Friday 15 May 2026

30 Days To Go Until the FIH Hockey Pro League Comes to London



With just 30 days to go until the FIH Hockey Pro League arrives in London, excitement is building for 12 days of elite international hockey at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

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Eight key players barred from JAC after age limit reduction

By Aftar Singh


National junior coach Nor Saiful Zaini will not have the services of eight key players after the Junior Asia Cup becomes an Under-20 tournament this year. -- NSTP/Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior men's hockey team faces a major setback as eight key players became ineligible after the Junior Asia Cup was reclassified as an Under-20 tournament.

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Rotterdam beats Pinoké in first match

Peter Klanke



Rotterdam struck the first blow against Pinoké. In the first semi-final of the playoffs, the team from the port city won 1-2 against the Amsterdammers. This puts Rotterdam in pole position towards the fifth final in club history. Sunday at 15:00 awaits the return in Zuid-Holland.

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Amsterdam-Orange-Rood ends 2-2

Peter Klanke



Amsterdam and Oranje-Rood delivered everything a semi-final should on Ascension Day, but failed to bring each other to their knees at Wagener Stadium. The home team took the lead each time, but Oranje-Rood always fought their way back into the match. In the end, it remained a 2-2 draw, a result that was already on the scoreboard at half-time. Sunday at 17:00 the return in Eindhoven is scheduled.

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Amsterdam too strong for SCHC: 3-2

Peter Klanke



In a delightful semi-final, Amsterdam dealt the first blow to SCHC on Ascension Day. At Wagener Stadium, the home team won handsomely 3-2 over the Bilthoveners, who were unbeaten in the regular league. On Saturday, both teams play the return game in Bilthoven.

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No winner at Kampong-Den Bosch

Peter Klanke



Kampong women held reigning national champions Den Bosch to a draw in a riveting matches on Thursday. Both teams stepped off the field with a 1-1 draw in Utrecht after the first semi-final of the playoffs. With that, next Saturday's return at the Oosterplas is far from a foregone conclusion.

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Rewatch: 14 goals in first four semi-finals



The first four semi-final matches in the men's and women's playoffs produced 14 goals. The small differences between the teams ensure that Saturday and Sunday's returns will still bring plenty of excitement. Watch the highlights here.

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Hockey India Opens Player Registration for Hero Hockey India League 2027

Registrations open to all eligible Indian and international players



New Delhi: Player registrations for the Hero Hockey India League (Hero HIL) 2027 Player Auction are now open. The registration process commenced on 15th May 2026 at 11:00 AM IST, while the player auction is scheduled to take place in September 2026. 

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SA Hockey interprovincial tournaments provide thrilling World Cup audition

This year’s hockey interprovincial tournament gave players the opportunity to showcase their talent as national coaches aim to narrow the selection pool ahead of the Hockey World Cup in August.

By Annemieke Thomaidis


Southern Gauteng celebrate their second goal in the final at the University of Johannesburg on 9 May, sealing their first interprovincial title since 2021. (Photo: Marcel Sigg)

The 2026 Hockey Interprovincial Tournament (IPT) came to a close at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday, 9 May with two gripping finals underpinned by a week of elite hockey.

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Preview: Indian U-18 Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams ready for Australia challenge at SAI Bhopal ahead of U-18 Asia Cup 2026

Four-match series against Australia to serve as crucial preparation for the Men’s and Women’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan



Bhopal, 14th May 2026: The Indian Men’s and Women’s U-18 Hockey Teams are set to take on Australia’s U-18 teams in a four-match series from 15th to 20th May at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) SAI Central Centre in Bhopal. The exposure tour will serve as a crucial preparatory assignment ahead of the Men’s and Women’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Kakamigahara, Japan, from 29th May.

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Sreejesh slams Hockey India again, raises grievances against goalkeeping coach role: 'Promotion or demotion?'

PR Sreejesh is not ready to keep quiet as he hit back at Hockey India for offering him the coaching role for a team that has no proper structure and also complained about being demoted.


PR Sreejesh was not given an extension despite helping Indian hockey team win Juinor World Cup bronze medal as coach. Image: Reuters

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has once again criticised Hockey India and its president, Dilip Tirkey, stating that the offer to be the “Coach for the Development team” lacked clarity due to the absence of a proper structure. The two-time Olympic medallist Sreejesh created a massive controversy on Wednesday when he claimed that Hockey India had removed him as the national junior men’s team coach to make way for a foreign coach.

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Sreejesh was insulted: Former captain Jude Felix tears into Hockey India

Jude Felix has accused Hockey India of insulting PR Sreejesh by removing him from the junior men's team job. The former India captain also questioned the federation's decision to appoint Sreejesh and then not give him the required time in the role.

Alan Jose John


PR Sreejesh was unceremoniously made to leave his role as India Jr.men's team coach. Courtesy: PR Sreejesh, Instagram

It was March 27 at the Hockey India Awards. Every Indian team and coaching staff member was present under one roof. It was a day of celebration, with players and coaches freely interacting with the media. Yet one man seemed detached from it all, unusually withdrawn for someone known for his warmth and energy around the media.

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Perth Thundersticks 2026 Player EOIs open

Are you ready to take your game to the next level?

Hockey WA and the Perth Thundersticks have officially opened Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for athletes aiming to be selected in the 2026 Perth Thundersticks program.

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Old Boys into final after 13-goal thriller 

By Helge Schutz


CLOSE MATCH … Delron Handura of SoE in action against Matu Kavikairiua of WOB. Photo: Helge Schütz

Windhoek Old Boys booked their place in the final of the Indoor Hockey Men’s Premier League after a thrilling 7-6 victory against School of Excellence (SoE) on Wednesday night.

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Sikh Union Club Centenary Draws Record Gathering of Hockey Olympians in Nairobi

By Prabhjot Singh


PHOTO: Maninder K. Chandhoke

The centenary celebrations of the Sikh Union Club in Nairobi marked a historic moment in hockey, emerging as one of the largest gatherings of Olympians and World Cup players ever witnessed at a single venue outside India.

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Hockey Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland Sign Landmark Partnership Agreement to Expand Inclusive Hockey Opportunities

Hockey Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland to host online information webinar on Tuesday, 27 May from 19:00–20:00.



Dublin: Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Special Olympics Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the continued development of inclusive hockey opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability across the island of Ireland.

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Tauqeer Dar: Most Suitable Person for Pakistan Hockey`s Revival

Pakistan has the potential to excel in every field.

By Ijaz Chaudhry

The prime requirement is Right Person for the Right Job

Pakistan's national game is Hockey. Also, the sport which has given us three golds and three silvers at the Olympics. Unfortunately, Pakistan hockey has hit rock bottom. Pakistan has failed to qualify for the last three Olympics.

There is one person who can reinvigorate Pakistan hockey and bring back the past glories.

What are the Foremost Requirements?
-Revitalising hockey at the Grassroots
-Getting  Sponsorship
-Arranging Foreign Tours  
-Bringing Foreign Teams

Tauqeer Dar (Olympic gold medallist 1984) has the Proven Credentials - Ticks all the Boxes

-He is running the Best Academy in Pakistan, Dar Hockey Academy which is a conveyer belt of talent; providing players to the national teams. Dar Academy boys have been regularly featuring in Pakistan's national and age group teams for the last 10 years
-Arranging Foreign Tours for his academy to top hockey nations: Six tours of Europe in the last 12 years: Holland, Belgium and Germany. Also tours to India & Malaysia.
-All through Sponsorship arranged by his own efforts; not a single penny from the government or federation
-In 2012, when terrorism was at its peak, he arranged a tour of Flying Dutch Veterans to Pakistan. The Dutch team was studded with Olympic & World Cup medallists.  The team played three matches in Lahore including two matches at the Johar Town stadium watched by thousands of spectators.

Easily the most suitable person to turn Pakistan hockey’s fortunes around.

If Tauqeer is appointed the Secretary General of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, he can bring  big business tycoons to sponsor hockey in the country. He can turn the PHF into a corporate body. Pakistan hockey will not be dependent on the government for any financial assistance and will also again see the international achievements of the past.

The following two videos give a good insight into the work & achievements of the Hockey Academy:

Dar Hockey Academy - A Great Success Story
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjAcFKWjRI0&t=331s

Dar Hockey Academy (Pakistan) Tour of Europe 2019
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TDyMDqK0Gk&t=32s

Ijaz...Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him & his work, visit http://www.sportscorrespondent.info