Teams have a feel of hockey turf

By S. Thyagarajan

All the loose ends — and there were not many — in the gorgeous spic and span AOTI Sports complex were sewn up as the 16th Asian Games is poised to unfold in what is viewed by the local media as an unprecedented spectacle on Friday, to set the tone and tenor for the 15-day sporting carnival of the continent.
The two hockey pitches within the gigantic sports complex became a beehive of activity on Thursday with teams having a feel of the turf and the technical teams, tournament officers, judges, umpires (men and women), drawn from various countries in the continent, checking out the facilities relating to equipment, working conditions, while the umpires managers completed the fitness tests, under the guidance and supervision of the seasoned and highly-rated FIH and AHF Tournament Director Mathavan Devadas, from Singapore.
Professional approach
Appreciating the professionalism by all sections of the people connected with the facilities at the two stadiums, Mr. Devadas particularly complimented the pool of volunteers for their enthusiasm, professional work and understanding.
Pakistan, Japan and Malaysia (women) had their workout during the day. The Indian team, which had a fairly long stay of acclimatisation, took it easy on Thursday.
Coach Harendra Singh said everything was under control and all were looking forward to the men's opening match on Monday against Hong Kong-China.
The Indian women's team had a session on the main pitch under the watchful eyes of chief coach Sandeep Somesh. With the women's team manager yet to reach the venue, the team management has named Khalid Modi, the assistant coach, as the manager. India plays Malaysia on Sunday.
Dr. P.S.M.Chandran, Medical Officer of the AHF, expressed satisfaction with the medical centre and the equipment available. He also had an inspection of the dope control centre. “I found them very good, and what struck was the enthusiasm of the personnel to attend any minor adjustments required, notwithstanding the language barrier.”

The Hindu

FIH hand India Lion's share

By K. Arumugam

Events that India got include
2011 FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – India, 26th November-4th December.
2012 Olympic Qualifiers men and women in February
2013 World Series Round 4: India (M) – 8-15 September
2013 Junior World Cup (M&W) - India, 2-17 November 2013
2014 FIH Women’s Champions Trophy – India, February

India gets a bonanza of sorts getting valuable tournaments allotted by the FIH. This hockey conscious country will stage almost all genres of major tournaments in the next four years including Junior World Cups, Champions Trophies, Olympic Qualifiers and a round of World Series. India got a lion's share of tournaments for its soils when the FIH in its Congress yesterday decided the calendar for next four years.
During the course of the March World Cup, FIH president Leondro Negri announced major tournaments for every year, and it looks he fulfilled his words now
Most heartening development in the sequence of allotment is inclusion of many events for women, a vastly potential but under-harnessed asset of India. Further, with some tournaments of 2014 yet to be decided for want of takers (?), India might chip in for a slice there also.
The grand success of both the World Cup and Commonwealth Games, where the enthusiastic crowd was the talking point, must have prompted the FIH to go for India kill.
The allotment of Olympic Qualifiers in 2012 is a great step, which will help India to get into the Olympic company in case Asian Games do not prove good enough. This is a godsend for Indian women, in particular, to resurrect themselves.
Meanwhile The Netherlands will host next men's and women's World cup at The Hague in 2004.

Malaysia lose Qualifier bid to Japan

THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) chose Japan instead of Malaysia to host one leg of the 2012 London Olympic Qualifiers.
And the Netherlands will be the host nation for the Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cups in 2014. The decision was confirmed by the Executive Board and announced on Thursday evening at a special ceremony at the FIH Congress and Forum in Montreux, Switzerland.
“It was an incredibly difficult decision to make”, said FIH President Leandro Negre shortly after revealing the winner. “The bids from The KNHB and England Hockey were both outstanding, two of the best that we have ever seen. It was a very close decision, but we offer our congratulations to The Netherlands, who we are sure will stage an unforgettable double World Cup event. England Hockey's bid has reinforced their importance as a partner for future FIH events, and we are keen to maximise the use of London 2012's legacy facility.”
The Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cup will take place in The Hague between 2 – 15 June 2014.
As well as the tournament announcements, the ceremony also witnessed the signing of the new Memorandum of Understanding between the Continental Hockey Federations and the FIH. This is an extremely significant moment for hockey as it reinforces the importance of a close working relationship between the FIH and the five Continental Federations that play a crucial role in developing the game from grass roots to elite level and in ensuring hockey is a vibrant and sustainable sport in their regions and member countries. Memorandums of Understanding between the FIH and all five continental federations have been concluded to reinforce the importance of a close working relationship.
The FIH can also reveal the tournament cycle for the next four years. The following tournament allocations are proposed, subject to finalizing the contractual arrangements.
Tournaments 2011-2014.
2011
FIH Indoor World Cup – Poland, 8-13 February.
FIH Women’s Champions Trophy, The Netherlands, 25 June-3 July
FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – India, 26th November-4th December.
FIH Women’s Champions Challenge 1 – Ireland, 18/19 – 25/26 June
FIH Men’s Champions Challenge 1 – South Africa, Dates TBC
FIH Women’s Champions Challenge 2 – Austria, 8-14 May
FIH Men’s Champions Challenge 2 – France, 3-9 July
2012
FIH Olympic Qualifiers: Azerbaijan (W) TBC / Japan (M&W) – 25 April – 6 May / India (M&W) – February / Final Men’s Qualifier location and date TBD.
World Series Rounds 1 & 2 – TBC
FIH Women’s Champions Trophy – Argentina, February
FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – Australia, June
Olympic Test Event – London, 2-6 May
London 2012 Olympic Games – 27 July – 12 August
2013
World Series Round 3: Pakistan (M) – February / Germany (M) – June / Netherlands (W) – June / China (W) – June
World Series Round 4: India (M) – 8-15 September / Argentina (W) – December
Junior World Cup (M&W) - India, 2-17 November 2013
2014
World Series Round 1 – Details TBC
FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – Argentina, February
FIH Women’s Champions Trophy – India, February
FIH Champions Challenge 1 – TBC
FIH Champions Challenge 2 – TBC
FIH Men’s & Women’s World Cup – The Netherlands, 2-15 June
World Series Round 2 – TBC
Youth Olympic Games – China, 16-28 August 2014.
2015
FIH Indoor World Cup – Germany, 3-8 February