FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra addressing the guests at the FIH Honorary Awards ceremony in New Delhi. Credit: Hockey India

IOC President Thomas Bach amongst winners at FIH Honorary Awards in New Delhi

    It was a night of celebration for many of the sport’s hardest working promoters and representatives on Thursday 1 November 2018 as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Honorary Awards took place at the Lalit Hotel in New Delhi, India. A wonderfully vibrant, colourful event containing a string of acts from the world of dance, music and entertainment, all showcasing India’s rich and diverse culture, were enjoyed by hockey delegates representing well over 100 National Associations, who have converged in New Delhi as part of the programme for the 46th FIH Congress. The FIH Honorary Awards ceremony is a crucial element of the Congress programme, rewarding those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of hockey. There were 12 recipients of FIH President’s Award, which recognises individuals or National Associations having excelled with initiatives, projects or programmes that have contributed over a long period of time to the enrichment of the sport at international level. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach was named as a winner of this hugely prestigious prize thanks to his longstanding support of both the sport and the Federation, but was sadly unable to be present in New Delhi to collect his award in person. Pam Elgar collects her President’s Award from FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra. Although Dr Bach was unable to attend, fellow recipients European Hockey Federation President Marijke Fleuren (NED), Oceania Hockey Federation President Pam Elgar (NZL) and Pan-American Hockey Federation President Alberto Budeisky (ARG) were all on hand to collect their honorary awards from FIH President Batra for their outstanding contributions in developing the sport in their respective regions and the constant drive towards gender equality. Former Belgium international and National Association President Marc Coudron (BEL) was also honoured, reflecting his key role in the growth of the sport in his homeland, as was Yokoyama Hide (JPN) for being instrumental in the development of hockey in Japan. Alberto ‘Coco’ Budeisky receives his President’s Award from FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra. Sheikh Al-Fahad Al-Sabah Ahmad, Naveen Patnaik, Raj Kumar Singh and HRH Prince Abdullah Shah were also revealed as winners of the President Award, as were The Hockey Museum for their role in ensuring that the history of the sport is being preserved for future generations. Wolfgang Hillmann, President of the Deutscher Hockey Bund, collected a President’s Award on behalf of the Germany Men’s U-21 team for their staggering display of sportsmanship at the EuroHockey Junior Championship in 2017. On the eve of their bronze medal match against Spain, a large number of the Spanish players were incapacitated by a virus and therefore unfit to play. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the Germany U-21 team chose to share the bronze medal, going so far as to unveiling the Spanish flag in honour of their sick opponents when they took their place on the podium. The Germany men’s U-21 team were honoured for their remarkable sportsmanship at the EuroHockey Junior Championship in 2017. Credit: European Hockey Federation.   Away from the President’s Award, the Pablo Negre Award was presented to Koninklijke Nederlandse Hockey Bond (KNHB) in recognition of their innovative programme to embrace the spirit of hockey, while the Federacion Deportiva Peruana de Hockey took the Theo Ykema Award thanks to their wonderful efforts in sustainable hockey development. Chaiyapak Siriwat (THA) was named as the winner of the Sultan Azlan Shah Award for his dedicated commitment to hockey, with Herman Kruis (NED) taking the Etienne Glichitch Award in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the sport.  Harchan Singh Dillon (HKG) and the China Women’s Hockey Team were the respective winners of the Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy and the Super Fair Play Trophy René G. Frank, while Sue Catton (ENG), Alain Renaud (FRA), Yoshida Motohito (JPN) and Peter Wefers-Bettink (NED) were named Order of Merit winners. Diploma of Merit Awards went to Nii Quay Kumah (GHA), Brigadier Mussarat Ullah Khan (PAK) and Choi-Cho Yoon (KOR). A list of the FIH Honorary Award winners for 2018 can be found below. To see an overview of all FIH Honorary Award winners both past and present as well as background information about the prizes, please click here. The FIH Honorary Awards Ceremony took place on the second day of proceedings at the 46th Congress, with the Congress session itself taking place on 3 November. Some 250 delegates from all over the world have gathered in New Delhi for the Congress, where key strategic decisions are made for the development and governance of hockey globally. The Congress agenda includes an overview of the status of the game, its evolution and development worldwide. Furthermore, delegates will elect four members to the Executive Board, while the Athletes’ committee will be renewed. Other items on the agenda include the ratification of the appointment of the President of the Judicial Commission, an update on the IOC Solidarity Foundation as well as a report on the FIH finances. Welcoming all guests of the 46th FIH Congress, FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “It is a great pleasure to have you here in my country and my home town of Delhi. I have your permission to express my gratitude to Hockey India for looking after us, so a big thank you to them for their hospitality in hosting this event.” Hockey India Chief Executive Officer Elena Norman expressed her delight in hosting the awards ceremony and the Congress itself. “Over the past years, the FIH Congress has proved to be one of the most critical platforms for dialogue, which has paved the way for the Hockey Revolution throughout the world, including India. All of us at Hockey India, especially our President Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, feels privileged to have been chosen as the host of the 2018 FIH Congress, and we do hope that everyone present experiences a memorable four days in our capital city New Delhi.” Source: FIH

    46th FIH Congress kicks-off in New Delhi

      Some 250 delegates from all over the world gather in New Delhi, India, this week, for the 46th Congress of the International Hockey Federation. The Congress is the supreme body of the FIH and meets every second year. This is where strategic decisions are made for the development and governance of hockey globally. While the Congress session itself will take place on 3 November at the Lalit Hotel, the week will kick-off on 31 October with the FIH Executive Board meeting as well as a meeting of the Continental Federation CEOs. The FIH Honorary Awards ceremony, rewarding personalities having made an outstanding contribution to the game, will be held on 1 November. The Congress agenda includes an overview of the status of the game, its evolution and development worldwide. Furthermore, delegates will elect four members to the Executive Board, while the Athletes’ committee will be renewed. Other items on the agenda include the ratification of the appointment of the President of the Judicial Commission, an update on the IOC Solidarity Foundation as well as a report on the FIH finances. FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “Over the past years we have worked tirelessly to develop and expand hockey worldwide. As we find ourselves almost half way through our ten-year Hockey Revolution strategy, we have a busy week ahead of us and I am looking forward to holding fruitful discussions together and making good decisions as we strive constantly to develop our sport globally and strengthen our governance to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.” The full Congress agenda is available here. Source: FIH

      Final Day: Zambia Achieve Historic Double in Inaugural AfHF President’s Cup Competition

        The men and women’s hockey teams of Zambia, celebrated a historic double by winning the inaugural edition of the AfHF President’s Cup in Arusha, Tanzania. By this feat, both teams qualify to join the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) top 7 ranked nations in Africa for the Africa Cup for Nations Competition scheduled for South Africa in August. The ladies were the first to book their place with an emphatic 3-0 win over host Tanzania in the second of the best of 3 matches. Having won the first match, the second win put the tie beyond the Tanzanian, making the third match an academic exercise. Considering various factors at play, the Tournament Director in conjunction with the LOC, applied the necessary provisions in the Tournament Regulation to crown Zambia champions. Zambia ladies went into the tie determined to secure the three points at stake with a strong start. The Tanzanians, eager to restore some pride fought back gallantly holding their opponents at bay to end the first quarter scoreless. The second quarter followed the closely contested pattern until four minutes from the end when Janet Chisha put Zambia a goal ahead to end the half. Four minutes into the third quarter, Janet Chisha struck again from a penalty corner to put Zambia in a comfortable lead. The Tanzanians fought back but were unable to redeem the goal. The final quarter saw more attacking by the desperate Tanzanians who were kept at bay by the tactical defensive play of the Zambians. As the match drew to a close, the Zambians sensed the fatigue of the Tanzanians and unleashed a flurry of attacks on their opponents’ goal area which resulted in a goal being scored by Carol Nakombe in 56th minute to guarantee the championship. The Men’s match was a much closely contested battle with Malawi dominating slightly in the initial quarter which ended 0-0. It took a bit of time for Zambia to warm up in the second quarter and when they did, they took the lead in the 20th minute with a well taken field goal by Blessings Lowole. Tried as the Malawians did to redeem the goal, the Zambian defence remained resolute to the end of the contest for the famous victory. The closing ceremony was held in pouring rain, but that didn’t matter to any of the teams and the players who demonstrated how proud they were to be part of history and also, how very satisfied they were having given off their best and won medals to show to all on their return home. Congratulations to Tanzania Hockey who demonstrated their prowess and preparedness to organize future high profile events of the AfHF with a good job done by the LOC. Well done to all who made it a great success.

        President’s Cup Day 1 – Malawi Announce their return with an Emphatic Win Over Hosts

          The Malawi Sticks, the men’s team of Malawi marked their return to International hockey in Africa with a sound 3-1 bashing of hosts Tanzania. Malawi, whose last participation in international competition was in All Africa Games hosted by South Africa in 1999, announced their strong intention to compete for honours on the continent. An almost 2 decades of absence from the international scene may have weighed heavily on Malawi hockey, but the Malawi Sticks sent a positive signal home that hockey in Malawi, if adequately supported, can win laurels for the country. Malawi started strongly but were held at bay in the first quarter by a confident Tanzanian team who were confident they would scale this first hurdle of the competition. Seven minutes into the second quarter, Malawi drew first blood with a well taken goal from open play courtesy James Bandawe. Tanzania shook off the shock and carried the game to the Malawians. The continuous raid on the goal area of Malawi yielded result with Sunny D’Souza levelling the scores for the hosts in the 28th minute to end the half. The third quarter saw a lot of action but did not register any goals. The final quarter saw a battle for dominance with play swinging from one end to the other. It was however the Malawians who went ahead through a penalty stroke converted by Daniel Matavata in the 52nd minute. Tanzania threw everything into the game to redeem a point but in the process, they slackened at the back and the Malawians capitalized on that to punish them with a third goal a minute from the end of the match with a field goal by Denollye Mgeni. Earlier in the women’s encounter, Zambia inflicted misery on the hosts Tanzania with a 3-1 victory. Zambia led 1-0 at end of the first quarter through a lovely goal by Loveness Mudenda from open play. Tanzania came back strongly to draw level from a penalty corner converted by Shakira Mtenji to end the first half. The third quarter was evenly contested with no goals registered. It was however the Zambians who run away with victory in the first of three matches scoring twice through Carol Nakombe (47th minute) from open play, and Eniless Mambwe (56th minute) from a penalty corner. Day two will feature only one men’s match with hosts Tanzania seeking to rebound from the defeat to Malawi with an emphatic win over Zambia.  

          TD and UM Hold Briefing for Teams and Officiating Officials

            The Tournament Director and the Umpires’ Manager took turns to brief the teams and the officiating officials on the arrangements for the AfHF President’s Cup competition. The TD drew the attention to key aspects of the FIH Tournament Regulations that will guide the competition while the UM took his umpires through the salient issues to keep an eye on to ensure a free flowing game at all time to offer spectators gratifying entertainment while keeping a firm control at all times. The well mowed and manicured grass surface of the Twigas Club, looks set to withstand the anticipated pressure it will be subjected to from the upcoming battles between the nations. Meanwhile, all the teams have arrived in Arusha, settled comfortably and ready to do battle for honours. The action gets underway at 14:30Hours tomorrow (22/02/17) with the ladies’ category which will see the hosts Tanzania welcome Zambia. At 16:30Hours, the men’s competition starts with the hosts Tanzania welcoming Malawi back into African Hockey competition.

            Arusha Ready for the First Edition of the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) President’s Cup

              All is set for the Tanzania Hockey Association to host the first ever AfHF President’s Cup for both men and women at the Sikh Union Complex, formerly known as the Arusha Twigas Sport Club, in Arusha during the period February 22 to 26. The President’s Cup is a newly introduced competition by the AfHF and it is opened to all National Associations ranked below 7 in African Hockey according to the outdoor ranking published by the FIH. The winners of both categories will join the top 7 ranked African nations for the 2017 Edition of the AfHF Africa Cup for Nations Competition to be held in South Africa during the period August 18-27. The Local organizing Committee (LOC) has worked hard to ensure that preparations are on track to host the event which will bring together three (3) national teams made up of the hosts Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi. Tanzania Hockey has the experience in hosting international club competition, but this will be the first time it will host an international tournament at the continental level, and the LOC is confident that the decision to host the event in Arusha will further boost and promote the game in the region in particular and the country in general. Tanzania Hockey is relying on a syndication of sponsorship from various sources including corporate entities to organize this important event. The AfHF is particularly excited to have Malawi back in competition and vying for continental honors once again and is hopeful that the competition will trigger a wave of renewed interest and excitement towards hockey in National Associations in Eastern Africa. The Competition will be supervised by Ahmed Yousef of Egypt (Tournament Director) and Ediga Agbo of Nigeria (Umpires Manager) with officials drawn from the three participating nations and Kenya.

              AfHF Officials and National Associations Participate in FIH Hockey Academy Management Course

                Three officials of the AfHF and some National Associations participated in the FIH Hockey Academy Management Course organized as part of activities lined up for the FIH Congress in Dubai. The two Vice Presidents and the Treasurer actively engaged in the discussions and exercises and brought the African perspective at Continental and Country level to bear on the exchanges that sought to map out strategies to employ in achieving the goals of the FIH Hockey Revolution. The course covered topics such as “Leading the Change” which explored the processes and behaviours required to lead the Hockey Revolution in Continental Federations and National Associations, and “Athlete Pathway” which considered the role of the Athlete Pathway and High Performance Programmes in the Hockey Revolution. The Course was conducted by two renowned Educators Chris Solly, Managing Director at World Academy of Sport (WAoS), Former member of the Olympic Games Knowledge Services and Steve Griffiths, Director of International Federation Programmes at WAoS, Former Head of Organizational Development at World Rugby. André Oliveira, FIH Academy and Education Manager, coordinated the course. In an interaction with the officials of the AfHF on how they intended to utilize the knowledge acquired and networks acquired, they indicated their preparedness to share the knowledge through replicating the training programme and tapping into the networks for the benefit of the Continent and its National Associations.

                Africa Poised to Collect Some Major International Hockey Federation (FIH) Awards

                  The development of hockey on the African continent has evolved gradually and is in position to receive a boost during the 45th FIH Congress to be held in Dubai, UAE during the period November 9-12, 2016. The announcement of the shortlist for all of the Hockey Revolution Awards to be presented during the prestigious event dubbed the “No Limits Ball”, three African Countries, Ghana, Malawi and Sierra Leone, will vie  with five others for the Pablo Negre Award. The Pablo Negre Trophy is presented to a National Association that has made a significant mark either through innovative programmes and initiatives or by embracing the spirit of hockey through exceptional sportsmanship. Africa will also be well represented when it comes to three individual awards. The illustrious awards which recognises and celebrates outstanding commitment and contribution to hockey by an individual are the Order of Merit, the Diploma of Merit and Honorary Member. Other awards to be given out on the night include Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy for umpiring, the Theo Ykema Award in recognition of development, the Etienne Glichitch Award for innovation and professionalism, the Super Fair Play Trophy Rene G Frank for exemplary sportsmanship and the HRH Sultan Azlan Shah Award which acknowledges actions and achievements of individuals within both hockey and their professional careers. The AfHF wishes all nominees the very best and the Editorial Team will follow the events closely and report on the outcomes.