Indian Hockey-Printed articles-06-Dec-08

TOI-Delhi:
‘Foreign hockey coach appointment process on’
New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed ad-hoc committee has initiated the process for appointing a foreign coach for the senior men’s national team and has already interviewed a candidate for the top job. PTI

The Hindu:
The rise and fall of Els van Breda Vriesman
S. Thyagarajan
— Photo: V. Sudershan END OF AN ERA: Many reasons have been attributed to the exit of Els van Breda Vriesman as the president of the FIH.
Chennai: It is difficult to fathom the factors that facilitated the exit of Els van Breda Vriesman from the helm of world hockey.
The international community is yet to come to grips with the plausible causes on which the opposition cashed in on in the FIH Congress last Saturday at Los Angeles to unseat a dynamic president who dominated the scene for eight years.
Was it her pro-India stance a frailty that floored Els? There is a school of thought that Els was too obsessed with streamlining Indian hockey.
True, she spent a good deal of time trying to fine-tune administration here and projecting herelf as a ‘messiah’ to preserving ethos of Indian hockey.
When the FIH unfolded plans for a special project during the last World Cup at Monchengladbach in front of the International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge, eyebrows were raised over why look at India as a special entity.
The explanation that the eight-time Olympic champion required focus to arrest its slide in stature appeared somewhat convincing. But the scepticism persisted more on account of the financial commitment involving the IOC and FIH.
While a section hailed the moves of Els and her lieutenant, Bob Davidzon of the Netherlands, to inject an element of professionalism and sophistication in administration as path-breaking, opinion was divided whether the FIH was stepping on the toes of some Indian administrators.
The pace at which ‘reforms’ were commissioned, and thrusting the Australian icon, Ric Charlesworth, as coach, had a cumulative effect in accentuating the already prevailing confusion in the aftermath of the poor showing of the national teams (especially the defeat against China in the Doha Asian Games).
Criticising IHF
The FIH boss was unsparing in her criticism of the IHF, targeting its chief, K.P.S. Gill in every forum.
When the IHF was disbanded by the NOC, in the wake of India’s failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, there was a strong feeling that Els orchestrated the whole exercise, ensuring the formation of an ad hoc committee that received the FIH nod immediately.
If there is a view today that Els burnt her fingers endeavouring to clear the cobwebs of Indian hockey, then it may be genuine. An element of poignancy can be added as it is understood that India is reported to have voted against Els in the hope of getting its nominee as a vice-president in place of Annabel Dillon. If the pro-India factorwas one chink in Els’s armour in Los Angeles, some observers wonder whether she is a true democrat or an autocrat. One commentator compares her to Margaret Thatcher!
It is a fact that Els succeeded in translating her ideas and opinion into a ‘consensus’ within the administration. Her flair for quick decisions, even if they touched the contours of controversy, was interpreted as a streak of dominance. Another section views her tenure of eight years reason enough to give way to new ideas from a fresh incumbent.
One source argues that Els should have read the mood when Peter Cohen, the secretary-general, withdrew his nomination after the contesting candidate, Leandro Negre, visited Australia, seeking support, and also when the European HF solidly backed him.
The rise and fall of Els will form an eventful chapter in the history of International Hockey Federation.
Brace by Nayemuddin
Bangalore: Md. Nayemuddin scored a brace (15th and 59th minutes) to guide SAI ‘D’ to a 2-0 victory over Synergy SC in a State ‘B’ division hockey league match here on Friday.
Earlier, MLI and BSNL were locked in a 1-1 draw. Amol Patil scored the equaliser for MLI after Bepari struck for BSNL.
Hindustan Times – Chandigarh:
Hindustan Times Impact - HC steps in for wronged hockey player
Saurabh Duggal
Chandigarh

THE PUNJAB and Haryana High Court today directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Sports Ministry to hold the re-trials for the goalkeepers of the National Women Hockey team for the Junior Women Asia Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 12 to 22.
The order came following a writ petition filed by Harbhajan Singh, father of junior hockey player Navneet Kaur, who was thrown out of the national camp in Lucknow on November 13 after she vociferously objected to the alleged advances made by national goalkeeping coach A. Edwards.

Reacting on the news, which was first highlighted by HT, SAI intervened in the matter and later with SAI's intervention Navneet was recalled to the camp.

On Friday , a Division Bench comprising Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice Daya Choudhary gave directions to SAI and Sports Ministry to constitute a board consisting of former Indian captain Rupa Saini, Punjab Director Sports Pargat Singh and other two eminent players to be nominated by SAI and hold fresh trials for goal keepers at Lucknow tomorrow.

Rupinder S. Khosla, council for the petitioner said the Bench also directed the Sports Ministry to give clearance to the team, which will be selected after the re-trials.

It is learnt that SAI's two nominees for the selection committee are Droncharya Awardees M.K. Kaushik and Rajinder Singh (Senior).

Alleging injustice meted out to his daughter, Navneet's father Harbhajan Singh filed a petition in the High Court seeking a probe into the incident by the Sports Ministry and inclusion of his daughter in the team for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup at Kuala Lumpur.

Navneet's father asked the HC to direct SAI to depute independent experts to determine whether Navneet is the best goalkeeper in her age group. In case the observers come to such a conclusion, he asked the IWHF be directed to include her in the squad for the Junior Asia Cup.

Pursuant to the order dated December 4, SAI and Sports Ministry produced minutes recorded for the selection of player, however the bench noticed that it was signed only by two members (Harbinder Singh and G.S. Bhnagu) out of the four-member committee.

It was the main allegation of the petitioner that the selection was done in advance and the minutes were recorded later on just to complete formalities when confronted with such allegations SAI and Sports Ministry submitted that the respondents are willing to hold the fresh selections for the goalkeepers.

Earlier, while giving their reply on Thursday , IWHF's counsel informed the Bench that Navneet was not included in the squad because she was overage and ironically on the previous hearing IWHF's contention was that Navneet was underage. When the court asked about the basis of this contention, they were unable to produce any documents in their support.

How it unfolded Nov. 13: Navneet ejected from camp. Nov. 16: SAI intervenes, Navneet recalled. Nov 21: Navneet's father files a writ petition in the HC. Notice issued to IWHF and SAI. Dec 5: HC directs SAI to hold re-trials for goalkeepers.
Indian Express:
Apollo School win
¦ Apollo International School, Sonepat beat JKG Public School, Ghaziabad 1-0 in the senior boys category in the ongoing SS Mota Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament. Abhimanyu’s scored the winner in the 25th minute. OTHER RESULTS: Girls’ category: Mt Abu Public School beat Bal Bharati Public School, Noida 3-1 in tiebreaker; Junior boy’s category: Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura beat Modern School, Barakhamba Road 4-0. Delhi on sound footing ¦ Delhi closed the day with a lead of 322 runs over Orissa in the U-19 Cooch Behar trophy. Brief scores: Delhi 98 & 266 all out ( Karan Rai 98, Rahul Bharadwaj 34) vs Orissa 42 all out (Vikram Dahiya 5/28, Sunny Sehrawat 4/4).

TOI-Pune:
Pak rope in Dutch expert
Karachi: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has roped in Dutch expert Wouter Tazelaar as consultant for a two-year term to help rebuild the game. PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said on Friday that Tazelaar has confirmed his availability and will begin his stint as PHF consultant from January 7 next year. Tazelaar, 41, gave his nod for the post during his stay in Pakistan last month but went back to Holland to consult with his lawyer before signing the agreement. Tazelaar is a renowned hock ey academician who has developed software for coaches and management of the academies to run them on a scientific basis. The software is being used by a number of academies in Europe, South Africa and other countries. The Dutchman will visit all the eleven academies set up by the PHF in different cities and meet coaches to help them. IANS

No plan to move WC from India: FIH chief

Biswajyoti Brahma TNN

New Delhi: A change in guard at the highest level of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the recent terror strikes in Mumbai are unlikely to have a bearing on India hosting the 2010 World Cup in Delhi. In his first interview to an Indian media ever since assuming office of president of the game’s governing body (FIH), Leandro Negre told ToI on Thursday that he does not see any reason at the moment to move the game away from India. He, however, said FIH would be keeping a close watch on the situation in India, including political ones, in the run up to the event. “At this stage there is no reason not to host the 2010 men’s World Cup in India. The FIH signed the memorandum of understanding for our showcase event in August this year and I don’t see any reason for me to change this,” Negre said in an email. “However, the FIH will monitor the situation in India carefully to make sure that the event will be organised at the highest possible level as we will have a close look on the political situation in India too.” The Spaniard, who replaced Els van Breda Vriesman, also suggested that the world body would continue supporting the project concerning revival of Indian hockey . “India is one of the key nations in hockey . The FIH started the project Promoting Indian Hockey in late 2006 and under my leadership this project will definitely not end.” In a bid to make the game grow in popularity, he said he was planning to bring in more professionalism to world level events. He also said the game’s task would be to ensure it’s presence in future Olympics. “Being present at the Olympic Games is still the most important task for hockey . The FIH Missions Statement (to encourage, promote, develop and administer hockey at all levels in order to maintain hockey as an Olympic sport on the Olympic Programme and maximise participation, standards, enjoyment and community involvement) is clear about that. “To make sure that this will happen, the FIH should professionalise its World Level Events and this is one of the main tasks in the coming years.”Negre said he would discuss different issues with people involved in the FIH in the coming couple of months “in order to be able to start in a proper way” as the FIH president. “The FIH and hockey became more and more professional in the last years. I will continue to work in that way. All the decisions that will be made in the coming years will all be in the benefit of hockey in general,” he said.

DNA:
No plans to shift 2010 World Cup from India
Spaniard Leandro Negre replaced Els van Breda Vriesman as the new president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), beating her in the elections held during the governing bodys Congress in Los Angeles on November 30. Negre, who was the president of the European Hockey Federation, will hold the office for a term of four years. He spoke to Joe Williams about the Indian hockey and cleared the air about the threat of shifting the 2010 World Cup from India

What is in store for the game in general and India in particular?
My long term goals will be a combination between what the FIH is doing well at this moment and the projects I presented in my election campaign. The ultimate goal is to make the sport of hockey stronger than it is now.
Seven coaches were shortlisted by the former FIH chief. Can India look forward to a new horizon in our national sport?
India has played a key part in the history of hockey. The FIH hopes that this country will play a key role in the future again.
What will be FIHs role in helping India get back to the helm?
India is one of the key hockey nations. The FIH started the project Promoting Indian Hockey in late 2006 and under my leadership this project will definitely not end.
When are you visiting India?
At this stage, the plans for visiting India are not fixed yet. But I am sure that during the first part of 2009 a visit by the FIH will be made.
The FIH expanded its cooperation with You Tube. Your comments?
You Tube is a great tool to attract young people to our sport.
Will recent terror strikes have any impact on 2010 World Cup allotted to New Delhi?
At this stage there is no reason not to host the 2010 mens World Cup in India. The FIH signed the memorandum of understanding for our showcase event in August this year and I dont see any reason for me to change this. However, the FIH will monitor the situation in India to make sure that the event will be organized at the highest possible level.
What has happened to the proposal of renaming the IHC to Hockey India?
The proposal to rename the IHC to Hockey India has been accepted by the FIH Congress.
TOI-Lucknow:
Sports College lose but enter hockey semi-finals
Despite going down to Sports Hostel by a solitary goal, Sports College entered the semi-finals of the 1st Kunwar SM Shadab memorial (prize money) hockey tournament. The all important goal of the match was scored by Shoeb Khan of Sports Hostel in the 21st minute. Sports Hostel will now play LDA Coaching Centre in the first semi-final, while Sports College will meet KD Singh Babu Society in the other semi-final on Saturday. In the other match of the day, LDA Coaching Centre and KD Singh Babu Society played out a 2-2 draw.
TOI-Bangalore:
SAI ‘D’ assured of title: SAI ‘D’, Bangalore continued their unbeaten run in the State ‘B’ division hockey league when they blanked Synergy Sports 2-0 in a semifinal league match in Bangalore on Friday. Mohammed Nayeemuddin stole the show as he found the net on two occasions (14th and 59th) for the winners. With six points under their belt, SAI ‘D’, Bangalore are assured of the title. BSNL and MLI, Belgaum played out a 1-1 draw in the other match. Bepari put BSNL ahead in the 4th minute while Amol Patil restored parity in the 42nd minute.
TOI-Chandigarh:
HOCKEY TEAM
Select goalkeeeper afresh: Court
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chandigarh: Seriously considering the case of hockey player Navneet Kaur, who was left out of the junior Asia Cup tournament, Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday ordered constitution of a board comprising sports director Pargat Singh, ex-captain Rupa Saini and two others to start fresh selection process for a goalkeeper on Saturday. Navneet was allegedly left out of the tournament to be held at Kuala Lumpur from December 13 just because the young goalkeeper allegedly steered away from the advances of hockey coach A Edwards. These orders from the high court have come in the wake of a petition filed by Harbhajan Singh, father of Kaur on Friday before the division bench of justices Uma Nath Singh and Daya Chaudhary. Apart from constitution of the board, the Bench directed Union ministry of sports to ensure clearance of the team for participation. In his petition against the Union of India, the Indian Women Hockey Federation, A Edwards and other respondents, Harbhajan Singh has sought directions to the ministry to conduct an inquiry into the incident. The petitioner has also sought strict action against the guilty officials and coaches, along with directions to the SAI to depute independent experts to determine whether Kaur was the best goalkeeper in the side. He further added if the opinion of the expert was in her favour, the federation may be directed to include her in the team for the cup.

Pakistan ropes in Dutch expert to rebuild hockey
Karachi: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has roped in Dutch expert Wouter Tazelaar as consultant for a twoyear term to help rebuild the game. PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said Friday that Tazelaar has confirmed his availability and will begin his stint as PHF consultant from January 7, 2009. Tazelaar, 41, gave his nod for the post during his stay in Pakistan last month but went back to Holland to consult with his lawyer before signing the agreement. Tazelaar is a renowned hockey academician who has developed software for coaches and management of the academies to run them on a scientific basis. The software is being used by a number of academies in Europe, South Africa and other countries. The Dutchman will visit all the eleven academies set up by the PHF in different cities and meet coaches to help them. "Wouter will directly monitor the academies accompanied with a team of local officials for communication between the coach and the players," said Bajwa, a former Olympian and national coach. According to the agreement, Tazelaar would stay in Pakistan for 210 days every year. He would also impart training to the national women hockey team. Pakistan finished an embarrassing eighth place in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing - the three-time Olympic champions' worst-ever showing in the Games' history. It was under Dutch coach Hans Jorritsma that Pakistan last won a major international title — the World Cup in 1994 in Sydney. IANS

Daily Excelsior:
Ladakh Winter Sports Club finalise activities
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Dec 6: The Ladakh Winter Sports Club, Leh has finalised its calendar for conducting winter activities in 2009.
The basic coaching camp and junior ice hockey camp would be conducted from January 1 to 15 followed by Inter-Club Ice Hockey championship (U/16) from January 13 to 17.
The Chief Executive Councillor Cup (men and women) will be played from January 18 to 25.
The Indo-Canadian Friendship Cup shall be held from January 24 to 27 while the Inter-School Tournament will be organised from January 28 to February 4.