Pakistan’s team for upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah has been announced. Defender Mohammad Imran has been named captain of the team while Shakeel Abbasi has been named as the vice-captain. Former captain Zeeshan Ashraf has pulled out of the tournament citing personal reasons. The Pakistan’s team for Sultan Azlan Shah can be read here. (Dawn)
2. Dhanraj in favor of India-Pakistan series
Former captain Dhanraj Pillay said that resuming India-Pakistan hockey series will be very good for both the countries and it will help regaining the foothold in international level and gain competitive edge. Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik also tweeted today that both the countries have agreed to host 6 match series (3 on each side) within this year. (Times of India)
3. FIH’s new plan for hockey promotion
Australia will conduct first international tournament which will consist of 9 players on each side and game period will be 30 minutes. Indian media has dubbed it IPL stlye hockey. This tournament will promote hockey and gain fans, says legendary Australian coach Ric Charlesworth. The tournament may be played by 8 players, 7 players or 6 players. To read my views on this new ‘plan’ to promote hockey, click here. (Indian Express)
4. Punjab to host 7-a-side tournament
Punjab Hockey Association has received green signal from Hockey India to conduct 7 a side hockey tournament (league) knows as ‘7’s’. Total 72 players including foreign players will be selected through bidding and team of 12 will be formed. This tournament will help India to prepare for the next Indoor World Cup. (Hindustan Times)
5. Indian team to play Sultan Azlan Shah without a full-time doctor
Indian hockey team will have to manage Sultan Azlan Shah Cup which was one of the main concerns of former coach Jose Brasa. During his tenure the injuries were less, recovery time was less and overall fitness of the players improved. But since then 3 players have missed out on Sultan Azlan Shah due to injuries, Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandekar and Bharat Chhikara and also there are murmurs about fitness level of other players. (Times of India)
6. Hockey India imposes ‘code of conduct’
Hockey India has imposed code on conduct on the regulations set by FIH due to recent ‘misconduct’ by the players. According to this code, players will not be able to participate in any tournament without ‘NOC’. the code warns against launching personal attack against teammates and officials. The statement given by the players will have to be fair and constructive. The players signed the code of conduct before leaving for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. (DNA)
*****************
No TV channel will show the games live on TV and hockey fans will miss the action of Sultan Azlan Shah second year in running. But the games will be shown in Malaysia in astro-channel, is there any possibility if some one can get a live working link of the tournament so that people can see the games live. I know it is illegal but I still want to watch games, text commentary is not fun at all.
