Indoor invitational20-20 hockey tournament women’s final and semi finals will be played tomarrow
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad.—The final and semi finals of the first indoor invitational 20-20 hockey tournament for men and women will be played at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad tomarrow, in the first semi final the DIVA WOMEN Hockey Acadmy will played against UNITED WOMEN Hockey Acadmy at 9-00 am, while the second semi final will be played at 10-00am between the YOUNG FIGHTER WOMEN HOCKEY CLUB and USTAD RODA WOMEN HOCKEY ACADMY. Mr.Asghar Ali Mubarak the founder chairman of South Asian Sports Journalists Association was the chief guest on the second day event along with Syed.M.yaseen Hashmi the secratry fedral sports journalist association FSJA.As many as eight men and seven women teams were participated in the first edition of the event organized under the aegis of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). It is mentioned here that the Indoor twenty-twenty hockey has gained popularity and is making an impact on the sport like Twenty20 cricket. Talking to organizer of the event Mr.Shafqat Hussain Malik ,Mr.Aamir Sulaman tournament director, Ms.Nelma. Hussain T-O,Mr.M.Junaid Mir Asst media manager ,Mr.Mushtaq Ahmed,Mr.Zulfiqar Shah,Mr.Hassan Akhar Rasool,T-O,Mr.Bilal Shabbir judge, the founder chairman of South Asian Sports Journalists Association ,Mr.Asghar Ali Mubarak said “This will be attractive for the spectators at the ground and television viewers so it will be successful. These days’ spectators want entertainment from a sport and one that keeps them on their feet.”At this occion olympion Mansoor Ahmed addressing to paticepants on RADIO WORLD SERVICE interview stated that Pakistan Hockey Federation is trying promote the in door hockey in the country.He said that “Introducing indoor hockey will create a lively form of the game which will help us bring hockey lovers back to the stadiums,”.Pakistan has a great record in hockey . “We participated in an indoor event for the first time and despite having a disappointing campaign we learnt a lot. It was all new for us but we were unlucky that our opening two matches were against the best indoor teams Malaysia and Iran. But once we found our feet we played well and I think we can easily adjust to this format of the game.” Indoor hockey to be six-a-side affair, an organizer of the event said while talking to media. Mr.Asghar Ali Mubarak the founder chairman of South Asian Sports Journalists Association informed the paticepants players that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) last year announced the new indoor hockey rules, an indoor hockey team will be six players on the pitch, instead of the existing five, from January 2016.Among the six new rules announced, one of them relates to attacking Free Pushes within three metres of the edge of the line. According to the new rule, an attacking Free Push awarded within three metres of the circle will now be taken from the point of the offence.Another rule which will now be officially adopted is the interpretation that was first introduced at the 2015 Indoor World Cup in Leipzig, Germany — the banning of ‘Trapping’ players in the circle or against the side-boards.This occurs when a player in possession of the ball is ‘trapped’ in either the corner of the pitch or against the side-boards by opponents’ flat sticks. They will have to be left with an outlet for the ball – failure to do so will result in the opponents being penalised.Compared to previous Indoor World Cups, this resulted in far fewer ‘bullies’ and a more attractive game.Furthermore, players who deliberately aim to trap the ball between their and an opponent’s stick to gain a ‘bully’ will be similarly penalised.The number of times a team may substitute a fully kitted goalkeeper off the pitch for either a player with goalkeeping privileges or another field player will be limited to a total of two per match as of 2016. It is mentioned here that the Pakistan Junior team participated in the Junior Indoor Hockey Asia Cup in Malaysia. However, they failed to make a strong impact in their first appearance in an indoor tournament and only won one match against Thailand 6-0 before succumbing to two consecutive defeats to defending champions Iran and the Malaysia.Earlier on the opening day along with president Islamabad hockey Malik Mehran, secertary Shararyar Khan, D.G.PSB, Akhtar Nawaz Ghanjera,vice chairman FSJA Azam khan Niazi,President FSJA Farhat Abbas Tarabee the newly appointed Mayer of Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IPC) Sheikh Anser Aziz, who was the chief guest of opening ceremony, inaugurated the event.Speaking on the opening ceremony, Sheikh Anser lauded the efforts of PHF management for promoting indoor hockey in the country. “Sports play a vital role in promoting a soft image of the country besides creating a healthy society,” he said.
He assured his full support to PHF, Pakistan Sports Board and all the sports federations in holding various supports events in the Capital.He also underlined the need to hold inter-school and inter- college’s hockey contests in Islamabad for the revival of national game. He said as chief of the city he would be making all-out efforts to develop a healthy culture in Islamabad. The secratry Pakistan hockey federation iwill be the chief guest of closeing ceremony and the final.
