India Women’s Hockey Team Won Champions Challenge Tournament

India clinched the title of first women’s champions challenge tournament recently defeating Belgium 6-3 in Russia. With this victory, India qualified for Champions Challenge I tournament which will take place in 2011 and the winner of that tournament will take part in the 2012 Champions Trophy.

India was in dominant form throughout the final match, giving no chance to Belgium. The victory came thanks to four goals from youngster Rani Rampal who finished the tournament as the highest scorer and was awarded the Young Player of the tournament award. Rani was also the best player in the final game.

India took lead in the 17^th minute when Rani scored a field goal, just 3 minutes before Saba Anjum scoring the second goal. India was leading 2-0 in the game, but India ensured their victory scoring four goals early in the second half including 3 goals from Rani’s stick. Another goal came from Chanchan Devi. Belgian captain Valerie Vermeersch scored two goals in the 40^th and 52^nd minutes, before Jill Boon scoring the third goal for Belgium in the 55^th minute.

Indian captain Surinder Kaur who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament was given the player of the tournament award.

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The Hindu

Pakistan Looking for a World Cup Place without Playing Qualifying Round

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has made an official request to International Hockey Federation (FIH) to increase the number of participating teams in Hockey World Cup 2010 from 12 to 16. In fact, the Hockey World Cup 2002, which held in Kuala Lumpur, featured 16 teams, but FIH later on dropped the number of participants to 12. As of now, the next world cup 2010 will feature 12 teams, but it has been reported that FIH may accept PHF’s request by increasing the number of competing teams in the tournament.

In fact, some of the top PHF officials met FIH president Leandro Negre in Malaysia earlier this month and talked about this matter. If FIH agrees to increase the number to 16, then Pakistan would earn an automatic world cup berth as the second best team from Asia. Pakistan became runner up in this year’s Asia Cup, losing to South Korea in the final. So, South Africa has guaranteed their place in the world cup, while Pakistan would have to go though qualifying round in order to clinch a place in the world cup if the number of team remains 12. However, nothing is confirmed in this regard whether FIH would definitely accept Pakistan’s request.

To be honest, I also think that the number of participating teams should be increased to 16 because field hockey is not yet a very popular game in all parts of the world. So, for the development of the game, FIH should ensure the involvement of as much teams in its elite tournament as possible.

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Times of India

Brett Hull to be Inducted to Hockey Hall of Fame

Brett Hull is going to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on 9 November in Toronto, Canada. The former NHL star has admitted the news and expressed his delight on this regard. Brett will now join his father Bobby Hull who was placed in the hall of fame in 1983 because of his excellent contribution to the game.

Brett Hull, who is currently serving as an executive of Dallas Stars, scored 741 regular season goals during his illustrious career. In 1990-91, Brett was awarded the Hart Trophy as he became the most valuable player in the league, having scored 86 goals that season. So, there is no doubt, Brett deserves to be inducted to the Hall of Fame.

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foxsports

Rocky Mountain Rage to Sit Out for 2009-2010 Season

Rocky Mountain Rage, a hockey team of Central Hockey League, is now going to sit out for the 2009-2010 season. The decision was taken recently as they club is now aiming to settle its financial issues. For example, Rage wants a new ownership agreement as well as needs finances. Moreover, the club is looking forward to getting Broomfield Event Center as their home ground on lease for a longer term. In fact, the club finished its third season at the ground. However, Rocky Mountain Rage has also confirmed that the club would return to action in 2010-2011 season.

It is really very hard for the fans of Rage hockey team because they will miss the actions of the club next season. Still, I think, it was a right decision not to take part in the league next season because this is the time of economic recession when financial terms are much more important then anything else. Otherwise, it could make some long-term problem for the club.

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Bizjournals

Phoenix Coyotes Wants to Extend Sale Deadline to 15 September

You already know that NHL franchise Phoenix Coyotes is now struggling financially and is on the verge of losing its Arizona base as Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie wants to buy the club and relocate to Hamilton, Ontario in Canada. Jim Balsillie-owned PSE Sports & Entertainment has made a $212.5 million bid to buy the club and the deadline of accepting any more bids ends on 29 June.

However, Phoenix Coyotes now wants to extend the deadline to 15 September in an attempt to provide other potential bidders some time to launch their bid. This is an attempt to keep the club base in Arizona, USA. However, I think, it would not be easy for the club to find many bidders at this time of global economic recession. One potential bidder could be Jerry Reinsdorf who currently owns the Chicago White Sox baseball club as well as NBA franchise Chicago Bulls.

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National Post

FIH Accepted Hockey India as a Full Member

Hockey India has been accepted as a full member of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) recently. FIH issued a letter addressed to Hockey India stating that it has given the full membership to Hockey India considering it as a sole governing body for hockey (both men and women).

India is going to organize men’s hockey world cup next year. However, there was an uncertainty over the hosting status of India as FIH ruled that India must have a separate formal body for hockey in order to organize world cup 2010. Now, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has recently set up Hockey India as a new governing body for Indian hockey and Hockey India recently applied to retain the full membership of FIH. So, it seems that there is no more problem for India to organize the tournament. Meanwhile, IOA also granted a full membership to Hockey India recently.

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The Hindu

International Hockey Federation Congratulated Newly Formed Hockey India

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has recently formed Hockey India, the governing body of hockey in India. International Hockey Federation (FIH) has welcomed the move and congratulated the newly formed body which will control the game in the county. FIH also thanked Suresh Kalmadi, president of IOA, for taking the initiative to set up Hockey India.

FIH has also advised Hockey India president A.K. Mattoo to set up state hockey association for both men and women. After that, FIH would recognize Hockey India as the governing body for both Men’s and Women’s hockey in India. Upon getting this recognition would enable Hockey India to become the formal body to represent hockey in India and would be eligible to organize Men’s Hockey World Cup 2010 which is supposed to take place in India.

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The Hindu