Sports Bulletin

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (November 20, 2021):-The last FIH Hockey Pro League matches of 2021 are set to take place on Friday 26 and Sunday 28 November and judging from previous encounters between the two competing teams, they will certainly be well worth tuning in for. The Netherlands men, the current European champions, will welcome Low Countries rivals Belgium to the Wagener Stadium, with the revamped Oranje team looking to make a positive start to their post Tokyo 2020 journey with new head coach Jeroen Delmee, taking on the reigning Olympic, World and FIH Hockey Pro League title holders. Delmee, a double Olympic champion with the Netherlands in a playing career that saw him make over 400 international appearances, has a squad full of youthful promise, one that is clearly planning towards the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and beyond. Talents such as Jorrit Croon, 23, and Thierry Brinkman, 26, are now seen as senior figures amongst the 24 players they had registered for the competition at the time of writing. Brinkman and goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak are the only two players with over 100 caps to their name, which is greatly contrasted by the frankly staggering levels of experience possessed by the Red Lions. With most of the team that won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 remaining together, their Pro League squad list contains sixteen players who are caps centurions. Six of those have over 200 caps with three more than 300, while the extraordinary, seemingly ageless John-John Dohmen has well over 400 international appearances to his name. Even though the collective international experience of Dohmen (418 caps), captain Felix Denayer (344), and Cedric Charlier (344) is significantly greater than the entire Dutch contingent combined (891), it will matter little when the two teams take to the field. Meetings between these two great rivals are always packed full of drama, with their FIH Hockey Pro League encounters being particularly memorable. In May of this year, the Netherlands powered to a crushing 4-0 away victory over Belgium in Antwerp, while their meeting last November was a thrilling 4-4 draw, with Belgium stealing the bonus point in the shoot-out. While we cannot predict what will happen, it is understandable that expectations will run high in the build-up.  The matches were originally set to be staged in Rotterdam but were switched to the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen due to enhanced covid restrictions in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, this means that no fans will be present in the arena. Up-coming Fixtures: Netherlands v Belgium (Men) Where: Wagener Stadium (Amsterdam, NED) Dates: Friday 26 and Sunday 28 November 2021

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland (November 18, 2021):-The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced that the first ever senior World Hockey 5 a side event – which was initially scheduled in September this year but postponed due to COVID-related issues – will take place on 4-5 June 2022, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Ten teams from four continents, including some of the powerhouses of international hockey, will compete: Switzerland, India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Poland (Men) Switzerland, India, Poland, South Africa and Uruguay (Women) Hockey5s is played with 5 athletes per team. It is particularly known for its non-stop end to end action, since the ball is in play for about 90% of a match, thanks to rebound-boards placed against the outside of the side-lines and back-lines. Furthermore, there are usually more goals with Hockey5s than with the more traditional 11-a-side format of hockey, since players can score from anywhere after the attacking line. Hockey5s is played on a smaller pitch, which enables to bring hockey to people in new and unexpected venues, sometimes even at the heart of the cities. Also, the match duration is shorter, with 2 halves of 10 minutes each. In 2019, in order to further boost the development of hockey globally through Hockey5s, the FIH Executive Board decided to create an FIH Hockey5s World Cup - with the inaugural edition planned in 2024 - and, in the near future, a Hockey5s World Tour, which will consist of events similar to Lausanne’s. Commenting on FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022, FIH CEO Thierry Weil stated: “It was truly heart-breaking to have to postpone the inaugural event and I’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to the local authorities, in particular the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud, for their continuous trust and support. Hockey5s is a great format to promote our sport and especially introduce it to sports fans not yet familiar with hockey. I invite everyone to come to this world event and enjoy the speed, skills and fun of our game!”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD (November 18, 2021):- Canada Hockey has appointed Mohammad Shahbaz Junior as the head coach for their national hockey team. He will train the players for upcoming Indoor Hockey World Cup 2022. According to details, Mohammad Shahbaz Junior, member of the 1994 world cup winner team and Pride of Performance has been appointed head coach of Canada national hockey team, which will take part in the upcoming World Indoor Hockey Cup. Mohammad Shahbaz, who has represented Pakistan in two World Cups and two Olympics, will serve as the head coach of the Canadian hockey team at the World Masters Hockey Indoor World Cup to be held in Virginia, USA from February 15 to 20, 2022. He has served as the Assistant Coach of Pakistan Hockey.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (November 17, 2021):-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has invited 30 players for national hockey training camp for Asian Champions Trophy, which will be taken place from December 14 to 22, 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as the camp will start from November 20 at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore. According to an official of PHF, Khawaja Junaid has been appointed as camp commandant. The national players will be prepared for Asian Champions Trophy to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from December 14 to 22. Camp Commandant and Head Coach will be National Hockey Team Olympian Khawaja Junaid while Coaches Olympians Syed Sameer Hussain (Air Force) and Ajmal Khan Lodhi International (Sialkot), Nadeem Khan Lodhi (Sialkot) Video Analyst, Dr. Asad Abbas Shah (Lahore) and Abid Amin (Lahore) will perform professional responsibilities. Names of invited players: Goalkeepers: Muneeb-ur-Rehman (Sui Southern Gas), Akmal Hussain (WAPDA) Defenders: Mubashir Ali (WAPDA), Abu Bakar Mahmood (National Bank), Tazeem Al Hassan (Mari Petroleum), Amjad Ali Khan (WAPDA), Junaid Kamal (National Bank), Emad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Ehtesham Aslam (Mari Petroleum) Samiullah Khan (Customs) Arbaaz Ahmed (Mari Petroleum) Forwards: Umar Bhatta (WAPDA), Ali Shan (Sui Southern Gas), Mohammad Azfar Yaqoob (Sui Southern Gas), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Ahmed Nadeem (National Bank), Hamza Waheed (Air Force), Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Naveed Alam (Sui Southern Gas), Obaidullah (Sindh, WAPDA), Nohiz Zahid Malik (National Bank), Afraz (Mari Petroleum), Junaid Manzoor (National Bank), Zakaria Hayat (Air Force), Ali Aziz (WAPDA), Murtaza Yaqub (Mari Petroleum), Hassan Amin (Multan), Shahzeb Khan (Sindh), Mohammad Rizwan Senior (Army) and Usman Khan (Punjab)

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 16, 2021):-The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced an 18-member squad for the World Junior Hockey Cup 2021 to be held in Bhubaneswar, India from November 24 to December 5, 2021 under the auspices of International Hockey Federation (FIH). Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will reach India and play two practice matches. The first match will be played against Chile on November 21 and the second against Canada on November 22. These will be practice matches off camera and practice session coverage will not be allowed. The Pakistan junior hockey team will play its first match against Germany on November 24 and Pakistan will face Egypt on November 27. The national junior hockey squad will play its last match of the pool round against Argentina on November 28  Names of players: Rana Abdul Waheed (Captain), Moen Shakil (Vice Captain), Waqar Ali (Goalkeeper), Aqeel Ahmed, Rizwan Ali, Adeel Latif, Mohammad Hamad-ud-din, Abdul Hannan, Gazanfar Ali, Umair Sattar, Abdullah Ishtiaq, Mohibullah, Abuzar, Mohsin Hasan, Abdul Mannan, Abdur Rehman, Roman Khan, Mohammad Abdullah. Name of officials: Danish Kaleem will be the head coach, and Rana Zaheer and Mudassir Ali Khan will be the coaches.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-The Indian High Commission has issued the visas to Pakistan junior team and officials to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup 2021 to be held in Bhubaneswar, India from November 24 to December 5, 2021 under the auspices of International Hockey Federation (FIH). According to an official of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the National Junior Hockey Squad is scheduled to leave for India on November 20 to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup. Government of Pakistan has already issued No Objection Certificates (NOC) and PHF has received more than half of the national team visas through courier service. Secretary General PHF Olympian Asif Bajwa said: As many as 16 teams are participating in the event out of which four teams are in Pakistan's pool which includes Germany, Argentina, Pakistan and Egypt. Two teams from the each pool will qualify and if Pakistan beat Germany then Pakistan would be the favorite to qualify for the quarterfinals. Olympian Asif Bajwa said, “Our players are talented and due to the situation of the covid, National junior hockey team did not have the experience of matches at the international level but they have the ability to surprise any team in the event. Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will reach India and play two practice matches. The first match will be played against Chile on November 21 and the second against Canada on November 22. These will be practice matches off camera and practice session coverage will not be allowed. The Pakistan junior hockey team will play its first match against Germany on November 24 and Pakistan will face Egypt on November 27. The national junior hockey squad will play its last match of the pool round against Argentina on November 28, “Secretary PHF Asif Bajwa said.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland Belgium will be facing South Africa on 24 November in the opening clash of FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021, the showpiece event where hockey’s rising stars will take to the field in the global showpiece at the magnificent Kalinga Stadium.  The competition takes place from 24 November to 5th December, with India – the defending champions – hosting the event for the third time. Although the Junior World Cup has a deserved reputation as being a competition in which the stars of the future showcase themselves for the first time, there are numerous players who have already made a considerable impression on the sport. Thibeau Stockbroekx (Belgium), Benedickt Schwarzhaupt (Germany), Pepe Cunill (Spain) and Justen Blok (the Netherlands) have all featured in the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Timothée Clement has already made 25 senior international appearances for France. The most decorated player in the competition is India captain and two-time FIH Rising Star of the Year Vivek Prasad, who has played 70 times for his country and was part of the team that won bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Looking ahead to the event, FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “The Junior World Cup is a hugely important event for the sport of hockey, where the stars of tomorrow come out to shine. Many of the world’s greatest players have competed in this competition, showcasing their skills before going on to even greater successes with their respective senior teams. “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the state of Odisha for their ongoing commitment to the sport of hockey, with a special word of thanks to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik – your passion for bringing major sporting events to Odisha is something that is admired and appreciated in equal measure. “I would also like to thank Hockey India and all their partners for their relentless energy in planning for this event. Our thanks must also go to the sponsors and all the volunteers who are crucial to making this event a success. 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 BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (November 11, 2021):- As part of our continued build-up to the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021, we bring you the second of four Pool previews which examines the qualification routes and past form of the teams that will compete at the showpiece event in India. Canada, France, host nation India and Poland all feature in Pool B, 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. Canada How they qualified: Nominated as reserve team (following withdrawal of Australia & New Zealand) Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 16th, 2013 – 16th, 2001 – 16th, 1985 – 12th, 1982 – 8th About the team: With USA taking the first reserve spot due their third-place finish at the Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago (CHI), Canada were awarded second reserve spot by virtue of being the best team in the FIH World Rankings (Seniors) not yet qualified for the competition. Canada were unfortunate to miss out on a medal in Chile, losing the bronze medal match against the USA only by a shoot-out. Jagpreet Singh was a star performer in that competition, scoring four times for his country. Canada have competed in five Junior World Cup competitions, with their best performance being an eighth-place finish in 1982. France How they qualified: 6th Place – EuroHockey Junior Championship Men 2019 Junior World Cup history: 2013 – 2nd, 2011 – 10th, 1985 – 8th, 1979 – 7th About the team: It has been eight years since France stunned the hockey world by claiming the silver medal at the 2013 Men’s Junior World Cup in New Delhi, with their fairy-tale run being ended by Christopher Rühr’s Germany in the final. It was a staggering performance, and after missing the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow (IND), France are back again and dreaming big. A sixth-place finish at the EuroHockey Junior Championships 2019 in Valencia proved just enough for a ticket to their fifth Junior World Cup competition. With the Olympic Games Paris 2024 less than three years away, the French players will all be hoping to force their way into the thoughts of senior men’s head coach Fred Soyez, the man charged with guiding the team into a once-in-a-lifetime home Olympics. India How they qualified: Host nation Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 1st, 2013 – 10th, 2009 – 9th, 2005 – 4th, 2001 – 1st, 1997 – 2nd, 1985 – 5th, 1982 – 5th, 1979 – 5th About the team: Following their wonderful title success at the 2016 Men’s Junior World Cup in Lucknow, reigning champions and competition hosts India have set their sights on retaining their crown at Bhubaneswar’s magnificent Kalinga Stadium. India’s victory in Lucknow – their second Junior World Cup title, adding to the one claimed at the 2001 competition in Hobart, Australia – was a remarkable upturn in form, with the team having only managed a lowest-ever 10th place finish at the 2013 competition in New Delhi. With the senior men’s team having taken bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, doing so with a side containing numerous Junior World Cup champions from 2016, success in Bhubaneswar would only serve to reinforce India’s re-emergence as a global hockey powerhouse. Poland How they qualified: Nominated as reserve team Junior World Cup history: 2009 – 10th, 2005 – 14th About the team: With England withdrawing from the competition due to COVID-19 related complications, their place in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 has been handed to fellow Europeans Poland. It is a fantastic opportunity for the Poles, who will be determined to make a big impression on Indian soil. Poland have featured in two previous editions of the Men’s Junior World Cup, finishing 14th at Rotterdam 2005 and 10th at the 2009 event in Singapore & Malaysia. Known for their structure and wonderful close skills, Poland are more than capable of causing upsets. 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 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)