Sports Bulletin

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

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

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Upcoming hockey player, Adeel Ahmed Awan achieved honour for his hometown Wah Cantt after representing Pakistan in the International Hockey Boards competition that were held in three different cities of Malaysia. Adeel Ahmed Awan started to play hockey at school level and captained the school team for 5 years. He also led the college team in different hockey events. He continued to play as captain, participated in many national level championships and won various titles and medals. After showing notable performance at school and college level, he was selected in the international hockey team that visited Malaysia. Adeel Ahmed Awan said: “Behind my success are the prayers of my parents, my teachers and trainers. I am grateful to my teachers, my parents and all my friends who encouraged me at every opportunity and some have helped me to this point. I will always play for my country with hard work”.

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

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-New Zealand and Scotland men’s sides played out an incredible 5 all draw in the final game of a day that saw Ghana’s men make their debut in the games against hosts England. Scotland women got their campaign off to a dream start, beating South Africa, while Canada women recorded a comfortable win over Wales. New Zealand’s women were also in action, recording a massive victory over Kenya. Women’s Results (July 29, 2022): New Zealand 16 Kenya 0 (Pool B women) Umpires: Rachel Williams (GBR) Lelia Sacre (CAN) Aleisha Neumann (AUS-video) South Africa 2 Scotland 4 (Pool B women) Umpires:  Hannah Harrison (GBR) Cathy Wright (GBR) Cookie Tan (SGP-video) India 5 Ghana 0 (Pool A women) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA) Katrina Turner (NZL) Aleisha Neumann (AUS-video) Canada 4 Wales 0 (Pool A women) Umpires: Amber Church (NZL) Binish Hayat (PAK) Cookie Tan (SGP-video) Men’s Results (July 29, 2022): England 6 Ghana 0 (Pool B men) Umpires: Tim Bond (NZL) Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video) New Zealand 5 Scotland 5 Umpires: Tyler Klenk (CAN) Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) Deepak Chandra Joshi (IND-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-Fans around the world have elected the exceptionally skillful Maria Jose Granatto (ARG) as winner of the Poligras Magic Skill Award for the incredible pass through her legs that she did during the Argentina-Canada match of the outstanding FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022. Las Leonas’ number 10 scored 6439 points, just ahead of her teammate, goalkeeper Belen Succi (5974 pts). The South American duo precedes Eva de Goede (NED – 2635 points), Zhong Jiaqi (CHN – 1434 points) and Charlotte Stapenhorst (GER – 1404 points), who all showcased amazing skills as well! “This award is very important because it is chosen by the people, who are always watching, encouraging and supporting us. The fact that they voted for me means a lot to me. It's a nice recognition”, Maria Jose Granatto said. Commenting on the skill itself, she said: “It’s a skill that a hockey mate has been doing a lot during training sessions and we laughed about it, imagining we could do it one day during a match! I did it during training sessions too, but used to practicing it alone, not even in a one-on-one. I was encouraging myself to do it, but it was simply to challenge myself and go for it, without thinking too much about it.”

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

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

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The Commonwealth Games has a rich sporting tradition that goes back to 1930. In its earliest iteration, the multi-sport event featured 11 nations and 400 athletes. Now, in its 22nd edition, 4,600 athletes from 72 nations and territories will be participating in the English city of Birmingham in the event known as the Friendly Games. Hockey has been played at the Commonwealth Games since 1998 and in that first year it was Australia who dominated, winning gold in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Malaysia men and England women took silver, while England men and New Zealand women won the bronze medals. Australia men have dominated ever since – the Kookaburras have won the title an unbeaten six times, with New Zealand, Malaysia, India and Pakistan sharing the silver medals between them. India men and women will both be searching for medals. Both teams enjoyed an exceptional first season in FIH Pro League, finishing in third position in their respective leagues. India men will take the confidence of their Pro League wins against England, plus the incredible match which ended in a 3-3 draw with Belgium. Both sets of results suggest that India are more than ready to challenge for a first gold medal at this event. Potentially one of the most exciting teams to arrive in Birmingham is the South Africa men’s team. The side set the Tokyo Olympics alight in 2021 with their dazzling speed and courage to take chances in attack. The Cassiem brothers, Mustapha and Dayaan are now well-known players among hockey fans, but also watch out for the penalty corner specialists Connor Beauchamp and Matt Guise-Brown. Scotland men and women both finished in respectable positions in 2018. The men were placed sixth while the women finished seventh. This time all eyes will be on captain and goal scorer extraordinaire Alan Forsyth as he will earn his 200 combined Great Britain and Scotland cap in his first match in Birmingham. Sarah Robertson will be fulfilling an equally important leadership role as she uses all the experience she gained in Tokyo to lead her exciting squad to achieve a high placed finish in Birmingham. Pakistan men finished second in 2006 and would dearly love to get on the podium again. The national team has dropped off in recent years from their heady days in the 1970s and 80s. They won gold at the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018 but that was their last significant win. While a lack of recent international experience might be a burden, expect this team, led by experienced Head Coach Seigfried Aikman, to be competitive in every match they play. Ghana is another nation where hockey has been developing apace at grass roots level and the results are showing higher up the chain. Most of the players from both the men’s and women’s teams are drawn from teams representing the national services – police, army and fire service. This edition will be the first time Ghana men have qualified for the Commonwealth Games, while the women’s team first appeared in 2018, where they finished 10th. For Ghana women, the Commonwealth Games is a great opportunity to test themselves on the world stage as they so often just fail to qualify for major events because they tend to lose out to South Africa. For both teams, the event in Birmingham will provide invaluable experience as the teams continue to grow and develop. For their part, the athletes can be relied upon to bring their own style of fast-flowing, attacking hockey and a real joie de vivre as they compete. Host nation England must be going into this event hopeful of medals for both teams. The England men’s team showed enormous potential in the FIH Pro League with some exciting and close matches, including a 2-2 draw with Belgium and a thrilling 4-3 narrow defeat to India. The team is not yet the finished article but with talent such as Zach Wallace, Will Calnan, Ian Sloan and penalty corner specialists Nick Bandurak and Sam Ward in the the team, the host nation could be there at the business end. England women exited the Women’s World Cup after a narrow defeat at the hands of eventual silver medallists, Argentina. Like the men, this is a side that is still building but there is talent aplenty in the ranks. Dependable defenders Hollie Pearne-Webb, Laura Unsworth and Giselle Ansley provide a platform from which the speed merchants Hannah Martin, Lily Owsley and Ellie Rayer can attack. Tess Howard is turning into a force to be reckoned with in the circle. England have never failed to win a medal in the women’s competition but, in front of a home crowd, this time the ambition has to be gold.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-After the resignation of Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra from the post of FIH President earlier this week, the Members of the Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have officially accepted the resignation of Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra. Body unanimously appointed FIH EB Member and President of the African Hockey Federation Seif Ahmed (Egypt) as Acting President until the next Presidential elections and confirmed that the upcoming FIH Congress will be held virtually, as planned, on 4-5 November 2022, with the Presidential elections taking place on 5 November Seif Ahmed was a member of Egypt’s national team in 1968 and has a long association with the sport as both an umpire and a technical official. He has been Treasurer and now President of the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) and is a former member of the Egyptian Olympic Committee. Seif was given the FIH President’s Award in 1999 and the FIH Order or Merit in 2002 in recognition of his long, distinguished and valuable services to hockey. He joined the FIH Executive Board in 2004. His term as Executive Board Member will end in August 2023.