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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
It is all about handling nerves, positioning, says Harendra
NEW DELHI: Harendra Singh's effect is clear every time the Indian women's hockey team steps on to the pitch now. The Salima Tete-led outfit is aggressive, with spurts of counterattacks down the flanks. The tactics resemble that of the Australia team. But that should come as no surprise considering that the India chief coach idolises Aussie great Ric Charlesworth's methods. It has been a year since Harendra took over the team, after the low of the Indian women failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics, having promised a resurgence at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by finishing fourth. A youthful team is now slowly coming together as a unit ahead of bigger tests. 'We are a very good team, you can see that from the outside. This is a team which wants to look aggressive,' Harendra told HT. 'But if you start giving respect to the opponent, when you play half-court, when you give them time to play, then our team is a bit vulnerable. We have to learn match management.' Soon after take over, Harendra took the team to Europe midway through the Pro League season last year. India lost all eight matches in Antwerp and London in May-June 2024, which showed the enormity of the task he faced. The 55-year-old helped the team take its first steps of revival last November when India went undefeated while winning the Asian Champions Trophy. In the 2024-25 Pro League so far, out of the eight games, India have won three and lost five. On a recent tour of Australia, India lost both games to Australia A and the senior Aussie side beat them 2-1 in the series that followed. 'The start was bad, but the development was good. I tried 3-4 new players because before the (2026) World Cup, everyone should play at least 25-35 matches. So, these matches were an opportunity for the new players. I wasn't worried about the first two matches because we were trying different combinations. But we should have won the last two matches. It was a good learning curve,' said Harendra. The coach wants to encourage his players to take more initiative to get more effective in carrying out tactics. 'If the opponent puts you under pressure, the opportunity comes if you break the line, then it is easy to go for the counter. But the threat is that if you lose the ball, the opponent is close to your D, so you might concede shots on goal, penalty corners or a goal,' he said. But India have improved in counterattacks and in their overall pace of play, they still lag behind in finishing, which was noticed during the India leg of the Pro League as well as the Australia tour. 'Yes, but that is also because a few new girls who were on their first tour also went directly to the scoring zone. It is all about handling nerves, positioning, first touch, and most importantly experience. In the D, you have to take split-second decisions. It is an area we are working on.' At the same, it is also about players not delaying the shot once in the D. 'We are now aiming that even if there's a half chance, let's hit the ball rather than wait and pass. In Australia, we were too generous, passing the ball rather than hitting it. We could have scored four goals (in last two games) if we'd simply taken our shots.' The upcoming Pro League leg will be crucial. India can qualify for next year's World Cup through this nine-team event. With Belgium and Netherlands having qualified as hosts and Germany as champions of the 2023-24 Pro League, the next best team in the league will qualify instead of waiting to make it from the Asia Cup in September. 'We are trying some combinations, with and without the ball. We're focusing on pressing and attacking positions which we tried in Australia. It's working. Now, we have 2-3 variations which we will use in the Pro League.' India women next play Australia in the Pro League in London on June 14 and 15.
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First Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Pakistan Hockey Federation wants visa guarantee for upcoming Men's Asia Cup in India
Pakistan's participation in the Men's Asia Cup, that will be held in Rajgir, Bihar from 27 August to 7 September this year, appears doubtful following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and the subsequent military conflict between New Delhi and Islamabad. read more The Pakistan men's hockey team has not played on Indian soil since the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy. PTI Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) wants the continental body to guarantee visas for its contingent to participate in the Asia Cup to be held in India from August 27 to September 7, according to an official in Karachi. Pakistan's participation in the tournament, to be held in Rajgir (Bihar), is in serious doubt because of the tensions between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack, and Hockey India (HI) has said it is awaiting a government advisory on the matter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It is too early to say anything but we will follow the government's directive on this issue, which has been the case in the past. We can't predict anything right now especially after the recent barbaric Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor that India conducted following that,' HI secretary general Bholanath Singh had told PTI. Also Read | India cannot play in Asia Cup organised by Pakistani-led ACC, says BCCI: Report A senior PHF official said that the Asia Cup was vital for Pakistan as it is a qualifying tournament for next year's men's World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. 'We don't want to lose the opportunity of going to the World Cup via the Asia Cup,' the official said. 'So we believe, one solution could be moving the event from India or Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) guaranteeing visas for our team,' he added. The PHF official said there would also be the World Cup qualifying events in early 2026 but the Asia Cup represented a good chance to qualify. Pakistan didn't qualify for the last World Cup held in 2023 in India. Hosts India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei are scheduled to participate in the 12th edition of the continental showpiece. Also Read | Why Pakistan isn't invited for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup despite finishing runners-up last year STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In case Pakistan doesn't get the nod to travel to India, the decision to make the tournament a seven-team affair or bring in a new team to fill the vacant slot, will be entirely in the hands of the Asian Hockey Federation. 'If the government advisory does not give an all clear, then Pakistan won't travel to India. It all depends on the government position at that time,' a HI source had said. 'It's very hard to predict right now whether a new team will be added in such a scenario or it will be a seven-team tournament. The Asian Hockey Federation will take a call on this,' the official said on condition of anonymity. The last time a Pakistan hockey team did not compete in a multi-nation event in India was the 2016 Junior World Cup, which took place a few months after a terror attack at the Pathankot air base. Malaysia had replaced the Pakistani team in that event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Once known for caste wars, Bihar now hogs limelight for sports battles
1 2 3 Patna: The state, which used to grab national headlines for caste wars and massacres, has been trying to carve a niche in the sports arena by developing world-class infrastructure, and hosting national and international events. Bihar is not only hosting the 7th edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from May 4 to 15, Rajgir, so far famous for its tourist sites, is also set to host Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament from Aug 29 to Sept 7. The winners will qualify for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Hockey India and Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) signed an MoU recently to finalise the historic city as the venue for the marquee event. Ravindran Shankaran, BSSA DG-cum-chief executive officer, said it was a matter of pride for Bihar as the tournament was being held in India for the third time only, after 1989 in New Delhi and 2007 in Chennai. Earlier, Rajgir played host to the women's Asian Champions Trophy from Nov 11 to Nov 20, 2024, featuring China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. With India winning the prestigious tournament, the state govt awarded cash prize of Rs10 lakh each to the Indian team members. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the Rajgir stadium is of international standards. Rajgir Sports University and Sports Academy was inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on August 29, 2024. It is the first university in Bihar with 24 types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities like hockey turf, swimming pool, football ground, cricket stadium and an indoor stadium. Besides, the Nitish Kumar govt has already announced plans to develop the state's first international-level sports city in Punpun block of Patna district. The ambitious project over 100 acres will be equipped with Olympic-standard facilities. The complex will feature modern stadiums, dedicated training centres, hostels for athletes and state-of-the-art sports science laboratories. It was approved during the 2025-26 budget session with an aim to provide world-class training and infrastructure for athletes. Bihar govt has allocated Rs 568 crore for sports in the 2025-26 budget, which is Rs 88 crore more than the previous year. Of this, Rs 373 crore is earmarked for stadiums and sports infrastructure, while Rs 195 crore will support various sports activities. Dr Subhangi, the coach of the Maharashtra team participating in the Khelo India games in Bhagalpur, was all praise for the standards of infrastructure. Among other national and international sports events hosted by the state are SepakTakraw World Cup 2025 from March 20 to 25 at Patliputra Indoor Stadium in Patna, 32nd National Junior Fencing Championship 2024-2025 in Patliputra Sports Complex from Dec 2 to 5 last year and 68th National School Games Fencing Under-19 (Boys and Girls) Championship from Feb 10 to 14. Sports Conclave 2.0 was successfully organised in May 2023 in Patna, in which officials, national and state sports federations, policymakers, business enterprises and several key stakeholders from the sports industry participated. Patna: The state, which used to grab national headlines for caste wars and massacres, has been trying to carve a niche in the sports arena by developing world-class infrastructure, and hosting national and international events. Bihar is not only hosting the 7th edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from May 4 to 15, Rajgir, so far famous for its tourist sites, is also set to host Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament from Aug 29 to Sept 7. The winners will qualify for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Hockey India and Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) signed an MoU recently to finalise the historic city as the venue for the marquee event. Ravindran Shankaran, BSSA DG-cum-chief executive officer, said it was a matter of pride for Bihar as the tournament was being held in India for the third time only, after 1989 in New Delhi and 2007 in Chennai. Earlier, Rajgir played host to the women's Asian Champions Trophy from Nov 11 to Nov 20, 2024, featuring China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. With India winning the prestigious tournament, the state govt awarded cash prize of Rs10 lakh each to the Indian team members. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the Rajgir stadium is of international standards. Rajgir Sports University and Sports Academy was inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on August 29, 2024. It is the first university in Bihar with 24 types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities like hockey turf, swimming pool, football ground, cricket stadium and an indoor stadium. Besides, the Nitish Kumar govt has already announced plans to develop the state's first international-level sports city in Punpun block of Patna district. The ambitious project over 100 acres will be equipped with Olympic-standard facilities. The complex will feature modern stadiums, dedicated training centres, hostels for athletes and state-of-the-art sports science laboratories. It was approved during the 2025-26 budget session with an aim to provide world-class training and infrastructure for athletes. Bihar govt has allocated Rs 568 crore for sports in the 2025-26 budget, which is Rs 88 crore more than the previous year. Of this, Rs 373 crore is earmarked for stadiums and sports infrastructure, while Rs 195 crore will support various sports activities. Dr Subhangi, the coach of the Maharashtra team participating in the Khelo India games in Bhagalpur, was all praise for the standards of infrastructure. Among other national and international sports events hosted by the state are SepakTakraw World Cup 2025 from March 20 to 25 at Patliputra Indoor Stadium in Patna, 32nd National Junior Fencing Championship 2024-2025 in Patliputra Sports Complex from Dec 2 to 5 last year and 68th National School Games Fencing Under-19 (Boys and Girls) Championship from Feb 10 to 14. Sports Conclave 2.0 was successfully organised in May 2023 in Patna, in which officials, national and state sports federations, policymakers, business enterprises and several key stakeholders from the sports industry participated.
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pahalgam aftermath: Sporting events in uncertain territory
CHENNAI: The cascading effect in the breakdown of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan could be felt in sport in the weeks and months to come. In the immediate aftermath of the deplorable terror attacks in Pahalgam on Monday, both governments have already taken steps to cut back relations. While the government of India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, the Pakistani government have shut down its airspace for Indian carriers. Both governments have used sport as a diplomatic tool — either for furthering relations or restricting players and teams to freely travel across the border — when it comes to relations with the other and it's already evident that this stance is set to continue. Over the next 10-11 months or so, both these countries are slated to face each other in a number of high profile events either in India or abroad. In cricket alone these teams could face each other at least four times across three competitions. Because the events will be held under the ICC or the ACC banner, there is an understanding between the two nations they will face each other. What happens to that understanding? Will the ICC and the ACC put them in different groups and hope at least one of those teams don't advance to the next phase as other member bodies do in other sports (FIFA and the UEFA practices this system)? Can the ICC and the ACC take this decision independently without consulting TV stakeholders because that one game alone brings in a lot in terms of broadcasting rights. The BCCI and the PCB will be guided by their own government policies in this matter but because of the new hybrid model in place, Pakistan aren't scheduled to travel to India anyway. One team that have been frequent travellers to India is the men's hockey team. Since 2021 December alone, they have come to India twice (Bhubaneswar for the junior World Cup and Chennai for the Asian Champions Trophy). Will that continue at the Asia Cup in Bihar in August? It's an important event as it doubles up as a World Cup qualifier. Post that, there's the age-group World Cup in Chennai and Madurai in November-December, an event Pakistan have qualified for. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) haven't gotten in touch with their counterparts (HI), not yet anyway. "We will follow whatever will be the stand and directives of the Indian government," Bhola Nath, HI secretary-general, told this daily. "Anyway, it's too early to say on these tournaments scheduled in India. We haven't spoken to Pakistan Hockey Federation yet and neither they contacted us so far." Athletics: SAAF meet affected The South Asian Athletics Federation competition to be held in Ranchi on May 3 to 5 has been postponed. According to a circular issued by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) secretary, Sandeep Mehta, the competition has been postponed and new dates are yet to be finalized. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives are the participating nations. It is understood that the dates of SAAF athletics competition clashed with Pakistan's National Games and they had requested for postponement before the attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam. But things will get more complicated now. The Indian government has cancelled visa services to Pakistani nationals. The AFI has not decided on any dates as of now but without getting clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and sports ministry, dates will not be finalized. Pakistan athletes had participated at the SAAF junior athletics championships held last year in Chennai. AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo spoke on the postponement of the meet in Kochi and said: 'We are coordinating with SAAF participating nations before we finalise new dates.' More than 35 Indians involved in PSL duty It's understood that over 35 Indians, currently working in the Pakistan Super League across various capacities, are in the process of coming back to the country. It's learned that they voluntarily stepped down from their duties post the attacks on innocent civilians in Pahalgam on Monday. With visas being revoked, they are all understandably anxious.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Speedy Tigers edge Western Australia in friendly
KUALA LUMPUR: Speedy Tigers edged Western Australia 2-1 in a friendly in Perth on Wednesday. Forward Akhimullah Anuar Esook and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan netted for world No. 13 Malaysia at the Curtain University Hockey Stadium. It was Speedy Tigers' first match since they finished sixth in the Asian Champions Trophy in China in September last year. Sarjit Singh's men will play another friendly against Western Australia on Thursday, followed by matches against the Australian national team on April 28, April 29, May 1 and May 2. Malaysia are using the matches to prepare for the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil on June 15-21.
