The development of hockey on the African continent has evolved gradually and is in position to receive a boost during the 45th FIH Congress to be held in Dubai, UAE during the period November 9-12, 2016. The announcement of the shortlist for all of the Hockey Revolution Awards to be presented during the prestigious event dubbed the “No Limits Ball”, three African Countries, Ghana, Malawi and Sierra Leone, will vie  with five others for the Pablo Negre Award. The Pablo Negre Trophy is presented to a National Association that has made a significant mark either through innovative programmes and initiatives or by embracing the spirit of hockey through exceptional sportsmanship. Africa will also be well represented when it comes to three individual awards. The illustrious awards which recognises and celebrates outstanding commitment and contribution to hockey by an individual are the Order of Merit, the Diploma of Merit and Honorary Member. Other awards to be given out on the night include Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy for umpiring, the Theo Ykema Award in recognition of development, the Etienne Glichitch Award for innovation and professionalism, the Super Fair Play Trophy Rene G Frank for exemplary sportsmanship and the HRH Sultan Azlan Shah Award which acknowledges actions and achievements of individuals within both hockey and their professional careers. The AfHF wishes all nominees the very best and the Editorial Team will follow the events closely and report on the outcomes.

The main highlight of the 45th FIH Congress scheduled for Dubai on November 12, 2016 will be the election of the successor of Leandro Negre who has been at the helm and successfully directing the affairs of the Federation since he was elected in 2008. Three prominent hockey personalities will vie for the single most important position in global hockey. The contestants include the following: Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, a reputable Businessman from India, FIH Executive Board member since 2014, President of Hockey India (HI), Vice President of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), Associate Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Chairman of the Hockey India League (HIL) and who has been accredited for the rejuvenation of hockey in India over the past five year. Mr. David Balbirnie, a knowledgeable Administrator from Ireland, a former National Team Manager who has been involved in the administration of the Irish, European and the International Hockey Federations with an established reputation as a collaborative decision maker with renowned financial acumen. Mr. Balbirnie served on the Executive Board of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) for a number of years and became its Secretary General. He aims to build stronger relationships with National Associations to ensure collaborative working drives the development of the sport. Mr. Ken Read, a legal practitioner and former Australian national player, Coach and Team Manager, Chair of the Tasmania Hockey Board, FIH Event Portfolio Panel, FIH Event Evaluation Panel and the FIH Competitions Committee, is credited with an extensive experience in the sport acquired over the years. As a lead FIH Technical Delegate for a good number of years, he played a crucial role in developing FIH’s New Event Portfolio which aims at transforming the sport of hockey and strengthen its position through robust governance. An African candidate, Ms. Hazel Kennedy, President of the Zambia Hockey Association; Former Executive Board Member of the African Hockey Federation and the current Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia, will be vying for one of four positions (or five if current Board Member Dr Narinder Batra is elected as President) as Ordinary Members to be elected during the Congress. The AfHF Editorial Board wishes all the candidates the very best in the process and looks forward to working with the winner of the Presidential elections.

The Executive Board of the African Hockey Federation has been working over the past few years with a number of non-hockey playing countries to bring them on board the hockey family. The project which has focused predominantly on French-speaking countries also targeted English-speaking countries with some good results over time. The objective has been to increase the presence of the sport in as many African countries in a bid to shore up the sport’s global image and following. Four National Associations made up of Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali and Swaziland will be presented to the FIH Congress for approval. Should they be approved by Congress, this will raise the AfHF’s membership to twenty five National Associations.

Rio 2016 Technical Delegate succeeds Kelly Fairweather New Zealand’s McCracken begins February 2017 FIH Executive Board delighted with choice following extensive search 25 October 2016: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced that New Zealand’s Jason McCracken will take over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in February 2017 following confirmation of his appointment today. He will be leaving his role as Head of Insurance and Investment Risk at banking group ANZ to take on the role at FIH’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. He will replace Kelly Fairweather who is leaving for the International Tennis Federation after six years in the role. McCracken is well known to the hockey family having served as an Olympic and World Cup Umpire, FIH Committee Member and Technical Official for over 20-years. His most recent appointments were Technical Delegate at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Tournament Director at the 2014 Men’s Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands. He has also served as a Board Member for Hockey New Zealand and has played an important role in the development of hockey, especially umpiring, both within his homeland and internationally. Having held executive roles across global banking, insurance and financial organisations in New Zealand, Australia and India, his business experience and vast hockey knowledge proved crucial in the recruitment process. The appointment was made following an extensive global search over several months, with the FIH Executive Board and President Leandro Negre agreeing on Fairweather’s replacement earlier in October. Speaking of his appointment, FIH President Leandro Negre said: “On behalf of the Executive Board, we are delighted to confirm Jason’s appointment. With his incredible hockey knowledge, from grassroots to elite level, combined with his extensive commercial background as a CEO and an Executive General Manager, it was clear he was the stand-out choice.” Negre continued: “Our 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy is already having a significant impact on the sport, but with the new event portfolio due to be implemented over the next couple of years, it is going to be a very important period in hockey’s history. We’re confident Jason can drive forward our ambition through this strategy and we look forward to seeing him shape the sport’s exciting future.” McCracken also spoke with great enthusiasm having confirmed his appointment. He said: “This is a unique opportunity to combine my commercial skills with my passion and love of the game. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the organisation and work with our Continental Federations, National Associations, commercial partners, the IOC, along with the talented FIH team and many hockey friends from all over the world.” He added: “It is an incredibly exciting time for the FIH, with the Hockey Revolution transforming the sport. With the new event portfolio to be implemented over the coming years this is certainly a challenge that I am looking forward to. As hockey’s new CEO, I will be leading by example as we aim to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.” With Kelly Fairweather leaving the organisation in December, FIH Director of Sport and Development, David Luckes, will become temporary CEO until McCracken officially takes up his new role on 1 February 2017. McCracken will arrive following the election of a new FIH President which will take place on 12 November 2016 during the 45th FIH Congress in Dubai. For more information about that event, visit the official Hockey Revolution Part 2 website by clicking here. ENDS Notes to Editors For more information please contact: Danny Parker, FIH Communications & Digital Manager daniel.parker@fih.ch +41 (0) 21 641 0641 About the International Hockey Federation (FIH) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 132 member National Associations. For more information on the Hockey Revolution, visit: fih.ch/inside-fih/our-strategy For more information about the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf, click here.