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46th FIH Congress kicks-off in New Delhi

Some 250 delegates from all over the world gather in New Delhi, India, this week, for the 46th Congress of the International Hockey Federation. The Congress is the supreme body of the FIH and meets every second year. This is where strategic decisions are made for the development and governance of hockey globally. While the Congress session itself will take place on 3 November at the Lalit Hotel, the week will kick-off on 31 October with the FIH Executive Board meeting as well as a meeting of the Continental Federation CEOs. The FIH Honorary Awards ceremony, rewarding personalities having made an outstanding contribution to the game, will be held on 1 November. The Congress agenda includes an overview of the status of the game, its evolution and development worldwide. Furthermore, delegates will elect four members to the Executive Board, while the Athletes’ committee will be renewed. Other items on the agenda include the ratification of the appointment of the President of the Judicial Commission, an update on the IOC Solidarity Foundation as well as a report on the FIH finances. FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “Over the past years we have worked tirelessly to develop and expand hockey worldwide. As we find ourselves almost half way through our ten-year Hockey Revolution strategy, we have a busy week ahead of us and I am looking forward to holding fruitful discussions together and making good decisions as we strive constantly to develop our sport globally and strengthen our governance to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.” The full Congress agenda is available here. Source: FIH

More teams progress to Quarter-Finals at YOG 2018

Day four of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games saw more teams qualify for the Quarter-Finals of the men’s and women’s Hockey5s events in Youth Olympic Park. For all the day 4 results, click here. In the women’s event, Australia, China and Poland qualified from Pool B. Reigning champions China beat fellow qualifiers Australia this morning, but it proved their most challenging match so far. Two goals from Zou Meirong plus another from Gu Yangyan was enough to secure their 3-1 win to maintain their 100% record in the competition. Poland meanwhile edged Namibia 1-0 to qualify thanks to a goal from Dzesika Mazur, while earlier in the day Zimbabwe kept their Quarter-Final hopes alive by defeating Mexico 2-1. Uruguay women got today’s Pool A proceedings off to a stunning start as they picked up their first win in some style by defeating Vanuatu 18-0, which included six goals from Pilar Oliveros. Argentina meanwhile continued their winning streak whilst also ending India’s 100% record as the hosts won 5-2. The last women’s Pool A match of the day say South Africa clinch their place in the Quarter-Finals thanks to a narrow 2-1 win against Austria. In the men’s competition, Poland pulled off the biggest win of day four as they defeated Vanuatu 15-1 in Pool A. Their win included five goals from Eryk Bembenek. The Pool A leaders, Argentina and Malaysia, also went head to head today, with the hosts emerging 4-2 winners to maintain their undefeated record in front of another bumper crowd. Speaking afterwards, Argentina’s Tadeo Marucci said: “We are feeling really enthusiastic going into the next matches. I’m really proud of our performances so far but we need to keep improving.” Teammate Santiago Micaz added: “The dynamic and attitude of the team has been really impressive. We are always attacking but also working hard for each other. The fans have also been amazing and been a huge boost for us.” Mexico meanwhile picked up their first win as they defeated Zambia in a 6-4 thriller this afternoon. In men’s Pool B, Australia remain the only unbeaten team as they beat Asian rivals India 4-3. Austria picked up their third win of the event, but Kenya made them work for their victory with the final score also 4-3. Bangladesh were another team to secure their first win of the event as they defeated Canada 5-2, with Safiul Alam grabbing two goals for his team. To find out who is playing on day 5 click here. #YOG2018

Namibia stuns Australia in Buenos Aires

Namibia women recorded a famous victory in the second day of play at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games as they defeated Australia 4-3 in a late morning thriller. For all the day 2 results, click here. Captain Kiana-Che Cormack inspired her team with two goals whilst Joane van Rooyen and Taramarie Myburgh also grabbed a couple to earn Namibia their first win in Pool B. Elsewhere in Pool B, Poland edged Zimbabwe 2-1 in a close encounter while reigning champions China kept up their fine form as they beat Mexico 7-0. Speaking after their second successive win, China’s Ning Ma said: “Today I think our match and our performance was great. I am so excited to be here at Youth Olympic games, it is my honour to to be representing my country here and thank you Argentina for setting up such a good pitch and incredible venue. Everyone in the team is really happy and I feel good here in Buenos Aires.” Women’s Pool A is topped by hosts Argentina on goal difference. They continued their high scoring streak this evening, this time defeating Austria 6-0 to the delight of the home crowd. The other matches in Pool A saw India make it two wins from two as they won 2-1 against Uruguay. However it was South Africa who picked up the biggest win of the day in the women’s event as they defeated Vanuatu 11-0. Afterwards, South Africa’s Ammaarah Hendricks said: “We are feeling great after this match and are exited for the Youth Olympic Games. We know our next match is going to be tough. We will tweak some things and work as a team to play better.” On their experience so far she added: “The Youth Olympic Games is an amazing experience, we get to meet many different people and get to play such a high level. It is fantastic and are really enjoying it.” In the men’s competition, India continued their dominance as they beat Austria in Pool B. Four goals from Sudeep Chirmako helped them to a 9-1 win. Bangladesh meanwhile while pushed Australia to their limits, making for an edgy end to their Pool B game as Sawon Sarower brought the score to within one goal with three minutes to go. Australia however held on to take the 4-3 victory to maintain their 100 percent record. In the other Pool B match, Canada picked up their first win as they defeated Kenya 4-3 to continue day two’s excitement. Zambia captain Joseph Mugamba was the star of the show as his two goals helped his team to a 4-3 win against Poland in Pool A. The winning goal came within three minutes of full-time through Phillimon Bwali. Argentina remain top of Pool A however as they treated the home fans to 18 goals without reply in their win against Vanuatu. Every Argentine player except captain Lisandro Zago scored, including four goals each fom Ignacio Ibarra and Tadeo Marcucci. Despite their heavy loss, Vanuatu Coach Kitto Todd explained the value in participating in such events. He said: “This is so good for Vanuatu and the boys. This is amazing for them to get to play the best team in the world. They are loving every minute of their time at the village and this amazing hockey venue.” Hot on their tails at the top of the Pool are Malaysia who picked up their second successive win as they won 4-2 against Mexico. To find out who is playing on day three click here. #YOG2018

Stage is set for Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games Hockey5s

5 October 2018 Australia men aim to make it three successive wins China women seek to defend 2014 title Argentina’s Head Coach seeks to repeat double medal success Buenos Aires, Argentina: The men’s and women’s hockey events at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games get underway this Sunday, 7 October, in Argentina’s capital city. In the women’s event, hosts Argentina will be joined by Australia, Austria, China, India, Mexico, Namibia, Poland, South Africa, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe. The men’s event will see Argentina welcome Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Vanuatu and Zambia. The opening match of the men’s event is a Pool A clash between Mexico and Poland while India and Austria open the women’s competition. The Hockey5s events run until Sunday 14 October, with the gold medal matches taking place at 15:00 (men) and 16:30 (women) on the final day (all times Argentina Standard Time – GMT/UTC -3). For the 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams competing, it is the first steps to realising a dream. The Youth Olympic Games provides the platform from which promising young athletes aged between 15 and 18 can launch spectacular international careers in their chosen sport. The 216 athletes playing in the men’s and women’s hockey events at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games couldn’t have wished for a better place to become a young Olympian. Argentina is a country that is passionate about hockey and the packed stands will be full of fanatical and knowledgeable hockey spectators. One athlete who knows all about playing on the biggest stage is India women’s Lalremsiami. Winner of the Under-21 Rising Star at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy in Korea, the prolific striker made her senior team debut in 2017. Earlier this year she was one of India’s star players at the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup in London. With India women making their debut at these Games, a medal would be a nice entry point to the competition. Hockey is well-known for its family values, with young players being introduced to the game by their hockey-playing parents. At the third Youth Olympic Games, those family ties are very much in evidence. Brothers Tomasz and Eryk Bembenek will be hoping to bring home a medal and shine the spotlight on hockey in Poland. Austria’s Isabella Klausbruckner will be very conscious of following her coach’s instructions, because Head Coach Heinz is her father. Hockey heritage runs deep in the Klausbruckner household with mother Sandra playing for Austria in the 2011 Indoor World Cup. Brothers Brad and Craig Marais are just two of the Australian team that are looking to continue Australia’s unbeaten run at this event. The team won gold in 2010 and 2014 and will be looking to repeat that feat this year. The Australia team has a number of multi-talented sportspeople. Christian Starkie is also a talented squash player while James Collins is a promising cricketer. Reigning women’s champions China will be looking to repeat their win from 2014. In Nanjing 2014, the China team beat the Netherlands in a highly competitive final – it finished 5-5 and China went on to win the shoot-out. This year, competition will be fierce however, and no team will be searching for gold more determinedly than the young Leonas of Argentina. At their helm is a Head Coach who knows all about winning. Carlos Retegui led the Argentina men’s team to a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He also won bronze with both the men’s and women’s teams at the 2014 World Cup. ‘Chapa’ as he is also known, is now hoping to better that performance by leading both the men’s and women’s teams to gold medals at the Youth Olympic Games in his homeland. Five continents are represented at the Games and the inclusion of debutant teams such as Zimbabwe – whose women’s team remain the only African side to win a medal at an Olympic Games when they took gold in 1980 – is a demonstration of the increasing global reach of the game. Another African nation, Zambia, has called on youth as well as experience. Their men’s coach is Samuel Tagwireyi, who competed in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. To keep up to date with all the Hockey5s action from the Youth Olympic Games, click here. Fans wanting to attend the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games can now apply for free access to all events via the official website. For more information, click here. #YOG2018

2nd President’s Cup Announcement

As AfHF received no entries for the 2nd President’s Cup scheduled for 19-26 Nov. 2018 in Uganda, this is to announce that the 2nd President’s Cup will not take place & that both Uganda’s Men & Women teams are 2018 President’s Cup winners.