New Delhi, Nov 18 : A rattled Hockey India (HI) president A. K. Mattoo is flying down to Pune following a reported revolt by senior players spearheaded by deposed captain Sandeep Singh against coach Jose Brasa.

The seniors are apparently unhappy with the way the Spanish coach is going about his job. Sandeep, who has pulled out of the camp complaining a back problem, seems to differ with Brasa over drag-flicking.

A source close to Sandeep said Brasa wanted the drag-flicker to use a longish, flat stick but the player is unwilling to make any change in his stick or the way he drag-flicks.

Though he comes from Spain and is not known to quote Greek mythology at will, Jose Brasa, chief coach of the Indian hockey team, would no doubt be likening himself to Sisyphus, the king in Tartarus cursed to roll a boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down.

The task of arranging world-class equipment for the Indian team is proving Sisyphean for the 58-year-old Brasa. The FIH master coach has been asking for equipment and personnel necessary for training the team. What he has got in return are promises, and more promises.

India suffered a huge setback ahead of the Champions Challenge-I championship in Argentina with former skipper and drag flicker Sandeep Singh unlikely to take part because of a back injury.

“He has suffered a back injury and was unable to get out of the bed for the last five days. We took him to the doctor today (Sunday) and he has been advised 10 more days of rest. He won't be able to play in the Champions Challenge,” chief coach Jose Brasa said.

Hockey India will now hold elections in the first week of February 2010, just a couple of weeks before the men’s World Cup commences in New Delhi, from February 28.

With the international hockey federation (FIH) sticking to its demand for a democratically elected body in place before the World Cup, Hockey India (HI) had to agree to conduct the elections before the mega event.

New Delhi, Nov 13 : International Hockey Federation (FIH) vice-president Antonio Von Ondarza and Sports Minister M. S. Gill Friday agreed that the election to Hockey India (HI) should be held within a month and certainly before the World Cup in February-March.

It is learnt that in discussions between them they tried to address the issues that delayed the election, importantly the vexed process of affiliation of state units.

New Delhi, Nov 13 : Hockey India (HI) secretary general Mohammad Aslam Khan formally resigned Friday, accusing a couple of heavyweights in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) of deliberately delaying the election to the apex body of hockey.

Aslam, whose six-month tenure will end Nov 20, said he would not like to continue beyond his term, even if an elected HI is not in place. He slammed some representatives of national sports federations.

New Delhi, Nov 13 : Rajpal Singh will lead the Indian hockey team in the Champions Challenge at Salta, Argentina, Dec 6-13.

The Indian team will leave for Madrid, Spain, for a week's training cum competition en route to Salta on Nov 23 for the eight-nation tournament, Hockey India said in a statement Friday.

India have been drawn in Pool A with Belgium, China and New Zealand, while Pool B consists of hosts Argentina, Canada, Pakistan and South Africa.

India will take on New Zealand on Dec 6, followed by China on Dec 8 and Belgium on Dec 10.

The Hockey India (HI) managing committee’s bid for hastily arranged elections by month-end came to naught on Thursday.

The office-bearers, led by president A. K. Mattoo, were told by both the Sports Ministry in unequivocal terms that elections cannot be held until and unless problems related to the affiliation process are solved in a transparent manner.

However, there is a big victory for Hockey India in this defeat. It may get a chance to postpone the elections till the end of next year’s World Cup.

New Delhi, Nov 12 : Election to Hockey India (HI) has been deferred as some state units raised doubts over the process of affiliation.

The sports ministry has asked the HI to put off the election till the affiliation problems were sorted out.

Stung by the government move, HI secretary general Aslam Khan has decided to put in his papers as he would not be in a position to put in place an elected HI before his term was over.

New Delhi, Nov 10 : Satinder Kumar has become the first Indian hockey umpire to receive the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) Golden Whistle award for officiating in 100 international matches.

The award is presented to umpires who have completed 100 official international matches.

Satinder stood in his 100th match at the ongoing World Cup qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand Monday.

Satinder made his debut in 2000. He continued to impress and was selected on the world panel in 2002.

Satinder becomes the 29th male umpire to receive the award.

His career highlights are as follows:

There are a few worries for coach A. K. Bansal when he takes his buoyant U-18 squad to Myanmar next week for the U-18 Asia Cup hockey. By his own admission, unknown opponents and little time for preparation are two obstacles that lie in his wards' quest for the event, which is taking place after a gap of eight years.

Indian women hockey team has defeated Japan 1-0 in a warm-up match before start of their campaign in the seventh Women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Indian captain Surinder Kaur scored the lone goal to lead her team to victory against the defending champions in 40 minute practice match.  The eight-nation tournament will also serve as qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup.

Indian hockey team has defeated Canada 3-1 in the sixth hockey test to take 5-0 lead in the seven matches series at Tamanawis Park in Surrey on Friday.  

Shivendra Singh scored two goals for India in 20th and 65th minutes while Sarwanjit Singh smashed the ball in the nets in 54th minute. Gabbar Singh scored only goal for Canada in the 47th minute.

Indian team was leading 1-0 at the end of first half and Gabbar scored the equalizer for Canada in 47th minute. Shivendera and Sarwanjit scored one goal each in the second half to take India to 3-1 lead.

The Indian hockey team has defeated Canada 3-1 to take an unbeatable lead of 4-0 lead in the seven test matches hockey series at Tamanawis Park, Canada.

Sandeep Singh scored two goals through penalty corner in the 35th and 67th minutes while Gurwinder Singh Chandi smashed the ball into the nets in the 29th minute. David Jameson scored only goal for Canada in the 41st minute.

The India team made many unforced errors in the start as Sandeep and V.R. Raghunath failed to score goal from the penalty corners. Chandi opened the account for the Indian team after smashing a pass from mid-fielder Prabhjot Singh into the nets.

Karachi, Oct 20 : Pakistan's hockey coach Shahid Ali Khan is concerned about his players not getting enough time to acclimatise in Lille (France) before the start of the hockey World Cup Qualifiers Oct 31.

Shahid, a former Olympian, believes that his charges will have to win a battle against the elements during what promises to be an early winter in northern France if they are to qualify for next year's World Cup in India.

Pakistan is unlikely to face any fierce opposition in the World Cup Qualifiers but could have a tough time dealing with cold and wet conditions during what is seen as their most important assignment this year.

The former champion Army XI has won the crown of the Murugappa Hockey Gold Cup after defeating Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) of Mumbai 2-1 in the final at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.

Mansid Bhengra and veteran Ignace Tirkey scored one goal each for Army XI in 28th and 59th minutes respectively. The match started at a slow pace as both teams adopted defensive approach in first 25 minutes of the match.

Victoria (Canada), Oct 10 - India defeated Canada 2-0 in the first of the seven match hockey series at the University of Victoria ground here Friday.

Tushar Khandekar (27th) and Sandeep Singh (66th) scored the goals for India.

The Canadians put up a stiff resistance to thwart Indian attacks, but could not hold for long.

Tushar, playing as a midfielder, put India ahead after shaking off his marker and firing home past Canada custodian David Carter.

Karachi, Oct 9 Pakistan will look to get the support of International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief Leandro Negre to pave the path for visit of international teams to Pakistan.

Negre will be visiting the country starting Oct 13.

Sources in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) told IANS Friday that Negre will be a guest of the Pakistani government during his five-day visit and will meet top dignitaries during the trip.

Chennai, Oct 8 : Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) snatched a dramatic 4-3 win over Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) to top Pool A with an unbeaten record in the 85th All- India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here Thursday.

ONGC, having won all their four league matches, finished with 12 points ahead of BPCL who have nine points from three wins. The result was of academic interest since both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals.

Chennai, Oct 6 : A 68th minute goal by Rupinder Pal Singh carried Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to an unimpressive 1-0 win against the Indian Railways in Pool B and also earned them a berth in the semi-finals of the All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here Tuesday.

It was fourth win for IOC in as many matches while the Railways, who had the better of the exchanges but blew their chances, slid to their second defeat in three outings.