News Archives

FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2025: vote for the best players of the year!

06 Nov, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is glad to announce that the following 12 top hockey athletes have been shortlisted for the FIH Best Player and the FIH Best Goalkeeper of the Year Awards: FIH Player of the Year Award – Nominees: Women: Xan de Waard (NED), Alix Gerniers (BEL), Li Hong (CHN) Men: Tom Boon (BEL), Nicolás Della Torre (ARG), Thierry Brinkman (NED) FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award – Nominees: Women: Anne Veenendaal (NED), Liu Ping (CHN), Grace O’Hanlon (NZL) Men: James Mazarelo (ENG), Jean-Paul Danneberg (GER), Tomás Santiago (ARG) The list of nominees was established by an Expert Panel* composed of players, coaches and tv commentators selected by the FIH. The expert panel was provided access to match data from all international matches held in 2025, including Test Matches, Continental Championships, FIH Hockey Pro League, FIH Hockey Nations Cups and the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 before establishing the final list of nominees. The voting process is now open! National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches -, fans, players, coaches, officials and media can register their vote until 16 November. Fans can vote for their favourite players here. Only one vote per Award is accepted. *Expert Panel: Tsoanelo Pholo (RSA) Moses Kagochi (KEN) PR Sreejesh (IND) Rani Rampal (IND) Yuri Nagai (JPN) Simon Mason (ENG) Ashley Morrison (AUS) Shea Mcaleese (NZL) Tahir Zaman (PAK) Colin Batch (AUS) Camila Caram (CHI) Luciana Aymar (ARG) List of Awards: FIH Player of the Year (Women and Men) FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (Women and Men) FIH Coach of the Year (Women and Men)** FIH Umpire of the Year (Women and Men)*** FIH Rising Star of the Year (Women and Men)**** ** Not for vote – The Expert Panel will decide the winners of the FIH Coach of the Year Awards *** Not for vote – The FIH Umpiring Committee will decide the winners of the FIH Umpire of the Year Awards ****Not for vote – The Best Player of the upcoming FIH Hockey Junior World Cups, women and men, will win the FIH Rising Star Award this year Source: FIH.hockey

FIH President Tayyab Ikram reflects on the final FIH Executive Board meeting of 2025

04 Nov, 2025 FIH President Tayyab Ikram, reflecting on the FIH EB meeting held in Évian-les-Bains, France, on 2-3 November, said: “As we have concluded our final FIH Executive Board meeting of the year, I would like to thank all my colleagues on the FIH EB for their remarkable dedication over the past few days. Thanks to everyone’s contributions, we now have a clear strategic roadmap ahead of us. And with enhanced dedicated content on our website and our brand-new app, FIH Connect, communication with our National Associations and athletes will be significantly strengthened and improved. I was also pleased to update the Executive Board on my various engagements, on behalf of FIH, with the Olympic movement, including the IOC and its President, Kirsty Coventry, and Director General, Christophe De Kepper, ASOIF, SportAccord, OCA, and the Continental Games Coordination Commissions. I would like to express my appreciation as well to the FIH Team for their support and hard work. Together, we are sparing no effort to elevate our sport to the next level, expand hockey worldwide, and enhance its promotion. I look forward to our upcoming events, including the FIH Hockey Women’s and Men’s Junior World Cups, as well as the new FIH Hockey Pro League season.” Source: FIH.hockey

FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025: One Month to Go

03 Nov, 2025 The wait is nearly over. In just under one month, the world’s most promising rising stars in women’s hockey will gather in Chile for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, with the competition running from 1 to 13 December 2025 in the vibrant host city of Santiago. This edition marks a significant moment for global hockey. The competition comprises 24 for the very first time, with teams from across every continent, expanding the footprint of the women’s game and opening the door for emerging talent to shine on the sport’s biggest youth stage. From traditional powerhouses like Netherlands, Argentina and Korea to rising teams like Namibia, Malaysia and Uruguay, the tournament promises more matches, more stories, and more opportunities. Hosted in the city of Santiago, Chile, with immense experience in hosting the top level hockey tournaments, the women’s junior world cup is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike. With state-of-the-art venues, vibrant fan culture, and the electric atmosphere of Chilean hockey, this event will showcase the future of the game in its purest, most energetic form. Teams Pool A: Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands Pool B: Argentina, Belgium, Wales, Zimbabwe Pool C: Germany, India, Ireland, Namibia Pool D: Austria, China, England, South Africa Pool E: Australia, Canada, Scotland, Spain Pool F: Korea, New Zealand, United States, Uruguay The initial pool-stage matches will be played from 1-6 December, followed by secondary stages and the knock-out rounds from 7-13 December. As the countdown begins, one thing is certain: these young Rising Stars will take to the field and the global hockey community will get their first glimpse of the future icons of the sport. Netherlands are the defending champions from the 2023 edition, also held in Santiago, Chile. For full information on the Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025, click here. Source: FIH.hockey

FIH President Tayyab Ikram presents IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach with the FIH Lifetime Achievement Award

03 Nov, 2025 At its final Executive Board meeting of the year, held in the picturesque French town of Évian-les-Bains, across the lake from the Olympic capital, Lausanne, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and its President, Tayyab Ikram, presented IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach with the prestigious FIH Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable impact on sport and the Olympic Movement. President Tayyab Ikram praised Bach’s leadership and legacy, saying: “Thomas Bach has always been a voice for athletes and a strong advocate of sporting values. Throughout his IOC Presidency, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership that enabled him to handle some major global challenges, including the COVID pandemic that threatened the Tokyo2020Olympic Games. Let’s be clear, it is thanks to Thomas Bach`s vision and determination that the Games went ahead, for which the entire Olympic movement will be forever grateful.” He continued: “Hon President Bach has been a tireless advocate of diversity and inclusion, empowering new nations and continents to excel. His vision for youth sport transformed the Youth Olympic Games, and he was instrumental also in giving sport a strong voice at the United Nations.” On behalf of the Executive Board and the global hockey community, FIH President Tayyab Ikram presented IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach with the FIH Lifetime Achievement Award. The IOC Honorary President, thanked the FIH President and EB members saying: “It’s a great pleasure for me to be here with you again. I met regularly with you and your President during my IOC Presidency, and I must say that these interactions were amongst the most pleasant and also inspiring ones because I was always learning about new developments, more innovations, creativity, and an acknowledgement of more social responsibility in your sport. Hockey has a proud tradition of fair play and strong values that are deeply relevant and appreciated in today’s world. Under the leadership of President Ikram the FIH has evolved into a role model for other international federations. Keep going strong!”. IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach served as the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2013 to 2025 and alongside his honorary role, now serves as the Chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation.

Namibia ready to make their mark in Santiago

31 Oct, 2025 The Namibia women’s junior hockey team is gearing up for a historic moment — their debut at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025. With excitement and determination running high, captain Azaylee Philander and coach Cedric Makati shared their thoughts ahead of the tournament. Setting realistic but bold targets For Namibia, the World Cup represents both a dream and a challenge. “We would very much like to come top three in our pool,” said captain Azaylee Philander. “We have a very strong pool with Germany, India and Ireland, so it would be great if we can come third and then take it from there.” Coach Cedric Makati echoed her optimism with a focus on immediate goals: “My first expectation is to actually win a game in the pool section. We know we have a tough pool, but it’s doable.” Overcoming logistical hurdles Both captain and coach acknowledged that team cohesion has been a key challenge in the lead-up to the event. “Not all of the teammates have been here at training,” Philander explained. “That’s one of our main challenges. But once we get to Chile and start our practice games, we’ll overcome it.” Makati echoed the same sentiment but remains confident in the team: “We have players in South Africa and Europe. The biggest challenge is making them play in cohesion as one team. But we will get there.” Respecting the competition Namibia finds itself in a tough group alongside India, Germany, and Ireland, but both leaders are approaching it with respect and confidence. “To India, Germany, and Ireland — we are so honoured to be playing against you,” said Philander. “Namibia is coming with our best.” Makati reinforced that sentiment: “We know you are training hard. We are doing the same. We are not going to stand back. Let’s give each other hard games and may the best team win.” Excitement for Chile This will be Namibia’s first-ever appearance in Chile, a milestone moment for the team. “Playing for your country comes with perks. Coming to Chile will be amazing. Santiago is the perfect place for a Junior World Cup,” said Philander. “For most of the girls, it’s their first big international tournament,” added Makati. “The first game against India will be tough, but we’ll take it stride by stride.” Message to the fans “To everyone watching — parents, sponsors, family — thank you for all your support. We wish to make you proud,” said Philander. “Namibia, thank you for your support,” Makati concluded. “The girls will step up their game. For the fans in Chile, come support us, you’ll see what Africa can produce.” The FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 begins in Santiago, Chile, where Namibia will look to make their presence felt on the global stage, one stride at a time. Source: FIH.hockey