Sports Bulletin

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (May 19, 2020):-As National Associations start to make plans for a safe return to hockey activities after the necessary restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the FIH has produced a document to help and support Continental Federations, National Associations and clubs through the process. The guidelines, which are aligned to those issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), cover the entire hockey workforce – athletes, coaches, officials, staff, administrators and volunteers. Along with a risk assessment chart to which all hockey organisations are advised to adhere, there are also guidelines for organisers of international events once there is a return to international competition. With the progression of the virus at different stages across the globe, the guidelines should be used by Continental Federations, National Associations and clubs, alongside local laws and policies, providing their own bespoke guidelines for hockey providers within their area. A speedy return to playing sports such as hockey is seen as a crucial measure to help in the promotion of mental and physical health but, with the virus still claiming hundreds of lives across the world every day, any return to training and playing has to be carefully implemented to prevent any resurgence in infection. Three “PST” measures have been put in place by governments across the world - Public gathering restrictions (P), Social distancing (S) and Travel restrictions (T). While sports and recreational activities are gradually being reintroduced, this is subject to strict controls and regular review, taking these three measures into consideration. Hockey, as a team sport, with contact, is seen as a higher risk activity and so is subject to higher levels of control and restriction. Within its Health and Safety guidelines, FIH has included a risk assessment – produced by Dr Sean Carmody, a doctor of sports medicine at Manchester Metropolitan University. Prior to resuming any activity, all hockey organisations should carry out an assessment based on Carmody’s risk assessment chart. Even before any return to activity can be considered, facilities must be assessed. To ensure a safe environment, the venue or facility is likely to require a deep clean; watering systems may need to be flushed; and, through accessible information and signage, social distancing restrictions must be made clear to anyone visiting or using the facility. These are very early days when it comes to a return to action but, within its guidance FIH has produced a five stage process showing the route back to something resembling normality. This starts, as has been seen in the Netherlands and Belgium, with a return to carefully managed training, still with social distancing measures in place. The next stage will be a resumption of regional competition, followed by local travel between neighbouring nations. Trans-Continental competition will follow and, finally, once a vaccine is in place, it is hoped there will be a return to normal competition. There is no time scale for these stages to be reached and it will vary from country to country. What is in no doubt is that future events will look very different for the foreseeable future. When competition does resume, organisers will need to be hugely conscious of safety measures that will need to be implemented, in order to keep the hockey workforce and the fans safe. These measures are highlighted in the document. Encapsulating a sentiment that has been expressed across the international hockey community, Australia’s Stephanie Kershaw, urged people to “Stay safe and train responsibly." As the Hockeyroos says, while everyone is excited about a return to action, this is tempered with the knowledge and understanding that global health and wellness is a much bigger priority and one that transcends all else. 

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (May 5, 2020):-Across the international community, the past few months have been tough for individuals, families, institutions and businesses. Emotionally, socially, economically – these are unprecedented times, with an uncertain future to follow. Why it is important that, as an international federation, we plan now for a strong and confident return to hockey action for all our global hockey community: players, coaches, officials, partners and fans alike, when it is safe to do so. We know that only some things are in our ‘control’, but with so many uncertainties, the best way we feel we can move forwards as a global hockey family is to look at where we are, reflect on where we have come from, and look to build upon our plans for a sustainable structure that works for everyone. If we are to look for the positives to take from the current situation, it is that working from home has given us a chance to step back from the day-to-day operations and take a long, meaningful look at our strategies and how we can adjust and innovate so that hockey is a sport with a sustainable future around the world.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-Due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 global health pandemic, and in agreement with the 11 participating National Associations (NAs), the second edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League is being extended through to June 2021, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced. Season 2 of the FIH Hockey Pro League – the annual global League involving the world’s best international teams, both men and women – was initially set to run from January to June 2020. Around one third of the planned matches were completed between January and early March, before the escalating COVID-19 crisis brought the competition, like almost all major sporting events around the world, to a standstill. Throughout this time of postponement, FIH has been liaising with all participating NAs in order to assess this ever-changing situation, the aim being to restart the playing of matches only when it is safe to do so, putting athlete welfare at the forefront of the decision-making process. Taking into account both the latest recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the recent announcement regarding the one year postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, it was universally agreed that extending Season 2 into the middle of 2021 was the appropriate course of action, giving the best possible chance for this edition of the competition to be completed whilst enabling FIH and all NAs to deliver on broadcast and commercial partner agreements.  FIH will continue to closely monitor the global evolution of the COVID-19 situation and, with the safety of athletes and fans being top priority, any potential dates regarding the resumption of the competition will be announced at the appropriate time. As part of the continuing evolution of the competition and in agreement with all participating NAs, FIH can also announce that the window for Season 3 of the FIH Hockey Pro League will be from September 2021 to June 2022. The decision to spread the Pro League season over a longer time period will allow for greater flexibility in terms of the scheduling, reducing match congestion in the first half of the year whilst also helping to ensure that international hockey remains highly visible via broadcast for much of the year.  Speaking about the decisions, FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil said: “With the world facing a health crisis like nothing in living memory, predicting a date for when the current competition will restart is almost impossible at this time. Despite the difficult circumstances, these wholly necessary discussions between FIH and the participating National Associations were both positive and constructive. We all believe we have found the correct path forward regarding the current edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, giving ourselves additional time to play the matches whilst also relieving pressure on both the athletes and the calendar for 2021. “Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2020-21 Season and beyond, the changes that will be introduced for Season 3 are another significant step in the evolution of this fantastic competition. The honest and open dialogue that we have with our NAs enables us to mould the FIH Hockey Pro League in a way that works for all, and I want to place on record my personal thanks to all everyone for their efforts to find a workable solution.” 

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 6, 2020):-Federations of International Hockey (FIH) has spent the past six days celebrating hockey’s place in promoting peace and development via a range of projects and initiatives. The stories, from across the five hockey-playing continents, are part of the recognition and celebration of the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which takes place today (Monday 6 April). With the health of the global community under threat from the virus Covid-19, never has the message of unity and support been more pertinent. The stories we have highlighted here are just five examples from hundreds of activities that are being run by the hockey family with the end goal of making communities healthier, happier and better places to be. Our five days of stories began in Europe where the Royal Belgium Hockey Association (Hockey Belgium) and the Ghana Hockey Association are working with the Tom Boon Hockey Camp, the business enterprise of one of Belgium’s international hockey stars – goal scoring dynamo Tom Boon. Through the collaboration, hockey coaching and equipment is being delivered to numerous underprivileged communities in Africa. As a result of the work so far, 400 sticks have been delivered to youngsters in Ghana; 25 coaches have received training on delivering coaching sessions; and more than 170 boys and girls have benefited from coaching courses. The aim is to make the coaching courses sustainable, with local coaches doing much of the delivery in the future. South Africa was the focus of the second story as the national association (SAHA) strives to develop hockey to communities across the country. The message going out to schools and clubs is a simple one: hockey can be played anywhere there is a flat surface. Under a national initiative that involves SAHA, clubs and schools, schools will get resource packs and equipment, teachers will be trained in basic hockey coaching and qualified hockey coaches will be running sessions. Hockey will be largely delivered as an adapted game – small-sided games on any type of surface – thus allowing the sport to be played far more widely. Under the strategy, South Africa will have a whole new cohort of hockey enthusiasts. 375 new schools will be targeted for coaching and equipment; 7,500 youngsters will benefit from coaching, 750 teachers will be involved in the delivery of the nationwide programme and 2,440 modified sticks and balls will be distributed. The geographical area covered by PAHF is as diverse as the hockey community served by the continental federation. There are the developed hockey national associations of Argentina, USA and Canada. There are the aspirational communities of Chile, Uruguay, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago and there are the national associations that are just starting out on their journey into hockey growth and development, such as the island nation of Haiti. Since 2015, Haiti has had a national hockey association and, with the support of PAHF and latterly, the Olympic Solidarity Programme, a coaching development initiative has been raised playing and coaching standards in the country. Shiv Jagday, who formerly coached both USA and Canada national teams, is leading the project. He has visited the Caribbean community on three separate occasions to lead coaching courses, the most recent of which was in February of this year. Afghanistan is not just damaged by wars and terrorism, it also ranks as one of the poorest nations in the world. Despite this, it continues to play a range of sports at international level, with its national hockey association aspiring to make Afghanistan a competitive hockey-playing nation. The men currently rank 70th in the world, while the women’s team is still very much in its infancy and is yet to get a world ranking. It is not just at elite level that hockey is making in-roads in Afghanistan: it is also being played in pockets across the country and participants are finding that regular hockey training and competing in local matches is beneficial to both their physical and mental health. The demands of the game are both cathartic in a society where stress levels are extremely high and it also offers the chance for social networking. The Asian Hockey Federation has been working with the national hockey association since 2003 to promote and develop hockey. Equipment donation and coaching courses have opened up opportunities to male and female aspiring hockey players, and at the same time, spread some sport-inspired light and healing into this damaged country. The final continental story comes from Oceania and demonstrates the power of sport to instil life-skills such as self-confidence and leadership. The BDO Aspire Learn Well, Live Well, Lead Well indigenous hockey programme is collaboration between Cairns Hockey and the Australian Federal Government NIAA, with support from Hockey Australia and the Oceania continental federation. While the programme itself is on-going and hugely successful, the icing on the cake for seven of its course members was a trip to the FIH Pro League match between Australia and Argentina and the chance to meet some of the men’s and women’s national teams.   The five days of celebrating sport as a means of promoting peace and development culminated in a message from the FIH Hockey Academy, which is dedicated to hockey development across the globe. In a video message, FIH Academy director Mike Joyce spoke of the importance of working together with stakeholders to design and implement development programmes that are sustainable. He says: “At the International Hockey Federation we believe in the power of sport to change the world. The greatest thing about sport development and sport for development is essentially that it is about helping other people. Everything we do in development we do in partnership with our national associations and continental federations. It is focused on hockey development, including education, participation and infrastructure or hockey for development – things like gender equality, social inclusion, youth and education. “Today, it is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. We, in the global hockey community, are massively proud to support this United Nation’s initiative.”

SB News Lausanne, Switzerland: "On behalf of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), I would like to thank the International Olympic Committee, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Government of Japan and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for having confirmed the new dates of next year’s Olympics so swiftly. The international hockey community fully supports this decision. Athletes and coaches can now plan their preparations in full knowledge of the new schedule, which is very helpful. We look forward to a magnificent event which will unite the world in Tokyo next year! In the meantime, I wish everyone to keep well and safe.”

SB News Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has decided to withdraw any geo-blocking in place for all FIH Hockey Pro League matches from 2019 and 2020 on its free OTT platform www.FIH.live. The same will apply for all FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers, which were played in October and November last year. “As hockey fans and players around the world are staying at home to help the fight against COVID-19, FIH has decided to strengthen its engagement with them by bringing the best of hockey to their households”, FIH CEO Thierry Weil commented.   Furthermore, FIH is currently producing a number of additional programmes for use by its 32 broadcast partners, reaching 192 countries around the world. The programming will include:   •             FIH Hockey Pro League 2020 - Season So Far (26 minutes)   •             FIH Hockey Pro League 2019 - How They Won It (26 minutes)   •             Men's Hockey World Cup Review 2018 (52 minutes)   •             Women's Hockey World Cup Review 2018 (52 minutes)   •             Classic FIH Hockey Pro League Matches 2019 (26 minutes)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 17, 2020):-In the light of World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan government directives regarding preventive measures to combat corona virus pandemic, Pakistan Hockey Federation has postponed all district and national level tournaments till the end of April. Training plans has been sent to players so that they could continue individual training in their home. The plan includes details about physical training, hockey skills and diet, which has been communicated through the emails. The team management including coaches, assistant coaches and physical trainers would be responsible to implement the training plan by keeping in touch with players regularly. The precautionary decision has been made to better protect the health and safety of the players, officials and staff. The offices of Pakistan Hockey Federation have been urged to take precautionary measures and follow standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. In the meantime, the PHF has advised everyone to avoid shaking hands and make a safe distance while talking to each other. Precautions: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands Avoid close contact with sick people Avoid travel if you are sick If you have a cough or fever, then seek medical review Stay home when you are sick Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

SB Report Lausanne, Switzerland (March 7, 2020):-A week of celebrating International Women’s Day has proven testimony to how hockey is among the leading international sporting federations when it comes to equality. Perhaps the best way of showing that equality is a treasured part of our sport’s psyche is the fact that it is now rarely commented upon. Perhaps the best working example of this took place earlier this year when a team of four umpires – two men and two women – took to the pitch to officiate the men’s and women’s FIH Hockey Pro League matches between New Zealand and Belgium. As Black Sticks stalwart Sam Charlton points out, it really made no difference to the game whether it was a man or woman blowing the whistle. Of course, there are parts of the world where equality is not so readily observed and, in these areas, our Equally Amazing message continues to be pertinent, serving as a reminder that hockey is a sport for all, with everyone an equally accepted participant. It is to the credit of our Continental Federations and National Associations that so many projects are being run to promote equality, with hockey as the platform from which that message is delivered. Over the past five days we have highlighted ways in which women are leading from the front; creating opportunities; smashing down gender barriers. From Oceania Hockey Federation we focused on a visionary project that gives young Indigenous women the opportunity to lead through hockey coaching. Indigenous children are the recipients of their coaching and leadership sessions – thus two often disadvantaged groups enjoy mutual benefits. The African Hockey Federation celebrates the long years of service from three dedicated members of the international hockey community. For more than three decades, Sheila Brown, Ginny Ross and Marelize de Klerk have been at the forefront of officiating and administration, running top tier tournaments with relentless efficiency as well as guiding and supporting their less experienced colleagues. Danae Andrada is the face of development in Uruguay. The current President of the Uruguay Hockey Federation and FIH Executive Board member started out as one of the youngest members of the national team. Now she is at the coal-face when it comes to driving hockey forwards in the South American country. It is refreshing to hear Svitlana Makaieva say that female coaches are not so rare across Europe, but it is still true that female coaches operating as head coaches to national teams are still a minority. We spoke to two female Head Coaches to discover how they reached the pinnacle of coaching and what life is like at the top. Our story from Asia is the moving account of an Afghanistan hockey player who defied her country’s war-torn recent history and the raft of barriers to women playing sport. Khadija Achakzai is captain of the national women’s team of Afghanistan and her story is a truly inspiring tale of how her determination to play hockey is helping other women in Afghanistan participate in sport, and start to enjoy all the physical and mental benefits that activity and exercise can bring. Our final story to wrap up this week of celebration is one that really sends a message that we are a sport where equality is truly achievable. In a world’s first, a four-person umpiring team took control of FIH Hockey Pro League matches between New Zealand and Belgium. Male and female umpires were appointed to each match, the first time top tier men’s and women’s matches were umpired by a mixed gender umpiring team. We interviewed one of the players, Sam Charlton, to get a player’s perspective.   Speaking for the FIH Reflecting on the stories that have emerged from all corners of our global hockey family over the past five days,  FIH President Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra says: “On the occasion of his visit to FIH last year, IOC President Thomas Bach commended FIH for its gender equality policy, stating it 'really is best practice' and ‘a role model for many International Federations’. We welcomed these words with a lot of appreciation but, more importantly, they provided FIH and the global hockey community encouragement to do even more, so that we can reach a fully gender-balanced sport, not only on the field the play but also off it. I can only urge all Continental Federations, National Associations, Leagues and clubs to continue to strive for equality across all aspects of our sport.” Marijke Fleuren is chair of the FIH Women in Sport Committee as well as a member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission. She has a clear vision of how FIH will continue to drive forward in its mission to ensure the sport has true parity across the genders. “International Women’s  Day is an excellent moment for our Women in Sport Committee to inform you about our main goals,” says Fleuren. “We are seeking to create awareness within all our national associations that men and women are stronger together. Not only on the field of play, but also in other realms of life. “FIH’s special goals are realising this amongst coaches, umpires and board members. “So please think about it, look for role models and make this next step to togetherness! Everybody can do it. Really!” And on a weekend where the entire hockey community around the world came together to celebrate International Women's Day, the captains of Australia and Argentina men's teams added their own voice of support. Eddie Ockenden (AUS) and Pedro Ibarra (ARG) read supporting statements ahead of their FIH Hockey Pro League encounter. To hear these messages, click here.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 28, 2020):-New Zealand’s men claimed a dramatic 5-3 FIH Hockey Pro League victory over reigning Olympic champions Argentina at the Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium in Christchurch on Friday (28 February). However, it was a different story for the Black Sticks women, who drew 1-1 with Argentina before missing out on the bonus point by losing the subsequent shoot-out.  The New Zealand versus Argentina men’s match was an out-and-out thriller, with the home favourites earning a second successive FIH Hockey Pro League victory to add to their recent triumph against Spain, which was their first ever outright win since the launch of the competition in January 2019. The result sees the Black Sticks climb up to fifth in the table, with Los Leones in eighth position. New Zealand established 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 leads thanks to strikes from Sam Lane, Dylan Thomas and Jared Panchia, with the reigning Olympic champions – captained by Pedro Ibarra, who today made his 300th senior international appearance – hitting back on each occasion through Maico Casella and Jose Tolini (2) to leave the scores locked at 3-3 with eleven minutes remaining. Much to the delight of the home fans, the Black Sticks eventually pulled clear when a Cory Bennett penalty corner and an open play effort from Dominic Neuman established an unassailable 5-3 lead, with New Zealand goalkeeper Leon Hayward being named Player of the Match thanks to a string of outstanding saves in sealing the triumph. "It was nice to get five goals against a quality opponent”, said Black Sticks head coach Darren Smith. “We defended well and were able to contain their dangerous strike forwards. Our strike line was energetic and played with genuine pace as they put together a strong performance". Having witnessed their men’s team earn a famous victory over the Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists, New Zealand’s women knew that a glorious double over the Pan American giants was a distinct possibility. However, despite missing numerous influential players including goalkeeper Belen Succi and attacking stars Carla Rebecchi and Delfina Merino, it was the Argentineans who emerged with the biggest share of the points, climbing up to second in the FIH Hockey Pro League table, one place above New Zealand. The Black Sticks started well and took the lead early in the second quarter when 19-year-old Hope Ralph scored from open play. However, Ralph’s strike was cancelled out mid-way through the third period by Player of the Match Agustina Albertarrio, who found the target with a deflected effort. With no further goals, a shoot-out was required to determine the destination of the bonus point. It was the visitors who claimed the additional point, with Julieta Jankunas, Victoria Miranda and Priscilla Jardel all on target as Las Leonas emerged 3-1 winners in the one-on-ones, with Sam Charlton the sole scorer for New Zealand. Speaking after the game, Agustina Albertarrio said: “It was a very difficult match. New Zealand is a really good team. We are happy we won the shoot-out, but we have to see the images of the match to review the things that we did wrong and think about the [next] match.” The FIH Hockey Pro League continues on Sunday 1 March when New Zealand’s men and women face Argentina for the second time at Christchurch’s Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium. To see the complete match schedule, click here. Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  FIH Hockey Pro League Friday 28 February 2020 – Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium, Christchurch (NZL) Men’s result: New Zealand 5, Argentina 3 (Match 1 of 2) Player of the Match: Leon Hayward (GK - NZL) Umpires: Peter Wright (RSA), Steve Rogers (AUS) & Aleisha Neumann (AUS - video) Women’s result: New Zealand 1, Argentina 1 – 1-3 After Shoot-Out (Match 1 of 2) Player of the Match: Agustina Albertarrio (ARG) Umpires: Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Aleisha Neumann (AUS) & Peter Wright (RSA - video)

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 17, 2020):-The next Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup will be held in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in 2021. While the dates will be determined later, FIH can confirm that the competition will be played towards the end of that year. It is the first time that the African continent will organize the pinnacle of junior hockey. The Men’s edition will be staged in India. Venue and dates will be confirmed at a later stage but the event will also take place at the end of 2021. The FIH Hockey Junior World Cup involves the best of young talents globally. This is the perfect platform for under-21 players to unleash their raw skill onto the international hockey scene and progress further to become the stars of tomorrow, making this event a unique one! 16 teams will compete for the title, with continental quotas established as follows: Men Africa: 2 teams Asia: 4 (including India, as hosts) Europe: 6 Oceania: 2 Pan America: 2 Women Africa: 2 teams (including South Africa, as hosts) Asia: 3 Europe: 6 Oceania: 2 Pan America: 3 Men: Germany, England, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, France Women: Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Russia, England