FIH World League
The FIH Hockey World League is an international field hockey competition organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The competition, which is held over two years, also serves as the qualifier for the Hockey World Cup (men and women’s and the Olympic Games.
Argentina hosted the 2014-15 2nd stage competition being won by Germany who outclassed Argentina by 4-1 in the final on Monday in Buenos Aires. In the semifinals, Germany beat powerful Holland by 2-1 while Argentina torpedoed Canada 3-0.
Ten nations divided into two groups of five took part in the 2nd round of the World Hockey League. The first four i.e. Germany, Argentina, Holland and Canada qualified to take part in the final stage of the tournament to be held in Mohali, India.
There the hockey fans will watch Australia, hosts India and Pakistan, among others, and all eyes will be on the Indo-Pakistan match to be played on June 26. The other participating nations are Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Belgium, France, China, Poland, Ireland and South Africa.
Hockey is a fast and beautiful game. As there is nothing called off-side, players have to guard their goal post like an official keeping his eyes constantly on the radar. Asia alone ruled the world of hockey. It is now the turn of Europe and Oceania.
Defending champions Australia captured the World Cup for the third time after defeating the Holland 6-1 in the final. Argentina won the third place match by defeating England 2-0 to claim their first ever World Cup medal. Surprisingly, highest four times Champions Pakistan could not qualify for the final round of 12 teams hosted by Holland in 2014.
Hockey was a popular game in Bangladesh till eighties. In absence of nurture, it lost its footstep. What did the hockey federation?
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
