News for 22 December 2022
All the news for Thursday 22 December 2022
Series victories for SA Hockey Indoor sides
The 2022 year of indoor hockey reached its conclusion in Cape Town on Tuesday night when the South African Hockey Indoor Men and Women completed their test series with Namibia and Ireland respectively. Both teams will be pleased to have ended the year on a high with all eyes turning to the World Cup in Pretoria in February 
SA complete 3-0 series victory
by Helge Schütz
David Britz in action for Namibia against SA. Photo: Helge Schütz
South Africa completed a 3-0 victory in their indoor hockey test series against Namibia after winning their final two tests in Cape Town.
‘The real proud moment’: Indian women’s hockey team dances with trophy after FIH Nations Cup 2022 victory
India beat Spain 1-0 to win the FIH Nations Cup Monday. A video showing the team's jubilant celebration has gone viral on social media.
With the victory, the Indian team has gained participation in the 2023-24 Pro League, an important event before next year's Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Indian women’s hockey team won the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022 beating Spain 1-0 Monday. Basking in the glory of the triumph, the team members danced with the trophy and medals. A video showing their jubilant celebration has gone viral on social media and has spread cheer online.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram: “Nations Cup is a very welcome addition to our events portfolio!”
Tayyab, the inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup was played just recently in Valencia, Spain (Women) and Potchefstroom, South Africa (Men). How do you look at both events?
New FIH President Ikram welcomes Nations Cup success
By Philip Barker 
FIH President Tayyab Ikram has claimed the Nations Cup is a welcome addition to the international programme ©FIH
International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has acclaimed the Nations Cup as "a very welcome addition to our events portfolio and an all round resounding success".
FIH President Tayyab Ikram: “Let's take 2023 to unlock the potential of hockey!”
As the end of the year is just around the corner, FIH President Tayyab Ikram reflects about the past hockey year as well as his first 50 days as FIH President. He goes on looking at the year ahead and sharing his views on the inaugural Nations Cup, inclusivity, engagement, development and the part that hockey can play to foster positive change in society.
PAHF announces 2022 Pan American Elite Teams
Pat Harris and Camila Caram selected a record sixth time
Camila Caram & Pat Harris
The Pan American Hockey Federation is pleased to announce the 2022 Pan American Elite Teams.
Future of Siegfried Aikman as Pakistan Coach
A cloud of uncertainty has enveloped Pakistan hockey after its chief coach Siegfried Aikman departed for his home country Netherlands amidst growing talk that the coach has left Pakistan in anger at not being paid his salary for a long period of time. Hockey Passion took a deep dive into the future of Siegfried Aikman as Pakistan coach and learnt that he is in the Netherlands spending quality with his family simply because Pakistan does not have any international engagements lined up in the near future, and it is not after all a case of ‘packing his bags for good’. Of course, the fact that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) hasn’t been able to pay his salary over many months is certainly leaving the coach frustrated and disappointed.
Azrai joins Speedy Tigers' crock list
By Aftar Singh 
X-ray showing Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal’s (left) fractured left index finger. - Pic courtesy of Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal Facebook page
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's preparation for next month's Hockey World Cup in India is not going smoothly.
Mirnawan: Why so many injuries?
By Aftar Singh
Team manager Mirnawan Nawawi fears the growing number of injuries in the national hockey team will dent their hopes of doing well at the World Cup in India on Jan 13-14. - NSTP/SHAHMI IMRAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Team manager Mirnawan Nawawi fears the growing number of injuries in the national hockey team will dent their hopes of doing well at the World Cup in India on Jan 13-29.
TN hockey legends denied guest seats at the FIH World Cup Trophy Tour event
Tamil Nadu hockey legends V. Baskaran, B.P. Govinda, Leslie Fernandez and V.J. Philips were denied seats on the guests’ podium at the Hockey World Cup Trophy Tour event at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
S. Prasanna Venkatesan
V. Baskaran brings to notice of TN Sports Minister the sidelining of former hockey players. | Photo Credit: K.V. SRINIVASAN
The hockey World Cup Trophy tour event at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday witnessed an unpleasant incident as hockey legends V. Baskaran, B.P. Govinda, Leslie Fernandez and V.J. Philips were denied access to the guests’ podium.
New Covid variant puts Odisha on high alert ahead of Hockey World Cup
Could the upcoming Hockey World Cup be affected by the new global Covid outbreak? One case was detected in the host city, but officials say 4 layers of health protocol will be in place to ensure smooth operations.
By Dipankar Lahiri 
Fans at the ticket booking line in Bhubaneswar ahead of the Hockey World Cup (Tazeen Quresy/The Bridge)
Even as discovery of the new Covid strain - Omicron subvariant BF.7 - in Odisha has put Hockey India (HI) on high alert with three weeks to go before the Hockey World Cup, officials from the federation said four layers of protocol will be followed at the tournament to ensure smooth operations.
Maddie Secco’s story set for next chapter
Maddie Secco announces her retirement after 11-year career
Written by Ali Baggott, for Field Hockey Canada
After 11 years, Canadian forward Maddie Secco (Victoria, B.C.) will turn a new page in her story. Secco will hang up her turf boots and hockey stick to continue her MBA at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto.
EHL FINAL8 2023 schedule confirmed
The EHL FINAL8 match schedule for Easter 2023 has been confirmed with 20 top class matches to be played from April 6-10 in the Wagener Stadium.
Book Review: SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY, the artist’s gallery for penalty corner and dragflick
K. ARUMUGAM
About two decades ago, I approached Barry John Dancer, then coaching the Australian Men’s national team, with draft of a coaching book written by a famous former Indian hockey great. He wanted foreword from the acclaimed coach. However, Dancer, who took the draft and appeared enthusiastic initially, declined three days later.