AHF to ensure Doha has hockey

26/12/2002

THE Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) will make sure that the men's and
women's hockey is played during the 2004 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
"It was a sad day when hockey was not included in next year's Sea Games
in Vietnam because they do not have the facilities or the manpower, but
AHF discussed the matter during the Busan Asian Games and the response was good from the next Asian Games hosts," said AHF secretary Tan Sri P. Alagendra yesterday.
Doha have started building artifical hoockey pitches and the AHF will
help them by organising exhibition matches and, train technical officials,
umpires and coaches.
"The AHF are confident that by helping Doha to get the ball rolling,
hockey will not be left out of the next Asian Games. The facilities will
be ready soon, and AHF can start by holding a few exhibition matches to
promote hockey in the region," said Alagendra.
Hockey in the Asian Games is of high standard as Champions Trophy teams India, Pakistan and South Korea and up-and-coming sides from Japan and Malaysia put up a keen tussle for the best of Asia title this year.
"The AFH also conducted a poll of the region and some interesting
findings emerged which will be utilised to develop hockey, mainly women's, in the region in the net few years," said Alagendra.
The AFH poll found out that many of their member countries were already making great efforts to promote the sport, but were still using
traditional methods.
"In some cases, we found that a lot of work has ben put in by our member
countries to promote hockey but there was no overall structure to support
and sustain long-term growth.
"Interestingly, we also noted that some countries which have great
success at the international level, didn't have any development
structures. But overall, there is room for a planned development which the AHF hope to help achieve," said Alagendra.
The AHF have also agreed to host more age-group tournaments to develop grassroots hockey.
"New age-group competitions,Under-18 and Under-16, were introduced in 2001 and the AHF are keen to have more regional competitions to encourage age-group and indoor hockey is actively played. Tayyab Ikram of Macau will help towards this cause," said Alagendra.
The surprise find was that Iran have been actively playing indoor
hockey, and the AHF awarded them the First Asian Indoor Tournament to be held next year.
"A few meetings were held with Iran to discuss development plans to
improve their infrastructure and expertise.
"In a meeting with the Iran National Olympic Council, it was agreed to
extend more support to Iran Hockey Federation and as a result, three
hockey officials were included as observers during the Busan Asian Games.
"After their visit to Busan, it was agreed that Iran will install 10
artificial pitches by the end of 2003 with support from their government.
And since they have been actively playing indoor hockey for years, we have awarded them the First Asian Indoor Hockey tournament. The AFH will support them to develop more coaches, umpires and officials," said
Alagendra.
Plans are also afoot to help East Timor play active hockey.
A few of the AHF members received recognition from the FIH and AHF
recently and they are: FIH - President's Award: Tayyab Ikram (Macau);
Order Of Merit: Annabel Dhillon (Singapore); Members Of Honours: Brig Atiff (Pakistan).
AHF: Members Of Honours: Pissit Nampanich (Thailand), Brig Atif
(Pakistan).
(END)