Sports Bulletin

SPORTS DESK Islamabad (November 11, 2021):-The Netherlands women fought back from a goal down to claim a battling FIH Hockey Pro League victory against Belgium, with Alyson Annan’s team making it two wins from two as nearly 5000 fans came out to watch the Olympic, World, European and Pro League champions in action for the final time in 2021 at Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium, just outside Amsterdam. With their recent victories over Germany seeing them climb up to an all-time high of seventh in the FIH World Rankings, Belgium came into this contest in confident mood, determined to avenge the 2-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of the Oranje four weeks ago. Raoul Ehren’s Red Panthers were outstanding in the first quarter, forcing the Dutch onto the back foot and winning a string of unconverted penalty corners before breaking the deadlock a minute into the second period. The goal came from the stick of Stephanie Vanden Borre, who despatched a penalty corner drag-flick moments after Netherlands captain Eva de Goede left the field injured after standing on the ball in her own defensive circle. Despite the inspirational de Goede playing no further part in the contest, the Netherlands used the half time break to re-group before producing a match-winning third quarter display in which they scored three times without reply in just five minutes. Joosje Burg’s instinctive volley restored parity before Freeke Moes claimed a goal and an assist, firing home a cool backhand strike and then supplying Lidewij Welten for a close-range tap-in to put the Netherlands firmly in control. It proved enough for the Netherlands to complete 2021 – a year in which they claimed the Olympic, European and FIH Hockey Pro League titles – on a winning note. “We hadn’t seen each other for a few weeks, since the last game, so I think it was completely normal that we needed some time to find each other again”, commented Netherlands’ Laura Nunnink – who was named Player of the Match – regarding her team’s first half performance. “In the second half it was way better. We were finding each other, passing the ball to each other and played the sort of hockey that we are famous for.” Belgium goal-scorer Stephanie Vanden Borre said: “I think we had a good start, but the third quarter was less [good]. We dropped our level. We were always second in the one-on-one duels, and needed to work it up and keep it high.”  The FIH Hockey Pro League Season 3 will be back in action on Friday 26 and Sunday 28 November with the men of the Netherlands and Belgium going head-to-head at HC Rotterdam. With the Netherlands being the champions of Europe and Belgium holding the Olympic, World and FIH Hockey Pro League titles, it promises to be a thrilling occasion. Wednesday 10 November 2021 – Amstelveen (NED) Women Netherlands 3, Belgium 1 [Match 2 of 2] Player of the Match: Laura Nunnink (NED) Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Coen van Bunge (NED) and Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL - video)

ISLAMABAD (November 8, 2021):-Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy celebrated the 70-year Pakistan-Germany Diplomatic Relations, as an exhibition hockey match between Rawha Hockey Academy and SBP Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy at the National Hockey Stadium Lahore that ended in a 1-1 draw. First Secretary Head of Department Press and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Islamabad Dorota Magdalena Berezick graced the occasion as chief guest and cut the cake to celebrate the occasion. Other notables present on the occasion were SBP Hockey Academy Patron Khawaja Junaid, CEO Junaid Chatha, Director Mohammad Yaqoob, Arshad Ali Ansari, president Lahore Press Club. Talking to media after the match, Dorota Magdalena Berezick said: "Pakistan and Germany have very strong diplomatic relations, which is flourishing further with a passage of time. Conveying the message of German Ambassador in Pakistan Dr Bernhard Schlagheck, Germany wants to further strengthen its social, cultural, commercial and economical relations with Pakistan. The exhibition hockey match between these two teams on this occasion is a proof of a strong 70-year bond of these two countries. Sports help countries come close to each other and not only improve their relations in sports but also in other important fields." In the end, the shields and souvenirs were handed over to the players, officials and the chief guest. (Press Release)

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 7, 2021):-The Second match between Pakistan seniors and juniors ended 2-2 draw after thrilling contest at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore on Sunday. A four-match series is being played under the banner of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).  President PHF Brig (Retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar along with Secretary General PHF Asif Bajwa, Associate Secretary General PHF Zahir Shah and Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Col R Asif Naz Khokhar watched the match. National Hockey selection committee reviewed the performance of players. According to details, a four-day series under the auspices of Pakistan Hockey Federation for the formation and preparation of national senior and junior hockey teams participating in Junior World Cup and Asian Champions Trophy is underway at National Hockey Stadium Lahore. The second match of the series ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw between Pakistan Seniors and Pakistan Juniors. In the 13th minute of the match, Ahmed Nadeem took the lead for Pakistan Seniors by scoring a field goal while in the 23rd minutes of the match, the full back of Pakistan Seniors Mubashir Ali strengthened the lead by scoring a goal through a drag flick on a penalty corner. Pakistan Juniors reduced the deficit by scoring a field goal with the help of Abdul Hanan Shahid in the 32nd minute of the game while Rana Abdul Waheed scored a field goal for Pakistan Juniors in the 52nd minute of the game. The match was supervised by umpires Yasir Khurshid and Mazhar Wasim while Mubashir Ali was the reserve umpire. Ali Abbas performed the duties of technical officer of this match. National Hockey Selection Committee members Olympian Manzoor Jr., Olympian Nasir Ali, Olympian Khalid Hameed, Olympian Ayaz Mahmood and Olympian Wasim Feroze carefully reviewed the performance of the players. President Pakistan Hockey Federation Brig. R khald Sajjad Khokhar, Secretary General PHF Olympian Asif Bajwa, Associate Secretary PHF Syed Muhammad Zahir Shah, Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Lieutenant Colonel R Asif Naz Khokhar, Staff Officer to President PHF Tariq Mir were also present in the stadium to watch the thrilling match.

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 6, 2021):-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has launched National Senior, Junior Hockey Series. President PHF, Brig (Terd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar graced the opening ceremony as chief guest. The first match of the National Senior Junior Hockey series was won by Pakistan Senior 3-1. Pakistan junior team played the best game and scored a field goal in the 9th minute of the game with the help of Roman while from Pakistan Senior Probable Mubashir Ali scored a penalty corner in the 18th minute, Junaid Kamal in the 55th minute and Junaid Manzoor in the 58th minute. President of Pakistan Hockey Federation Brig. R Khalid Sajjad Khokhar was the special guest of the National Senior Junior opening fixture. Distinguished guest was introduced to the teams. Accompanying him on the occasion were Secretary General PHF Asif Bajwa, Chairman Selection Committee Olympian Manzoor Jr., Members Selection Committee Olympian Nasir Ali, Olympian Khalid Hameed, Olympian Ayaz Mahmood, Olympian Wasim Feroze besides Olympian Tauqeer Dar, Olympian Aleem Raza, Secretary Punjab. Hockey Association Colonel Asif Naz Khokhar, Associate Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Rai Usman Akbar, Inspector Masood-ur-Rehman, Asian Hockey Federation Event Manager Zahid Ali Khan, Program Development Officer Ghulam Ghous were also present.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 5, 2021):-A 4-match series of practice hockey matches between the national senior and junior hockey teams will start from Saturday at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore under the control of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). According to an official of PHF, the 21-member national junior hockey team will play a four-match series, as all 28 players will be participating in the series, who were the part of senior hockey camp. The National Hockey Selection Committee will shortlist 18 members of the National Junior Hockey Team that will take part in the upcoming Junior World Cup. The four-match hockey series is scheduled on November 6, 7, 9 and 10. All matches will be played at 3:00 p.m. Secretary General PHF Mohammad Asif Bajwa said: This hockey series is being organized in preparation for the World Junior Hockey Cup which will be played in Bhubaneswar, India from November 24 to December 5, the National Junior Hockey Team and in connection with the formation and preparation of the national senior hockey team to participate in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy being held from December 14 to 22 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He added that the "National Senior, Junior Hockey Series" will be kept off-camera so that the players' performances, game patterns and game technical planning content remain off-camera. The National Junior Hockey Squad Comprises Waqar (Goalkeeper), Abdullah (Goalkeeper), Rizwan Ali, Aqeel Ahmed, Adeel Latif, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, Roman Khan, Ghazanfar Ali, Hanan Shahid, Rana Waheed, Umeer Sattar, Mohibullah, Abu Dharr, Abdul Manan, Ali Aziz, Mohsin Hassan, Muhammad Abdullah, Ehtesham Aslam, Abdul Rahman, and Samiullah. While National Senior Hockey Cam comprising Muneeb-ur-Rehman (Goalkeeper, Sui Southern Gas), Akmal Hussain (Goalkeeper, WAPDA), Mubashir Ali (WAPDA), Abu Bakar Mahmood (National Bank), Tazeem-ul-Hassan (Mari Petroleum), Rizwan Ali (WAPDA), Asif Hanif (Mari Petroleum), Amjad Ali Khan (WAPDA), Osama Bashir (Air Force), Junaid Kamal (National Bank), Faizan (National Bank), Emad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Muhammad Faisal Qadir (National Bank), Umar Bhatta (WAPDA), Ali Shan (Sui Southern Gas), M Azfar Yaqoob (Sui Southern Gas), Rana Sohail Riaz (Sui Southern Gas), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Ahmed Nadeem (Mari Petroleum), Hamza Waheed (Air Force), Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Naveed Alam (Sui Southern Gas), Obaidullah (Sindh, WAPDA), Noheez Zahid Malik (National Bank), Afraz (Mari Petroleum), Junaid Manzoor (National Bank), Zakaria Hayat (Air Force) and Zakirullah (Navy) are undergoing training.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (November 4, 2021):- Following two outstanding FIH Hockey Pro League victories against higher ranked Germany on home soil in Brussels, Belgium’s Red Panthers will aim replicate that superb form when they take on title holders and reigning Olympic, World and European champions the Netherlands in Amsterdam. It is the second time in under a month that the neighbouring nations have faced each other at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, on the southern outskirts of the Dutch capital. On 13th October in front of 4000 fans, the imperious Dutch claimed a 2-0 win in the first FIH Hockey Pro League match of the 2021-22 season, with legendary attacker and triple Olympic gold medallist Lidewij Welten opening the scoring after just 17 seconds. However, the contest was far from one-sided and, following Belgium’s excellent 1-0 and 3-1 triumphs over Germany on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October, the Red Panthers will be in confident mood and relishing the opportunity to challenge the finest women’s international hockey team on the planet. Under the guidance of head coach Raoul Ehren, the Dutchman who guided Den Bosch to huge success both domestically and in European competition, Belgium are clearly making big strides forward, with those triumphs over Die Danas taking them to an all-time high of 7th in the FIH  World Rankings. Whilst the Red Panthers clearly have a very exciting future ahead of them, they will know that they face an almighty challenge against Alyson Annan’s dazzling Dutch team. Annan has named nine Olympic gold medallists from Tokyo 2020 for this match, with Welten, captain Eva de Goede, Margot van Geffen, Pien Sanders and Xan de Waard amongst them. A trio of players are set to make their senior international debuts for the Oranje, with Tessa Clasener (HDM), Fiona Morgenstern (Oranje-Rood) and Pleun van der Plas (Den Bosch) being given the chance to shine on the big stage as Annan – who in the October clash with Belgium gave debuts to Marente Barentsen and Joosje Burg, who have retained their places – continues to look at the potential stars of the future.  

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT  Lausanne, Switzerland: The results at the recent Hockey World Cup qualification events in Europe have impacted the FIH Hockey World Rankings, with the FIH Hockey Pro League and other test matches also triggering some movement. Arguably the biggest story regards the national men’s team of Wales, who have climbed from 18th to an all-time high of 15th in the rankings as a direct result of their sensational tournament victory at the FIH Men’s World Cup 2023 European Qualifier, which was played on Welsh soil in Cardiff. Having secured World Cup qualification for the first time in their history and setting a new rankings benchmark in the process, Wales men are clearly in a very good place right now. France, the team defeated by Wales in the competition final, remain 13th in the FIH World Rankings, while Italy men have dropped from 22nd to 26th. Malaysia have moved up one place from 11th to 10th following recent test matches against Wales and 14th ranked Ireland. In the women’s FIH World Rankings, Belgium’s Red Panthers are now placed 7th – their highest ever position – thanks to two superb victories over Germany in their recent FIH Hockey Pro League double-header in Brussels. Belgium sit just 20 ranking points behind 6th placed Spain, so could well be on the move again in the not-too-distant future. The recent FIH Women’s World Cup 2022 European Qualifier competition, played in Pisa, Italy, also impacted the women’s rankings. A third-place finish for Scotland’s women helped them rise from 20th to 17th, while finalists Wales are now 23rd, climbing two places from 25th. France women have also jumped two places, moving from 27th to 25th after a seventh-place finish in Cardiff. The rankings calculations model that FIH introduced on 1st January 2020 moved away from the previous tournament-based rankings system to a dynamic, match-based method where opposing teams exchange points in official, FIH sanctioned games. The number of points exchanged depends on the result of the match, the relative ranking of the teams and the importance of the match. More information about the new rankings model can be found below. How the FIH World Rankings work: The number of points exchanged depends on the result of the match, the relative ranking of the teams and the importance of the match. FIH World Rankings explained: Based on the Elo rating system, which is used as the basis of many other sports ranking systems When two nations play against each other, a number of ranking points are exchanged between them In every match, the number of points gained by one team is exactly matched by the number of points lost by the other Teams will win more points for beating teams ranked above them, and therefore teams will lose more points for losing to a team ranked below them Teams will win less points for beating teams ranked below them, and therefore teams will lose less points for losing to a team ranked above them If a draw occurs, the lower ranked team will gain a small number of points and the higher ranked team will lose the same number of points The number of points exchanged is dependent on the result of the match (win, lose, shootout win/loss or draw), the importance of the match (part of a major tournament, or a test series for example), and the relative difference in ranking points between the teams before the match.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 2, 2021):-Nawaz Rana, a Pakistani hockey player, put another feather in his cap, when he was nominated coach for the International European States Hockey League (ESHL) 2021 in Austria. While talking to this scribe over his mobile, Pakistan born Nawaz Rana said that he was the captain of the gold medal winning team in the European four-nation Indoor Hockey International Tournament Austria 2018. “I have done a lot for the promotion of hockey, as this national game is in my blood. I belong to Gojra city, a hub of hockey. As you know Gojra introduced great hockey players to the world, “he said. Agricultural Scientist, Nawaz Rana, who played over 300 matches in career, further revealed that he was named in the Austrian Top Hockey League for the year 2021 while holding the green flag on the soil of Europe. “I come from a hockey family, as former Olympian Shahbaz Jr. (Pride of performance, World Champion 1994) is my brother. I was declared best player in Inter-University Hockey and I played hockey with zeal and zest, “he added. He represented Pakistan Inter-University Hockey Team, Pakistan Custom Hockey Team, Pakistan Police Hockey Team, Gojra Sports Hockey Club also having achieved great success as a player In Pakistan during Domestic Hockey, 1992-2008. “I have the honor of playing in national and international level professional league hockey and international tournaments in European countries. Representing the Dubai national hockey team in a hockey series with the British Airways in England, he performed excellently in London. Participated as a professional hockey player in the teams of Fincantieri Hockey Club, Bara Hockey Club, Padova Hockey Club in the teams of the leading champion hockey clubs in Italy Hockey 2005-2010, “he replied to a question. Rana, who represented the National League Championship at the National Level Hockey Events in Italy, the Atala Cup, the Easter Hockey International, the 6 Nations Padova international Trophy Italy, showed his satisfaction over his hockey career. “I won the Best Player of the Year award four times and played good hockey at top level. I thank Allah Almighty, who provides me these opportunities , honour and respect, “he concluded.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (November 1, 2021):-Belgium, Chile, Malaysia and South Africa all feature in Pool A, with a top two finish being the only way to secure a place in the competition quarter-finals and thus maintain hopes of Junior World Cup glory. Belgium How they qualified: 5th Place – EuroHockey Junior Championship Men 2019 Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 2nd, 2013 – 6th, 2009 – 11th, 2005 – 11th, 1997 – 12th, 1985 – 11th About the team: Following their silver medal at the 2016 Men’s Junior World Cup competition in Lucknow, India – Belgium’s greatest performance in the competition – the Junior Red Lions will be determined to go one place better this time around. A far from perfect fifth place finish at the 2019 EuroHockey Junior Championship in Valencia, Spain was enough for Belgium to book their ticket to Bhubaneswar, the Indian city where their senior team created history by winning the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup in 2018. With the senior men’s team now also the Olympic champions, this next generation of Belgian hockey could well feel suitably inspired to make their mark. Chile How they qualified: 1st Place: 2021 Men’s Junior Pan American Championship Junior World Cup history: 2009 – 17th, 2005 – 15th, 2001 – 15th, 1985 – 14th, 1979 – 12th About the team: Chile created a little bit of history at the 2021 Men’s Junior Pan American Championship, which was played in August on home in Santiago. The team became junior continental champions for the very first time, defeating defending champions Argentina – who had won all 11 previous editions of the competition – in the final thanks to a drama-filled shoot-out after the title match finished with the scores locked at 1-1. It was a landmark moment for the young team, inspired by the goal-scoring exploits of Andrés Pizarro, who netted seven times to finish at the tournament’s top scorer as Chile qualified for the Junior World Cup for the first time since 2009. As the Junior Pan American champions, Chile have every reason to feel confident about their chances of success in Bhubaneswar. Malaysia How they qualified: Nominated by Asian Hockey Federation Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 11th, 2013 – 4th, 2009 – 12th, 2005 – 10th, 2001 – 12th, 1993 – 11th, 1989 – 6th, 1985 – 10th, 1982 – 4th, 1979 – 4th About the team: Malaysia – who will host the 2023 edition of this event – have competed in all but one of the 11 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup tournaments staged to date, with their performances being a very mixed bag. On three occasions they just missed out on the podium, finishing fourth in 1979, 1982 and 2013, but have also endured some difficult campaigns where they have finished towards the bottom of the standings. With flair players aplenty, they can hurt any team in the world and are not to be under-estimated. Malaysia’s place in the competition was confirmed by being nominated by the Asian Hockey Federation following the unfortunate COVID-19 related cancellation of the 2021 Junior Asia Cup, which acted as the qualification competition for the Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar. South Africa How they qualified: Nominated by African Hockey Federation Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 10th, 2013 – 12th, 2009 – 15th, 2005 – 13th, 2001 – 11th About the team: Like Egypt, South Africa’s Men’s Junior World Cup ticket came courtesy of a nomination by the African Hockey Federation (AfHF). Following the cancellation of the Junior Africa Cup 2021 in Namibia due to the ongoing COVID-19 global health pandemic, AfHF based their selection on the results of the 2016 Junior Africa Cup, where South Africa finished in second place. They made their Junior World Cup debut at the Hobart 2001 (AUS) event and have competed in every subsequent competition, with their 10th place finish at Lucknow 2016 being their best to date. South Africa’s senior team turned heads at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with some scintillating attacking performances. Can the juniors do the same? The opening match of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 will see Belgium facing South Africa on 24 November at the Kalinga Stadium, the outstanding venue which hosted the last FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018. The competition final will be played on 5 December.

Sports Reporter KARACHI (October 30, 2021):-Pakistan Hockey Federation announces 21-member national junior hockey squad. The National Hockey Selection Committee forms a national junior hockey team after two-day trials. President Pakistan Hockey Federation Brig. (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar approves junior hockey squad selected by National Hockey Selection Committee. The 18-member national junior hockey team from the selected junior hockey squad will be further shortlisted. The National Hockey Selection Committee has selected the Pakistan Junior Hockey Team to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup to be played from November 24 to December 5 in Bhubaneswar, India under the auspices of International Hockey Federation (FIH). National Hockey Selection Committee members Olympian Kaleemullah Khan, Olympian Khalid Hameed, Olympian Nasir Ali, Olympian Ayaz Mahmood and Olympian Wasim Feroze keenly observed and tested the players' abilities in the two-day trials. President of Pakistan Hockey Federation Brigadier Khalid Sajjad Khokhar along with Secretary General PHF Asif Bajwa watched the trials for final approval after the formation of the National Junior Hockey Squad by the Selection Committee. A 29-member training hockey camp was organized by the Pakistan Hockey Federation on October 14 under the supervision of Head Coach National Junior Hockey Team Olympian Danish Kaleem to train the players, at the end of which the National Junior Hockey Squad was selected in two days trials The Natuinal Junior Hockey Squad comprises Waqar (Goalkeeper), Abdullah (Goalkeeper), Rizwan Ali, Aqeel Ahmed, Adeel Latif, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, Roman Khan, Ghazanfar Ali, Hanan Shahid, Rana Waheed, Umair Sattar, Mohibullah, Abu zar, Abdul Manan, Ali Aziz, Mohsin Hassan, Muhammad Abdullah, Ehtesham Aslam, Abdul Rahman, and Samiullah while The standby players include Hassan Amin, Murtaza Yaqub, Shahzeb(sindh), Shahzaib (Kashmir) and Arbaaz Ahmed. Members of the 21-member national junior hockey team will report to PHF Headquarters Lahore on November 4. Where they will play a series of hockey matches on November 6, November 7, November 9 and November 10 with players participating in the National Senior Hockey Camp Under the auspices of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), 16 teams, including Pakistan, will participate in the global event, which will be played in Bhubaneswar, India from November 24 to December 5. The 16 teams include India, Pakistan, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Malaysia, South Africa, Chile, Canada, France, Poland, Korea, United States and Egypt.