Page 7 - Hockey

Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan captain Bhutta motivates young team

Unfazed by the responsibility of leading the team in the Asian Champions Trophy, Pakistan captain Umar Bhutta said on Wednesday that he was geared up to motivate the team to do well in the important tournament. Bhutta is the senior-most player in this young Pakistan side, and he said his task would be to ensure optimum performance from his players. "Of course, there is an extra responsibility as a skipper. Since the team is quite young, I have a job to get the team together and motivate it. So, hopefully, I can make them perform to their fullest and motivate them to put their everything for this event as well as for the Asian Games," Bhutta told PTI. Having failed to qualify for the FIH World Cup earlier this year, Pakistan will see the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games as an opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. However, Bhutta said the enormity of the target has not added any extra dollop of pressure on the Pakistan players. "I don't think so (that there is any extra .

Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan coach Butt thrilled to be in India

Two decades back, Rehan Butt used to be the reason for Indian defenders' sleepless nights and the man known for his deft stick-work still reminisces the good old days when playing against the next door neighbours in their backyard felt like "playing a home game". With bilateral sporting ties between India and Pakistan coming to a halt due to simmering cross-border tension, Butt, now the head coach Pakistan is delighted that the players from current generation would get a chance to showcase their skills in-front of a knowledgable Chennai crowd in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy. "I have played all around the world but there is no place that can match the fun and thrill of playing in India - it would feel as if we were playing in Pakistan. I have always got a lot of love here, have also made some friends,Butt, who is famous for his twin goals in the dying moments of Pakistan's Champions Trophy clash against India in Germany in 2002, told PTI Bhasha in an exclusive ...

Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: Defending champ Korea, Japan eye success

The defending Champions Korea Men's Hockey Team and last editions runners up, Japan men's hockey team arrived in Chennai on Sunday night for the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023

Hockey: Indian men's team beats Netherlands 2-1 in Spain, continue good run

The Indian men's hockey team notched up a 2-1 win over reigning FIH Hockey Pro League champions Netherlands 2-1 in the third-fourth placing match here at the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation - International Tournament on Sunday. Captain Harmanpreet Singh (15th) and Dilpreet Singh (50th) scored in India's hard-fought victory, while Thierry Brinkman (25th) scored the lone goal for the Dutch side. Interestingly, all goals came from penalty corners. India got off to a cautious start, not allowing the Dutch to make easy forays into the striking circle. The team's forwards, on the other hand, stitched together clever strategy that forced the Dutch defenders to make errors. The tactic worked when India managed their first PC with just 30 seconds left for the first hooter. In-form Indian skipper Harmanpreet, who had to re-take the dragflick after the first attempt was stopped by the Netherlands' first rusher, was on target fetching his team an important 1-0 lead in the 15th ...

Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan hockey team to reach India on August 1

The Pakistan hockey team has got the green signal to travel to India for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy slated to be held in Chennai from August 3. Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Haider Hussain confirmed on Friday that the Sports Board has got the NOC from the ministry of interior. The contingent will leave on Tuesday via the Wagah border and travel to Amritsar from where they have been booked on a domestic flight for Chennai, he said. Haider said they were still awaiting visas for three officials including the newly appointed consultant of the national team, Shahnaz Sheikh. The PHF earlier this month named Shahnaz as the senior consultant of the team. Shahnaz, a celebrated hockey name, was the head coach when Pakistan lost in the final of the Champions Trophy in India in 2014. Haider said they were confident of getting the visas on Monday. Visas for the rest of the players and officials had already been issued by the Indian High Commission. Pakistan are scheduled to

Women's Hockey: India go down to Germany 0-2, end tour with three defeats

Indian women's hockey team capped a disappointing outing, going down to Germany 0-2, for its third straight defeat of the tour here. Nike Lorenz (52nd minute) and Charlotte Stapenhorst (54th) scored the two goals for the home side in the third and final match of the Indian team's tour of Germany, on Wednesday. The Indian team had lost to China (2-3) and Germany (1-4) in its previous two outings here. The three-match German tour was a part of the Indian team's preparations for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. In the final match of the tour, the Indian team was able to hold on to the Germans in a 0-0 stalemate until the third quarter. But, intense action unfolded in the fourth quarter when Germany unleashed a lethal attack. India had earned two penalty corners in the previous quarters, but they were unable to convert them. Germany took the lead, striking from their third penalty corner through Lorenz, who had scored a double in Tuesday's first match against India. Stapenhorst s

Olympic qualifiers: Pak to host international hockey event after 19 years

Pakistan is set to host an international hockey event after nearly 19 years with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) allocating the Olympic qualifying rounds to the country for early next year. Pakistan, which last hosted an FIH event back in 2004, will host eight teams in Lahore from January 13 to 24 next year. "Pakistani hockey fans have been deprived of seeing international hockey stars at home for 20 years now and the FIH Olympic qualifiers will no doubt boost the sport in Pakistan again," said Haider Hussain, the Secretary-General of the FIH. He said the Pakistan Hockey Federation had succeeded in convincing the FIH to allocate the event to Pakistan after much lobbying in the apex body. "We are happy many countries supported our stance that if international hockey returns to Pakistan it will help boost the game again in the country." Unfortunately, Pakistan has failed to qualify for the last two Olympic Games in 2016 and 2021 but Hussain said he was hopeful that fans wo

Indian women's hockey captain Savita up for challenge from top teams

Indian women's hockey team skipper Savita Punia on Tuesday said they are no more intimidated by top-ranked opponents and playing stronger sides instead brings out "a different kind of energy" in her teammates. After finishing a creditable fourth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and a lowly ninth at the World Cup the following year, the Indian team has scripted some new highs under coach Janneke Schopman and Punia. They won the Commonwealth Games bronze and the Nations Cup in 2022 and are now gearing for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, in September-October. "For last two-three years after the Olympics, whenever we played against any top team be it in the Pro League, World Cup, or the Commonwealth Games, never have we lost by a big margin," Savita told reporters during a virtual media conference from their SAI Camp here. "This is the big improvement. The new-found confidence in the team, the mindset that we have now for our opponents is different. "Maybe it was not the same five-six years ag

Hockey India announces financial assistance to state, district member units

Hockey India on Sunday announced financial assistance to its district and state units with an aim to improve the standard of tournaments held at the grassroot level. As part of its commitment towards promoting the sport, the national federation has disbursed a grant of Rs 2 lakh each to all of its state member units. "This initial grant will aid the district units in meeting their deliverables and complying with the necessary guidelines," said HI in a statement. In addition to the initial grant, HI will further sanction Rs 1 lakh each to respective state member units upon successful completion of the compliance by their respective district units. "This additional funding will serve as an incentive for state member units to support and guide their district units effectively. "HI will additionally provide grants of Rs 10 lakh each to respective state member units that successfully conduct state level championships and ensure the organisation of district championships in their respec

We're more determined than ever to finish on the top at Asian Games: Savita

The Indian women's hockey team is more determined than ever to claim the gold medal in the upcoming Asian Games after suffering a heart-breaking loss in the final in 2018 edition, said Commonwealth Games (CWG) medallist skipper Savita. The Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou in September and October. "In the last Asian Games, we came close to winning the gold medal; and losing only by a goal to Japan (1-2) in the final was heart-breaking. This time we feel that we are more determined than ever before to finish on the top," Savita said in the latest episode of Hockey Te Charcha, a podcast series launched by Hockey India. "Every player in the team knows that we have to win the gold to earn direct qualification for the Paris Olympics. This is the best scenario for us, so that post-Asian Games, we can shift focus on the FIH Pro League and then Paris 2024." Having taken over the captaincy post Tokyo Olympics, Savita emphasised that she is enjoying the dual role of goalkeepin

Thakur inaugurates hockey astro turf ground at BSF headquarters

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday inaugurated a state-of-the-art astro turf for hockey at the BSF headquarters here. On the occasion, Thakur highlighted the government's commitment to promoting sports in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An official release quoting Thakur said, "Sports are a catalyst for holistic development, and the government of India is fully committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and opportunities for our talented athletes. "This astro turf inauguration symbolises our dedication to promoting sports and nurturing the immense potential of our sporting community." Thakur said that the newly constructed stadium received all necessary approvals from the Hockey India, ensuring compliance with international standards. He also mentioned about the rich legacy of Punjab, which produced exceptional athletes and contributed significantly to India's sporting heritage. Further, he acknowledged the contributions of the Bord

Financial aid for Pakistan hockey before Champions Trophy in Chennai

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has got a financial boost as the government released Rs 25 million for the sports body, paving the way for the team's participation in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai in August. An official of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) said that after the encouraging performance by the national junior team in the Asian Junior Cup in Oman, the minister for inter-provincial coordination Ahsan Mazari had approved the release of the funds. "The funds will take care of the daily allowances to be paid to the junior team players and officials plus all the expenses to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy," the official said. He also confirmed that the outstanding salaries of Pakistan's Dutch coach, Siegfried Aikman, will also be cleared soon. Aikman left the coaching position with the Pakistan team and returned home after not being paid his salary for months. Government funding and grants had dried up for the PHF in the last few years because of the ..

FIH Hockey Pro League: India beats Argentina 3-0; regains top spot

After a disappointing outing against hosts Netherlands last evening, the Indian men's hockey team bounced back with a convincing 3-0 win against Argentina

Harmanpreet scores twice as India stun Belgium 5-1 in Pro League hockey

Captain Harmanpreet Singh struck a brace as India stunned Olympic champions Belgium 5-1 here on Friday after back-to-back defeats in their European leg of the the FIH Pro League. Midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad gave India the lead in the second minute of the game before Harmanpreet (20th and 30th min) scored twice from penalty corners. Amit Rohidas (29th) and Dilpreet Singh (60th) were the other Indian goal scorers. William Ghislain (46th) scored the lone goal for Belgium in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. India, who had come to Europe as Pro League table toppers, had lost the opening game of the European leg to Belgium 1-2 on May 26 before going down to Great Britain 2-4 the next day. With redemption on their mind, the Indians got off to a rollicking start with a well-executed field goal in only the second minute from start which set the momentum for the game. It was Gurjant Singh who set up the goal for Vivek with a fine assist from the left flank. India built on this e

Junior Asia Cup hockey: India reigns supreme with 2-1 win over Pakistan

Holders India scored two goals in the first half and defended stoutly in the second to prevail 2-1 over archrivals Pakistan in a hard-fought final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament

India play out 1-1 draw against Pakistan in Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey

India played out a thrilling 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Pakistan in their third Pool A game to continue their unbeaten run in the men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Salalah here. Sharda Nand Tiwari (24th minute) gave India the lead in the high-stake match on late Saturday night but it was nullified by Basharat Ali in the 44th minute. The result means India, with seven points from three matches, stays second in Pool A behind Pakistan (same points) but are ahead on goal difference. Japan, who beat Chinese Taipei 10-1 earlier on Saturday, are third with six points from three outings. India had earlier thrashed Chinese Taipei 18-0 before beating Japan 3-1 in their second match. On Saturday night, the Indians went on the offensive from the word go and kept Pakistan defence under pressure with repeated forays. India won a couple of penalty corners early in the game but couldn't capitalise on them. Pakistan, on the other hand, also managed to create a few chances and even cam

Hockey India congratulates Deep Ekka on completing 250 International Caps

Indian women's hockey team's defender Deep Ekka achieved a special milestone of completing 250 Int'l Caps when she took field for second match of the ongoing India's tour of Australia in Adelaide.

Indian team to take part in IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia and Oceania C'ship

Tsewang Chuskit will captain the India squad with Dr Noor Jahan, a conservationist by training, in charge of the goal

Hockey utsav helps re-establish vanishing family connections: Karnataka CM

He said his father and former Chief Minister of Karnataka SR Bommai had allotted Rs 1 crore towards the construction of a stadium to hold the hockey tournament in Kodagu

Odisha CM Patnaik inaugurates Birsa Munda Stadium, hockey centres

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday inaugurated multiple sports projects in Sundergarh district, famed for producing many national and international hockey players and athletes. Patnaik, during his two day visit to Rourkela, inaugurated projects including the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium Complex in Rourkela and three Hockey Training Centres in Bisra, Lahunipara and Manchmara in Sundergarh district. Sundergarh has been the backbone of Sports in Odisha. Not just Hockey it has produced players of repute in athletics and many other disciplines. The projects launched today will enable us to collectively nurture a large spectrum of sports talent from this district and the nearby regions, Patnaik said. The Birsa Munda Athletic Stadium complex in Rourkela features an athletics stadium with 400 meter synthetic athletic track and a natural turf football field with floodlights. The stadium has four galleries with a seating capacity of more than 9,000 spectators, including seating for ...