South Africa still sleeping

18/07/2003

IS the Champions Challenge really being held in Randburg, South Africa?
Everybody keeps wondering because there is hardly any information about
the tournament as the hosts frantically try to get the Randburg Stadium
playable in time for the opening match tomorrow.
The turf is being scrubbed and there is a lot of last minute hammering
and drilling going on at the stadium.
And all those who were approached don't have a clue that the Champions
Challenge starts tomorrow. Even the hotel staff were caught unaware as
teams and officials arrived from all over the world.
No, the Champions Challenge is not a second-class tournament, but hockey
is a third class citizen in South Africa, where the newspapers and
television channels are awashed with cricket, rugby and soccer news.
Hockey, if its lucky, gets a single column in the newspapers and a
passing mention on TV.
But the South African Hockey Association (SAHA) has drawn up an
ambitious programme to take their team to the top - with the first step
being the hiring of a fulltime professional coach.
Paul Revington, 29, has been on the job for less than a year as he has
been employed as South Africa's first, fulltime professional men's coach.
The former coach of the national under-21 squad has managed to secure a
contract with SAHA until 2006, making heads turn as hockey gets the much-
needed boost in a sport loving country.
And Revington was "satisfied" despite his team finishing their three-
match series against South Africa `A' with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw at
St John's College.
After losing the first match 2-0, Revington's charges bounced back with
a 4-1 victory in the second and then the 2-2 draw.
"There is a long way to go for South African hockey, but I'm certainly
satisfied. Our preparation has been good but I want better," said
Revington.
At the inaugural Champions Challenge in Malaysia two years ago, South
Africa made the final only to lose the gold medal to India.
"Realistically, two or three wins and a mid-table finish would be good.
The mood has been good and the guys have been working hard for Saturday
tomorrow)," said Revington.
And the South Africans have picked Malaysia as one of the teams to beat
for a mid-table finish.
(END)