Netherlands reach for Champions Trophy Hockey
Bhubaneswar: Bracing up for the impending Hero Men’s Champions Trophy 2014, last edition’s silver medallists and eight times champion the Netherlands Men’s Hockey Team reached here on Friday to participate in the Hero Men’s Champions Trophy 2014 scheduled to be played here at Kalinga Stadium from December 6 to 14. Standing tall with their set high-standards, the 2012 Olympic Silver medallists, the Netherlands had a disappointing 2013. However, 2014 has seen a massive resurrection in their form, on-field. The year started with a stunning performance at the Hero Hockey World league Final, where they took the title by thrashing New Zealand 7-2 in the Gold medal match. Although their form was impressive throughout, in the end they had to settle for the Silver medal as Australia took the Netherlands down by 6-1 in the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014. Speaking on the preparations, Chief Coach Max Caldas said, “With the upcoming matches lined up, we have to focus on the approach and have to figure out the changes required. We all as a team have to adapt to the changes for a good game. Also, there has to be an understanding and we are working to develop it. I am trying to understand each player well about their individual skills and strengths. Our focus is to build up as a team and prepare ourselves strong enough to compete in the tournament.” Commenting on the upcoming tournament prior to the departure, Captain Robert Horst said, “we can feel that the tournament is going to be quite interesting and entertaining in India. The challenge will be a tough one with all good teams competing with each other. For the time being, our focus is on the first match which will help us to take lessons to compete with the Indian team. They have been playing the top tournaments in the past 5-6 years and have a strong side with good technical skills. However, we have been preparing ourselves for the tournament and have a strong team with experienced players as well as young ones who will bring a difference to the game.”
HI yet to understand importance of media
Bhubaneswar: The attitude of the Hockey India (HI) officials towards local media raised eyebrows on the beginning of the Hero Men’s Champions Trophy 2014 scheduled to be held from December 6 to 14 at Kalinga Stadium here. “The HI officials informed the publication houses about the practice schedule of Indian hockey team through a mail, but the most shocking incident happened in the stadium gate, they instructed the security personals not to allow any scribes and visual reporters inside the stadium. However, we are well versed about the broadcasting guidelines, first of all they have invited us and we are here not to disturb the practices season”, said a senior Journalist. “They have said that you should not enter the ground as it will spoil the turf and the players will be disturbed. The million dollar question is how three and four photographers rooming inside the turf at the time of practice and they are clicking photographs in-between the players”, alleged a Odia newspaper Photo Journalist. One should not forget the State Government’s contribution, the Sports and Youth Services Department spend crores of public money to setup the infrastructure not only that corporate house like Tata, MCl donated huge amount to make this event a grand success.
Indian hockey team spent quality time in practice
Bhubaneswar: Riding high on its Asian Games gold-winning performance in October, the Indian men’s hockey team spends quality time in the ground in practice season here at Kalinga Stadium on Friday, the team arrived here on Thursday for the prestigious Champions Trophy event starting December 6.
The Sardar Singh-led team was seen in high spirits on arrival and the players were full of confidence. The team had been practicing rigorously having enough time to put in place their strategies and is now ready to implement them on the field.
Semifinalists spotted in College Basketball league
Bhubaneswar: ITER and KIIT would meet Debray College and Silicon College respectively in the semifinals of the Indian college Basketball league at Unit-1 Basketball Ground here on Saturday. In the quarterfinal matches on Friday, ITER and KIIT edged out BJB College and Odisha Engineering College by 74-49 and 43-26 points respectively. Bibhabasu Das of ITER and Subham Samal of KIIT scored 19 and 11 points respectively. Similarly, Silicon beat Maharshi College by 32-29 points.