Indian Hockey-Printed articles-24-Nov-08

Times Of India:
PHF wants to convince Indian officials for hockey test series
24 Nov 2008, 2228 hrs IST, PTI
KARACHI: Top officials of Pakistan Hockey Federation have left for Los Angles to attend the International Hockey Federation Congress with high hopes of convincing the Indian Hockey Federation to resume bilateral series.
PHF President Qasim Zia, Secretary Asif Bajwa and vice president Rana Mujahid will attend the congress which will be held until November 29.
The officials would be meeting Indian hockey's Ad-Hoc Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and convenor Aslam Sher Khan to discuss the resumption of bilateral hockey series, a PHF spokesman said.
The Indian junior team was stopped from touring Pakistan earlier this month by its government which was not satisfied with the security arrangements for the test series.
The Indian senior hockey team is due to visit Pakistan for a test series in January next year and the PHF spokesman said the Indian officials would be convinced about the need to have the series in Pakistan.
The PHF officials will also discuss with the FIH officials and other members countries about the plans of the PHF to hold an annual eight-nation international tournament in memory of Benazir Bhutto.
The PHF needs the support of the FIH and its member nations to have this competition which can play a big role in reviving hockey activities in the country, the spokesman said.
APP:
PHF delegation flew to USA
LAHORE,Nov 24 (APP)‑ A three‑member delegation of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday flew to Los Angeles, America to attend the congress of International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Delegation comprises President PHF Qasim Zia, Secretary Asif Bajwa and Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Rana Mujahid Ali.
The congress has already started today,Monday, while presidential elections of the body will take place on November 29.
“ During the congress session PHF officials will try to convince the other hockey federations, that Pakistan is safe for holding International Tournaments “,said Secretary,PHF,Bajwa before his departure here.
“ We are committed to do whatever is needed to convince foreign teams to give Pakistan a chance for organising international hockey tournament because such competitions are important for uplifting the standards of hockey in the country”,he asserted.
He said PHF will endeavour to get approval from FIH, to hold an annual 8‑Nation Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hockey Tournament in Pakistan besides discussing the revival of Pakistan‑India bilateral hockey series.
“ We will also be holding special meetings with officials of Indian Hockey Federation Aslam Sher Khan and Suresh Kalmadi on the issue of Pak‑India series “,he asserted.
The Telegraph:
Nine hockey players suspended
OUR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Nov. 23: The Manipur Hockey Association has initiated action against nine players, cancelling their registration, for flouting Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) transfer norms with immediate effect.
The decision was taken at an executive committee meeting of the association, held on November 12.
The nine players are: M. Romen Singh, Th. Ojit Singh, L. Brajakumar Singh, Rk. Anandajit Singh, N. Ibomcha Singh (all Hockey Union players), Ph. Khamba Singh, Y. Holendro Singh, M. Arunkumar Singh (SAI RC) and Ksh. Tenison (South Eastern Youth Organisation).
The Manipur Hockey Association has debarred them from participating in any tournament organised by the association, according to a press statement by the honorary secretary of the association, Th. Manihar Singh.
Times Of India:
India may visit South Africa in January
23 Nov 2008, 2302 hrs IST, V Narayan Swamy,TNN
BANGALORE: The Indian hockey team, in all probability, may visit South Africa for test matches in January ahead of the two four-nation tournaments in Punjab.
The ad-hoc committee managing hockey affairs in the country, which was studying a proposal by the Pakistan Hockey Federation for a test series around the same period, now feels that it has to keep an alternative ready if the Pakistan tour is shot down by the Ministry of External Affairs.

A few weeks ago, the MEA had refused clearance to the junior hockey team, citing security fears. Even the cricket tour to Pakistan is in the balance with the MEA yet to review the situation. Ad-hoc committee members are expected to follow up the matter with the South African hockey federation. South Africa, who finished at the bottom (12th) in the WC (2006) and Olympic (2008), are rebuilding their team and keen on a few exposure matches too, it is learnt.
The move is in sync with coach in-charge H Singh’s perception that India will have to play internationals so as to keep themselves match fit for the two four-nation events.
Thaindian.com:
No Indian in all-Stars hockey teams
November 23rd, 2008 - 8:45 pm ICT by IANS -

Chennai, Nov 23 (IANS) Not a single player from India, who failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years, figures in the all-Stars men’s and women’s teams announced by the International Hockey Federation (IHF) Sunday.While almost all the players picked themselves in the two teams, the inclusion of Pakistan forward Rehan Butt, who had a poor tournament at the Beijing Olympics, came as a big surprise.

Butt, barring a few runs on the flanks, was inconspicuous throughout the fortnight-long competition in Beijing where Pakistan finished an unflattering seventh.

In contrast, Australia’s Des Abbott, originally put down as a substitute, had a relatively fine tournament at the Olympics and marked his presence with a couple of outstanding goals, including one in the bronze medal play-off against the Netherlands.

The teams: (in alphabetical order):

Men: Pol Amat (Spain), Sebastian Biederlack (Germany), Rehan Butt (Pakistan), Jamie Dwyer (Australia), Santi Freixa (Spain), Bevan George (Australia), Rodrigo Garza (Spain), Robert van der Horst (Netherlands), Alistair McGregor, goalkeeper (Great Britain), Barry Middleton (Great Britain), Teun de Nooijer (Netherlands), Eddie Ockenden (Australia), Jong Ho Seo (Korea), Eduard Tubau (Spain), Guus Vogels, goalkeeper (Netherlands), Tibor Weissenborn (Germany), Timo Wess (Germany), Matthias Witthaus (Germany), Maurits Hendriks, coach (Spain), Markus Weise, coach (Germany).

Women: Naomi van As (Netherlands), Luciana Aymar (Argentina), Tina Bachman (Germany), Minke Booij (Netherlands), Kaori Chiba (Japan), Baorong Fu (China), Alejandra Gulla (Argentina), Rachel Imison, goalkeeper (Australia), Natascha Keller (Germany), Seon Ok Lee (Korea), Yibo Ma (China), Maartje Paumen (Netherlands), Carla Rebecchi (Argentina), Fanny Rinne (Germany), Maria Jesus Rosa, goalkeeper (Spain), Janneke Schopman (Netherlands), Qingling Song (China), Melanie Wells (Australia), Mark Lammers coach (Netherlands), Chang Back Kim, coach (China).
The Nation.com:
Seniors fight to win over Juniors in Exhibition Hockey
Source: SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT November 22, 2008

LAHORE - The Pakistan Seniors team edged aside the Juniors in the second Exhibition Hockey match arranged by the Paksitan Hockey Federation in place of the postponed series against Indian juniors hereat the National Hockey Stadium.
Similar match was played at Karachi which was won by the juniors but that was against the veterans of the game and today's games was played against the senior team members.
In the presence of about 8000 hockey fans, Seniors converted three goals to win over the fighting Juniors, who in turn produced two.