Sports Bulletin

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad:-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has invited 32 players for the training camp, which will get underway from September 25, 2022 at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium Karachi aiming to arrange a best team for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament, which will be held in October this year 2022. According to an official of PHF, all players have been instructed to report to the team manager at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium on September 25. The players who performed best in the recently concluded Chief of Army Staff Inter Club Hockey Tournament were also included in the national hockey training camp, including the best goalkeeper of the event Abdullah Sheikh, best player Osama Bashir and top scorer Ali Murtaza. Mohammad Saeed Khan will be the team manager while Siegfried Ekman will be head coach. Ayaz Mehmood, Mohammad Usman Sheikh, Imran Butt and Mohammad Ali Khan will be the assistant coaches in the panel. Abu Zaram Rao will be the video analyst and Rana Nasrullah will be the physical trainer. The Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup will be played in Ipoh, Malaysia from November 1 to 10. Six teams will take part in the international hockey fixture including hosts Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, South Africa and Canada. Names of players: Goalkeepers: Abdullah Ishtiaq (Mari Petroleum), Akmal Hussain (WAPDA), Waqar (WAPDA), Abdullah Sheikh (Karachi) Defenders: Mubasher Ali (WAPDA) Rizwan Ali (PAF) Mohammad Abdullah (Mari Oil) Imad Shakeel Butt (National Bank) Moeen Shakeel (WAPDA) Sufyan (Pakistan Navy) Abdul Manan (PAF) Hammaduddin Anjum (WAPDA) Mohammad Umar Bhatta (WAPDA) Rana Abdul Waheed (WAPDA) ) Ehtisham Aslam (Mari Petroleum) Ijaz Ahmed (WAPDA) Osama Bashir (PAF) Junaid Manzoor (National Bank) Arbaz Ahmed (Mari Petroleum) Ghazanfar Ali (Mari Petroleum) Mohammad Murtaza Yaqub (WAPDA) Zahidullah (WAPDA) Forwards: Rana Sohail Riaz (Sui Southern Gas) Abuzar (National Bank) Ahmed Nadeem (Mari Petroleum) Mohammad Shahzeb Khan (Karachi) Arshad Liaquat (Bahawalpur, Mari Petroleum) Ali Murtaza (Lahore) Roman Khan (WAPDA) Faraz (Mari Petroleum) Abdul Hanan Shahid (WAPDA) Obaidullah Bhutto (WAPDA)

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced the National Senior Hockey Team Management, after the approval of the President PHF Brigadier (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar. Secretary General PHF Haider Hussain unfolded the names of the National Senior Hockey Team Management. Saeed Khan will be the manager in the management of the national senior hockey team, Siegfried Aikman, Ayaz Mehmood, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Imran Butt and Mohammad Ali Khan will be the assistant coaches in the panel. Abuzar umrao will be the video analyst and Rana Nasrullah will be the physical trainer. The national senior hockey training camp will be held from September 25 at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium, Karachi, in order to form and prepare the Pakistan hockey team to participate in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup to be played in Malaysia from November 1 to November 10.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has revealed the shortlists for the FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2021-22, with players, coaches, media and fans being able to register their votes for the nominees in the women’s and men’s categories for the Best Player, Goalkeeper, Rising Star and Coach of the Year, starting from today, 6 September 2022. Additionally, awards for the Best Umpire of the Year, in men’s and women’s categories will be given, which will be selected by the FIH Officials Committee. The new voting process includes an Expert Group, whose votes will count for 40% of the overall result. Votes from National Associations, represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches, will count for a further 20%. The fans and other players (20%) as well as media (20%) will make the remaining 40%. FIH Player of the Year (Women & Men) FIH Rising Star of the Year (Women & Men, under 21 years old and/or having participated at the FIH Junior World Cup in 2021/2022) FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (Women & Men) FIH Coach of the Year (Women’s & Men’s Team) FIH Umpire of the Year (Women & Men), to be selected by the FIH Officials Committee FIH Player of the Year Award Women: Felice Albers (NED), María José Granatto (ARG), Frédérique Matla (NED), Agustina Gorzelany (ARG), Georgina Oliva (ESP) Men: Arthur de Sloover (BEL), Harmanpreet Singh (IND), Niklas Wellen (GER), Thierry Brinkman (NED), Tom Boon (BEL) FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award Women: Savita (IND), Josine Koning (NED), Belén Succi (ARG), Jocelyn Bartram (AUS), Phumelela Mbande (RSA) Men: Loïc van Doren (BEL), PR Sreejesh (IND), Pirmin Blaak (NED), Arthur Thieffry (FRA), Alexander Stadler (GER) FIH Rising Star of the Year Award Women: Charlotte Englebert (BEL), Luna Fokke (NED), Mumtaz Khan (IND), Jip Dicke (NED), Amy Lawton (AUS) Men: Miles Bukkens (NED), Timothée Clément (FRA), Sanjay (IND), Pau Cunill (ESP), Rizwan Ali (PAK) FIH Coach of the Year Award Women’s Team: Janneke Schopman (NED) Team India, Jamilon Mülders (GER) Team Netherlands, Katrina Powell (AUS) Team Australia, Raoul Ehren (NED) Team Belgium, Adrian Lock (ENG) Team Spain Men’s Team: Jeroen Delmee (NED) Team Netherlands, Michel van den Heuvel (NED) Team Belgium, Graham Reid (AUS) Team India, Garreth Ewing (RSA) Team South Africa, Frédéric Soyez (FRA) Team France

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan born, hockey player from Austria Nawaz Rana will represent SA-ALLIANCE men’s hockey team in the forthcoming Men’s Hockey World Cup, which will take place from October 1 to 10, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. While talking to this reporter over his mobile from abroad, Pakistan born former captain/state champions Austria added that he was happy after getting the place in national hockey squad and he would toil hard to produce best performance in the international hockey fixture. “I will try my best to produce a performance in the mega hockey event of the world, “he said. “I have been invited from Austria as a hockey player in up-coming world cup hockey 2022 Cape Town with the South Africa Alliance hockey team. Thanks to Almighty Allah for this chance to me, as this is my life's biggest hockey tournament in which I am going to show my abilities and game skills, “he further added. To a question he said: “I am proud to say, as Pakistan overseas hockey player, European states champions hockey clubs invited me in their national events top league hockey, they have offered to me a great respect and honours with my nominations in their teams as a player, as a captain, as a coach and as a technical official at the national and international levels. “Field hockey is my family sport in Pakistan which is also the national sport of the country. I am proud to say that I belong to the most respectable hockey academy in Pakistan named Ustad Aslam Rodha hockey academy, which has trained more than 200 Olympians and international hockey players for Pakistan hockey including my elder brother Shahbaz Ahmed Junior, who represented Pakistan in 1992 and 1996 Olympics”. “Soon after my past domestic hockey career in Pakistan (1992-2004), I got an international exposure in hockey with multinational champion teams with my contribution. I always hold the green flag for the glory of Pakistan at the pitches of hockey nations by representing different characters including as a player, captain and coach. I have earned a track record with great and notable achievements in European hockey states with the contribution in  20 times indoor, outdoor champions league, national cups and international hockey events, “national assistant coach concluded.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The International Hockey Federation has revealed the pools (two groups of four teams each) and match schedules of boths upcoming FIH Hockey Nations Cups, Men’s and Women’s. The FIH Hockey Nations Cup ushers a new dawn of promotion and relegation in the FIH Hockey Pro League with the winning team of the first FIH Hockey Nations Cup having the chance to be promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League (provided they meet the necessary requirements for it). The FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup will run from 28 November to 4 December 2022, in Potchefstroom, South Africa. The hosts South Africa, will play in Pool A with France, Ireland and Pakistan; while Canada joins the Asian triumvirate of Korea, Japan and Malaysia in the Pool B. The opening match will see two Asian powerhouses go head-to-head as Malaysia take on Korea on 28 November at the North-West University of Potchefstroom to start the new era of international hockey. The Final will be played on 4 December (see full match schedule here). The FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup will run from 11 to 17 December 2022, in Valencia, Spain. The hosts Spain, will play in Pool A with Korea, Ireland and Italy; while India, Japan, Canada and South Africa compete in Pool B. The opening match will be played on 11 December in Valencia between India and Canada; two teams who are very familiar with each other having faced off in the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 as well as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, within the past two months. The Final will be played on 17 December.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):- The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced that the draw ceremony to determine the pools of the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela will be held on 8 September, 2022. The pinnacle of the FIH men’s tournaments will be held from 13 to 29 January 2023 and involve 16 participating national teams. Those include India, as the hosts of the competition, whilst Malaysia, Japan and Korea are the other Asian teams. Africa is represented by South Africa, recent winners of the Africa Cup of Nations. From Europe, the following teams have qualified: Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France and Wales. Argentina and Chile are the two American teams having booked their ticket for the prestigious tournament, while Australia and New Zealand, from Oceania, complete the draw. The draw will be conducted by FIH CEO Thierry Weil, with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik also in attendance. The four top teams which include host India, Australia, Belgium and Netherlands will be placed on the first row of their corresponding Pools based on the FIH World Rankings as per 1 June 2022. The draw will start with Row 4 of each Pool, involving the following teams: South Africa, Wales, Japan and Chile. It will then continue with Row 3 of each Pool (involving Spain, Malaysia, France and Korea) and conclude with Row 2 of each Pool (with Germany, England, Argentina and New Zealand). The Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the brand-new Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela will host the matches, in the state of Odisha, India. In the previous edition, in 2018, Belgium claimed the title by winning the final against Netherlands, while Australia wrapped up the podium places, finishing third.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the FIH Hockey Pro League participating nations have confirmed the venues for the season 2022-23. According to a press release of FIH, the timing and venues for the Season 2022-23 of FIH’s global league for national teams  ‘Hockey at its Best’ have been confirmed, which will run from 28 October 2022 to 5 July 2023. Australian city Newcastle Hobart, Mendoza, Santiago del Estero (Argentine), Belgium: Antwerp (Belgium), London (England), Bhubaneswar, Rourkela (India), Eindhoven, Amsterdam (Holland) and Christchurch, Wellington (New Zealand) will stage the pro-hockey league’s fixtures. As already announced in March, a new schedule - based on a series of “mini-tournaments” where several teams will gather in one venue to play two matches against each other - will come into force for this new Pro League season. This format will have a major positive impact on players’ welfare and the environment, thanks to a substantial reduction in the amount of travel needed for each team and the officials. Another great advantage of this revised format is that it increases the number of dates available for athletes to compete in their domestic leagues and club competitions. Furthermore, this season will see the implementation of a promotion-relegation principle for the very first time, with the team finishing last being relegated, while the team winning the 2022 FIH Hockey Nations Cup – a new event – being promoted for the 2023-2024 Pro League season. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The integration of the promotion-relegation principle will substantially add to the excitement around Pro League. Also, the new format is beneficial to everyone, athletes, National Associations, clubs and fans in particular. We’re glad to welcome some new venues for this season; this is great for the growth of our sport! We’re very much looking forward to the fourth edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League”. 

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)