Sports Bulletin

Lausanne, Switzerland (Sports Bulletin Report):-The Africa Cup of Nations saw a week of exciting hockey action culminate in a double victory for South Africa, giving the top ranked teams in both the men’s and women’s competition automatic qualification for the respective FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar and Rourkela and the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022. Although South Africa men’s and women’s hockey teams continue their dominance at this event, both finals were tough contests. The women went behind to a well-organised and hard-working Ghana team before rallying and winning 3-1. The men were held to a 1-1 scoreline by a resilient and skilful Egypt, but held their nerve to win the shoot-out by a 3-1 scoreline. In the women’s final, the host nation was hoping that home advantage would serve the players well as they faced South Africa in the final. This was the fifth consecutive final in which the two teams had faced each other, with South Africa emerging the victor on each of the previous occasions. Both teams had shown good form going into the final: South Africa were unbeaten and had conceded no goals to that point. Ghana had drawn with Nigeria and won their other two matches with ease. An early goal from Elizabeth Opoku – following the award of a penalty stroke against South Africa – gave Ghana the lead in the sixth minute. The noise levels among the spectators rose as they sensed the opportunity for an upset. However, South Africa responded well and were 2-1 ahead at half-time, courtesy of goals from Charne Maddocks and Kristen Paton. The match was put beyond doubt in the final quarter when Lillian du Plessis scored a penalty stroke to give her side a 3-1 lead. Tarryn Glasby of South Africa was the competition’s overall top scorer with nine goals. Speaking after the match, she said: ‘It is nice to get a win in Ghana. As a striker you are supposed to score goals, so I am happy to be the top scorer. Looking forward to the World Cup, it is all about trusting our processes.’ The captain of Ghana women, Nafisatu Umara, said: ’We are impressed with our performance. We took the lead in the first quarter, which shows how much we have really improved. We now have the courage to carry the ball, so we are happy with our performance. The last time we played South Africa we lost 6-0, so this was a big improvement. We will look at what happened today, we will do our homework and next time we will beat them.’ South Africa’s Head Coach Inky Zondy said: ‘I am really excited and really happy with the game. It was a tough game, so thank you to Ghana. We have really enjoyed our week here. We are a team that has changed, so we have to learn from what has happened this week and represent Africa well at the World Cup.’ In the men’s final, it was a repeat of the previous five editions, with reigning champions South Africa facing Egypt. Any hope Egypt had of hitting South Africa hard in the early stages was dashed when Matt Guise-Brown stepped up to fire home a penalty corner in the 12th minute. South Africa looked comfortably in control of the game for much of the first half but they failed to capitalise on a number of chances. With seven minutes of the half remaining, Egypt’s Ziad Adel took the opportunity to even the scores with a well-taken goal that eluded Siyavuya Nolutshungu in the South African goal. The teams continued to probe and seek a breakthrough throughout the third quarter but neither team could find the goal. With 15 minutes left, South Africa turned up the pressure a notch. An early penalty corner attempt flew wide and a devastating run from Nqobile Ntuli ended with a tame shot. Egypt continued to dig deep defensively and the team’s resilience paid off as the final whistle blew and the match went to shoot-out for the first time since 2005 [when South Africa beat Egypt 3-2 on penalty strokes]. Clinical finishing by the South African attackers and some great goalkeeping by Nolutshungu saw the higher ranked team finally break down their Egyptian rivals as South Africa won the shoot-out 3-1. Speaking after the match, South Africa’s Head Coach Gareth Ewing said: ’I’m shattered. That was too close for comfort. Ghana is such a great host, there was such a great atmosphere in the stadium, it was great to win. Based on tonight’s performance, we have a lot to do before the World Cup.’ Captain of South Africa, Tim Drummond said: ’We are ecstatic. That was tough but we are missing some players so that shows that we have depth in the squad. There is a long way to go before the World Cup but we hope to make a lot of improvement and finish in the top ten.’ Egypt’s Head Coach Zaman Tahir, said: ‘That was heartbreaking for all the boys. South Africa’s experience to handle this sort of pressure is huge. Shoot-out is down to nerves and South Africa had an advantage. Losing on shoot-out - it could have been any one’s game.’ South Africa’s penalty corner specialist Matthew Guise-Brown was top goalscorer with six goals. Earlier in the day, Kenya women had taken third place after they beat Zimbabwe in a tense match that had finished goalless at full time. Kenya’s goal keeper Milicent Adhiambo performed heroics to keep the Zimbabwe attackers at bay and the Kenyan team were able to finished one place higher than their previous fourth place in 2017. In the men’s match to decide third place, Nigeria put in an energetic performance to defeat Kenya 4-2. Goals from Sunday Godwin, Emmanuel Sunday, Benjamin Ibrahim and James Samaila sealed the bronze medal and the highest ever finishing position for Nigeria. Final positions at the Africa Cup of Nations. Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 1. South Africa - qualified for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022 2. Ghana 3. Kenya 4. Zimbabwe 5. Nigeria 6. Namibia 7. Zambia 8. Uganda Men’s Africa Cup of Nations 1. South Africa - qualified for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar and Rourkela 2. Egypt 3. Nigeria 4. Kenya 5. Ghana 6. Uganda 7. Namibia

RAJA HAFEEZ Lausanne, Switzerland: The Women’s Asia Cup 2022 will be taking place from 21-28 January at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, in Muscat in Oman. The venue was switched from Bangkok, Thailand due to ongoing Covid-19 complications. This event was first played in 1985 and only four teams’ names have appeared on the trophy since – Korea, India, Japan and China. After two tumultuous years of Covid-related disruption, all eight participating teams will be desperate to start the year in winning style and one expert in the game says it is a situation where 'anything can happen.' India are the defending champions, having won this event in 2017. Since then, the Eves have grabbed the headlines with their historic fourth place finish at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – a feat that has rocketed them into 9th place in the FIH World Rankings (WR). This eight-team competition promises to be a highly competitive affair. The winning team will establish its position as the top team in a hockey-mad area of the world and the top four teams will book their places at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and the Netherlands 2022. The teams vying for the top four places alongside India are: China (WR:10), Korea (WR:12), Japan (WR:14), Malaysia (WR:20), Thailand (WR:29), Indonesia (WR:36) and Singapore (WR:37). Former Head Coach to India men and an Olympian with the national team, Cedric d’Sousa, says this is a very open tournament with the top four ranked teams all capable of winning the competition and any of the eight teams taking a place in the top four. ‘It is such an important tournament because it is a direct qualification to the World Cup. And Oman is a country that loves its hockey so there will be a lot of local interest in the event.’

RAJA HAFEEZ Lausanne, Switzerland: The sixth editions of the Men’s and Women’s Pan American Cups, which take place in Santiago, Chile from 19 January until the 30 January are set to be two scintillating competitions, all the more appreciated by the teams following months of interruption to hockey activities – due to the ongoing Covid pandemic. The stakes are high for the competing teams. The top two teams in the men’s competition and the top three in the women’s event will also qualify for the next blue riband event in international hockey – the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in Spain and the Netherlands 2022 and the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela 2023. For Lucas Rey, 2016 Olympic gold medallist and head coach to the Argentina side who won a gold medal at the 2021 Men's Junior World Cup, the prospect of seeing players back on the pitch is an exciting time: ‘It will be amazing for the players to be back on the pitch. There is always a great atmosphere between different teams. Many of the players from across Peru and Chile play club hockey in Argentina so they will enjoy playing against their Argentinian team mates. And Chile is a fantastic host, so it will be a really good competition.’

Sports Bulletin Lausanne, Switzerland: It’s a welcome return to international hockey competition for seven men’s teams and eight women’s teams at the Men’s and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 17-23 January, taking place in Accra, Ghana in the Theodosia Okoh Stadium. It is also a vitally important tournament for development and continued growth of hockey across the African continent, says former South African international and triple Olympian, Marsha Cox. Talking about the forthcoming competition, where the winner will book their place at the next blue riband event – the men's and women's World Cups – Cox said that it was imperative for hockey in the region to get even more competitive so that nations pushed each other to perform better and better. 'The fact that there are teams challenging South Africa’s dominance is very important. For any team to climb up the points system, we need all our teams across the continent to perform and climb the rankings.

Sports Bulletin Lausanne, Switzerland (January 17, 2022):-The FIH Rules of Hockey are updated in the January following the Olympic Games or FIH Hockey World Cups. FIH Sport Director and double-Olympian Jon Wyatt introduces the main Rules changes, which have just come into force. Jon, what is the process for changing the Rules and how was it applied this time? The Rules are issued by the FIH Rules Committee (made up of Rules experts from the 5 Continental Federations) under the authority of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). They are updated normally every 2 years in the January following the Olympic Games or FIH Hockey World Cups. This allows an 18-month run in to the next global tournament for all players, coaches, fans and officials to become familiar with any changes and adapt accordingly. Due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games, the update scheduled for January 2021 was also postponed by a year, hence publishing the new Rules now. The FIH Rules Committee undergoes an extensive consultation and discussion process with athletes, coaches, National Associations, officials and spectators together with match and competition reports, video analysis, Rules trials and Tournament Regulations which vary the Rules, as part of the Rules review, that ultimately leads to any Rules changes. Due to the short turnaround in this cycle to the 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in July this year, the amendments to the Rules in this version are relatively minor so as to minimise the adaptations required by players, coaches and officials. What are the changes in the new Rules and why have they been made? Removal of Penalty Corner protective equipment - Rule 4.2 has been changed to allow for defending players using Penalty Corner protective equipment to continue to play the ball outside the circle after an interception during the taking of a penalty corner. Players can now continue to run with the ball while keeping their protective equipment on but they must remove that same equipment immediately after, at the first opportunity to do so and always inside the 23 m area. No player using PC protective equipment can play the ball outside the 23 m area at any time. This has been introduced to protect athlete safety so that the focus can be on the ball and the play, and not on removing protective equipment during a pressurised defensive situation. It was trialled in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar in December 2021, and received unanimous support from coaches, athletes and officials. Aerial balls - Rule 9.10 was changed to allow for the playing of what is commonly referred to as Aerial Balls. The previous text did not cover for the possibility for players to safely intercept a falling ball, which is now seen as both legitimate and positive to the development of the game. This followed extensive discussions before, during and after the Tokyo Olympic Games, during which a more consistent interpretation and understanding of this element of our game was agreed. Aerial Balls will continue to be closely monitored by all stakeholders so that player safety can be maintained. The other Rules changes are essentially cosmetic and clarifications of existing Rules. When do these Rules come into effect? The Rules of Hockey apply to all levels of the game and are effective from 1 January 2022 at International level. National Associations have discretion to decide the date of their implementation at National level, based on their domestic seasons. Typically, rule changes are not introduced into domestic leagues mid-season, although we hope that with the simplification of the removal of protective penalty corner equipment rule, this may be adopted immediately in many domestic leagues even if they are currently half way through as it makes this aspect of the game safer, easier to understand for players and easier to officiate for umpires. What areas are being considered for future potential Rule changes? We continue to seek ways of making our sport even more enjoyable for all of our participants whilst retaining hockey’s unique and attractive characteristics and keeping the game as safe as possible, as athletes and equipment continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. Of particular interest are penalty corners and how this set play that is unique to hockey and provides so many highlights and so much excitement, can be maintained in as safe a way as possible. Over recent years changes in stick technology and the changing body shape and strength of athletes has led to faster shots at goal and therefore a corresponding increase in the equipment being worn by defenders to protect against the possibility of injury. This has led to new challenges for coaches (offensive and defensive penalty corner tactics), athletes (wearing and discarding protective equipment including face masks, gloves, knee, thigh and foot guards) and officials (balancing player safety with the spectacle of the drag flick). Over the next 2-3 years, we will carry out an extensive research, consultation and ideas process to find the best solutions to this evolving balance of the spectacular with athlete safety, and look forward to new and innovative ideas that can be trialled and tested at all levels of hockey.

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (January 15, 2022):-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has invited 45 players from different departments for the national training camp, which will commence from January 17 to February 14 at Johar Town Hockey Stadium Lahore. The aim of the camp is to train the boys for Asia Cup, which will be played in May this year. The overseas Pakistan hockey team coach has obtained the visa and would join the camp on January 17, 2022. Names of players: Goalkeepers: Mazhar Abbas (National Bank), Amjad Ali (Sui Southern Gas), Waqar (Wapda), Abdullah Ishtiaq (Mari Petroleum), Akmal Hussain (Wapda), Muneeb-ur-Rehman (Sui Southern Gas), Defenders: Mubashir Ali (WAPDA), Emad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Abu Bakar Mahmood (National Bank), Mohammad Abdullah (Mari Petroleum), Hamad Anjum (WAPDA), Aqeel Ahmed (WAPDA), Tazeem Al Hassan (WAPDA), Arbaaz Ahmed (Mari Petroleum), Rizwan Ali (PAF), Midfielders / Forwards: Mohammad Umar Bhatta (WAPDA), Moin Shakeel (WAPDA), Mohammad Azfar Yaqoob (Sui Southern Gas), Ali Shan (Sui Southern Gas), Rana Waheed (WAPDA), Junaid Manzoor (National Bank), Ahmed Nadeem (Mari Petroleum), Afraz (Mari Petroleum), Ghazanfar Ali (Mari Petroleum), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Abdul Hanan Shahid (WAPDA), Abdul Rehman (WAPDA), Adeel Latif (Sui Southern Gas), Roman Khan (Wapda), Abuzar (National Bank), Naveed Alam (Sui Southern Gas), Hamza Waheed (PAF), Ghazanfar Ali (Wapda), Abdul Manan (Sui Southern Gas), Mohibullah (WAPDA), Obaidullah (Sindh, WAPDA), Aleem Usman (WAPDA), Shahzeb Khan (Sindh), Hassan Amin (Multan), Shahzeb (Azad Kashmir), Abdul Rehman (PAF), Noheez Zahid Malik (National Bank), Samin (Sargodha, WAPDA) and Zakaria Hayat (PAF). Officials: National Hockey Training Camp Management Manager Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Head Coach National Hockey Team Sigfried Ekman, Assistant Coaches Ajmal Khan Lodhi (Sialkot), Olympian Syed Sameer Hussain (Karachi), Goalkeepers Coach Olympian Ahmed Alam (PIA), Physiotherapist Mohammad Aslam (WAPDA), Physical Trainer Mohammad Abid Amin (Lahore). The players have been instructed to report any case to Manager Khawaja Junaid by noon on January 17.

SPORTS BULLETIN Lausanne, Switzerland: The top honours in the FIH Best of 2021 fan vote have both gone the way of Argentina, with the men’s team taking the Best Goal prize and the women the award for Best Match, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) can reveal. The Best Goal of 2021 award, as voted for by the fans of the sport, goes to Nicolas Keenan’s outrageous smash-shot against host nation Japan in the pool phase of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Following an exchange of passes with Juan Lopez, Keenan produced a moment of sporting magic with three touches all within a second of each other, lifting the ball over a defender’s stick at the top of the circle before changing the angle in mid-air and crashing a vicious overhead strike against the backboard of the Japanese goal. It was a strike of pure, instinctive brilliance from Keenan, a truly iconic moment from a wonderful hockey competition at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The fan’s choice for the Best Match of 2021 also came from Tokyo 2020, with Argentina’s superb 3-0 quarter-final triumph over Germany generating the most votes. Germany’s second place finish behind the Netherlands in Pool A saw them come into the match against Las Leonas, who finished third in Pool B, as marginal favourites. However, the giants of Pan American hockey produced a dominant display against Die Danas, with the deadlock being broken in the 27th minute by Agustina Albertarrio, a goal voted by the fans as the second best of 2021. A Victoria Granatto penalty corner doubled Argentina’s advantage just before half time, with the result being put beyond all doubt by teenager and FIH Rising Star of the Year 2021 nominee Valentina Raposo, who fired home a superb penalty corner strike to send the eventual silver medallists into the semi-finals. Best Goal of 2021 1st Place: Nicolas Keenan (ARG). Argentina Men v Japan (Pool phase) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 2nd Place: Agustina Albertarrio (ARG). Argentina Women v Germany (Quarter-Final) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 3rd Place: Dayaan Cassiem (RSA). South Africa Men v Belgium (Pool phase) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Best Match of 2021 1st Place: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Women’s Quarter-Final – Germany 0-3 Argentina 2nd Place: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Men’s Pool B – South Africa 4-3 Germany 3rd Place: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Men’s Bronze Medal – Germany 4-5 India

Sports Bulletin Lausanne, Switzerland:-The third best goal of 2021, as chosen by the fans, goes to South Africa’s Dayaan Cassiem for his sensational strike against eventual Olympic gold medallists Belgium when the two sides met in the pool phase of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Cassiem, unquestionably one of the stars of the tournament at the showpiece event in Japan, netted a sensational solo effort against the Red Lions, running half the length of the field in possession before producing an outrageous flicked effort past the shoulder of brilliant Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch and into the net. To score a goal of such rare quality against the reigning world champions and soon to be Olympic gold medallists was a moment to treasure for the immensely gifted attacker who, alongside younger brother Mustaphaa, represents a bright, exciting future for South African hockey. The fans have decided that the third best match of 2021 also came from the men’s hockey competition at Tokyo 2020, with India’s remarkable 5-4 triumph over Germany in the bronze medal game getting the nod. A pulsating contest saw six goals exchanged between the teams in the first two quarters, with the two sides going into half time with the score locked at 3-3. Crucially, India netted twice early in the third quarter before Germany reduced the deficit early in the fourth period, but it was the Indians who held on for victory, securing their first Olympic medal since winning gold at the Moscow 1980 games, some 41 years previous.  The second favorite goal and match of 2021 will be revealed on Thursday 13 January, with the winners being announced on Friday 14th.

Sports Bulletin Lausanne, Switzerland (January 10, 2022):-Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have decided that the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, which was initially scheduled to be played in December 2021 but had to be put “on hold” due to the Omicron variant outbreak, will be staged from 2 to 13 April 2022 at the originally planned venue, the North-West University of Potchefstroom in South Africa. “Since the postponement of this event, we’ve been in permanent contact with the South African Hockey Association. Based on the reports about the current evolution of the health situation in the country, the EB has confirmed its decision from its December meeting, namely that the tournament should be postponed – and not cancelled - and that South Africa should have priority for hosting it. We’re aware that the new dates are challenging for some nations – in particular because of Ramadan or the European club calendar – but it was essential for FIH to fully support the wish of the athletes to play. We’re looking forward to a great event with hockey’s female rising stars, ”FIH CEO Thierry Weil commented. Sadly however, FIH and Hockey Belgium have been forced to cancel the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup Belgium 2022. This decision has been taken on the basis of the current health situation in Belgium and after extensive consultations with and recommendation from all official and competent authorities in the country. Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup is the pinnacle of indoor hockey. Therefore, considering all indoor hockey athletes and fans, it was extremely hard to cancel the 2022 edition planned in just a few weeks. But, of course, we have followed the recommendations of the local authorities. On behalf of FIH, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Belgian organisers, and in particular the Belgian Hockey Association, for their tremendous preparation works and their great dedication.”

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland (January 3, 2022):-Despite all the challenges connected with the COVID-19 global health pandemic, 2021 was still an incredible year for the sport of Hockey, a year which deserves to be celebrated like any other. With some truly extraordinary moments taking place at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, FIH Hockey Pro League and a Men’s Junior World Cup, restricting our categories to just ten nominees for the Best Goal and the Best Match of 2021 was far from simple. However, we’ve given it our best shot! Nominees – Favourite Goal of 2021 1: Nicolas Keenan (ARG). Argentina Men v Japan (Pool phase) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: A stunning run and overhead smash-shot from the top of the circle slams the backboard. 2: Timm Herzbruch (GER). Germany Men v Argentina (Quarter-Final) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: An outrageously intricate penalty corner routine from Die Honamas, bewildering the Argentine defence for Herzbruch to deflect home. 3: Agustina Albertarrio (ARG). Argentina Women v Germany (Quarter-Final) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: A brilliantly worked passing move is finished off by Albertarrio, who touches home from close range.  4: Tim Brand (AUS). Australia Men v Germany (Semi-Final) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Kookaburras superstar Brand volleys home a vicious cross-shot from Ogilvie, who was picked out in the circle by a glorious overhead pass that eliminated the Germany defenders. (3 August) 5: Berta Bonastre (ESP). Spain Women v Great Britain (Quarter-Final) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Pouncing from close range, Bonastre takes two magnificent touches to lift the ball over the head of Maddie Hinch and into the GB goal. 6: Dayaan Cassiem (RSA). South Africa Men v Belgium (Pool phase) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Incredible solo effort against the World and eventual Olympic champions, running half the length of the field in possession before flicking past the shoulder of goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. 7: Lidewij Welten (NED). Netherlands Women v Germany (Pool phase) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: A fine passing move carves through the Germany team before Welten taps home from close range. 8: Kenta Tanaka (JPN). Japan Men v New Zealand (Pool phase) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Pacey Samurais attacker Tanaka runs three quarters of the lengths of the field in possession before sensationally firing home. 9: Hollie Pearne-Webb (GBR). Great Britain Women v India (Bronze) – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: A rare field goal from GB’s captain, smashing home a superb first-time volley to put her team on course for the bronze medal. 10: Stacey Michelsen (NZL) New Zealand Women v Australia - FIH Hockey Pro League: A superb solo goal from the Black Sticks legend, cutting in from the right before crashing a stunning backhand strike inside the right post. Nominees – Favourite Match of 2021 1: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Men’s Pool B – South Africa 4-3 Germany 2: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Women’s Quarter-Final – Germany 0-3 Argentina 3: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Women’s Quarter-Final – Australia 0-1 India 4: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Men’s Bronze Medal – Germany 4-5 India 5: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Women’s Bronze Medal – Great Britain 4-3 India 6: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Men’s Gold Medal – Australia 1-1 Belgium (2-3 ASO) 7: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Women’s Gold Medal – Netherlands 3-1 Argentina 8: FIH Hockey Pro League: Men – Netherlands 2-4 Germany 9: FIH Hockey Pro League: Women – Argentina 1-3 Germany 10: FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021: Pool phase – France 4-3 India