Hockey team off to Moscow

Bangladesh national hockey team flew to Moscow on Monday to participate in a four-nation invitational hockey tournament, also involving Canada, South Africa and hosts Russia. Bangladesh are playing the tournament as part their preparation for the upcoming SA Games, to be held in Dhaka in January next year.
The national hockey team has travelled beyond the Asian region apart from the Olympic qualifiers back in 1994. The Russian mission is completely a new experience for them. Bangladesh, currently ranked 34th in the IHF list, will take on South Africa, the 15th ranked team, in the opening match on June 24. They will play the second match against hosts Russia on June 25 and the third game against Canada on June 27. Canada are 11th in the world rankings. The place deciding match will take place on June 28.
Winger Zahidul Islam Rajon will lead the team with defender Moshiur Rahman Biplob acting as his deputy. German coach Rach Gerhard Peter and Oliver Kurtz will join the team from their home.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation general secretary Khandoker Jamiluddin said it was just the start of the journey. However, he emphasised on the next mission in Germany. Coach Rach has arranged a two-and-a-half months’ stay for 20 players in different German clubs from the last week of August. ‘It will be a tremendous experience for the players who will see and learn hockey in the top-ranked hockey country of the world,’ said Jamil at a press conference at the hockey federation on Monday.
Jamil, however, requested the clubs to cooperate with the federation and help the federation complete the premier division hockey league before the players leave for Germany. ‘I request all the clubs to assist us in this regard so that the players can enhance their skills and temperament,’ said Jamiluddin.
Skipper Rajon said the players want to rectify the mistakes they committed in the Asia Cup. ‘Goalkeeping was our main weakness and we have tried to correct our mistakes, we have played with the same ranked teams before and we look forward to presenting a good brand of hockey,’ said Rajon.
The BHF introduced star model and former hockey player Faisal Ahsanullah as the chairman of the media committee. Faisal said from now on the federation will try to bring professionalism in all its activities.
The federation disclosed that the players’ transfer will be held on July 9 and 10. The Club Cup tournament will take place ten days later. The U-21 national youth hockey, training camps for U-16, U-18 and U-21 will be arranged. We have planned to hold the national hockey championship, Shaheed Smriti tournament and a tribal hockey competition this year.
‘We want to keep hockey rolling throughout the year,’ said Jamiluddin. Joint secretaty Abdur Rashi Sikder was also present at the press conference.

Courtesy of NewAgebd