Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and a series of test matches between Poland, Austria and Chile have made some impact upon the FIH World Rankings among both the men’s and women’s nations. While there have been shifts and movements up and down the table, the top of the men’s and women’s rankings remains unaltered. Australia men, victors in Birmingham for the seventh consecutive time, are sitting at the top of the men’s rankings with 2851 points. Belgium (2742) and Netherlands (2646) are in second and third place. Germany (2340) men sit in fourth place, while a silver at the Commonwealth Games helped India (2294) maintain its position in fifth, just ahead of Commonwealth Games bronze medallists England (2158) in sixth. Argentina (2082) and Spain (1849) are in seventh and eighth position respectively, while New Zealand’s (1778) fifth place in Birmingham means the Black Sticks remain in ninth. Further down the table, South Africa men’s (1450) impressive fourth place finish at the Commonwealth Games sees them move to 14th, one place ahead of Canada (1421). Wales (1383) remain in 16th while Pakistan’s (1333) performances over the two week long competition sees them rooted to 18th spot. Scotland (1159) are also non-shifters in 21st position. Chile (959), Austria (1169) and Ireland (1469) are currently involved in a three-team test series. The results so far have favoured Ireland as the Green Army has moved from 14th to 13th. Austria remain in 19th place while Chile sit at 23rd. In the women’s rankings there is no movement in the top three. Netherlands (3155) continue to top the table as they have for the past decade. Argentina (2714) are in second placed with Australia (2589) in third after a silver medal win in Birmingham. England (2289), who won their first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal have jumped to fourth place, with Germany (2189), Belgium (2159) and Spain (2143) in fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. New Zealand’s (1995) fourth place finish hasn’t altered their position at eighth, and India (1953) are just behind in ninth position. China (1805) make up the top 10, ahead of Asian rivals Japan (1693) and Korea (1649). Canada’s (1421) performance in Birmingham helped them move up to 14th; Scotland (1224) are unmoved at 17th and South Africa (1151) remains at 20th in the rankings. Wales (961) dropped from 23rd to 24th. Kenya’s (604) first appearance at the Commonwealth Games saw then move up two place to 37th, after a win over neighbouring Ghana in the classification match. Ghana (684) drop one spot to 32nd.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed the participating teams and the Pools for the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup South Africa 2023, which will be staged in Pretoria, at the Heartfelt Arena from 5 to 11 February 2023. The Pools were established on the basis of the current FIH Indoor World Rankings. All 24 teams – except Australia and New Zealand – were in the line-up of participating teams for the event which was scheduled to be played in February 2022 but was postponed due to COVID-related issues. For the 2023 edition, Australia will replace Russia (Men) and Belarus (Women) since, based on the current guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the participation of these two teams has been denied by FIH. New Zealand will replace Germany (for both genders) who, despite having qualified, have decided not to take part. South African Hockey Association Acting CEO Shaune Baaitjies said: “The South African Hockey family are so excited about another first for SA Hockey and we cannot wait to welcome our visitors to our beautiful country where we promise to deliver a spectacular event. As a country with a proud heritage of hosting historic international events we can’t wait to add the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup to this incredible catalogue” FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “All teams and all hockey fans are eagerly waiting for the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup to be back! We’re really glad to have again participating teams from every continent, making it an impressive line up! On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank wholeheartedly the South African Organising Committee for their commitment and hard work. We’re looking forward to exciting hockey in Pretoria in 6 months’ time” In 2018, at the last edition of the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup, Germany (Women) and Austria (Men) were crowned Indoor World Champions. Women - Pool A Netherlands, Austria, Australia, United States, South Africa, New Zealand Women - Pool B Ukraine, Czech Republic, Namibia, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Canada Men - Pool A Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Namibia, New Zealand Men - Pool B Iran, Czech Republic, Australia, South Africa, United States, Argentina

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-Australia beat India 7-0 in the final to lift the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022 while England out-scoring South Africa 6-3 in a bronze medal contest. England 6 South Africa 3 (Bronze medal match men) England, buoyed by a loud home crowd, beat South Africa in a high-scoring affair to earn the bronze medal. The first quarter was tense, as both sides looked to work each other out. South Africa had the opening couple of chances, Keenan Horne and Daniel Bell seeing efforts blocked and saved by a firm English defence. As England pushed-back Commonwealth Games top-scorer Nicholas Bandurak had a goal disallowed after just over 10 minutes. A tight opening quarter eventually ended goalless. The second period of this game turned out to be a contender for the most entertaining of the whole tournament. The carnage began when after 18 minutes Matthew Guise-Brown scored from a penalty corner. England responded straight away, with a first ever international goal from Rhys Smith. South Africa were ahead again in the blink of an eye, as Mustapha Cassiem slotted past England keeper Oliver Payne. Once again it was a rapid response from England, who equalised for the second time in the quarter via cracking strike from Liam Ansell. A great referral from England skipper Zachary Wallace won his side a penalty corner with 5 minutes left of the period, and Samuel Ward cashed in, putting the hosts 3-2 ahead. The game’s sixth goal came on the stroke of half-time, as Nqobile Ntuli restored parity between the sides. A remarkable quarter ended with the scores tied at 3-3. The players emerged from a well-earned half-time break and a far quieter period ensued. England were temporarily down to 10 after a green card but South Africa could not capitalise. Instead, England took the lead once again, a powerful strike from Phillip Roper 5 minutes from the final break. Despite some late pressure from the hosts the players took their final break with the score 4-3, and the destination of the bronze medal far from decided. In the last 15 of hockey for both sides in this year’s games it was England that drew first blood, Roper getting the final touch following a Sam Ward shot. With 5 minutes to go, trailing by 2 goals, South Africa committed to 11 outfield players as they looked to claw themselves back into medal contention. However, with 90 seconds left on the clock England’s Wallace tucked home a penalty stroke to wrap up a 6-3 win, and the bronze medal, for the hosts. Australia 7 India 0 (Gold medal match men) A rampant Australia brushed aside India to keep up their 100% Commonwealth Games gold medal streak. Australia began the first quarter with a spell of early pressure as they looked to win an astonishing 7th gold medal in a row. After 9 minutes it was the ever-dangerous Blake Govers that opened the scoring in the final, firing home from a penalty corner. With just a minute left in the opening 15 Nathan Ephraums doubled the Kookaburras lead, rounding out a dominant first period for Australia. The Aussies continued their relentless pressure into the second quarter, looking to dominate their Asian opponents. After 22 minutes the lead was suddenly 3-0 when Jacob Anderson scored from a penalty corner. Just 5 minutes later Australia found their 4th without reply as Tom Wickham fired in. Anderson’s second of the period increased the lead to 5-0 by half-time. A devastating first 30 saw Australia have one hand on the trophy, while India had a mountain to climb to get back into the tie. As was the theme of the match the third quarter was again one-sided, as the Kookaburras saw attack as the best form of defence, creating multiple opportunities. Only 1 further goal was added, thanks to Ephraums 3 minutes before the final break. Australia were 7-up inside a minute of the final quarter, Flynn Ogilvie with the strike. The Kookaburras did continue to create more opportunities to extend a big lead even further, but the busy PR Sreejesh in the Indian goal managed to make the saves required to avoid further damage. As the hooter brought the curtain down on the hockey at the 2022 Commonwealth Games it was seven-heaven for the Kookaburras, 7 final goals securing a 7th consecutive gold medal as their utter dominance of the tournament and final was written into the history books. Results (Men’s Competition): England 6 South Africa 3 (Bronze medal match men) Umpires: Tyler Klenk (CAN) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Tim Bond (NZL-video) Australia 7 India 0 (Gold medal match men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) David Tomlinson (NZL) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The morning session saw a couple of the men’s placings sorted. The day began with Scotland securing 9th place with a big win over Ghana, this was followed by Pakistan edging a high-scoring match against Canada to confirm 7th. The evening session saw the men’s semi-finals contested, starting with India earning a place in the final with a hard-fought win over South Africa. Over in the other semi-final Australia came back from 2-0 down to beat England. Pakistan 4 Canada 3 (Classification 7-8 men) Pakistan edged an entertaining match to secure 7th place in the Commonwealth Games. A tight first 15 between two competitive sides yielded little in the way of clear-cut opportunities. Canada will probably feel as though they had the better of it, forcing a few penalty corners and seeing Brendan Guraliuk denied by Pakistan keeper Akmal Hussain. The second quarter burst into life when Abdul Rana and Ghazanfar Ali scored in quick succession as Pakistan raced to a 2-0 lead. After being rocked by the manic few minutes that had just gone by Canada began to counter-punch, winning a series of penalty corners. The pressure eventually told as Matthew Sarmento halved the deficit in the 26th minute, and 4 minutes later Keegan Pereira restored parity on the stroke of half-time. After a breathless second quarter the teams appeared to take stock in the third quarter, and a cagey period ensued. Green cards were shown to both sides during the 15 but neither team could capitalise on the extra man and the score remained 2-2. As the game entered its final quarter both sides were keen to stamp their authority. Pakistan edged ahead in the 52nd minute, Umar Bhutta with the strike. Following a series of chances and penalty corners a frantic final 2 minutes was set up when Sarmento grabbed his second of the game to make it 3-3. Abdul Shahid would prove to be the hero for Pakistan, scoring in the final minute to secure 7th place.   India 3 South Africa 2 (Semi-final men) India secured their place in the gold medal match after a hard-fought battle with South Africa. The first semi-final began with a topsy-turvy period as both sides came out raring to book a place in the gold medal match. There was a plethora of chances for both sides from a series of penalty corners, and during open play. As would soon become a theme of the match Gowan Jones in the South African net produced a catalogue of saves. India’s defensive unit stood firm as well and an entertaining first 15 somehow ended goalless. South Africa started the second quarter well, crafting a series of chances from penalty corners, with Matthew Guise-Brown denied on multiple occasions. Unnerved by the one-way traffic India took went up the other end and broke the deadlock, Abhisheck with the strike in the 20th minute. A period of Indian pressure followed, and Jones was again called into action, producing more saves to add to his tally for the day. 2 minutes from the end of the period Jones was finally beaten again as Mandeep Singh doubled the Indian lead. This left South Africa with plenty to muse over at the half-time interval. Knowing they needed to find an extra gear in the third quarter South Africa put their foot on the gas, producing a wave of attacks. A series of penalty corners was eventually capitalised upon for the Africans when Ryan Julius struck in the 33rd minute. An encouraging quarter for South Africa continued as they continued to pepper the Indian goal. However, they were met by a dogged defensive and an impressive Krishan Bahadur Pathak in the Asian’s goal. The game entered its final chapter with the final place anything but secure. Both sides looked to get themselves on the front foot but it was India that found the first telling touch of the 15. After South Africa removed their keeper Jugraj Singh extended the Indian lead to 3-1 with just 2 minutes left on the clock from a penalty corner. South Africa did not give up and were rewarded for their perseverance via a Mustapha Cassiem goal just a minute later. However, they could not find what would have been an extremely late leveller and it would be India who progressed to Monday’s final. South Africa will be in the bronze medal match on the same day. Results (Men's Competition): Scotland 7 Ghana 2 (Classification 9-10 men) Umpires: Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS) David Tomlinson (NZL-video) Pakistan 4 Canada 3 (Classification 7-8 men) Umpires: Fraser Bell (SCO) Tim Bond (NZL) Stephen Rogers (AUS-video) India 3 South Africa 2 (Semi-final men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Bruce Bale (ENG-video) Australia 3 England 2 (Semi-final men) Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA) David Tomlinson (NZL) Tyler Klenk (CAN-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The final day of Pool action got underway with New Zealand’s women cruising to victory over South Africa, before England went 4 wins from 4 for the first time in the Commonwealth Games with a comfortable win over Wales. The afternoon began with India’s men securing top spot in Pool B, with the second game of the session seeing England put up double figures against Canada. South Africa’s men pulled off a crucial win over New Zealand in the opening game of the evening, ending the Black Sticks chance of a medal. The final Pool match of the games saw Australia maintain their 100% record, setting up a semi-final Australia 7 Pakistan 0 (Pool A men): Australia maintained their 100% record in the final Pool match of the games, registering a comfortable win over Pakistan. In order to ruin the South African party Pakistan needed to win this game by 2 goals or more, and to their credit they started on the front foot, taking the fight to the 6 time champions. They couldn’t find a way through however, and Blake Govers hammered home just how tough this would be for Pakistan by opening the scoring in the 12th minute. The second quarter only served to make the already extremely tough Pakistan challenge almost impossible when Jeremy Hayward doubled the Kookaburra’s lead. A strong period for the Aussies only yielded the one goal but put them firmly in the driving seat. Any lingering hopes of a Pakistan comeback were firmly crushed in the third quarter, as goals from Hayward and Tom Wickham just 2 minutes apart extended the lead to 4-0. The result of the game means Pakistan will take on Canada in the 7th/8th classification match, while Australia will play hosts England in the semi-final on Saturday. Results (Women's Competition): South Africa 1 New Zealand 4 (Pool B women) Umpires: Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Lelia Sacre (CAN) Cookie Tan (SGP-video) England 5 Wales 0 (Pool A women) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA) Binish Hayat (PAK) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS-video) Results (Men’s Competition): India 4 Wales 1 (Pool B men) Umpires: Nick Bennett (ENG) Tyler Klenk (CAN) Fraser Bell (SCO-video) Canada 2 England 11 (Pool B men) Umpires: Deepak Chandra Joshi (IND) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video) South Africa 4 New Zealand 3 (Pool A men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) Bruce Bale (ENG) Nick Bennett (ENG-video) Australia 7 Pakistan 0 (Pool A men) Umpires: Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) David Tomlinson (NZL) Tim Bond (NZL-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The morning session began with Wales’s women wrapping up their first points of the games, followed by Scotland’s women putting 11 past Kenya. The afternoon got off to a thrilling start as South Africa’s men edged an incredible game with Scotland, while England’s men pulled off a remarkable comeback against India. In the evening session Canada’s men rescued a point against Ghana and Australia made a real statement of intent by crushing New Zealand.   New Zealand 2 Australia 7 (Pool A men) Australia made a huge statement, crushing New Zealand to send themselves to the top of Pool A. The Kookaburras made a fast start to their second match of the tournament, with the game just 8 minutes old when a Jacob Anderson pass took a couple of deflections before making its way in. A couple more chances fell the way of the Aussies but George Enersen in the New Zealand goal stood firm. The Black Sticks men hit back just 2 minutes into the second period, Hugo Inglis with the strike to level the tie. Not to be deterred, 5 minutes later Australia were back in front via Blake Govers firing a drag flick in following a penalty corner. Just a couple of minutes later Govers was at it again, extending the Kookaburras’ lead to 3-1. There was still time for Australia to add another, Jake Whetton slamming in. As the second half got underway it was time for Nathan Ephraums to get in on the action, scoring high into the net. To their credit New Zealand continued to search for a way back into the game and got their reward when Jake Smith pulled one back for the Black Sticks. However, any thoughts of a fairy-tale comeback were dealt a cruel blow when Aran Zalewski scooped in to leave the score reading 6-2 as the teams took their final break. Zalewski picked up where he left of in the third quarter, turning the ball into the goal after a powerful Whetton effort. That was to prove to be the end of the scoring in the game as Australia sent out a warning message to any medal hopefuls.     Results (Women's Competition): Wales 4 Ghana 0 (Pool A women) Umpires: Binish Hayat (PAK) Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Lelia Sacre (CAN-video) Scotland 11 Kenya 0 (Pool B women) Umpires: Hannah Harrison (ENG) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS) Cathy Wright (WAL-video) Results (Men’s Competition): Scotland 4 South Africa 5 (Pool A men) Umpires: Nick Bennett (ENG) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Daniel Barstow (ENG-video) England 4 India 4 (Pool B men) Umpires: David Tomlinson (NZL) Sean Rapaport (RSA) Tyler Klenk (CAN) Ghana 1 Canada 1 (Pool B men) Umpires: Deepak Chandra Joshi (IND) Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) Fraser Bell (SCO-video) New Zealand 2 Australia 7 (Pool A men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS) Bruce Bale (ENG-video) 

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-New Zealand’s men got the day’s play underway with a comfortable showing against Pakistan, while Australia got their games title defence started with a massive victory over Scotland. The afternoon session started with a cracker between England and Wales men in which the hosts claimed a valuable three points, while India put 11 past Ghana. The evening began with a narrow England women’s win over Canada, with the day ended by a dominant Australia showing against South Africa.       New Zealand 4 Pakistan 1 (Pool A men) New Zealand’s men opened the day’s play with a consummate performance against Pakistan, claiming their first 3 points after a remarkable opening day draw with Scotland. The first quarter saw a barrage of Black Sticks pressure, with misses from Sam Lane and Brad Read alongside a Nic Woods blocked effort and a Hugo Inglis shot saved by Pakistan keeper Akmal Hussain. Despite the one-way traffic Pakistan stood firm and the first quarter ended goalless. However, the pressure on the Pakistan goal did eventually reap reward for New Zealand, as dangerous midfielder Inglis fired home just a minute into the second period. Inglis doubled his tally -  and his sides lead - just a minute later as New Zealand looked to turn the screw. However, the quick-fire double appeared to wake up Pakistan, who dragged themselves back into the tie following a Ghazanfar Ali strike in the 26th minute. Both sides had chances to score again in the quarter, but the game remained at 2-1 heading into half-time. Gold Coast silver medallists New Zealand came back out after the break looking to put the game to bed as they searched for maximum points. However, chances from the likes of Inglis, Jake Smith and Kane Russell came and went to no avail. Pakistan began to create chances for themselves through Ahmad Nadeem, Rizwan Ali and Afraz as the game became more open, with both sides feeling like they could take something from the clash. Then came a turning point, as New Zealand forward Dylan Thomas extended his sides lead to 3-1 just 2 minutes from the whistle. Pakistan weren't helped by an early Rizwan Ali green card in the final period, as New Zealand looked to improve their goal difference. Inglis, Sean Findlay and Thomas all had early opportunities but the Pakistan defence held up. A quieter final period ensued, however there was time for Sam Lane to add a 4th New Zealand goal in the final minute and wrap up a 4-1 victory. Blair Tarrant (NZL)said: “It was a bit wet this morning but we're used to these conditions back home. I think we put in a really good effort defensively and then avoided the constant pressure, but they snuck a few under." Results (Men's Competition): New Zealand 4 Pakistan 1 (Pool A men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (GBR) Tyler Klenk (CAN) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video) Australia 12 vs Scotland 0 (Pool A men) Umpires: Deepak Chandra Joshi (IND) Bruce Bale (ENG) Nick Bennett (ENG-video) England 4 Wales 2 (Pool B men) Umpires: Stephen Rogers (AUS) Sean Rapaport (RSA) David Tomlinson (NZL-video) India 11 Ghana 0 (Pool B men) Umpires: Fraser Bell (SCO) Tim Bond (NZL) Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN-video) Results (Women’s Competition): Canada 0 England 1 (Pool A women) Umpires: Cookie Tan (SGP) Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Wanri Venter (RSA-video) South Africa 0 Australia 5 (Pool B women) Umpires: Rachel Williams (ENG) Amber Church (NZL) Hannah Harrison (ENG)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-A thrilling draw between South Africa and Pakistan men’s sides kicked off day 2 of the games, as Wales men put on an impressive display against Canada to round out the morning session. The afternoon session saw Australia and England’s women both register big wins, while the evening session included an Indian women’s win and New Zealand being tested by a dogged Scotland side.    South Africa 2 Pakistan 2 (Pool A men) Pakistan snatched a late equaliser against South Africa in both sides opening tie of the games. The first quarter started with some early South African pressure, Matthew Guise-Brown having a couple of efforts blocked before striking the post in the 12th minute. After Akmal Hussain was shown a yellow card at the latter end of the half the pressure told as South Africa’s Connor Beauchamp fired home his sides opening goal of the tournament from a penalty corner. Just 6 minutes into the second quarter the lively Beauchamp was again causing the Pakistan defence problems, seeing an effort saved by Pakistan’s keeper, Abdullah Ishtiaq. Pakistan stood firm before launching an attack of their own, resulting in Rizwan Ali converting from a penalty corner to level up the tie in the 25th minute. Chances followed for both sides but the score remained level heading into half time. South Africa began the third quarter on the front foot, with Daniel Bell having 2 attempts on goal but to no avail. Pakistan then took the initiative and created their own opportunities, Mubashar Ali and Ajaz Ahmad both having efforts at goal either side of a Nqobile Ntuli green card. A back-and-forth quarter with no goals left the game finely balanced heading into the last period. The final period of the game followed the pattern of the tie as both sides created openings. Abdul Shahid with the first of the quarter in the early stages for Pakistan, followed by a fresh from suspension counter-punch from Ntuli. Neither men were able to convert though and it was Guise-Brown who found the net to put South Africa 2-1 ahead with not long to go. Pakistan hit back with their own chance, Ali looking to add to his goal earlier in the game but seeing his effort saved. Just as it looked as though South Africa had edged out the encounter Pakistan’s Afraz became the hero, equalising following a penalty corner in the final minute to rescue a point for his side. Results (July 30, 2022): South Africa 2 Pakistan 2 (Pool A men) Umpires: Nick Bennett (GBR) Bruce Bale (GBR) Daniel Barstow (GBR-video) Canada 1 Wales 5 (Pool B men) Umpires: David Tomlinson (NZL) Fraser Bell (GBR) Stephen Rogers (AUS-video) Result’s Women’s Competition Australia 8 Kenya 0 (Pool B women) Umpires: Cathy Wright (GBR) Katrina Turner (NZL) Rachel WILLIAMS (GBR-video) England 12 Ghana 0 (Pool A women) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS) Amber Church (NZL–video) India 3 Wales 1 (Pool A women) Umpires: Cookie Tan (SGP) Lelia Sacre (CAN) Amber Church (NZL–video) New Zealand 1 Scotland 0 Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Hannah Harrison (ENG-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-It seems only yesterday that the flame went down in Tokyo at the end of the Olympic Games in that wonderful city. A few months of reflection on the part of all involved – athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and organisers – and then it is time to look to the future. In this case, the future is in the beautiful city Paris. It is two years until the action will be underway for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 hockey competition which takes place between 27 July and 9 August 2024 at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. The Yves-du-Manoir Stadium is steeped in Olympic history. It was 100 years ago in 1924 that the stadium itself played host to the opening ceremony and then provided the venue for eight disciplines. France itself has a deep relationship with hockey as 2024 is also 100 years since the FIH was created in France by Paul Léautey, the first President of hockey’s world governing body. To mark the start of the refurbishment of the stadium, on 11 May this year Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet took part in the ceremony of laying the first stone of the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. The work is due to be completed in January 2024 and test events will take place ahead of the Games in May 2024. The refurbished stadium will become the national centre for hockey and home to the French Hockey Federation. Within the sport of hockey, which has featured for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1908, there is one person for whom the hockey competition in Paris is already filling every waking hour. Antoine Berger is the Hockey Manager for Paris 2024. He joined the organisation in January 2022. ‘Since I joined the adventure in January this year I have been mostly focused on the venue plans both for the games and the legacy aspect, making sure that the athletes’ and spectators’ needs are at the centre of all we do,’ he said. ‘All of this is always in a very collaborative relationship with the International Hockey Federation and with the French Hockey Federation (FFH). Of course this also means working on the competition schedule, the level of services for the athletes and everything linked to the competition aspect.’ Berger says his key focus is to push the conversation about hockey at every opportunity. He is working with the FFH to raise the profile of the sport across French communities. National federations will be acutely aware of the major milestones between now and the opening ceremony, which is now exactly two years away. Teams will have two opportunities to qualify: through the continental championships and then through the FIH Olympic Qualification Tournaments. These events are as follows: The Oceania Cup (expected in April 2023) The African Road to Paris (expected in July/August 2023) The Euro Hockey Nation Championships in August 2023 The Asian Games in September/October 2023 The 19th Pan American Games in October 2023

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan hockey players and officials left Islamabad for Birmingham to participate in the 22nd Commonwealth Games 2022, which will be started from July 28 with an opening ceremony and hockey contingent will also be representing their country in the ceremony. Pakistan squad embarked on international flight at Islamabad International Airport. It is important to mention here that Pakistan had won silver medal in 2006 Commonwealth, as they lost final against New Zeeland. An official said on the airport that Pakistan team would produce acceptable performance in the event. Names of players: Goalkeepers: Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan Full-backs: Mubasher Ali, Imad Shakeel Butt, Mohammad Hammaduddin Anjum, Mohammad Abdullah, Rizwan Ali Half-backs: Mohammad Umar Bhatta, Moeen Shakeel, Abdul Manan, Junaid Manzoor, Ghazanfar Ali Forwards: Attackers Ejaz Ahmed, Rana Abdul Waheed, Roman, Afraz, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Ahmed Nadeem Team Officials: Syed Sameer Hussain (Manager), Siegfried Aikman (Head Coach), Nadeem Khan Lodhi (Video Analyst), Adeel Akhtar (Physiotherapist).