News for 05 May 2009
Tuesday, 05 May 2009 06:41 | 
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All the news for Tuesday 5 May 2009
USA seniors v USA U21 results
USA Field Hockey welcomes the Germany Women's Under-21 National Team to Harvard University in Boston, MA for a four game test series against the USA Under-21 National 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.
Scrimmage One: Senior WNT 2, Under-21 WNT 0
Goal scorers: Kayla Bashore (FG), Caroline Nichols (PC)
Senior Roster: Leonetti, Evans, Gey, Sarah Dawson, Silvetti, Weinberg, Lingo, Nichols, Bashore, Powley, Blaum, Schnepf, Laubach, Doton, Dostal
"We were tired after the travel and games vs Argentina," said Senior National Team Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "We were very impressed with the intensity of the U21s and their level of skill. This forced us to elevate our game in the second half. It was pleaseing that 2we were able to do that and come away with a much better performance to finish the game well."
Scrimmage Two: Senior WNT 5, Under-21 WNT 0
The senior side was much sharper today, but the U21s still played determined. The Women's National Team now heads home after a two-week tour, including Argentina and Boston.
The U21 team is still rounding out their squad with teammates arriving in Boston today. Germany arrives today also. Both teams will train tomorrow and prepare for the first game.
USFHA media release
AHF changes schedule of 8th Asia Cup
Staff Report
LAHORE: The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has changed the schedule of the 8th Asia Cup Hockey Tournament after Sri Lanka pulled out of the tournament. According to new schedule, Bangladesh have been transferred to Pool A from Pool B. The other teams of Pool A are hosts Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Pool B comprises of Pakistan, India and China.
Schedule:
May 9: Japan vs Bangladesh, South Korea vs Malaysia and Pakistan vs China.
May 10: Pakistan vs India
May 11: Japan vs South Korea, Malaysia vs Bangladesh
May 12: China vs India, South Korea vs Bangladesh, Malaysia vs Japan
May 14: first team of Pool A vs second team of Pool B, first team of Pool B vs second team of Pool A
May 15: Third team of Pool B vs fourth team of Pool A
May 16: Semi-finals and final.
The Daily Times
Only versatile players will do for Asia Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Versatile players with special skills stand a better chance of earning a spot in the Malaysian team for the Asia Cup which starts in Kuantan on Saturday.
The national selectors will trim the training squad of 27 to the final 18 after the friendly match against Pakistan today at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.
National hockey coach Tai Beng Hai said that the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will name the team on Thursday.
“The players have just one more match to convince us of their potential. We have the core members of the team in mind and also have a good idea of their abilities. However, with a large pool of players available for selection, we need to focus on players with specialities and versatility.
“This is the edge some may have over the others. I can assure the players that every one will get a fair chance and we will try and use all the players in the match against Pakistan to give them some time on the field,” said Beng Hai.
Malaysia will also face China in a friendly match on Thursday but Beng Hai said he would field some National Juniors players for the match.
For the Asia Cup, Malaysia are in Group A with South Korea, Bangladesh and Japan while Group B consists of Pakistan, China and India.
Beng Hai said their preparations were almost completed.
“Most of the injured players have recovered. That is why we are not too keen on playing more friendly matches so close to the tournament proper.”
The winners of the Asia Cup will gain direct entry to the 2010 World Cup in India. The others will have to vie for a place through the qualifying tournaments in November.
The MHF have set Beng Hai a top-four finish for the tournament.
Meanwhile midfielder Jiwa Mohan is expected to arrive in Kuantan today in time for the match with Pakistan.
“He will have to come in before the match and we need to check out his fitness level. We want to assess him during the Pakistan friendly,” he said.
Jiwa retired from the national team last year but the MHF recalled him for the Asia Cup as he had been playing in the Western Australian League for the last two months.
The Star of Malaysia
Confident Pakistan eye Asia Cup
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Hopes are high but apprehensions abound as Pakistan’s hockey squad flew off for Malaysia on Monday night to feature in the 2009 Asia Cup to be played at a brand-new venue in Kuantan from May 9-16.
Pakistan finished a disappointing fourth position in their last international assignment — the five-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup — in Malaysia last month but will still be vying for their first Asia Cup crown in two decades.
The record four-time world champions have to win the seven-nation Asia Cup to confirm a spot for next year’s World Cup in India. “It’s a must-win tournament for us,” Shahid Ali Khan, Pakistan’s coach, told ‘The News’ before the team’s departure for Malaysia. “We have done our homework and hopefully the team will do better this time,” he added.
Much of Pakistan’s optimism ahead of the seven-nation Asia Cup springs from the fact that four of their most accomplished players are back in the squad. The most prominent of the comeback stars is Sohail Abbas, regarded among the world’s best drag flick experts.
Also back in the squad are influential midfielder Waseem Ahmed, prolific striker Rehan Butt and seasoned goalie Salman Akber. The team management has also borrowed a couple of rookies from the national junior squad and are hoping that they will add to Pakistan’s firepower in Malaysia.
Pakistan will get to work immediately after landing in Kuantan on Tuesday (today) with a practice game against hosts Malaysia. They will play another warm-up match — against Japan — on May 7 before launching their title campaign with a crucial game against China on May 9. Defending champions India are the other team in Pakistan’s group.
The News International
Confident Pakistan eye Asia Cup
KARACHI: Just three weeks after crashing to a morale-shattering fourth position finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Pakistan flew back to Malaysia Monday hoping to lift their fortunes in the Asia Cup hockey tournament starting in Kuantan May 9.
Pakistan are desperate to win the Asia Cup - an event that they last won in 1989 - and confirm a spot for next year's World Cup in India.
For that reason, the national hockey bosses have recalled four senior players including short corner specialist Sohail Abbas.
The team officials are wary of defending champion India and China, who are bracketed with Pakistan in Pool B of the seven-nation tournament.
Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan is looking for a couple of practice games to zero-on the winning combination for the Asia Cup.
The team plans to warm up for the biennial spectacle by playing practice matches against hosts Malaysia (May 5) and Japan (May 7).
Shahid, an Olympian, wants the four senior players, who are returning to the national squad after a long break, to gel with the rest of the players ahead of the crucial Asia Cup opener against Pool B rivals China May 9.
"We have a make-or-break opening game against China," Shahid, a former Olympian, said Monday just before the team's departure for Kuala Lumpur.
"The outcome of that match will have a big impact on our Asia Cup hopes which is why we want our team to be fully ready for that clash," he stressed.
Pakistan have recalled four senior players - drag flick expert Sohail Abbas, midfielder Waseem Ahmed, striker Rehan Butt and goalie Salman Akber - in a bid to boost their title chances in the May 9-16 Asia Cup.
Shahid and fellow team officials want their players to give their best against China - a team that has posed problems for Pakistan in recent years.
China stunned Pakistan in the 2006 Asian Games semi-finals in Doha and also won the last game between the two teams - a Test match on home soil last year - by a 4-0 margin.
"China is a tough team to beat," said Shahid. "But we are preparing a strategy for the match against them," he said.
Shahid is also hoping that his boys will avenge their 1-2 defeat against India in the Azlan Shah Cup semi-final in Ipoh last month by beating it in their Pool B clash May 10.
"For us, India is the team to beat in Asia Cup," said Shahid. "They are playing really well but I believe that we can beat them this time."
The Times of India
Power Play
by A. Majid Khan
The recently concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament lost much of its lustre when the world’s top three hockey-playing nations —Germany, Australia and the Netherlands — did not participate in the event. What was worse was that, despite their absence Pakistan managed to perform badly. Once Olympic and World Cup champions, it finished fourth in the five-nation tournament.
Pre-tournament favourites New Zealand defeated Pakistan 3-2 in the single league and then cemented its supremacy in the play-off for third position by 2-1. Pakistan suffered an initial setback when it lost its opening match to host Malaysia (2-3) which was followed by defeat against New Zealand. However, after two successive defeats the green shirts registered a convincing 4-0 victory over Egypt with a hat-trick by seasoned attacker Shakeel Abbasi. But Pakistan’s place in the final depended largely on their match against India; the latter won the match and made it to the final of the tournament.
The fact that Pakistan just managed one victory and that too against 20th ranked Egypt indicates that Pakistan hockey is on the decline despite tall claims by team management regarding rebuilding of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup in 2010.
The disappointing performance in Azlan Shah Cup is a concern for impartial observers who were hoping that under the new set up of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, headed by former Olympian fullback Qasim Zia, the team would perform better. The dismal performance is even more alarming since it comes at the eve of the eight-nation Asia Cup scheduled in Kuantan (Malaysia). The winners will qualify for the next year’s World Cup which is to be held in New Delhi.
Nine months ago in Beijing Games, Pakistan gave its worst-ever performance in its Olympic history by finishing eighth in the12-nation tournament. This was when the former federal sports minister had replaced Khalid Mahmood and appointed former Olympian Asif Bajwa as the PHF secretary when the Beijing Olympic was hardly six weeks away. Under the new team management, Bajwa is the PHF secretary as well as manager and Shahid Ali Khan, the coach. But the hockey circle believes that appointing Bajwa as Pakistan team manager was not a good idea even if it was a unanimous decision of the federation meeting. We may have the example of PHF secretary/manager Brig (Retd.) Manzoor Hussain Atif who helped Pakistan regain the Olympic title for the third and last time in 1984 in Los Angles. But we need to remember that Atif belonged to the golden era of our hockey and he had several world class players in the team, which we now lack.
It is high time that the PHF reviews its decision of giving the PHF secretary an additional post of team manager. Such a scenario weakens the coach’s position since the players look towards their manager who carries great power but no accountability.
Dawn
Tough task ahead of new coach Brasa
S. Thyagarajan
— Photo: S. Subramanium
TALKING HEADS: The newly appointed chief coach of the Indian hockey team, Jose Manuel Brasa, exchanging notes with the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, M.S. Gill, in New Delhi on Monday.
CHENNAI: On debate for decades, the issue of a foreign coach is a sensitive, touchy item that evokes inexplicably complex emotions in the hockey community.
When the idea was floated in the late 1970s, the weapon to shooting it down was ‘pride’ (izzat).The argument advanced was that a superpower like India, with a handful of Olympic medals, will be looked down upon if it opted for a foreign coach. Sadly, the power-that-be at that point of time lacked the vision, and failed to comprehend the transparent trend of transformation.
The voice of a veteran administrator like Ashwini Kumar was drowned in the cacophony of contradictions and contortions. The former IHF president was optimistic that the alarming decline can be arrested by a coach like Horst Wein, whose strategic formulations were revolutionising the game across Europe.
But the suggestions had not many takers. Had the administration seen through the prism of what lay ahead to the status of our hockey, it would not have been what it is today.
When the idea really crystallised three decades later, the ham-handed manner in which the German coach, Gerhard Rach, was inducted did more harm than good.
There was dissatisfaction all round and what happened for the national team in the Athens Olympiad needs no enumeration.
The subject of a foreign coach was on the boil since then in varying intensity, till the disaster at the World Cup in Monchengladbach and the Santiago qualifier, where India tumbled out of the Olympic pedestal.
The involvement of FIH, the side-lining of the federation, and the creation of an IOA-led ad hoc committee, with the sports ministry throwing its weight in, all formed a heady mixture that only accentuated the complexities beyond comprehension.
A way could easily have been found to utilise a stalwart like Ric Charlesworth if those connected with it made a common cause. Every point was deliberately clouded to frustrate the Aussies’ passion to handle the national team.
He was genuinely interested in uplifting the profile of our hockey, but had to abandon the project, that left a bitter taste all round. The loss for India was greater than it was for Charlesworth.
Bleak scenario
Against this bleak scenario enters the 55-year old Jose Manuel Brasa. Armed with a FIH Master Coach Certificate and reputation as the man behind Spain’s women team’s gold medal at Barcelona in 1992, Brasa steps in, where Angels fear to tread.
He cannot be unaware of what he is about to confront in the next few weeks. Admittedly, it is a Herculean task as expectations are high. A silver lining is that the team has regained a modicum of its self-belief thanks to a series of decent performances against top teams and the recent win in the Azlan Shah Trophy at Ipoh.
It is a moot point whether Brasa should take charge immediately on the eve of the Asia Cup starting on May 9. The interim coach, Harendra Singh, and his team, Ramandeep Singh and Romeo James, have established a good rapport with the players who are now used to a systematisation worked out by them. Any change evolved in the routine by Brasa at this juncture might upset the acquired rhythm.
Now that Brasa’s role is confirmed, and Harendra offering full support and co-operation, the Spaniard would serve the cause better if he remains a mere observer and making a point or two in team meetings than take the place in the bench and dictate.
Frankly, the coach requires time to study and analyze the utility value of all the 18 players and fashion a working formula from the inputs by the team handling players for about a year now. Only then will the transition be smooth.
The Hindu
Jose Brasa signs contract as chief hockey coach
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: Jose Manuel Brasa, within hours of his arrival here on Monday, signed the contract with the Sports Authority of India as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.
Later, the Spanish coach met Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill and officials of the ministry and SAI.
Mr. Gill assured Brasa of all help, including his requirement to learn Hindi in order to communicate smoothly with the players.
"I was happy to meet Brasa and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing," Mr. Gill said after meeting the Spaniard at his residence.
Full support
"Spanish people are as emotional as we Indians and I am confident that Brasa will have a good relationship with all the players and support staff. I expect him to take the Indian hockey team to a higher level and I’ve assured him that the Ministry will give him full support," the Sports Minister said.
The 57-year-old will be presented before the media on Tuesday before he leaves for Malaysia to join the Indian team in its pursuit to make a hat-trick of Asia Cup title wins.
Ignoring advice
On making up his mind on the India job, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach said he came here despite getting negative feedback from former Technical Advisor and Australian great Ric Charlesworth. "I exchanged a lot of e-mails with him. He told me ‘Do not go’," Brasa said.
The good-humoured Spaniard praised the Indians as "the best skilful players in the world" and asserted that he was optimistic about the job and was here "to win medals."
He, however, admitted that the Indian side "needed to improve its teamwork."
The Hindu
Spanish coach signs contract
Harpreet Kaur Lamba
New Delhi, May 4: Spanish coach Jose Brasa on Monday signed the official contract and will take over the reins of Indian hockey soon, it was reliably learnt.
Appointed chief coach of the men’s national team till the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, the 55-year old arrived in the Capital late on Sunday and held several rounds of meetings with the top brass on the day.
The day began with a session at the sports ministry, followed by closed-door discussions with officials from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee.
Brasa later met the Union minister of sports M.S. Gill at the latter’s residence and signed on the dotted line. The Spaniard, it was learnt, put forth his plan and vision for the next two years.
Said Brasa after the meeting, "It has been a fruitful day and the response from the Indian authorities has been positive. Coaching India is my dream and it is going to materialise soon."
Said Gill, "I was happy to meet Brasa today and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing.
"The Spanish culture is akin to India and I think it is a start of a great relationship. A lot is expected of him, and I am sure he will deliver the best of results."
Meanwhile, Inter-national Hockey Federation president Leandro Negre was also in the capital on Monday to overlook the 2010 World Cup preparations and discuss marketing strategies.
The Asian Age
Master coach Brasa takes charge
Biswajyoti Brahma,TNN
NEW DELHI: Spaniard Jose Brasa on Monday took over as the chief coach of the national hockey team, after signing a contract to this effect with the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
The International Hockey Federation's (FIH) master coach, who would be in charge at least till the Asian Games in November next year, came here early on Monday morning and attended a series of meetings, including the ones with sports minister MS Gill, top sports ministry officials as well as SAI officials. Brasa is Indian hockey's second foreign coach after German Gerhard Rach.
Brasa appeared quite excited about the challenges he is likely to face in the coming days. He said he decided to come here despite being dissuaded by Ric Charlesworth, former technical advisor of Indian hockey and now the coach of Australian team. "I have been in touch with him (Charlesworth) and he asked me not to go ahead with it," he said.
Meanwhile, sources told TOI that Brasa seemed quite positive about his assignment. "He sounded very positive and said he is eager to work hard and take Indian hockey to a new level," the source said.
"In the first place, he has shown interest in learning Hindi. He believes it would help him in communicating with the players in a better way."
In fact, sports minister MS Gill later said that the government would provide Brasa the facility to learn Hindi.
Brasa, who would be getting a salary of 7000 euros (Rs 4.6 lakh) per month till the Asian Games, when his performance as well as that of the team would be reviewed, would be heading to Malaysia in a day or two to be with the Indian team which is there to defend its Asia Cup title. Though Harendra Singh is in charge of the team for the event, Brasa will use the tournament to familiarise himself with the players and their playing styles.
The Times of India
Brasa outlines plans for further improvement
New Delhi: India’s newly appointed hockey chief coach Jose Brasa feels there is a need to work on the co-ordination between players and encourage the use of technological assistance to improve Indian hockey, rather than trying any wholesale changes in their playing style.
Brasa, who was in the Capital to sign on the dotted line on Monday, said he had been appointed as the chief coach and, other than one physical trainer, would be dependant on the Indian staff. He said he was confident there would be good co-ordination with the other Indian coaches and members of the staff. Brasa also met Sports Minister MS Gill after signing his contract and expressed hope that he would be able to improve the fortunes of the national game.
“I will try to keep the Indian style of attacking hockey as it is, only trying to sharpen it by adding more speed and co-ordination between the players and working on their fitness rather than their skills,” Brasa said after meeting Gill. He also said that though he can’t say much at the moment since he hasn’t seen the players in action, he felt there was need to work on the defence and various combinations among the players.
Scientific requirements
Brasa also reiterated his preference for more technological assistance and said that scientific support and know-how was important to succeed in any modern sport. “I would like to get as much of the latest technology as possible within our budget, and go for more modern software to improve the reading of match situations,” he said.
Brasa’s plan for reviving the team’s sagging fortunes includes having a modern and scientific approach to the sport. He said that while he was hopeful of helping Indian hockey, he would be able to give a detailed assessment only after watching the team and interacting with the players and coaches in Malaysia during the Asia Cup, which begins May 9. He, however, said that there was no substitute for hard work and training and any flaws in the game can only be removed through constant practice and workouts. “The harder you train, the better you get, it’s simple,” said Brasa.
Gill said he had had a detailed discussion with Brasa about the work he would be doing, and also assured the Spaniard full co-operation in implementing his ideas for the betterment of the game and the players.
Brasa will be joining the Indian squad in Malaysia later this week to observe the team but would take formal charge only after the tournament.
Indian Express
‘Brasa’s appointment a positive step’
SUNDARI IYER
Mumbai, May 4: Former hockey international Viren Rasquinha feels that the arrival of Spaniard Jose Brasa as chief coach of the men’s national team will be a positive step.
Rasquinha, who is all set to don the corporate hat soon, keeps himself abreast of happenings in hockey.
"The players are the same. They are all professionals and have been playing for a long time now. The team have been hovering around in the world rankings from 7-10 for the past several years and with Brasa’s experience that looks set to change," he said on the sidelines of the six-a-side rink hockey event that he organises every year.
Rasquinha added that Brasa would bring with him a neutral approach towards the game. "India have to learn how to perform under pressure and also gain an insight into the strategic inputs to take hockey to the next level," the Mumbaiker said.
Recollecting Gerhard Rach’s stint as the chief coach just before the 2004 Athens Olympics, he said, "The Indian team couldn’t do much during his tenure due to Rach’s short stay. Also I believe it wasn’t the ideal time for his appointment.
"But compared to Rach, the current coach has more time to spend with the team and will surely help in the betterment of the national game," he added.
He, however, refused to comment on the working of the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee saying India and Pakistan had been way behind other countries when it comes to progress.
The Asian Age
Brasa wants to learn Hindi
Newly appointed national hockey coach Jose Brasa is keen to learn Hindi so that communication doesn't become a barrier.
And the Spaniard on Monday got assurance from Sports Minister MS Gill that he would get all kind of help to pick at least smattering of the language.
"I was happy to meet Brasa today and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing," Gill said after Brasa met him at his residence.
"During the discussion, Brasa expressed his desire to learn Hindi to build up better relation with the Indian players and understand their problems better.
"I told him 'we'll support you and provide you the facility to learn Hindi'," Gill said.
Gill in fact went on to assure the Spaniard that the Ministry would back him in implementing whatever programme he had in mind for the betterment of the game and the players.
"Spanish people are as emotional as we Indians and I'm confident Brasa will have a good relationship with all the players and support staff," Gill said.
"I expect him to take the Indian hockey team to a higher level and I've assured him that the Ministry will give him full support," said the Sports Minister.
Incidentally, it was Gill's last assignment in the office and Sports Ministry sources said unlike Australian great Ric Charlesworth's appointment, Brasa's was a "neat and clean" arrangement, signed by the Spaniard and a Ministry official earlier on Monday.
ESPNStar.com
Charlesworth tried to dissuade Brasa
NEW DELHI - If Spaniard Jose Brasa had heeded the advice of India’s former technical advisor Ric Charlesworth he would not have been here to coach the eight times Olympic hockey champions.
Ric Charlesworth, apparently tried to dissuade Brasa from going to India narrating his own experience of dealing with the Union sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
‘I have been in touch with him and he advised me not to go to India,’ Brasa told IANS on arrival here Monday.
Charlesworth was the technical adviser of the team on the recommendation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) but his stint was all too brief as he had to quit in controversial circumstances after a blow-up with the officials of the Sports Authority of India and the IOA.
The Indian hockey team was without a chief coach after Joaquim Carvalho resigned in March last year after India failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Reading women win promotion to top flight
By Charles Randall
Reading won promotion to the top women's division for the first time in the Slazenger League play-offs at West of England University in Bristol, joining a very small group of clubs with elite men and women sections.
Reading, 3-1 winners over Durham University, emulated two merged clubs – Bowdon Hightown and newly linked Brooklands Poynton – with a double presence at the highest level. Their defence settled the issue by allowing Durham only one goal from 10 penalty corners.
Durham won their last 12 league games in a row, including Loughborough University, to reach this stage as North conference champions, and promotion would have been a remarkable achievement for Gavin Featherstone, their Olympics coach.
Featherstone commented that the North East was too often overlooked when England squads were chosen, and his fluent super-fit team endorsed that view with action as they penned Reading back for long periods of play. Only Durham's goalscorer Loren Sherer had won national recognition, at under-21 level. The university's hockey club claimed 11 titles this season.
Two early goals in a minute by Victoria Bryant and Becky Odlin gave Reading a great start, and they looked certain of at least the draw they needed by the time Emily Malden flapped in a deflection for the third goal. Birmingham University had already guaranteed a Division One place for the first time.
Plans by Brooklands and Poynton to merge for next season could go full steam ahead when Brooklands shrugged off Oxted's challenge 5-2, with three goals from David Seddon, to secure promotion alongside Exeter University, newcomers to the top level.
Exeter, replacing Isca as the city's hockey powerhouse, have a good South African coach, Chris McInroy, and skilful players, but they might find the rough-tough Division One and the extensive travel next season as serious obstacles.
SLAZENGER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS (West Of England Univ, Bristol).
Men: Brooklands 5 Oxted 2, Havant 2 Exeter Univ 0. Brooklands & Exeter Univ promoted.
Women: Reading 3 Durham Univ 1, Birmingham Univ 3 Ipswich 0.
Birmingham Univ & Reading promoted.
The Telegraph
SA U19 Team Wins U21 Men's IPT
The SA U19 team were crowned National U21 Champions after an exciting 3-1 victory over KZN Coastals on Saturday evening. The U19 team dominated play throughout the match and proved too strong for the talented Coastals team. This result was one better than last year’s runners up position for the U19 team.
Other results for the day:
Final: SA U19 3 – KZN Coastals 1
3rd/4th: Northern Gauteng 3 – Eastern Province 1
5th/6th: KZN Inland 3 – Southern Gauteng 3 (KZN Inland won 4-2 on Strokes)
7th/8th: Western Province 5 – Peninsula 1
9th/10th: Free State 5 – Border 4
11th/12th: North West 2 – Northern Cape 2 (North West won on strokes)
Final Standings:
1. SA U19
2. KZN Coastals
3. Northern Gauteng
4. Eastern Province
5. KZN Inland
6. Southern Gauteng
7. Western Province
8. Peninsula
9. Free State
10. Border
11. North West
12. Northern Cape
SA Hockey Association media release
Surinder to lead women’s team
AGE CORRESPONDENT
BENGALURU, May 4: Haryana’s Surinder Kaur will lead the Indian women’s hockey team at the four-nation tournament in South Africa from May 27. Apart from the hosts, India will face stiff competition from Australia and Argentina.
Indian Women’s Hockey Federation secretary Amrit Bose, who was here at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre for the selections trials, said there were plans to send a combined team of seniors and juniors to Germany and Holland but the dates were yet to be finalised.
Meanwhile, T.H. Ranjeeta was named captain of an 18-member junior women’s team for the exposure tour of Canada and New Zealand as part of preparations for the Junior World Cup in Boston in August.
"The junior girls are very promising and a threat to the senior players," said Bose.
She also did not rule out further changes for the World Cup. "There might be changes in the squad. If there are any promising youngsters, they might be drafted into the team for the World Cup," she added.
The junior team is scheduled to play Tests against Canada from May 24 to June 5 and will later move to New Zealand for a series of matches from June 15 to 22.
Teams
Seniors: Goalkeepers: Deepika Murthy, Marita Tirkey. Defenders: Binita Toppo, Eti Srivatsava, Sulochana Kisan. Midfielders: Mukta Barla, Deepika Thakur, Amubi Devi, Sushila Chanu. Forwards: Surinder Kaur (captain), Mamta Kharab, Vartika Singh, Rijuta Mullick, Chanchan Devi, Saba Anjum, Lalrimruati Devi.
The Asian Age
Ranjeetha to lead
Special Correspondent
BANGALORE: T.H. Ranjeetha will captain the under-21 Indian women’s hockey team to the twin tours of Canada (May 24 to June 6) and New Zealand (June 15 to 22) and the World Cup at Boston from August 3 to 16.
The teams: For the tour of Canada, New Zealand and the Under-21 World Cup in Boston: Goalkeepers: Jasdeep Kaur, Savita. Preeti Kiru, Sandeep Kaur, Joydeep Kaur, Rosaline Ralte, T.H. Ranjeetha (captain), Manoram Devi, Sunita Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur, Kiran Dahiya, Ritu Rani, Rani Devi, Vandana Kataria, Monika Badran, Poonam Rani, Rosalin Dung Dung, Saundarya. Standbys: Rajini, Lalrim Ruati.
Senior women’s team (four-nation at Durban, May 27 to June 7): Goalkeepers: Deepika Murthy, Marita Tirkey, Binita Toppo, Eti Srivastava, Sulochana Kisan, Mukta Barla, Deepika Thakur, Amubi Devi, Sushila Chanu, Surinder Kaur (captain), Mamta Kharab, Vartika Singh, Rijuta Mullick, Chanchan Devi, Saba Anjum, Lalrim Rutai. Standby: Yogita Bali (gk).
The Hindu
Ranjita to lead India in U-21 women's World Cup
BANGALORE: Mid-fielder T H Ranjita will lead India in the under-21 hockey World Cup to be held at Boston, United States from August 3 to 16.
The Indian Women's Hockey Association (IWHA) President Amrit Bose said as part of the preparations for the mega event, the same 18-member squad would also tour Canada from May 24 to June 6 and New Zealand from June 15 to 20.
She also announced a 16-member senior women's team under ace striker Surinder Kaur's leadership for a four-nation tournament to be held in South Africa in August.
Teams:
Under-21: Jasjit Kaur, Savita (Goalkeepers), Preeti Kiru, Sandeep Kaur, Joydeep Kaur (Defenders), Rosalin Ralte, T H Ranjita (capt), Manorama Devi, Sunita Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur, Kiran Dahiya (Mid-fielders), Ritu Rani, Rani Devi, Vandana Kataria, Monika Badran, Poonam Rani, Rosalin Dung, Soundarya (Forwards), Rani and Lalrimruati (Stand-byes).
Officials: M K Kaushik (Chief Coach), Sandeep Somesh (Coach), Vikas Dhawan (Psysiotherapist), Basavaraj Shiralakoppa (Video Analyst).
Senior Team: Deepika Murthy, Marita Tirkey (Goalkeepers), Binita Toppo, Eti Srivastsava, Sulochana Kisan (Defenders), Mukta Barla, Deeika Thakur, Amubi Devi, Sushila Chanu (Mid-fielders), Surinder Kaur (Capt), Mamatha Karab, Vardika Singh, Rijuta Mullick, Chan Chan Devi, Sabha Anjum, Lalrimruati (Forwards).
The Times of India
Carmel Raink Hockey Day Four Results
By Elaine D'Souza
Children's Academy continued their commanding form on a day that saw lop-sided margins in the Carmel Rink Hockey Tournament being held at the Mount Carmel quadrangle at Bandra by beating Our lady of Dolours 3-1 in the U-12 category and later losing to Our Lady of Dolours in the U-14 category to 4-10 .In a match between Loretto Convent versus St. Joseph's Byculla, Loretto Convent beat St. Joseph's Byculla to get a final score of 5 - 4 . The match in the women's category saw Central Railway beat MMK to procure a score of 9-2. Usha from Central Railways being the highest scorer with 4 goals.
The club league saw a thrilling match between Rhema and Bombay Republicans, Bombay Republicans overcame a strong challenge by beating Rhema 6-4 to gain a clear victory.
Undeterred by the early setbacks, Mumbai Police tried to make a come back strongly but failed to score as Air India made their way smoothly scoring 10 - 0. Girish Pimpale scored a solid 5 goals for Air India taking them to a victorious win. .
In the final match for the day between Indian Oil and RCF , Indian Oil took an early lead with 4-2 in the first half. During the second half too Indian Oil steadily maintained the lead to 6-5 keeping RCF lagging behind.
Overall it was an enjoyable as the crowds cheered their favourite teams..
Stick2Hockey.com
Apart from a few shooting stars, game remains stagnant
By Ajitpal Singh
MATCHES were scrappy, boring, lacking entertainment and in those David versus Goliath encounters, the scores were a joke. These were among the complaints of the just concluded Malaysian Hockey League (Under-19) competition with Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), as expected, winning both the league and overall titles.
BJSS and Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) were the dominant teams while Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC), Tenaga Nasional and Anderson were average. Penang's Nur Insafi, however, did make the league more exciting by winning Division Three before just bowing out to BPSS in the quarter-finals of the knockout stage.
This is an unhealthy phenomenon as the other combined 14 Division Two and Three teams were mostly "fillers" in the league.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) abolished the previous National Junior League by merging junior and senior teams under one umbrella league format in the hope it would raise the standard of hockey.
The intentions were good but unfortunately the new format failed to make things more competitive.
In all honesty, even BJSS and BPSS weren't that impressive and were made to look good as the other teams severely lacked the competitive edge.
BJSS and BPSS, if they were to compete in top junior leagues in Australia or Germany, would be outclassed. The junior league should be an avenue for the MHF to scout for new talent and not a competition for BJSS and BPSS to thrash off their opponents.
Both sports schools should not waste their time here, but instead, be playing in top European junior leagues for exposure.
BJSS won their "fifth double" on Sunday by defeating BPSS 5-4 on penalty strokes, following a 3-3 draw after regulation time, in Bukit Jalil.
The score might suggest that it was an entertaining match but in reality it was painful to watch. The league's saving grace was the sudden emergence of players from Sarawak, a state not known for hockey. The reason is simple -- the Sarawak Hockey Association has taken the initiative to develop the game from the grassroots level.
M. Mahendran, who played in the 1975 World Cup, is among the ex-internationals hired to unearth and coach up-and-coming players in Kuching, the central base for hockey in the state.
Among those who shone in the league were BJSS' Dangerous Lee Mathew, who scored 13 goals in the tournament, Christnall Michael Jieng, Abranden Andrew (both BJSS Jnrs) and Dielvin Anak Mula (PJCC).
In reality, the MHL (Under-19) competition was only a warm-up for BJSS and BPSS. Both sports schools will now compete in the tougher MHL (Seniors) competition which starts on May 15. They will play in Division One.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said the Division One competition will be a proper avenue to gauge his team.
"It will be tough for my players but it will be good for their experience," said Prakash.
A total of 11 teams have registered for the Malaysian Hockey League Division One competition which concludes on July 15.
The teams are BJSS, BPSS, RMAF, UNIMAP (Universiti Malaysia Perlis), Ipoh City Council, Navy Dolphins, Armed Forces Airod, Armed Forces Juniors, UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara), Border Forces and Malacca City Council.
The champions will pocket RM20,000, while the second and third placed teams will receive RM15,000 and RM10,000, respectively.
The winners will be promoted to the Premier League, which starts in October.
New Straits Times
New class of talent
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: It did not come as a surprise when Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) won the double in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 category on Sunday.
That they managed to do it with players who are below the age of 17 demonstrate the efficiency of their development programmes as they have dominated the junior scene since winning the junior league title in 2003.
They have won the league title six times and the overall title five times.
This year they had greater opposition in terms of numbers. Usually it is Tenaga Nasional that push them in the title run-ups but this year teams like Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Anderson and MSN Malacca offered tough matches.
BPSS would be the team to watch in future. They were unbeaten and only lost out in the overall final on penalties to BJSS.
Their coach Wan Mohamed Roslan said that the experience gained this year will push them to work harder next year.
“We came close on both fronts this year. Only BJSS were better than us. Even then we had beaten them 4-0 in the preliminary rounds. We are disappointed at not winning at least one title this year.
“The way I see it the difference was the experience BJSS had in playing at this stage. This is the first final for us but it should see a start of better things to come,” he added.
Overall there are many talented players coming through the ranks, like BPSS striker Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim, the best player and top scorer of the tournament.
It is good that members of the National Juniors did not play as this allowed the others to shine. Many teams used players under the age of 16 and this augurs well for the future.
But the biggest lesson that the other contenders can learn from the sports schools is that they need a longer and more sustained development programme to make an impact. Short term training may yield limited results, hence the inconsistency of teams like Anderson, Tenaga, MBPJ and MSN Malacca.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), on their part, should review their stand to merge the junior league with the senior edition.
It does not make sense to scrap the Malaysia Junior Hockey league when the current Division Two and Three are basically that in another name.
“The glamour of being the MJHL champions is taken away. Nobody bothers about Division Two league winners. I seriously believe that the MJHL should be reinstated,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
The Star of Malaysia
BJSS, BPSS bent on exposing young players in Division One
KUALA LUMPUR: Division Two champions and runners-up, Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), will turn their attention to the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Division One (Open category) challenge which starts on May 15.
BJSS completed the double on Sunday when they defeated BPSS on penalties to win the overall title in the MHL Under-19 category. Earlier, they edged out BPSS for the Division Two league (Under-19) title.
Both teams have added new players to their current squad but their emphasis will be to expose their young players rather than vying for the Division One title.
BJSS, who used only 18 players in the double triumph in Division Two, have promoted four 16-year-olds from the junior squad for the Open competition. They are T. Ganeisha, Ahmad Amirul Alias, Christnall Michael Jeng and Mohamed Asraf Bahari.
BPSS have added two more players — goalkeeper Mohamed Faris and Raja Mohamed Hafizi — to their squad.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said that the promotion of the four junior players was to give them the experience of playing against the senior teams.
“We will not be unduly worried about the score lines. The aim is to give every player ample chance to play. We want them to learn and understand our playing style and rectify their mistakes as they progress.
“We will try to win matches for sure. But the ultimate aim is to learn from the outing,” he added.
BPSS coach Wan Mohamed Roslan said the experience gained from playing in the senior league last year has paid off.
“That is why we are able to make a challenge for the league and overall title this year. The players have matured and learned to play better. Our participation in Division One is purely for development purposes” said Wan Mohamed.
Eleven teams will play in Division One. Besides the two sports schools, the others are RMAF Rajawali, Dolphin, Armed Forces-Airod, Armed Forces Juniors, Border Rangers Club, Ipoh City Hall, Malacca City, Unimap and UiTM.
The Star of Malaysia
Sindh hockey president ousted in no confidence vote
By Shazad Ali
KARACHI: Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) has removed its president after a vote of no confidence for ‘neglecting and not taking care of the financial aspects of the association.’
SHA secretary Rao Saleem said Gulfaraz Ahmad Khan had been removed since he had failed in fulfilling his promise of bringing sponsors and money into the SHA kitty.
‘Basically, he (Gulfaraz) failed to take care of the association’s financial needs. He had promised that he would bring money for the SHA, but he failed. Besides, he was not giving due attention to Sindh hockey matters,’ Saleem told Dawn.com on Monday.
The secretary alleged that deposed president had also vowed to bring sponsors for Inter-district hockey championship in Mirpurkhas last year, but again failed to arrange the required funds.
Gulfaraz, also the treasurer of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), belongs to National Bank (NBP). Interestingly, his bank recently sponsored National Challenge Cup football tournament in Hyderabad.
‘Not only Sindh team and the provincial hockey were being affected by his (Gulfaraz’s) neglect, but Karachi has also started losing its base of players, although the city had produced fine players in the past for the Sindh team. We will now also focus on Karachi to ensure that players keep coming up from that city,’ said the secretary.
According to Saleem, there were total of 17 votes out of which 16 came to the meeting in Larkana on Sunday. Of 16 only one, Jawaid Iqbal from Karachi, was against the no confidence move, while 15 were in favour including Majid Khan and Qadeer Ahmad who are also from Karachi. The fourth voter from Karachi, Azeem Khan, didn’t attend the meeting.
‘Jawaid, who was advocating for Gulfaraz, was silenced when he was told he can’t debate in favour or against the president and all he can do was to vote in favour or against the move,’ Saleem said.
Apart from Karachi, voters who attended the meeting were from Hyderabad , Thatta, Mirpurkhs, Sukkur, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Dadu, Sanghar, Nawabshah, and Khairpur.
Saleem said Gulfaraz didn’t attend the meeting, although he was informed through courier adding, that the senior vice-president Abdullah Talat would be the acting president till the election of new president.
Gulfaraz refused to comment on his unceremonious exit, saying he would comment later after a while.
‘I will first read the minutes and see what charges have been levelled against and only then I will comment,’ the removed official said.
Sources said after being shown the door, Gulfaraz is also likely to be removed as PHF treasurer.
While national-level hockey is a victim of dirty politics and intrigue, Sindh and Karachi have also seen a lot of turmoil during the past few years because of controversies and power struggle.
Dawn
USA seniors v USA U21 results
USA Field Hockey welcomes the Germany Women's Under-21 National Team to Harvard University in Boston, MA for a four game test series against the USA Under-21 National 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.
Scrimmage One: Senior WNT 2, Under-21 WNT 0
Goal scorers: Kayla Bashore (FG), Caroline Nichols (PC)
Senior Roster: Leonetti, Evans, Gey, Sarah Dawson, Silvetti, Weinberg, Lingo, Nichols, Bashore, Powley, Blaum, Schnepf, Laubach, Doton, Dostal
"We were tired after the travel and games vs Argentina," said Senior National Team Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "We were very impressed with the intensity of the U21s and their level of skill. This forced us to elevate our game in the second half. It was pleaseing that 2we were able to do that and come away with a much better performance to finish the game well."
Scrimmage Two: Senior WNT 5, Under-21 WNT 0
The senior side was much sharper today, but the U21s still played determined. The Women's National Team now heads home after a two-week tour, including Argentina and Boston.
The U21 team is still rounding out their squad with teammates arriving in Boston today. Germany arrives today also. Both teams will train tomorrow and prepare for the first game.
USFHA media release
AHF changes schedule of 8th Asia Cup
Staff Report
LAHORE: The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has changed the schedule of the 8th Asia Cup Hockey Tournament after Sri Lanka pulled out of the tournament. According to new schedule, Bangladesh have been transferred to Pool A from Pool B. The other teams of Pool A are hosts Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Pool B comprises of Pakistan, India and China.
Schedule:
May 9: Japan vs Bangladesh, South Korea vs Malaysia and Pakistan vs China.
May 10: Pakistan vs India
May 11: Japan vs South Korea, Malaysia vs Bangladesh
May 12: China vs India, South Korea vs Bangladesh, Malaysia vs Japan
May 14: first team of Pool A vs second team of Pool B, first team of Pool B vs second team of Pool A
May 15: Third team of Pool B vs fourth team of Pool A
May 16: Semi-finals and final.
The Daily Times
Only versatile players will do for Asia Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Versatile players with special skills stand a better chance of earning a spot in the Malaysian team for the Asia Cup which starts in Kuantan on Saturday.
The national selectors will trim the training squad of 27 to the final 18 after the friendly match against Pakistan today at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.
National hockey coach Tai Beng Hai said that the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will name the team on Thursday.
“The players have just one more match to convince us of their potential. We have the core members of the team in mind and also have a good idea of their abilities. However, with a large pool of players available for selection, we need to focus on players with specialities and versatility.
“This is the edge some may have over the others. I can assure the players that every one will get a fair chance and we will try and use all the players in the match against Pakistan to give them some time on the field,” said Beng Hai.
Malaysia will also face China in a friendly match on Thursday but Beng Hai said he would field some National Juniors players for the match.
For the Asia Cup, Malaysia are in Group A with South Korea, Bangladesh and Japan while Group B consists of Pakistan, China and India.
Beng Hai said their preparations were almost completed.
“Most of the injured players have recovered. That is why we are not too keen on playing more friendly matches so close to the tournament proper.”
The winners of the Asia Cup will gain direct entry to the 2010 World Cup in India. The others will have to vie for a place through the qualifying tournaments in November.
The MHF have set Beng Hai a top-four finish for the tournament.
Meanwhile midfielder Jiwa Mohan is expected to arrive in Kuantan today in time for the match with Pakistan.
“He will have to come in before the match and we need to check out his fitness level. We want to assess him during the Pakistan friendly,” he said.
Jiwa retired from the national team last year but the MHF recalled him for the Asia Cup as he had been playing in the Western Australian League for the last two months.
The Star of Malaysia
Confident Pakistan eye Asia Cup
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Hopes are high but apprehensions abound as Pakistan’s hockey squad flew off for Malaysia on Monday night to feature in the 2009 Asia Cup to be played at a brand-new venue in Kuantan from May 9-16.
Pakistan finished a disappointing fourth position in their last international assignment — the five-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup — in Malaysia last month but will still be vying for their first Asia Cup crown in two decades.
The record four-time world champions have to win the seven-nation Asia Cup to confirm a spot for next year’s World Cup in India. “It’s a must-win tournament for us,” Shahid Ali Khan, Pakistan’s coach, told ‘The News’ before the team’s departure for Malaysia. “We have done our homework and hopefully the team will do better this time,” he added.
Much of Pakistan’s optimism ahead of the seven-nation Asia Cup springs from the fact that four of their most accomplished players are back in the squad. The most prominent of the comeback stars is Sohail Abbas, regarded among the world’s best drag flick experts.
Also back in the squad are influential midfielder Waseem Ahmed, prolific striker Rehan Butt and seasoned goalie Salman Akber. The team management has also borrowed a couple of rookies from the national junior squad and are hoping that they will add to Pakistan’s firepower in Malaysia.
Pakistan will get to work immediately after landing in Kuantan on Tuesday (today) with a practice game against hosts Malaysia. They will play another warm-up match — against Japan — on May 7 before launching their title campaign with a crucial game against China on May 9. Defending champions India are the other team in Pakistan’s group.
The News International
Confident Pakistan eye Asia Cup
KARACHI: Just three weeks after crashing to a morale-shattering fourth position finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Pakistan flew back to Malaysia Monday hoping to lift their fortunes in the Asia Cup hockey tournament starting in Kuantan May 9.
Pakistan are desperate to win the Asia Cup - an event that they last won in 1989 - and confirm a spot for next year's World Cup in India.
For that reason, the national hockey bosses have recalled four senior players including short corner specialist Sohail Abbas.
The team officials are wary of defending champion India and China, who are bracketed with Pakistan in Pool B of the seven-nation tournament.
Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan is looking for a couple of practice games to zero-on the winning combination for the Asia Cup.
The team plans to warm up for the biennial spectacle by playing practice matches against hosts Malaysia (May 5) and Japan (May 7).
Shahid, an Olympian, wants the four senior players, who are returning to the national squad after a long break, to gel with the rest of the players ahead of the crucial Asia Cup opener against Pool B rivals China May 9.
"We have a make-or-break opening game against China," Shahid, a former Olympian, said Monday just before the team's departure for Kuala Lumpur.
"The outcome of that match will have a big impact on our Asia Cup hopes which is why we want our team to be fully ready for that clash," he stressed.
Pakistan have recalled four senior players - drag flick expert Sohail Abbas, midfielder Waseem Ahmed, striker Rehan Butt and goalie Salman Akber - in a bid to boost their title chances in the May 9-16 Asia Cup.
Shahid and fellow team officials want their players to give their best against China - a team that has posed problems for Pakistan in recent years.
China stunned Pakistan in the 2006 Asian Games semi-finals in Doha and also won the last game between the two teams - a Test match on home soil last year - by a 4-0 margin.
"China is a tough team to beat," said Shahid. "But we are preparing a strategy for the match against them," he said.
Shahid is also hoping that his boys will avenge their 1-2 defeat against India in the Azlan Shah Cup semi-final in Ipoh last month by beating it in their Pool B clash May 10.
"For us, India is the team to beat in Asia Cup," said Shahid. "They are playing really well but I believe that we can beat them this time."
The Times of India
Power Play
by A. Majid Khan
The recently concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament lost much of its lustre when the world’s top three hockey-playing nations —Germany, Australia and the Netherlands — did not participate in the event. What was worse was that, despite their absence Pakistan managed to perform badly. Once Olympic and World Cup champions, it finished fourth in the five-nation tournament.
Pre-tournament favourites New Zealand defeated Pakistan 3-2 in the single league and then cemented its supremacy in the play-off for third position by 2-1. Pakistan suffered an initial setback when it lost its opening match to host Malaysia (2-3) which was followed by defeat against New Zealand. However, after two successive defeats the green shirts registered a convincing 4-0 victory over Egypt with a hat-trick by seasoned attacker Shakeel Abbasi. But Pakistan’s place in the final depended largely on their match against India; the latter won the match and made it to the final of the tournament.
The fact that Pakistan just managed one victory and that too against 20th ranked Egypt indicates that Pakistan hockey is on the decline despite tall claims by team management regarding rebuilding of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup in 2010.
The disappointing performance in Azlan Shah Cup is a concern for impartial observers who were hoping that under the new set up of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, headed by former Olympian fullback Qasim Zia, the team would perform better. The dismal performance is even more alarming since it comes at the eve of the eight-nation Asia Cup scheduled in Kuantan (Malaysia). The winners will qualify for the next year’s World Cup which is to be held in New Delhi.
Nine months ago in Beijing Games, Pakistan gave its worst-ever performance in its Olympic history by finishing eighth in the12-nation tournament. This was when the former federal sports minister had replaced Khalid Mahmood and appointed former Olympian Asif Bajwa as the PHF secretary when the Beijing Olympic was hardly six weeks away. Under the new team management, Bajwa is the PHF secretary as well as manager and Shahid Ali Khan, the coach. But the hockey circle believes that appointing Bajwa as Pakistan team manager was not a good idea even if it was a unanimous decision of the federation meeting. We may have the example of PHF secretary/manager Brig (Retd.) Manzoor Hussain Atif who helped Pakistan regain the Olympic title for the third and last time in 1984 in Los Angles. But we need to remember that Atif belonged to the golden era of our hockey and he had several world class players in the team, which we now lack.
It is high time that the PHF reviews its decision of giving the PHF secretary an additional post of team manager. Such a scenario weakens the coach’s position since the players look towards their manager who carries great power but no accountability.
Dawn
Tough task ahead of new coach Brasa
S. Thyagarajan
— Photo: S. Subramanium
TALKING HEADS: The newly appointed chief coach of the Indian hockey team, Jose Manuel Brasa, exchanging notes with the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, M.S. Gill, in New Delhi on Monday.
CHENNAI: On debate for decades, the issue of a foreign coach is a sensitive, touchy item that evokes inexplicably complex emotions in the hockey community.
When the idea was floated in the late 1970s, the weapon to shooting it down was ‘pride’ (izzat).The argument advanced was that a superpower like India, with a handful of Olympic medals, will be looked down upon if it opted for a foreign coach. Sadly, the power-that-be at that point of time lacked the vision, and failed to comprehend the transparent trend of transformation.
The voice of a veteran administrator like Ashwini Kumar was drowned in the cacophony of contradictions and contortions. The former IHF president was optimistic that the alarming decline can be arrested by a coach like Horst Wein, whose strategic formulations were revolutionising the game across Europe.
But the suggestions had not many takers. Had the administration seen through the prism of what lay ahead to the status of our hockey, it would not have been what it is today.
When the idea really crystallised three decades later, the ham-handed manner in which the German coach, Gerhard Rach, was inducted did more harm than good.
There was dissatisfaction all round and what happened for the national team in the Athens Olympiad needs no enumeration.
The subject of a foreign coach was on the boil since then in varying intensity, till the disaster at the World Cup in Monchengladbach and the Santiago qualifier, where India tumbled out of the Olympic pedestal.
The involvement of FIH, the side-lining of the federation, and the creation of an IOA-led ad hoc committee, with the sports ministry throwing its weight in, all formed a heady mixture that only accentuated the complexities beyond comprehension.
A way could easily have been found to utilise a stalwart like Ric Charlesworth if those connected with it made a common cause. Every point was deliberately clouded to frustrate the Aussies’ passion to handle the national team.
He was genuinely interested in uplifting the profile of our hockey, but had to abandon the project, that left a bitter taste all round. The loss for India was greater than it was for Charlesworth.
Bleak scenario
Against this bleak scenario enters the 55-year old Jose Manuel Brasa. Armed with a FIH Master Coach Certificate and reputation as the man behind Spain’s women team’s gold medal at Barcelona in 1992, Brasa steps in, where Angels fear to tread.
He cannot be unaware of what he is about to confront in the next few weeks. Admittedly, it is a Herculean task as expectations are high. A silver lining is that the team has regained a modicum of its self-belief thanks to a series of decent performances against top teams and the recent win in the Azlan Shah Trophy at Ipoh.
It is a moot point whether Brasa should take charge immediately on the eve of the Asia Cup starting on May 9. The interim coach, Harendra Singh, and his team, Ramandeep Singh and Romeo James, have established a good rapport with the players who are now used to a systematisation worked out by them. Any change evolved in the routine by Brasa at this juncture might upset the acquired rhythm.
Now that Brasa’s role is confirmed, and Harendra offering full support and co-operation, the Spaniard would serve the cause better if he remains a mere observer and making a point or two in team meetings than take the place in the bench and dictate.
Frankly, the coach requires time to study and analyze the utility value of all the 18 players and fashion a working formula from the inputs by the team handling players for about a year now. Only then will the transition be smooth.
The Hindu
Jose Brasa signs contract as chief hockey coach
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: Jose Manuel Brasa, within hours of his arrival here on Monday, signed the contract with the Sports Authority of India as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.
Later, the Spanish coach met Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill and officials of the ministry and SAI.
Mr. Gill assured Brasa of all help, including his requirement to learn Hindi in order to communicate smoothly with the players.
"I was happy to meet Brasa and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing," Mr. Gill said after meeting the Spaniard at his residence.
Full support
"Spanish people are as emotional as we Indians and I am confident that Brasa will have a good relationship with all the players and support staff. I expect him to take the Indian hockey team to a higher level and I’ve assured him that the Ministry will give him full support," the Sports Minister said.
The 57-year-old will be presented before the media on Tuesday before he leaves for Malaysia to join the Indian team in its pursuit to make a hat-trick of Asia Cup title wins.
Ignoring advice
On making up his mind on the India job, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach said he came here despite getting negative feedback from former Technical Advisor and Australian great Ric Charlesworth. "I exchanged a lot of e-mails with him. He told me ‘Do not go’," Brasa said.
The good-humoured Spaniard praised the Indians as "the best skilful players in the world" and asserted that he was optimistic about the job and was here "to win medals."
He, however, admitted that the Indian side "needed to improve its teamwork."
The Hindu
Spanish coach signs contract
Harpreet Kaur Lamba
New Delhi, May 4: Spanish coach Jose Brasa on Monday signed the official contract and will take over the reins of Indian hockey soon, it was reliably learnt.
Appointed chief coach of the men’s national team till the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, the 55-year old arrived in the Capital late on Sunday and held several rounds of meetings with the top brass on the day.
The day began with a session at the sports ministry, followed by closed-door discussions with officials from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee.
Brasa later met the Union minister of sports M.S. Gill at the latter’s residence and signed on the dotted line. The Spaniard, it was learnt, put forth his plan and vision for the next two years.
Said Brasa after the meeting, "It has been a fruitful day and the response from the Indian authorities has been positive. Coaching India is my dream and it is going to materialise soon."
Said Gill, "I was happy to meet Brasa today and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing.
"The Spanish culture is akin to India and I think it is a start of a great relationship. A lot is expected of him, and I am sure he will deliver the best of results."
Meanwhile, Inter-national Hockey Federation president Leandro Negre was also in the capital on Monday to overlook the 2010 World Cup preparations and discuss marketing strategies.
The Asian Age
Master coach Brasa takes charge
Biswajyoti Brahma,TNN
NEW DELHI: Spaniard Jose Brasa on Monday took over as the chief coach of the national hockey team, after signing a contract to this effect with the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
The International Hockey Federation's (FIH) master coach, who would be in charge at least till the Asian Games in November next year, came here early on Monday morning and attended a series of meetings, including the ones with sports minister MS Gill, top sports ministry officials as well as SAI officials. Brasa is Indian hockey's second foreign coach after German Gerhard Rach.
Brasa appeared quite excited about the challenges he is likely to face in the coming days. He said he decided to come here despite being dissuaded by Ric Charlesworth, former technical advisor of Indian hockey and now the coach of Australian team. "I have been in touch with him (Charlesworth) and he asked me not to go ahead with it," he said.
Meanwhile, sources told TOI that Brasa seemed quite positive about his assignment. "He sounded very positive and said he is eager to work hard and take Indian hockey to a new level," the source said.
"In the first place, he has shown interest in learning Hindi. He believes it would help him in communicating with the players in a better way."
In fact, sports minister MS Gill later said that the government would provide Brasa the facility to learn Hindi.
Brasa, who would be getting a salary of 7000 euros (Rs 4.6 lakh) per month till the Asian Games, when his performance as well as that of the team would be reviewed, would be heading to Malaysia in a day or two to be with the Indian team which is there to defend its Asia Cup title. Though Harendra Singh is in charge of the team for the event, Brasa will use the tournament to familiarise himself with the players and their playing styles.
The Times of India
Brasa outlines plans for further improvement
New Delhi: India’s newly appointed hockey chief coach Jose Brasa feels there is a need to work on the co-ordination between players and encourage the use of technological assistance to improve Indian hockey, rather than trying any wholesale changes in their playing style.
Brasa, who was in the Capital to sign on the dotted line on Monday, said he had been appointed as the chief coach and, other than one physical trainer, would be dependant on the Indian staff. He said he was confident there would be good co-ordination with the other Indian coaches and members of the staff. Brasa also met Sports Minister MS Gill after signing his contract and expressed hope that he would be able to improve the fortunes of the national game.
“I will try to keep the Indian style of attacking hockey as it is, only trying to sharpen it by adding more speed and co-ordination between the players and working on their fitness rather than their skills,” Brasa said after meeting Gill. He also said that though he can’t say much at the moment since he hasn’t seen the players in action, he felt there was need to work on the defence and various combinations among the players.
Scientific requirements
Brasa also reiterated his preference for more technological assistance and said that scientific support and know-how was important to succeed in any modern sport. “I would like to get as much of the latest technology as possible within our budget, and go for more modern software to improve the reading of match situations,” he said.
Brasa’s plan for reviving the team’s sagging fortunes includes having a modern and scientific approach to the sport. He said that while he was hopeful of helping Indian hockey, he would be able to give a detailed assessment only after watching the team and interacting with the players and coaches in Malaysia during the Asia Cup, which begins May 9. He, however, said that there was no substitute for hard work and training and any flaws in the game can only be removed through constant practice and workouts. “The harder you train, the better you get, it’s simple,” said Brasa.
Gill said he had had a detailed discussion with Brasa about the work he would be doing, and also assured the Spaniard full co-operation in implementing his ideas for the betterment of the game and the players.
Brasa will be joining the Indian squad in Malaysia later this week to observe the team but would take formal charge only after the tournament.
Indian Express
‘Brasa’s appointment a positive step’
SUNDARI IYER
Mumbai, May 4: Former hockey international Viren Rasquinha feels that the arrival of Spaniard Jose Brasa as chief coach of the men’s national team will be a positive step.
Rasquinha, who is all set to don the corporate hat soon, keeps himself abreast of happenings in hockey.
"The players are the same. They are all professionals and have been playing for a long time now. The team have been hovering around in the world rankings from 7-10 for the past several years and with Brasa’s experience that looks set to change," he said on the sidelines of the six-a-side rink hockey event that he organises every year.
Rasquinha added that Brasa would bring with him a neutral approach towards the game. "India have to learn how to perform under pressure and also gain an insight into the strategic inputs to take hockey to the next level," the Mumbaiker said.
Recollecting Gerhard Rach’s stint as the chief coach just before the 2004 Athens Olympics, he said, "The Indian team couldn’t do much during his tenure due to Rach’s short stay. Also I believe it wasn’t the ideal time for his appointment.
"But compared to Rach, the current coach has more time to spend with the team and will surely help in the betterment of the national game," he added.
He, however, refused to comment on the working of the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee saying India and Pakistan had been way behind other countries when it comes to progress.
The Asian Age
Brasa wants to learn Hindi
Newly appointed national hockey coach Jose Brasa is keen to learn Hindi so that communication doesn't become a barrier.
And the Spaniard on Monday got assurance from Sports Minister MS Gill that he would get all kind of help to pick at least smattering of the language.
"I was happy to meet Brasa today and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing," Gill said after Brasa met him at his residence.
"During the discussion, Brasa expressed his desire to learn Hindi to build up better relation with the Indian players and understand their problems better.
"I told him 'we'll support you and provide you the facility to learn Hindi'," Gill said.
Gill in fact went on to assure the Spaniard that the Ministry would back him in implementing whatever programme he had in mind for the betterment of the game and the players.
"Spanish people are as emotional as we Indians and I'm confident Brasa will have a good relationship with all the players and support staff," Gill said.
"I expect him to take the Indian hockey team to a higher level and I've assured him that the Ministry will give him full support," said the Sports Minister.
Incidentally, it was Gill's last assignment in the office and Sports Ministry sources said unlike Australian great Ric Charlesworth's appointment, Brasa's was a "neat and clean" arrangement, signed by the Spaniard and a Ministry official earlier on Monday.
ESPNStar.com
Charlesworth tried to dissuade Brasa
NEW DELHI - If Spaniard Jose Brasa had heeded the advice of India’s former technical advisor Ric Charlesworth he would not have been here to coach the eight times Olympic hockey champions.
Ric Charlesworth, apparently tried to dissuade Brasa from going to India narrating his own experience of dealing with the Union sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
‘I have been in touch with him and he advised me not to go to India,’ Brasa told IANS on arrival here Monday.
Charlesworth was the technical adviser of the team on the recommendation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) but his stint was all too brief as he had to quit in controversial circumstances after a blow-up with the officials of the Sports Authority of India and the IOA.
The Indian hockey team was without a chief coach after Joaquim Carvalho resigned in March last year after India failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.
What the Papers Say Today - Stick2Hockey.com
Reading women win promotion to top flight
By Charles Randall
Reading won promotion to the top women's division for the first time in the Slazenger League play-offs at West of England University in Bristol, joining a very small group of clubs with elite men and women sections.
Reading, 3-1 winners over Durham University, emulated two merged clubs – Bowdon Hightown and newly linked Brooklands Poynton – with a double presence at the highest level. Their defence settled the issue by allowing Durham only one goal from 10 penalty corners.
Durham won their last 12 league games in a row, including Loughborough University, to reach this stage as North conference champions, and promotion would have been a remarkable achievement for Gavin Featherstone, their Olympics coach.
Featherstone commented that the North East was too often overlooked when England squads were chosen, and his fluent super-fit team endorsed that view with action as they penned Reading back for long periods of play. Only Durham's goalscorer Loren Sherer had won national recognition, at under-21 level. The university's hockey club claimed 11 titles this season.
Two early goals in a minute by Victoria Bryant and Becky Odlin gave Reading a great start, and they looked certain of at least the draw they needed by the time Emily Malden flapped in a deflection for the third goal. Birmingham University had already guaranteed a Division One place for the first time.
Plans by Brooklands and Poynton to merge for next season could go full steam ahead when Brooklands shrugged off Oxted's challenge 5-2, with three goals from David Seddon, to secure promotion alongside Exeter University, newcomers to the top level.
Exeter, replacing Isca as the city's hockey powerhouse, have a good South African coach, Chris McInroy, and skilful players, but they might find the rough-tough Division One and the extensive travel next season as serious obstacles.
SLAZENGER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS (West Of England Univ, Bristol).
Men: Brooklands 5 Oxted 2, Havant 2 Exeter Univ 0. Brooklands & Exeter Univ promoted.
Women: Reading 3 Durham Univ 1, Birmingham Univ 3 Ipswich 0.
Birmingham Univ & Reading promoted.
The Telegraph
SA U19 Team Wins U21 Men's IPT
The SA U19 team were crowned National U21 Champions after an exciting 3-1 victory over KZN Coastals on Saturday evening. The U19 team dominated play throughout the match and proved too strong for the talented Coastals team. This result was one better than last year’s runners up position for the U19 team.
Other results for the day:
Final: SA U19 3 – KZN Coastals 1
3rd/4th: Northern Gauteng 3 – Eastern Province 1
5th/6th: KZN Inland 3 – Southern Gauteng 3 (KZN Inland won 4-2 on Strokes)
7th/8th: Western Province 5 – Peninsula 1
9th/10th: Free State 5 – Border 4
11th/12th: North West 2 – Northern Cape 2 (North West won on strokes)
Final Standings:
1. SA U19
2. KZN Coastals
3. Northern Gauteng
4. Eastern Province
5. KZN Inland
6. Southern Gauteng
7. Western Province
8. Peninsula
9. Free State
10. Border
11. North West
12. Northern Cape
SA Hockey Association media release
Surinder to lead women’s team
AGE CORRESPONDENT
BENGALURU, May 4: Haryana’s Surinder Kaur will lead the Indian women’s hockey team at the four-nation tournament in South Africa from May 27. Apart from the hosts, India will face stiff competition from Australia and Argentina.
Indian Women’s Hockey Federation secretary Amrit Bose, who was here at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre for the selections trials, said there were plans to send a combined team of seniors and juniors to Germany and Holland but the dates were yet to be finalised.
Meanwhile, T.H. Ranjeeta was named captain of an 18-member junior women’s team for the exposure tour of Canada and New Zealand as part of preparations for the Junior World Cup in Boston in August.
"The junior girls are very promising and a threat to the senior players," said Bose.
She also did not rule out further changes for the World Cup. "There might be changes in the squad. If there are any promising youngsters, they might be drafted into the team for the World Cup," she added.
The junior team is scheduled to play Tests against Canada from May 24 to June 5 and will later move to New Zealand for a series of matches from June 15 to 22.
Teams
Seniors: Goalkeepers: Deepika Murthy, Marita Tirkey. Defenders: Binita Toppo, Eti Srivatsava, Sulochana Kisan. Midfielders: Mukta Barla, Deepika Thakur, Amubi Devi, Sushila Chanu. Forwards: Surinder Kaur (captain), Mamta Kharab, Vartika Singh, Rijuta Mullick, Chanchan Devi, Saba Anjum, Lalrimruati Devi.
The Asian Age
Ranjeetha to lead
Special Correspondent
BANGALORE: T.H. Ranjeetha will captain the under-21 Indian women’s hockey team to the twin tours of Canada (May 24 to June 6) and New Zealand (June 15 to 22) and the World Cup at Boston from August 3 to 16.
The teams: For the tour of Canada, New Zealand and the Under-21 World Cup in Boston: Goalkeepers: Jasdeep Kaur, Savita. Preeti Kiru, Sandeep Kaur, Joydeep Kaur, Rosaline Ralte, T.H. Ranjeetha (captain), Manoram Devi, Sunita Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur, Kiran Dahiya, Ritu Rani, Rani Devi, Vandana Kataria, Monika Badran, Poonam Rani, Rosalin Dung Dung, Saundarya. Standbys: Rajini, Lalrim Ruati.
Senior women’s team (four-nation at Durban, May 27 to June 7): Goalkeepers: Deepika Murthy, Marita Tirkey, Binita Toppo, Eti Srivastava, Sulochana Kisan, Mukta Barla, Deepika Thakur, Amubi Devi, Sushila Chanu, Surinder Kaur (captain), Mamta Kharab, Vartika Singh, Rijuta Mullick, Chanchan Devi, Saba Anjum, Lalrim Rutai. Standby: Yogita Bali (gk).
The Hindu
Ranjita to lead India in U-21 women's World Cup
BANGALORE: Mid-fielder T H Ranjita will lead India in the under-21 hockey World Cup to be held at Boston, United States from August 3 to 16.
The Indian Women's Hockey Association (IWHA) President Amrit Bose said as part of the preparations for the mega event, the same 18-member squad would also tour Canada from May 24 to June 6 and New Zealand from June 15 to 20.
She also announced a 16-member senior women's team under ace striker Surinder Kaur's leadership for a four-nation tournament to be held in South Africa in August.
Teams:
Under-21: Jasjit Kaur, Savita (Goalkeepers), Preeti Kiru, Sandeep Kaur, Joydeep Kaur (Defenders), Rosalin Ralte, T H Ranjita (capt), Manorama Devi, Sunita Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur, Kiran Dahiya (Mid-fielders), Ritu Rani, Rani Devi, Vandana Kataria, Monika Badran, Poonam Rani, Rosalin Dung, Soundarya (Forwards), Rani and Lalrimruati (Stand-byes).
Officials: M K Kaushik (Chief Coach), Sandeep Somesh (Coach), Vikas Dhawan (Psysiotherapist), Basavaraj Shiralakoppa (Video Analyst).
Senior Team: Deepika Murthy, Marita Tirkey (Goalkeepers), Binita Toppo, Eti Srivastsava, Sulochana Kisan (Defenders), Mukta Barla, Deeika Thakur, Amubi Devi, Sushila Chanu (Mid-fielders), Surinder Kaur (Capt), Mamatha Karab, Vardika Singh, Rijuta Mullick, Chan Chan Devi, Sabha Anjum, Lalrimruati (Forwards).
The Times of India
Carmel Raink Hockey Day Four Results
By Elaine D'Souza
Children's Academy continued their commanding form on a day that saw lop-sided margins in the Carmel Rink Hockey Tournament being held at the Mount Carmel quadrangle at Bandra by beating Our lady of Dolours 3-1 in the U-12 category and later losing to Our Lady of Dolours in the U-14 category to 4-10 .In a match between Loretto Convent versus St. Joseph's Byculla, Loretto Convent beat St. Joseph's Byculla to get a final score of 5 - 4 . The match in the women's category saw Central Railway beat MMK to procure a score of 9-2. Usha from Central Railways being the highest scorer with 4 goals.
The club league saw a thrilling match between Rhema and Bombay Republicans, Bombay Republicans overcame a strong challenge by beating Rhema 6-4 to gain a clear victory.
Undeterred by the early setbacks, Mumbai Police tried to make a come back strongly but failed to score as Air India made their way smoothly scoring 10 - 0. Girish Pimpale scored a solid 5 goals for Air India taking them to a victorious win. .
In the final match for the day between Indian Oil and RCF , Indian Oil took an early lead with 4-2 in the first half. During the second half too Indian Oil steadily maintained the lead to 6-5 keeping RCF lagging behind.
Overall it was an enjoyable as the crowds cheered their favourite teams..
Stick2Hockey.com
Apart from a few shooting stars, game remains stagnant
By Ajitpal Singh
MATCHES were scrappy, boring, lacking entertainment and in those David versus Goliath encounters, the scores were a joke. These were among the complaints of the just concluded Malaysian Hockey League (Under-19) competition with Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), as expected, winning both the league and overall titles.
BJSS and Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) were the dominant teams while Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC), Tenaga Nasional and Anderson were average. Penang's Nur Insafi, however, did make the league more exciting by winning Division Three before just bowing out to BPSS in the quarter-finals of the knockout stage.
This is an unhealthy phenomenon as the other combined 14 Division Two and Three teams were mostly "fillers" in the league.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) abolished the previous National Junior League by merging junior and senior teams under one umbrella league format in the hope it would raise the standard of hockey.
The intentions were good but unfortunately the new format failed to make things more competitive.
In all honesty, even BJSS and BPSS weren't that impressive and were made to look good as the other teams severely lacked the competitive edge.
BJSS and BPSS, if they were to compete in top junior leagues in Australia or Germany, would be outclassed. The junior league should be an avenue for the MHF to scout for new talent and not a competition for BJSS and BPSS to thrash off their opponents.
Both sports schools should not waste their time here, but instead, be playing in top European junior leagues for exposure.
BJSS won their "fifth double" on Sunday by defeating BPSS 5-4 on penalty strokes, following a 3-3 draw after regulation time, in Bukit Jalil.
The score might suggest that it was an entertaining match but in reality it was painful to watch. The league's saving grace was the sudden emergence of players from Sarawak, a state not known for hockey. The reason is simple -- the Sarawak Hockey Association has taken the initiative to develop the game from the grassroots level.
M. Mahendran, who played in the 1975 World Cup, is among the ex-internationals hired to unearth and coach up-and-coming players in Kuching, the central base for hockey in the state.
Among those who shone in the league were BJSS' Dangerous Lee Mathew, who scored 13 goals in the tournament, Christnall Michael Jieng, Abranden Andrew (both BJSS Jnrs) and Dielvin Anak Mula (PJCC).
In reality, the MHL (Under-19) competition was only a warm-up for BJSS and BPSS. Both sports schools will now compete in the tougher MHL (Seniors) competition which starts on May 15. They will play in Division One.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said the Division One competition will be a proper avenue to gauge his team.
"It will be tough for my players but it will be good for their experience," said Prakash.
A total of 11 teams have registered for the Malaysian Hockey League Division One competition which concludes on July 15.
The teams are BJSS, BPSS, RMAF, UNIMAP (Universiti Malaysia Perlis), Ipoh City Council, Navy Dolphins, Armed Forces Airod, Armed Forces Juniors, UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara), Border Forces and Malacca City Council.
The champions will pocket RM20,000, while the second and third placed teams will receive RM15,000 and RM10,000, respectively.
The winners will be promoted to the Premier League, which starts in October.
New Straits Times
New class of talent
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: It did not come as a surprise when Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) won the double in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 category on Sunday.
That they managed to do it with players who are below the age of 17 demonstrate the efficiency of their development programmes as they have dominated the junior scene since winning the junior league title in 2003.
They have won the league title six times and the overall title five times.
This year they had greater opposition in terms of numbers. Usually it is Tenaga Nasional that push them in the title run-ups but this year teams like Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Anderson and MSN Malacca offered tough matches.
BPSS would be the team to watch in future. They were unbeaten and only lost out in the overall final on penalties to BJSS.
Their coach Wan Mohamed Roslan said that the experience gained this year will push them to work harder next year.
“We came close on both fronts this year. Only BJSS were better than us. Even then we had beaten them 4-0 in the preliminary rounds. We are disappointed at not winning at least one title this year.
“The way I see it the difference was the experience BJSS had in playing at this stage. This is the first final for us but it should see a start of better things to come,” he added.
Overall there are many talented players coming through the ranks, like BPSS striker Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim, the best player and top scorer of the tournament.
It is good that members of the National Juniors did not play as this allowed the others to shine. Many teams used players under the age of 16 and this augurs well for the future.
But the biggest lesson that the other contenders can learn from the sports schools is that they need a longer and more sustained development programme to make an impact. Short term training may yield limited results, hence the inconsistency of teams like Anderson, Tenaga, MBPJ and MSN Malacca.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), on their part, should review their stand to merge the junior league with the senior edition.
It does not make sense to scrap the Malaysia Junior Hockey league when the current Division Two and Three are basically that in another name.
“The glamour of being the MJHL champions is taken away. Nobody bothers about Division Two league winners. I seriously believe that the MJHL should be reinstated,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
The Star of Malaysia
BJSS, BPSS bent on exposing young players in Division One
KUALA LUMPUR: Division Two champions and runners-up, Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), will turn their attention to the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Division One (Open category) challenge which starts on May 15.
BJSS completed the double on Sunday when they defeated BPSS on penalties to win the overall title in the MHL Under-19 category. Earlier, they edged out BPSS for the Division Two league (Under-19) title.
Both teams have added new players to their current squad but their emphasis will be to expose their young players rather than vying for the Division One title.
BJSS, who used only 18 players in the double triumph in Division Two, have promoted four 16-year-olds from the junior squad for the Open competition. They are T. Ganeisha, Ahmad Amirul Alias, Christnall Michael Jeng and Mohamed Asraf Bahari.
BPSS have added two more players — goalkeeper Mohamed Faris and Raja Mohamed Hafizi — to their squad.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said that the promotion of the four junior players was to give them the experience of playing against the senior teams.
“We will not be unduly worried about the score lines. The aim is to give every player ample chance to play. We want them to learn and understand our playing style and rectify their mistakes as they progress.
“We will try to win matches for sure. But the ultimate aim is to learn from the outing,” he added.
BPSS coach Wan Mohamed Roslan said the experience gained from playing in the senior league last year has paid off.
“That is why we are able to make a challenge for the league and overall title this year. The players have matured and learned to play better. Our participation in Division One is purely for development purposes” said Wan Mohamed.
Eleven teams will play in Division One. Besides the two sports schools, the others are RMAF Rajawali, Dolphin, Armed Forces-Airod, Armed Forces Juniors, Border Rangers Club, Ipoh City Hall, Malacca City, Unimap and UiTM.
The Star of Malaysia
Sindh hockey president ousted in no confidence vote
By Shazad Ali
KARACHI: Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) has removed its president after a vote of no confidence for ‘neglecting and not taking care of the financial aspects of the association.’
SHA secretary Rao Saleem said Gulfaraz Ahmad Khan had been removed since he had failed in fulfilling his promise of bringing sponsors and money into the SHA kitty.
‘Basically, he (Gulfaraz) failed to take care of the association’s financial needs. He had promised that he would bring money for the SHA, but he failed. Besides, he was not giving due attention to Sindh hockey matters,’ Saleem told Dawn.com on Monday.
The secretary alleged that deposed president had also vowed to bring sponsors for Inter-district hockey championship in Mirpurkhas last year, but again failed to arrange the required funds.
Gulfaraz, also the treasurer of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), belongs to National Bank (NBP). Interestingly, his bank recently sponsored National Challenge Cup football tournament in Hyderabad.
‘Not only Sindh team and the provincial hockey were being affected by his (Gulfaraz’s) neglect, but Karachi has also started losing its base of players, although the city had produced fine players in the past for the Sindh team. We will now also focus on Karachi to ensure that players keep coming up from that city,’ said the secretary.
According to Saleem, there were total of 17 votes out of which 16 came to the meeting in Larkana on Sunday. Of 16 only one, Jawaid Iqbal from Karachi, was against the no confidence move, while 15 were in favour including Majid Khan and Qadeer Ahmad who are also from Karachi. The fourth voter from Karachi, Azeem Khan, didn’t attend the meeting.
‘Jawaid, who was advocating for Gulfaraz, was silenced when he was told he can’t debate in favour or against the president and all he can do was to vote in favour or against the move,’ Saleem said.
Apart from Karachi, voters who attended the meeting were from Hyderabad , Thatta, Mirpurkhs, Sukkur, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Dadu, Sanghar, Nawabshah, and Khairpur.
Saleem said Gulfaraz didn’t attend the meeting, although he was informed through courier adding, that the senior vice-president Abdullah Talat would be the acting president till the election of new president.
Gulfaraz refused to comment on his unceremonious exit, saying he would comment later after a while.
‘I will first read the minutes and see what charges have been levelled against and only then I will comment,’ the removed official said.
Sources said after being shown the door, Gulfaraz is also likely to be removed as PHF treasurer.
While national-level hockey is a victim of dirty politics and intrigue, Sindh and Karachi have also seen a lot of turmoil during the past few years because of controversies and power struggle.
Dawn