Hockey India to continue Pakistan handshakes

Hockey Paper staff
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Hockey India to continue Pakistan handshakes

Hockey India (HI) says it will not prevent its teams from shaking hands or exchanging high-fives with counterparts from Pakistan at future international tournaments or multi-sport events.

The clarification comes in the wake of a stir after players from the Indian junior men’s side made friendly gestures with Pakistani players during the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.

Many fans had drawn comparisons with the Indian cricket team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan during the Asia Cup T20, a gesture made in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. 

HI secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh said that hockey will be guided by the principles of the FIH and the International Olympic Committee, focusing on the “spirit of the game” rather than mirroring decisions taken by other sports. 

He said: “We are not governed by cricket. Whatever the cricketers did, , it was their choice.”

The announcement was made on the sidelines of HI’s celebrations marking its upcoming centenary this week at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.

Nottingham Hockey Centre applies for 400-seater stand

Hockey Paper staff
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Nottingham Hockey Centre applies for 400-seater stand

Nottingham Hockey Centre, England’s largest club hockey centre, wants a new 400-seater spectator stand.

Home to Beeston HC, the facility hosted of the Premier Division Finals in May and has hosted countless events including BUCS finals and major Masters tournaments.

Plans submitted by Nottingham Hockey Centre Ltd say: “The proposed 403-seat covered spectator stand at Nottingham Hockey Centre has been designed with accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability at its core.

“The design ensures that the stand provides an excellent experience for all spectators, including those with mobility impairments, while integrating seamlessly with the existing sports facilities.

“The development will enhance the spectator facilities at the Centre, providing a modern and accessible venue for a range of events.”

The proposed stand will be built on an existing tarmac area.

Ex international hockey player jailed for murdering wife

Hockey Paper staff
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Ex international hockey player jailed for murdering wife

A former international hockey player has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and attempting to cover up the crime by claiming she had taken her own lifee

Mohamed Samak, 43, was ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years after being found guilty of murdering his wife, 49-year-old Joanne Samak, at their home in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, on 1 July last year.

During a retrial at Worcester Crown Court, jurors heard that Samak stabbed his wife six times in the chest and stomach before falsely telling police she had inflicted the wounds herself. His first trial earlier this year ended without a verdict.

Prosecutors said Samak, a former Egyptian international hockey player and coach for Wales’s under-18 team, killed his wife amid financial difficulties and an interest in another woman.

Joanne Samak was killed at home

He claimed during the trial that Joanne had been struggling with alcohol and mental health issues, but witnesses told the court she had no such problems and was looking forward to future plans.

The court heard the couple met in 2011 when Joanne stayed at a hotel in Taba, Egypt, where Samak worked in entertainment. They married in 2014 and later settled in Worcestershire but had experienced difficulties in their marriage and slept in separate rooms.

Samak, who also played for England men over-40s, held multiple roles in hockey over the years, including as a coach at Malvern College and Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.

‘The aerial rule in hockey is umpired perfectly well – by players every week in training’

Todd Williams
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‘The aerial rule in hockey is umpired perfectly well – by players every week in training’

Columnist and Reading men’s coach Todd Williams runs the rule over the aerial in hockey, a word of comfort for all his fellow coaches and his thoughts on two standout Scots

The aerial rule in our game is fast becoming the offside and VAR of football. Every year a new interpretation just seems to muddy the waters and make it more difficult for players, coaches and umpires to understand.

This year we were told in the Premier Division that once a player touched the aerial pass you could encroach. But apparently that’s not all the time. Or only on Saturdays between the hours of 12-4pm. Or only when the aerial has been thrown by someone born in June, August or the second part of November. 

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Hockey India League returns with more tweaks

Hockey Paper staff
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Hockey India League returns with more tweaks

The Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 season is set to begin on Dec 28 with the women’s event in Ranchi, followed by the men’s competition from Jan 3.

The women’s tournament will be staged entirely in Ranchi, featuring four teams — Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, Soorma Hockey Club and Rarh Bengal Tigers. 

The event will follow a double round-robin format, with each team playing the others twice. The top two sides will contest the final on Jan 10.

The men’s competition, comprising 33 matches, will be spread across Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar, taking in matches at each city before the final at the latter.

The opening match, on January 3 at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, will see home team Tamil Nadu Dragons take on Hyderabad Toofans. 

GB star Zach Wallace was snapped up by Hyderabad Toofans in HIL auction PIC: Samuel Rajkumar / aceimages for HIL

Eight teams will compete: Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, Soorma Hockey Club, defending champions Rarh Bengal Tigers, Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers and the HIL Governing Council team, which temporarily replaces the UP Rudras franchise after its owners’ exit.

Each men’s side will face every other team once in a single round-robin format before the top four advance to the playoffs.

The knockout stage will take place in Bhubaneswar. The season will culminate with the final on Jan 26 at the Kalinga Stadium.

The HIL continues to grapple with stability issues. 

Since its return last season, the league has faced franchise withdrawals, inconsistent sponsorship and logistical challenges. Team Gonasika (men’s) and Odisha Warriors (women’s), both part of the 2024–25 edition, have pulled out.

World hockey will consider feedback on ‘throwing equipment’ rule

Hockey Paper staff
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World hockey will consider feedback on ‘throwing equipment’ rule

The International Hockey Federation has “no intention” of changing the ruling on thrown equipment at penalty corners, but will consider feedback to amend any laws.

It follows several calls for the FIH Rule 9.16 to be changed after a Dutch match where a player was sent off after an umpire was hit by equipment.

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‘We’ve done without it for 99 years’: Calls to end ‘throwing equipment’ rule in hockey

Rod Gilmour
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‘We’ve done without it for 99 years’: Calls to end ‘throwing equipment’ rule in hockey

The red card shown to Den Bosch captain Pien Sanders during a top-flight match with SCHC this month has reignited fierce debate around world hockey’s Rule 9.16. 

The rule, which mandates a yellow card and penalty corner when protective equipment is discarded unsafely and makes contact with a player, umpire or spectator, has faced growing criticism as similar incidents become more frequent.

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John Willmott, Seoul Olympics liaison and hockey bon viveur, dies aged 72

Rod Gilmour
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John Willmott, Seoul Olympics liaison and hockey bon viveur, dies aged 72

John Willmott, who has died aged 72, was a true bon viveur in the world of hockey, who loved playing the game and helped shape the sport off it. He helped organise the 1988 Hockey World Cup as event director, becoming a fan and official team fixer two years later when GB won gold at the Seoul Olympics and then helped turn Southgate HC into a modern club thanks to his prowess in the building industry.

And there were stories aplenty, too. And as event director at the 1986 Men’s World Cup, he had plenty of insight. During the semi-final between England and West Germany, Willmott turned to his colleagues and remarked that the match unfolding in front of him would form the centrepiece for the Olympic final in Seoul. ‘And I’m going to watch,’ he added. 

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Australia claim Sultan of Johor Hockey Cup

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Australia claim Sultan of Johor Hockey Cup

Australia under-21’s struck at the death to win a first Sultan of Johor Cup in seven years.

Ian Grobbelaar, a surname best remembered for goalkeeping exploits in football, scored in the final minute from a penalty corner to edge past India 2-1. 

It was his second of the game after the Burras had opened the final in the 13th minute. Anmol Ekka had levelled for India four minutes later.

This final marked a record eighth appearance for India in the Sultan of Johor Cup final, out of 12 total appearances.

Great Britain men lost the defence of their Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia as they finished third.

GB had beaten Australia, three times beaten finalists, in the final 3-2 last year.

On Saturday, Great Britain had raced into a two-goal lead via Kaden Draysey and Michael Royden inside 12 minutes.

Pakistan hit back via rising star Hannan Shahid and Sufyan Khan, in the 23rd and 54th minutes.

But three minutes later, Henry Markham, who scored two against Pakistan earlier in the tournament, hit the winner to clinch bronze.

Malaysia beat New Zealand for fifth place with a 5-3 win.

Can hockey make Commonwealth Games comeback?

Hockey Paper staff
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Can hockey make Commonwealth Games comeback?

Ahmedabad has been recommended by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board to host the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games, putting the western Indian city on course to stage what organisers hope will be a landmark edition of the event.

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