come forward and support hockey, says Lokapally. Insiders inform that even former players fight for plum posts within the federation.
However, with so much of uncertainty in the parent body itself, the good news is that the players are giving their best on the field. As the Indian captain Sandeep Singh said after the Azlan Cup triumph, ?It is the hard work put in by our team which we are seeing now. It is a joint effort of our coaches and the team members.? Nobody can dare to take credit away from them.
Looking ahead
Despite the instability there are attempts to head in the right direction. More international exposure is being envisaged and if we look at the international calendar, it says it all. This year there are quite a number of big tournaments coming up for the India seniors like the Asia Cup in Dubai in May, the Europe tour in August, the all-important Champions Challenge Cup in Argentina in December which is the qualifier for the Champions Trophy. Australia, Germany and Spain will be visiting India this year. So, there is a very hectic international calendar up in store. Giving it to the administrators, since the exit of Gill, Indian hockey has had a turnaround ? gold in the junior Asia Cup and silver in the Bahru Genting Cup for the juniors. Series win against New Zealand, drawn series against Argentina, silver in the Punjab Gold Cup and gold in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the seniors are indications of a bright future.
So, let's celebrate, but not get lost in ecstasy. It's time to usher in a new era of the land of Dhyan Chand.
DayAfter
Viren means business
Taus Rizvi
Friday, May 1, 2009: Mumbai: Viren Rasquinha was one of the most talented midfielders India ever had. Last year, he announced a surprise retirement at the age of 28 while still on top of his game.
"I wanted to move ahead in life and it is better to call it quits when in top form," says Rasquinha.
The Bandra boy went on to do a Masters in Business Administration from Hyderabad's Indian School of Business. With a degree in tow, he is now looking forward to a professional life as an administrator in an MNC.
"My life was very hectic last year and I hardly had time for myself. I want to take a month's break and then look for a job," the former midfielder says.
Rasquinha is handling the affairs in Bandra's Mount Carmel Rink Hockey Tournament to be held from May 1 to 7 which will witness quite a number of teams participating in it.
"Bandra has been the hub of hockey in Mumbai and rink hockey is quite big here. I am not at all in touch with the regular sport. I am going all out here since this is being held in Bandra," said the local lad. "In fact, this time we have more categories and increased the number of participating teams so that more people can play," he added.
Was it tough for him to be away for more than a year from his favourite sport which he has been playing since childhood?
"Honestly, I have never had the time to think of it. I was so involved with studies and projects that I would hardly get any time to think about anything," said Rasquinha.
Viren, however, has a long-term plan and plans to use his business acumen for the improvement of the sport in India.
"Frankly, whatever I have studied is for myself. But in the long term I would certainly like to be into administration and use my knowledge of sport and management for the betterment of it. I always believed that we should have a professional body, not an honorary one which can run the association without any problems. In the future I would like to be a part of it."
As far as his comeback in hockey is concerned, Viren is not thinking about it. "It is quite hypothetical. I am not thinking about it and it's very difficult to come back now. But I am looking forward to playing in the Mumbai hockey league if I get an invitation," he added.
He refused to comment on the IOC ad-hoc committee but praised India's performance in the Azlan Shah Cup. "They played very well in Azlan Shah but we need to carry on the momentum in the future tournaments. I have always believed its not about young and old but who is the fittest of them," said the Arjuna awardee.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Its official, Brasa is our coach finally
K. Arumugam
In the last one month, stick2hockey.com broke a couple of news on the issue of appointment of Spain's former national coach Jose Brasa as our men's chief coach.
We let you all know all the details right from issue of appointment letter to Brasa's consent, with all professional fee and details
Today (Friday, the 1st May 2009) the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, called a press conference and confirmed Jose Brasa's appointment and divulged all other details. As we have already covered most of these, we request you to visit 'What Newspapers Say Today' for Friday's developments as in those respective newspapers' perspective.
Stick2hockey.com will cover the Kuantan Asia Cup extensively. Since Brasa will also be there, we assure we will bring his perspectives on many current issues as often as we can.
Stick2Hockey.com
Brasa gets top job
Harpreet Kaur Lamba
New Delhi, May 1: Spanish coach Jose Brasa was on Friday appointed as the men’s national hockey coach till the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
A senior International Hockey Federation master coach, Brasa led the Spanish women to the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Talking to this paper from Spain, Brasa said "he was very happy with the offer and was looking ahead to join the national team".
"It is a great opportunity and a big responsibility which I will look to fulfil to the best of my capacity. I will reach New Delhi on Monday to sign my contract, and I am very keen to join the team at the earliest."
The Indian team leave for Kuantan, Malaysia — venue for the Asia Cup tournament — on Sunday and Brasa will join the team in a few days’ time.
"Brasa will soon join the Indian men’s hockey team as the chief coach.
"An agreement between the government of India and Brasa was signed recently in this regard for a period of two years till the next Asiad in 2011," Union ministry of sports joint-secretary Pravir Krishna said here on the day.
The 55-year old will be paid 84,000 euros per annum and will bring along physical trainer David Perez, who will join the team after the Asia Cup. Unhappy with some changes in his final contract, Brasa said, "There was a 180 degree turn when I got the final contract, and I had my doubts.
"The Indian ministry could not meet my demand for a team of 5-6 people, and also my family was no invited. But all this is fine with me at the moment.
"I was firm on two things right from the start — scientific methods of training and up-to-date infrastructure and there wasn’t any cut in that.
"These are minimum requirements for any top hockey playing nation," said Brasa.
"The Indian authorities accepted it, and I accepted the job in return," he added.
Brasa, who will arrive in the city on Monday to complete the formalities, said he would like to work with the national team till the 2010 London Olympic Games and take Indian hockey to newer heights.
The Asian Age
Spanish coach for hockey team
M.S.Unnikrishnan, Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 1: After much dithering and exchange of e-mails, the Government has finally approved the appointment of Spanish coach Jose Brasa as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.
Brasa will come to India on Sunday to sign a formal contract with the Sports Authority of India before accompanying the Indian team to the Asia Cup in Malaysia. Brasa wanted to join the team in Malaysia straight from Spain, but the Indian Government informed him that his appointment could be formalised only after signing the contract, which will enable him to get a work visa.
According to the terms and conditions, Brasa will be paid an annual salary of Euro 84000 (approximately Rs 72 lakh), which will work out to Euro 7000 per month ($9000). His contract intially will be for one and a half years, till the Asian Games in November, 2010. The other important engagement for Indian hockey under him will be the 2010 The Government has also agreed to Brasa's suggestion of hiring Spanish physical trainer David Perez at an annual salary of Euro 60,000.
A senior official in the Sports Ministry said Brasa will have a "significant job" on hand, but he will have to operate within the guidelines framed by the Government. He will train four Indian coaches, including the present national coach Harendra Singh, and give a quarterly report of his evaluatigon about the team, players and the support staff.
The Tribune
Brasa appointed as chief coach of Indian team
Biswajyoti Brahma
NEW DELHI: Euro 84,000 (Rs 55 lakh). This is the amount Jose Brasa would be getting annually to coach the national men’s hockey team.
The Spaniard, who is reaching India on Monday, has agreed in principle to take up the assignment and is expected to sign on the dotted line either on the same day or a day later, a top sports ministry official said on Friday.
The salary, which amounts to 7,000 euro (Rs 4.6 lakh) a month, is much higher than what the country usually offers to foreign coaches, but the ministry has taken the decision "in an attempt to improve the standard of hockey in the country".
The official said that the ministry did not accept all the demands of the Spaniard who had asked for a contract till 2012 Olympics and a fee of 100,000 euros, which was to be increased by 10,000 euros every year.
Brasa had also asked for a five-room house and 50 per cent of his salary as incentive for winning a major tournament like the World Cup.
"We will be giving Brasa a contract till the Asian Games in November 2010 which could be extended subject to a review of the team’s performance. Besides, we will also provide accommodation to his family for 30 days. He has agreed to our offer," he said.
Brasa had also wanted his team of support staff from Spain, but the ministry agreed to only a fitness trainer, David Perez, who would be paid 60,000 euros (Rs 40 lakh) per annum by the government.
The official, however, did not say whether Brasa would be in charge of the team for this month’s Asia Cup since "he’s yet to sign the contract". But he added that once he takes over, he will play a significant role in team affairs, including the selection process.
"But then he will have to work within the rules laid down by the government. He will also have to give a detailed review of the team every quarter."
Incidentally, former coach Australian Ric Charlesworth was getting $12,000 per month for his service which was equally borne by the ministry and the International Hockey Federation (FIH). In Brasa’s case, the Spaniard would be getting less salary but the entire amount would be paid by the ministry.
"The adhoc committee running the game should have negotiated his salary before sending his proposal to us," the official said, suggesting that the committee could have helped the ministry.
The Times of India
Brasa’s appointment approved
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has approved the appointment of Jose Brasa as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team till the 2010 Asian Games.
“Brasa has accepted all the terms and conditions laid before him. He will reach here late on Sunday night and sign the contract with the Sports Authority of India on Monday or Tuesday. After that he will leave for the Asia Cup in Malaysia,” a senior Union Sports Ministry official said here on Friday.
Sources informed that the Ministry became wiser after the unpleasant episode relating to Australian great Ric Charlesworth’s appointment as the Technical Advisor and wanted to complete the formalities before allowing Brasa to join duty.
“Charlesworth had started working on a visitor visa and had signed the contract later. That created a problem while clearing his dues. So, this time we told Brasa to join the team after signing the contract,” the official said. It is learnt that Brasa had asked for a hefty salary of €90,000 per annum and a hike of €10,000 every year.
After negotiations the International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach agreed for a salary of €84,000 per annum. His contract is extendable.
Along with him, Brasa will bring a physical trainer — David Perez — for an annual salary of €60,000. His other support staff will be from India.
The Spaniard, who had coached the Spanish women’s team to gold medal in the 1992 Olympics, will quarterly review the performance of all the Indian players. Besides, he will train four home coaches.
The Hindu
Brasa named Indian hockey coach
Jose Brasa of Spain has been selected as the new Chief Coach for the Indian Men's Hockey team.
"Brasa will soon join the Indian Men's Hockey team as the Chief Coach," Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Sports Pravir Krishna said in Bhopal on Thursday.
An agreement between the Government of India and Brasa was signed recently in this regard for a period of two years, till the next Asiad in 2011. However, there is a possibility that the agreement with the Spaniard coach might be extended till the London Olympics in 2012, Krishna added.
Brasa, who coached the Spanish women's team to a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, made it clear that he would not like any sort of interference in his job.
"A lot needs to be done to improve Indian hockey and I have made it clear that I will run things the way I want to," Brasa told a newspaper.
"I was not happy with the initial contract but over the past two weeks or so, Indian officials seem to have been very keen to hire me. They have constantly been in touch and that has helped settle things," he said.
All the required approvals have already been given by the government to facilitate Brasa's becoming the hockey coach, the Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Sports said.
Soon after completing the formalities, Brasa would join the hockey team in Bhopal.
As part of preparations of Commonwealth Games and Asiad, the Indian Men's hockey team would camp for at least a year in Bhopal, he said.
Earlier, Brasa had sent his demands and a list of requirements to accept the Indian government request to coach the hockey team, sources said.
Besides emphasising on the need of technology and a good physiotherapist, Brasa asked for a staff of 14 people including two from Spain who would accompany him.
Rediff
Spain’s Brasa named India’s new coach
NEW DELHI: Jose Brasa of Spain has been appointed India’s field hockey coach for a two-year term, a sports ministry official said on Friday.
Brasa, a senior International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach, is better known for leading the Spanish women to the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “Brasa will soon join the Indian men’s hockey team as the chief coach,” sports ministry official Pravir Krishna was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. “An agreement between the Government of India and Brasa was signed recently in this regard for a two-year period till the Asian Games in 2010.”
Brasa’s appointment ends the upheaval created by the resignation of Joaquim Carvalho in March last year after the eight-time Olympic champions failed to qualify for the Beijing Games. Australian hockey legend Ric Charlesworth worked briefly as the national team’s technical adviser before returning home in July last year amid growing differences with Indian hockey officials. Former Olympian Maharaj Krishan Kaushik, who was offered the job after Charlesworth’s departure, preferred to continue with the Indian women’s team to which he was contracted until 2010.
Interim appointee Harendra Singh coached India to victory in the Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia last month, but is now expected to work alongside Brasa. The Spaniard, who will be coach until the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November 2010, could see his contract extended to the 2012 London Olympics if he impresses Indian officials.
The Daily Times
Perth-based Jiwa Mohan agrees to rejoin national team
KUALA LUMPUR: Former international Jiwa Mohan has agreed to rejoin the national hockey team on Monday for the Asia Cup, which will be held in Kuantan from May 9-16.
Jiwa, who retired last year and is based in Perth, was recalled by national coach Tai Beng Hai to beef up the midfield and to give the team more options in their penalty corner variations.
National team manager George Koshy said they were happy that Jiwa had agreed to come out of retirement to play in the Asia Cup.
“However, he needs to prove to us that he is still fit and good enough to play in the international matches,” said George.
“We will field him in a friendly against Pakistan on Tuesday.”
Jiwa, who has been working as a mechanical engineer in Perth since last June, has continued playing hockey in Australia.
He represented Curtin Trinity Pirates Club in the Perth League last year and scored 12 goals in 12 matches, earning himself a place in the Northern Territory Stingers team in the Australian Hockey League.
With Jiwa’s presence, there are now 28 players in the team and the final squad of 18 will be named by Thursday.
“The players have been training at the Kuantan pitch since Thursday. They will be given a two-day break after today’s training and will resume training on Monday,” said George.
Malaysia will open their Group A campaign against South Korea on May 9, followed by Bangladesh (May 11) and Japan (May 12).
Defending champions India are in Group B with Pakistan and China.
The Star of Malaysia
Tai cool over bumpy turf
By T.N. Alagesh
NATIONAL coach Tai Beng Hai said the slightly bumpy turf at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan will not affect his team's goal of finishing in the top four of the Asia Cup hockey tournament which will begin next week.
After the national team ended three days of training at the tournament venue yesterday, Beng Hai admitted that the artificial turf was a little bumpy causing the ball to bounce which at times resulted in his players losing ball.
He said the pitch condition, however, will not affect the players during their game and also execution of penalty corner set pieces.
"There is only a slight difference on the pitch, and the players seem to adapt well to the condition here which I believe is good news to the team."
When asked about naming his final 18 for the tournament, Beng Hai said he was is no hurry to make his selection and would only name his final squad on May 7, which would give players more time to impress selectors.
The national team had a pleasant surprise yesterday when Malaysian Hockey Federation president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah turned up to inspect the renovation works at the venue. He later watched the national team play against K. Rajan's National Junior World Cup-bound team.
New Straits Times
Indian hockey team gears up for Asia cup
By R C Sahu
Bhopal, May 1: Indian Hockey team, which is preparing hard for the upcoming Asia Cup, do not want to let go their winning spirit which they gained from their win in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after a hiatus of 13 years.
India’s hockey team posted a spectacular 3-1 win over Malaysia Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on April 12, 2009.
Team coach said they would take each match on its merit and will make strategy to tackle it accordingly.
"It is very essential to win three points compared to practicing for Pakistan or Korea. Sometimes small teams like Bangladesh can also create problems for us. Like once Egypt has done. So, we will strategize match by match. Depending on whom we face in semifinal, we will decide on the strategy," said Harendra Singh, coach-in-charge.
Asia cup hockey tournament will be played from May 9 to 16 in Malaysian city of Kuantan.
Teams in the tournament have been divided into two pools with Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka in pool A and Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh in Pool B.
Indian hockey has been on decline since the 1970s, coinciding with the game’s switch to artificial turf with more emphasis on power, speed and accuracy than deft dribble.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Lee spells danger for BPSS
By Ajitpal Singh
DANGEROUS Lee aims to become the first Sarawakian to capture the top goal scorer award in the Malaysian Hockey League (Under-19).
And Dangerous, rated the best East Malaysian player in the league, is not far off in achieving his dream.
The Kuching-born forward, who turns out for Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), has scored 13 goals, one less than current league top scorer K. Satest of Division Three club Nur Insafi.
"I created history last year when I became the first East Malaysian to play in the league. The exposure has helped me a lot in developing my skill. Becoming the tournament's top scorer is my next goal," said the 17-year-old.
Dangerous will have the chance to increase his goal tally when BJSS, the Division Two champions, take on Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) for the overall title tomorrow at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
He said BPSS are a powerful team and they have the ability to beat his team in the final.
Earlier in the league, BPSS thrashed BJSS 4-1 but the latter took the match lightly as they had won the league before the encounter.
"I played badly in that match and coach (S.Prakash) replaced me. I'm determined to make amends on Sunday (tomorrow). BPSS are very strong defensively and it will be a challenge for me to score goals," said Dangerous, who has the ability to score both field and penalty corner goals.
He said: "Hockey is not a popular sport in Sarawak but I still managed to score more goals than my teammates from the peninsula.
"There is no hockey league in Sarawak and it's difficult for players there to improve on their skills. I was lucky to get the chance to study at BJSS and play hockey for them."
On his unique name, Dangerous said: "My dad (Mathew) gave me that name because he wanted me to be brave. I am happy to live up to the name with my scoring ability in the league. I will go all out to become the top scorer in the league."
Among the other Sarawakians who saw league action this season were Christnall Michael Jieng, Abranden Vylienden Andrew (BJSS Juniors), Dielvin Anak Mula and Melvin Strute Anak Henry Jimod (Petaling Jaya City Council).
FIXTURES -- Tomorrow, Final: Bukit Jalil Sports School v Bandar Penawar Sports School (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm);
3rd-4th: Tenaga Nasional v Petaling Jaya City Council (National Stadium, Pitch II, 3pm).
New Straits Times
Only local holiday for BJSS if they do the double again
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Last year, the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) players were rewarded with a trip to Australia for bagging the double – the League and overall titles.
But this year, even if they were to bag their third straight double there will be no such trips – no thanks to the current global economic crisis.
BJSS, who bagged their seventh straight League title, will face Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) in the final of Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 competition at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
BJSS received RM10,000 for winning the Division Two League and the prize money for the overall title is RM20,000.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said that last year they went to Australia to play in a Pacific School competition after winning the double.
“But this year, with the global economic slowdown, there will be no overseas trip.
“We don’t give out cash incentives to students but will reward them with a holiday in Malaysia,” said Prakash.
“We will also buy equipment, like hockey sticks, shoes and other stuff, for them.”
He said that although the players would not be rewarded with an overseas trip, it would not stop them from giving their best in the final.
“We are not playing for money ... but to continue our reign as the best team in the junior league,” said Prakash.
“We are happy to have won seven League titles in the row ... now we want our fifth overall title.”
BJSS had won the overall title in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.
Prakash expects a torrid time from BPSS, who are gunning for their first overall title.
“The pressure is definitely on my boys to live up to their status as the number one team in the junior league,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Day Five Men’s U21 IPT
It’s semi final time at the Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town today. KZN Coastals will take on the surprise package of the tournament Eastern Province whilst favourites Northern Gauteng take on the SA U19 team.
In the 5th to 8th cross-pool playoffs, KZN Inland take on Western Province whilst Southern Gauteng take on Peninsula. 9th to 12th sees Free State take on Northern Cape whilst Border takes on North West.
Results from yesterday’s matches:
Pool A:
Northern Gauteng 4 – Northern Cape 1
Southern Gautend 2 – KZN Coastal 4
Western Province 8 – Border 4
Pool B:
SA U19 0 – Eastern Province 3
Peninsula 4 – North West 1
KZN Inland 4 – Free State 2
SA Hockey Association media release
Day Six Men’s U21 IPT
KZN Coastals will play the SA U19 team in the final of the Men’s U21 Inter-Provincial Tournament in Cape Town tomorrow. The SA U19 team came from behind to beat Northerns 2 – 1 in the first semi final whilst Coastals thumped Eastern Province 7 – 0 in the second after E.P’s only keeper was injured before the game. It was always going to be tough for E.P after this as a field player had to kit up and play a full game in goals.
In the battle for middle four, Southern Gauteng thumped Peninsula 7 – 1 whilst Western Province’s woes continued after being beaten by a young KZN Inland team 5 – 4 in strokes after the match was 1 – 1 at full time. With seven S.A U21 players in their team, Western Province will be disappointed with a 7th/8th finish at this year’s IPT.
Free State will play Border for 9th/10th which leaves Northern Cape and North West fighting it out for 11th/12th.
Results from the day:
Semi Finals:
SA U19 2 – Northern Gauteng 1
KZN Coastals 7 - Eastern Province 0
5th – 8th:
KZN Inland 1 – Western Province 1 (Inland won 5 – 4 on strokes)
Southern Gauteng 7 - Peninsula 1
9th – 12th:
Free State 10 - Northern Cape 4
Border 5 - North West 3
SA Hockey Association media release
Scottish Cup sees scrappy semi-finals
Scotland’s top talent takes the pitch in the Scottish Cup semi-finals this Saturday 2nd May at Peffermill starting with Azzurri Kelburne against Edinburgh’s Grange at 10:30.
Competitions Convenor Bill Garland said: “'This year's Scottish Cup will see two keenly contested semi-finals. Azzurri Kelburne beat Grange 8-1 back in October but found themselves level 1-1 against the Edinburgh side who put in a top performance in March.
“No doubt Grange will be out to try and better this result while league winners Kelburne will be looking to retain their title from last year.”
Azzurri Kelburne has held the cup since 2006, including beating Grange in the finals last year 4-2. The Paisley side host talent such as Olympians Niall Stott and Mark Ralph but also youth Olympians Kenny Bain, Gordon McIntyre and Ross Stott.
Grange, fourth in the league and boasting internationalists like Robert Barr, Cammy Fraser, David Knipe, Craig Harper and Fergus Dunn, will be looking to break Kelburne’s run but haven’t been able to clinch the cup since 1994.
Closer contests played out this season between other men’s semi-finalists Western Wildcats and Inverleith, who play at 14:00. The two sides drew 2-2 in October and Western pulled off a 3-1 win earlier this spring with the Wildcats ending up second in Subway’s National League with Inverleith on their heels in third place.
Western dominated their own run of the cup in the late 90’s and from 2003-2005. With players like Olympian Graham Moodie, current Scotland seniors Joe and Douglas Simpson and ex-internationalist Vishal Marawaha, the Wildcats will be looking to return to their days of glory.
However, Inverleith want a piece of the pie. Led by Beijing 2008 star Stephen Dick, alongside his brother, goalkeeper Allan Dick, and experienced senior Scotland players Derek Salmond, Chris Grassick, Adam McKenzie and Andrew Sinclair, the club aims to get the cup for the first time since 1975.
A lunch time special is on order for 12:15, as the ladies’ table toppers Bonagrass Grove take the pitch against second place Porcelanosa Kelburne followed by last year’s winners Milne Craig Western, fielding Olympian Laura Bartlett, against Giffnock at 15:45.
Garland commented: “Results between teams in the women’s semis were much closer in the first part of the season but the same teams ran out winners, Grove by 3-1 over Kelburne and Western by 4-2 over Giffnock. There may be an indication that the expected top teams, Grove and Western, are running into form at just the right time.
“However, league positions do not wholly back that up with the Kelburne side, which has taken great strides forward in the past three seasons, clinching second place in the league thus splitting the top two, Grove and Western, for many seasons.”
Since the women’s cup started, 34 years ago in the 1975-76 season, Western has dominated with a whopping 19 title wins.
But Bonagrass Grove has made their mark in recent years taking a handful of titles since 2001. And with a dozen players on tap for Scotland senior women, including experienced players like Linda Clement, Carmin Dow, Becky Merchant and Ailsa Robertson to name a few, the Dundonians seem the team to watch.
Western with their own slew of talent, such as Holly Cram, Sam Judge and Lorna Dobbie will look to defend their reign.
In a bizarre coincidence, recent Subway National league play mirrored the women’s semi-finals with Bonagrass Grove charging over Porcelanosa Kelburne 8-0 and Milne Craig Western beating Giffnock 6-2. Only time will tell if these results are an accurate preview of teams destined for the finals.
Entry to this weekend’s semi-finals is free.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
EHL Final Four: Online tickets now available!
Tickets for “EHL Final Four” – the event which features the Semi Finals and the Final of the Euro Hockey League – are now available to buy online. It is your chance to see the four remaining teams left in the competition battling it out to be crowned Champions of Europe. With many of the world’s greatest players in action, club hockey really does not get any better than this.
The event takes place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2009 in The Netherlands at H.C. Rotterdam – the very same venue that staged the memorable EHL Finals weekend in 2008. Saturday will feature the two Semi Final matches, with the 3rd / 4th place play-off match and the hugely anticipated tournament Final taking place on the Sunday.
The Semi Finals will witness reigning Euro Hockey League champions UHC Hamburg taking on the resilient and unpredictable KHC Leuven of Belgium, while H.C. Bloemendaal aim to defeat host club H.C. Rotterdam in what is likely to be a classic encounter between the two Dutch giants. Many of the game’s greatest talents will be on show in Rotterdam, including Olympic Gold Medallists such as Bloemendaal pairing Teun de Nooijer (Netherlands) and Jamie Dwyer (Australia), as well as Moritz Fürste and Carlos Nevado of UHC Hamburg who won Gold with Germany at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
To purchase online tickets, simply click here and follow the instructions. It is cheaper to buy your tickets online rather than at the venue, so not only do you guarantee your entry but also save money in the process. Parking at the venue is extremely limited, so please take this into consideration before making your travel plans.
To see more details about the EHL Final Four event, please visit www.ehlhockey.tv - the official website of the Euro Hockey League. Be sure not to miss out!
KO16 extended highlights now online
Extended highlights from all twelve of the matches from KO16 Hamburg have been posted on www.ehlhockey.tv, allowing you to watch even more action from this thrilling Euro Hockey League event. Eight matches from Round 2 as well as the four Quarter Finals are on show, including the sensational contest between reining Euro Hockey League champions UHC Hamburg and Club Egara on Day 3 and the penalty shoot-out drama that unfolded between Amsterdam H&BC and H.C. Rotterdam. To read more about this story, click here!
EHL Blogpage goes Live
The Euro Hockey League website is delighted to announce the arrival of our latest feature – the EHL Weblog page! The newest addition to our website gives the opportunity for selected EHL fans from around the globe to offer their thoughts about the latest news from the world’s premier club hockey competition, as well as telling us about what is happening in their area. To read more about this story, please click here!
Belgium's Leuven secure second EHL season
Euro Hockey League semi-finalists KHC Leuven booked themselves a place in next season’s EHL thanks to a fight-back of staggering proportions. The team found themselves 4-0 down at half time in the second Semi Final Play-Off match against Racing HC of Brussels, but produced a stunning second half performance to tie the match 4-4, a score-line good enough to put them in the Play-Off final and guarantee their participation in the EHL next season. To read more about this story, click here!
Polo, Atlétic & Egara storm back into EHL
The familiar Spanish trio of Atlétic Terrassa, RC de Polo de Barcelona and Club Egara will be back in the Euro Hockey League once again next season following a dramatic weekend of action in the Spanish Play-Offs. Atlétic Terrassa bounced back from losing the first of their three Semi Final matches against Club de Campo by winning the next two to reach the tournament Final while RC Polo needed all three matches to finally get the better of Club Egara, who had already achieved EHL qualification by winning the Spanish Cup in December. To read more about this story, click here!
You can find more information about all of these stories and many others at www.ehlhockey.tv – the official website of the Euro Hockey League.
Euro Hockey League media release
U21 Women Welcome Germany to Boston
May 1, 2009 - The USA Women's Under-21 National Team welcomes the German Under-21 National Team to Harvard University in Boston, MA for a four game test series, as both team begin their push towards the 2009 BDO Women's Junior World Cup in August. All games are open to the public - come see the team!
The series will also feature two scrimmages between the USA Under-21 National Team and the Women's Senior National Team, right from their own test series in Argentina.
LOCATION: Harvard University, Boston, MA
Competition Schedule
* Sunday, May 3 vs. USA Women's Senior National Team - 2:00PM (Scrimmage)
* Monday May 4 vs. USA Women's Senior National Team - 12:45PM (Scrimmage)
* Wednesday, May 6 vs. Germany U-21 - 11:00AM
* Thursday, May 7 vs. Germany U-21 - 2:00PM
* Saturday, May 9 vs. Germany U-21 - 11:00AM
* Sunday, May 10 vs. Germany U-21 - 11:00AM
USFHA media release
Quality players required to uplift hockey, says Samiullah
KARACHI: Pakistan's legendary hockey player Samiullah believes that talented players are not being produced and he is not very hopeful of the future of the game in Pakistan.
Samiullah fondly called 'The Flying Horse' for his speed lamented to see Pakistan hockey in the present state. "When I see where we are now it makes me feel really bad. I have been in the team during its golden period but the current scenario is very humiliating to tell you the truth," Samiullah told PPI.
The former Olympian said that Pakistan hockey has lost its ability to unearth talented players and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) must work hard to do soomething about it at the grass root level.
"PHF must establish at least four strong academies giving good incentives to players. Employment makes a player secured because one cannot live by playing hockey alone," Samiullah said. He said that the promises which the present setup of PHF made earlier have yet to materialise.
He also said that the funds have been provided by the government but what is required is that the funds should be used in a proper manner.
"There should be a monitoring department to keep a check on the smooth working of the federation in the right direction. The monitoring team must supervise the working of academies. Coaches and managers should be trained so that they could provide quality players for the national teams," Samiullah suggested.
He said that honest people should be given the job for the purpose so that they could give advice and take measures for the benefit of the national game. Adding that hockey facilities if made available to the masses will attract people.
"I have said this before and I'll say it again that the players must be encouraged to play hockey as professionals and they should be given proper employment," Samiullah said.
"Small stadiums like OISSA (Olympian Iftikhar Syed Sports Academy) will bring new blood in the hockey. I say facilities like this should be established so that the national game could flourish," added Samiullah.
"Again the fact is that there is no use of astroturf is we don't have enough players of that calibre, if we have 20 astroturf and only 200 players than what is the use of having these astroturf," he said.
Samiullah, who was instrumental in Pakistan's bronze medal win in the Olympics in 1976, said he doesn't feel that by bringing senior players in the team would help.
"The team spirit would be lost. As they have not being playing since 2004, so it would be difficult for the two different lot of players to form a joint spirit," he said.
He further said that he want to see Pakistan perform well in the Asia Cup but he is not very hopeful of the current squad. "I hope to see them make an impact in the tournament but the team itself doesn't look strong enough to make a difference," Samiullah said.
The 8th Asia Cup tournament in Malaysia which will be played from May 8 is important for Pakistan as they can qualify directly for the next World Cup by winning the title else they would have to appear in a qualification tournament.
Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup: Salman Akbar, Zeeshan Ashraf (captain), Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Saqlain, Fareed Ahmad, Dilawar Hussain, Sajjad Anwar, Waseem Ahmad, Rehan Butt, Waqas Sharif, Tariq Aziz, Abdul Haseem Khan, Shakeel Abbasi, Abbas Haider, Shafqat Rasool and Akhtar Ali.
The News International
Pakistan women’s hockey on verge of collapse: sources
Staff Report
LAHORE: Politics and vested interests of individuals have brought Pakistan women’s hockey on the brink of calamity, sources told Daily Times Friday on the condition of anonymity. “Ever since present Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) women wing’s general secretary Ms Parveen Gill got involved with the affairs of women’s hockey in 1978, the game has not only gone to the dogs but it is almost non-existent now,” sources claimed.
They said Ms Parveen was the municipal corporation lady sweepers supervisor before she made her way into PHF women’s wing ‘courtesy of her political connections’. “She won the local government councilor elections and wasting little time, formed an alliance with then Queen Mary College principal Ms SA Khan to remove then women’s wing secretary Ms Parveen Atif from the designation. She made Ms SA Khan women’s wing president and herself the secretary to begin a journey of ‘political hockey’ that spans more than 30 years to date.”
Sources said Ms Parveen was ‘notorious’ for her politics and all she had done in the last 30 years was to somehow break or make up with people in order to keep her authority intact at the expense of Pakistan women hockey. “Officials close to her have always been non-technical individuals with little knowledge of the sport and who have been helping her on the way as she left Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) in order to climb up the political ladder,” alleged sources.
They further said that there was no accountability for Ms Parveen’s actions as she kept on appointing dummy regional presidents and handed over women’s wing positions to relatives and friends, especially those school principals, who provided school transport and fake audience for so-called domestic matches. “Such individuals then always accompany her, as a return favour, on foreign tours where repeatedly the Pakistan women’s team gets thrashed by huge goal margins. Yet Ms Parveen and the officials make sure that they do all their shopping and enjoy their trip to the fullest.”
It is pertinent to mention that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) gives development grant and affiliation to those member countries that have a women’s hockey team alongside the men’s team. “Therefore, the PHF is least bothered about the women’s wing and only wants its presence on paper, having allowed the women’s wing affairs to get ruined for the last three decades by Ms Parveen’s ‘one-woman show’.”
Sources asked questions: “Why the women’s wing secretary, whose tenure ended in 2006 after getting elected in 2002, is still in power? According to which law does she participate in Pakistan hockey council and general body meetings? Why the women’s wing elections have been delayed for so long?”
The Daily Times
Goals are galore at Bandra Rink Hockey on Day One.
Goals were galore on Day One of the Carmel Rink Hockey Tournament that got underway today at Bandra, Mumbai.
The Durello Convent girls beat St Pauls Convent with a tall score of 8-0. Also the boy’s under-14 category, St. Stanislaus edged out a resilient St. Andrews 5-2 in an encounter that saw the fortunes of both sides swung unpredictably. At half time, Stanislaus led with a comfortable three-goal margin only for St. Andrews to pump in four quick goals early into the second half. However, Stanislaus held their nerve to emerge winners by the thinnest of margin. Mukul Knilnani was the top scorer for the winners with four goals.
The matches played under the women's league between KNK Nasik and MMK College saw MMK college to a victorious win of 6-2 with Sharmin Bassha from MMK College being the top scorer with 4 goals. The next match between Central Railway Versus Remix saw Central Railway taking the winning edge with 8 - 1. Not forgetting the goal keeper for Central Railway Helen Marie is an international player with a Bharat Bhushan award to her credit .
In the Club League Matches Union Bank Sports Club beat Bombay Republic to a 8-2 win with Devinder Walmiki from Union Bank being the top scorer with 4 goals. Also the match between F-united and Freunds saw F-united to a clean win with 7-4 with Nitin from F-united being the top scorer of 6 goals leading F-United to a victorious triump.
The most awaited match of the evening between Mumbai Customs and Central Railway saw Mumbai Customs winning with a score of 9 - 6 and Stanley Fernandes being the hero scoring 6 goals.
It was heartening to see a good spectator turnout despite that the fact that the Mumbai Indian’s were to play their first game of the already popular Indian Premier League (IPL).
Stick2Hockey.com
Gill’s request to I&B Minister
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill has urged Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anand Sharma to look into the matter as to why the final of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Malaysia, which India won after a gap of 13 years, was not telecast on Doordarshan.
“A lot of people have complained to me that Doordarshan took no interest in this match. It should have been shown on our national sports channel. I would request you to go into the policy matter with Doordarshan, AIR and Prasar Bharti,” Mr. Gill wrote in a recent letter to Mr. Sharma.
Mr. Gill said cricket was in focus for commercial reasons and the national television channels must keep in tune with the National Sports Policy and promote all games, particularly hockey “for which the Indians have a strong sentimental focus.”
“I hope you will examine this issue and lay down a clear policy on this,” the Sports Minister wrote.
The Hindu
Court order to leave a hole in IOA coffers
By Sandeep Narayan in New Delhi
CALCUTTA High Court’s Justice Indira Banerjee ordered Sahara India Ltd to deposit Rs 2.11 crore as sponsorship amount which was due as per their contract with the dissolved Indian Hockey Federation ( IHF) into a suspense account instead of the IOA- run ad hoc committee, which is currently in charge of the sport in India.
The legal tussle between the old IHF committee, chaired by KPS Gill, and Leisure Sports Management ( LSM), the marketing group for Sahara, began after a prayer made by the former.
Old committee alleged the LSM had obtained an interim order from this court by suppressing some facts in February last year. However, through this interim order, the Calcutta High Court stayed the notice issued by the old committee that the hockey players would play international matches without wearing the Sahara logo on their jerseys and Sahara will now continue to pay the sponsorship fee.
The irony of this entire verdict is that now the Indian hockey team will don Sahara’s logo in every tournament it participates in, but the ad hoc committee, which has been running the sport for the last one year and has been spending money on the team, won’t receive a single penny.
While Justice Banerjee has informed the ad hoc committee that they can appeal the verdict, but till then the entire sum will remain in a suspense account and can only be accessed once a newlyelected IHF is in power.
This raises a pertinent question as to how long can the IOA bankroll the Indian hockey team from its own coffers and a little bit of government funding.
“ Most of the expenditure for the team is done by the IOA. We basically pay for their travel, boarding, lodging and the costs of their training camps, not to mention player incentives. Of course we get government funding as well,” said a member of the IOA. The sponsorship money should be used for the development of the sport and should not remain in one account waiting for its rightful owner to collect it. Of course this would not happen if the elections for the IHF are held.
Asked about the implications of the court’s verdict on hockey in general, members of the ad hoc committee refused to comment.
“ We are still waiting for the order and only after reading the verdict will we know where we stand. Till then I cannot comment on the case and its repercussions or whether we will appeal,” said a member of the ad hoc committee.
Mail Today
Salute our soldiers
All is s not well with the Indian Hockey Federation. Yet, despite the uncertainty, our hockey stars remain unfazed. The Ajlan Shah triumph shows that the rays of hope are heralding a new dawn. But, let's not go overboard, says Diganta Guha
In May, 2008, K Jothikumaran, general secretary of the Indian Hockey Federation disgraced the hockey fraternity when he was caught on camera taking bribes to select a player for the Indian team. And it resulted in the suspension of the IHF by the Indian Olympic Association. It couldn?t have got worse than that.
Almost a year down the line, our senior hockey team has done the country proud by winning the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after 13 years, defeating Malaysia 3-1.
The sense of pride and ecstasy on the faces of the players was evident after the win. And why shouldn't it be? Despite the administrative hiccups within the IHF with controversies after controversies damaging the reputation of the age-old game in the country, it does go to the credit of our champions that they have managed to keep the Indian flag fluttering atop. Mind you, we failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics last year. It?s a credit that only our players deserve and nobody else. Let's make it very clear at the outset.
But, do we have reasons enough to go overboard? Does this really signify that the process of rejuvenation in Indian hockey has already started? Honestly speaking, there is a mixed view on this. There is one section which is elated, but at the same time, there are people who don't want to get carried away. Let?s explore.
Guarded elation
It?s true that India?s triumph in Malaysia is encouraging. And it is a continuity of the successful run that senior Indian hockey side is enjoying in the year 2009. Before the Ajlan Shah victory, India beat New Zealand 2-0 in the four-match Test series, emerged runners-up in the Punjab Gold Cup and drew the four-match series against Argentina 2-2. On the basis of statistics, the sun seems to be shining brightly, but hockey experts do not want to have the final word on the recent success. The general impression is that of guarded elation. Journalist Vijay Lokapally is of the opinion that our recent performances are a step in the right direction, but we should not go ga-ga over them. Agrees hockey expert K Arumugam, who runs the website stick2hockey.com, "There should be a sense of occasional joy, but we shouldn't go overboard. Frankly speaking, the tournaments we are talking about aren't of very high standards and hence they don't really reflect in your rankings." And he adds that our team hasn't had a taste of the best of players in recent times.
Even in such tournaments, the loopholes have been exposed at critical junctures. The defeat against Germany in the Punjab Gold Cup and the two losses to Argentina in the Test series have led critics to wonder what happens once these sides field their full strength in major tournaments like the World Cup or Champions Trophy. Senior India coach Harendra Singh is positive. "It's good that people are criticising us. This will only keep us on our toes and enable us to perform better with time." At the same time, he stands by his team. On the question of facing weaker oppositions, he says, "If that is so, then how come we are getting the better of teams like Pakistan and New Zealand higher ranked than we are. Nobody is talking about that," he counters. India is currently ranked 10th in the world.
Where does the problem lie?
There is another reason why such apprehensions are being expressed. One view point, as Lokapally points out, is that there are not enough replacements for seniors. Somebody like Dilip Tirkey is performing, but he does not have too many years left in his career. Singh says the basic problem lies with the catch from the grass-root levels. ?We have a bunch of talents, but I am not happy with coaching in the grass-root level. We have to polish the skills of the players in the camps since they are deprived of a proper coaching at the junior level. The government has to take more initiatives.?
Apart from this, the way the players are chosen is also not correct as Arumugam points out. There is no development team between Under-21 and the India seniors, he says" And this creates the problem," he adds. Singh is of the view that it is important to identify the right players and this is what is called vision. He has already presented a blue print for improving hockey standards to the IHF and he hopes to take it further. There is a dearth of good academies in the country with modern facilities, which is a complaint that Singh raises. But junior India coach A K Bansal informs that already 15-20 academies have come up and ?Even the Tata Football Academy is eager to start a new hockey academy, which is a positive sign.? But there is a need for more professional academies all over the country, as Singh says.
The positive side
We have all this while been critical of the overall set up in Indian hockey. But there is definitely a ray of hope. Everything cannot happen overnight. It takes time and despite odds, our performance is worth lauding. "Self- belief is important and I am trying to instil that in my boys. Inside the dressing room we should not think too much about the opponents. We should bank on our potential. Let the opponents think about us," says the senior India coach. Even the harshest of critics say that the recent success has injected some energy into Indian hockey. There is a need to make a proper plan for these big tournaments so that the team is prepared for the World Cup coming up in 2010 that India is slated to host. "Choosing the right tournament is important so that the players get a taste of world class hockey," adds Arumugam. Bansal, says there are some good players who can make it to the senior side, but ?We don?t want to rush through things as the Junior World Cup is slated for June. We need them for the World Cup before we can induct them into the senior side.?
Bansal names players like Innocent Kullu, Diwakar Ram and Pramod Kumar who have shown a lot of promise. The senior team according to many is a well mix of youth and experience ? on one hand, there are the senior pros like Dilip Tirkey with more than 400 international caps, Ignace Tirkey, Adrian D?Souza and Arjun Hallappa. And on the other hand, there are SV Sunil and captain Sandeep Singh among others who provide the perfect mix. Bansal adds, that once Diwakar Ram comes into the senior team, there will be two drag flickers in the side - Ram and Sandeep. Currently, the pool of 25 players for the senior side is good enough as Arumugam says. But there is always room for improvements.
Why should we laud our champions?
There is a specific reason why Indian players should be given their due. The Indian Hockey Federation is passing through a transitional phase with the might of long-standing president
K P S Gill over after the Indian Olympic Association sacked him and his team last year. IHF is currently run by an ad-hoc committee. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has already told the IHF to conduct elections within six months or else, India would lose the right to host the 2010 World Cup. Leandro Negre, president FIH recently met JB Roy, president of the Bengal Hockey Federation. There is an attempt to democratise the system that has been polluted thanks to the one-man show of Gill during whose regime corruption was at its peak. Sources inform that Sahara, the sponsor of the junior and senior sides is not happy with the lack of accountability in the accounts. There is so much of nepotism around and the worst part is that there is no job guarantee for the players which is why anybody would shy away from taking up hockey as a profession, There is also a need for market forces to come forward and support hockey, says Lokapally. Insiders inform that even former players fight for plum posts within the federation.
However, with so much of uncertainty in the parent body itself, the good news is that the players are giving their best on the field. As the Indian captain Sandeep Singh said after the Azlan Cup triumph, ?It is the hard work put in by our team which we are seeing now. It is a joint effort of our coaches and the team members.? Nobody can dare to take credit away from them.
Looking ahead
Despite the instability there are attempts to head in the right direction. More international exposure is being envisaged and if we look at the international calendar, it says it all. This year there are quite a number of big tournaments coming up for the India seniors like the Asia Cup in Dubai in May, the Europe tour in August, the all-important Champions Challenge Cup in Argentina in December which is the qualifier for the Champions Trophy. Australia, Germany and Spain will be visiting India this year. So, there is a very hectic international calendar up in store. Giving it to the administrators, since the exit of Gill, Indian hockey has had a turnaround ? gold in the junior Asia Cup and silver in the Bahru Genting Cup for the juniors. Series win against New Zealand, drawn series against Argentina, silver in the Punjab Gold Cup and gold in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the seniors are indications of a bright future.
So, let's celebrate, but not get lost in ecstasy. It's time to usher in a new era of the land of Dhyan Chand.
DayAfter
Viren means business
Taus Rizvi
Friday, May 1, 2009: Mumbai: Viren Rasquinha was one of the most talented midfielders India ever had. Last year, he announced a surprise retirement at the age of 28 while still on top of his game.
"I wanted to move ahead in life and it is better to call it quits when in top form," says Rasquinha.
The Bandra boy went on to do a Masters in Business Administration from Hyderabad's Indian School of Business. With a degree in tow, he is now looking forward to a professional life as an administrator in an MNC.
"My life was very hectic last year and I hardly had time for myself. I want to take a month's break and then look for a job," the former midfielder says.
Rasquinha is handling the affairs in Bandra's Mount Carmel Rink Hockey Tournament to be held from May 1 to 7 which will witness quite a number of teams participating in it.
"Bandra has been the hub of hockey in Mumbai and rink hockey is quite big here. I am not at all in touch with the regular sport. I am going all out here since this is being held in Bandra," said the local lad. "In fact, this time we have more categories and increased the number of participating teams so that more people can play," he added.
Was it tough for him to be away for more than a year from his favourite sport which he has been playing since childhood?
"Honestly, I have never had the time to think of it. I was so involved with studies and projects that I would hardly get any time to think about anything," said Rasquinha.
Viren, however, has a long-term plan and plans to use his business acumen for the improvement of the sport in India.
"Frankly, whatever I have studied is for myself. But in the long term I would certainly like to be into administration and use my knowledge of sport and management for the betterment of it. I always believed that we should have a professional body, not an honorary one which can run the association without any problems. In the future I would like to be a part of it."
As far as his comeback in hockey is concerned, Viren is not thinking about it. "It is quite hypothetical. I am not thinking about it and it's very difficult to come back now. But I am looking forward to playing in the Mumbai hockey league if I get an invitation," he added.
He refused to comment on the IOC ad-hoc committee but praised India's performance in the Azlan Shah Cup. "They played very well in Azlan Shah but we need to carry on the momentum in the future tournaments. I have always believed its not about young and old but who is the fittest of them," said the Arjuna awardee.
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