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THE attorney for a 13-year-old Long Island boy who was kicked off his high school’s girls’ field hockey team for being too dominant says his client will most likely be reinstated.
"We are confident that a court will see the discrimination in this case," Frank Scagluso, the attorney for Keeling Pilaro said.
Scagluso said Keeling has support from his school district, other coaches and players in the league and that he has not heard any criticism about the boy’s participation in games.
Keeling, who played for Southampton High School's varsity girls' field hockey team for the past two years, was told he could no longer play next year after becoming the team's star.
Section 11, which oversees Suffolk County's high school sports, determined that as a boy, Keeling had too significant an advantage over the other players.
"(Keeling is) having a significant adverse effect on some of his opposing female players," Section 11 claimed, according to MyFoxNY. "The rules state he would be allowed to play if he wasn't the dominant player."
Section 11's executive director, Ed Cinelli, told MyFoxNY, "As a sport, it's a girls sport. When a boy plays, it leads the way for other male players to come in and take over."
Andrew Pilaro, Keeling’s father, said his son was raised in Ireland and played field hockey most his life. In many European countries, the sport is widely popular. But on Long Island, there were no field hockey leagues with boys available for Keeling compete, his father said.
At 4 feet, 8 inches tall and 82 pounds, Keeling says he does not feel he is at an advantage, or that he is even significantly better than his opponents. He says some of the girls he has played against are faster and stronger than he is.
http://www.foxnews.com
Syed Kashif Shah of Pakistan traps the ball during the match between
Pakistan and India on day four of the International Superseries at Perth
Hockey Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Perth, Australia.
PAKISTAN named their players for the Junior Asia Cup with a surprise inclusion of four players who played in the 2011 Champions Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand on Dec 3-11.
The four did not come down to Malaysia for the three series they played against Malaysia where Pakistan won the first two 5-3 and 4-3 before Project 2013 won the third 5-3.
The four Pakistan stalwarts are Syed Kashif Shah (19), Muhammad Tousiq (17), Ali Shan (19) and Muhammad Rizwan (18).
“I expected Pakistan to include the four players to strength en their team. The four also did not play in the Sultan of Johor Cup, but since they are in another group, the possibilities of playing them is only in the semi-finals,” said Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj.
India, automatic qualifiers, are in Group B with Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka. In Group A are Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Iran.
PLAYERS: Mazhar Abbas, Syed Kashif Shah (Vice-Capt), Muhammad Khalid, Aleem Bilal, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Tousiq, Tasawwar Abbas, Kashif Javed, Zohaib Ashraf, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Umar Bhutta (Capt), Muhammad Dilber, Ali Shan, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Umair, Hafiz Umer Sardar, Muhammad Jaffar and Hafiz Rizwan Ali.
OFFICIALS: Rana Mujahid Ali (Manager/Head Coach), Danish Kaleem, Anjum Saeed & Ahmed Alam (Coaches), Asad Abbas Shah (Team Doctor) & Syed Abu Zar Umrao (Video-Analyst).
PIC: By http://www.malaysianhockey.blogspot.com/
....The floodgates opened in the second half as the Japanese scored six unanswered goals. The hosts spent nearly the entire half camped in front of the Malaysian net and used the experience to craft some fancy plays that included tic-tac-toe goals and spinning behind the back moves. Malaysia could do little to stop the onslaught as they were visibly frustrated and worn out. ... FIH
THE Malaysian women’s hockey team were hammered 8- 0 by Japan in the Olympic Qualifier in Kakamigahara yesterday.
The whitewash, at the back of a 4-0 defeat to Azerbaijan, shattered Malaysia’s dream of playing in the London Olympics.
Now, they will play for fourth to sixth placing, to strengthen their world rankings.
Japan, ranked ninth in the world, took a 2-0 lead at the half-time against 23 ranked Malaysia.
And six more goals, including a penalty stroke, came Japan’s way in the remaining 35 minutes. Malaysia next play Belarus tomorrow, and it is expected to be another uphill battle for the ladies.
RESULTS: Azerbaijan 3 Belarus 0; Japan 7 Malaysia 0; Austria 0 Chile 3.
TOMORROW: Chile v Japan; Austria v Azerbaijan; Belarus v Malaysia.
PIC: FITRI SAARI
PROJECT 2013 named their final 18 for the Junior Asia Cup yesterday, with coach K. Dharmaraj keeping his eyes firmly on the gold medal.
The tournament, from May 3-13, also doubles up as the Junior World Cup Qualifier with two seats up for grabs in Malacca.
India as hosts are automatic qualifiers, while the seven other teams will battle for the two finalists spots to make the grade for New Delhi next year.
In Group A with Malaysia are South Korea, japan and Iran. While in Group B are defending champions India, Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka.
“I was in two minds whether to name two goalkeepers or an extra outfield player in the final squad of 18. And after playing a series of friendlies with Pakistan, South Korea and Australian County sides, I have decided to opt for two goalkeepers in case one gets injured,” said Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj.
And that was the toughest decision the coach had to make on his line-up, as the rest were easy to pick.
“Against Pakistan and South Korea I played mixed teams and that is why the results were erratic. However, when I used the final 18 for the Australian County side, we won 7-1, 9-2 and 7-0 (match stopped at 55th minute after both parties agreed).
“The Country team is a matured side which is better than their Australian Juniors, and it was a big boost in the run-up to the Junior Asia Cup,” said Dharmaraj.
Against Korea, the Project team lost the first 2-1 but then thrashed them 9-1. They lost the third 5-3 but won the final match 6-5.
And against Pakistan, they lost the first two 5-3 and 4-3 before winning the third 5-3.
In the 18 named yesterday, five players who helped Malaysia win the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup were dropped, as seniors like Faizal Saari made their debut.
Meanwhile, the National Under 16 tournament received a boost of RM 35,000 in cash and kind from main sponsors Nestle.
The tournament will be held on April 27-May 4 at two venues -- Sungai Petani and Alor Star.
“Twelve teams have registered for the tournament and we will be hosting it again next year, as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have decided to award two consecutive rights for age-group tournaments,” said Organising Chair man S. Satish Kumar, who is also the Kedah HA deputy president.
Kedah are in Group B with runners-up Malacca, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Penang and Perlis.
Four-time consecutive champions Kuala Lumpur are in Group A with Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Tereng ganu,
“We have set a target of reaching the semi-finals, and I believe it will be a tough tournament as all states have been preparing for months for it,” said Satish.
MALAYSIA: Azrul Faiz (gk), Shahrul Azaddin (gk), Izad Hakimi, Noor Faez Ibrahim, Kavin Kartik, Shahrul Imran, Faiz Helmi, Aslam Hanafiah, Fitri Saari, Azri Hassan, Ra madan Rosli, Nor Hizzat Sumantri, Shazril Irwan, Amir Farid, Firhan Ashaari, Faizal Saari, Syamim Yusof, Deddy Aryadi.
