On Friday, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) introduced a new world ranking system for 2020, which will act as a match-based account instead of tournaments for a "better reflection of current performances".The new system will be in effect from January 1 next year. FIH said the new world ranking system was launched after 12 months of comprehensive research, analysis, and testing.The FIH rankings have been in place since 2003 and were originally designed to assign teams to different groups. The old model allowed countries to earn rating points two or three times a year.The FIH cited "numerous restrictions" for the championship-based system for change.This includes limited opportunities for the lower-ranked teams to earn points and the "subjectivity" required to determine the strengths of the five continents to calculate continental rating points. The fact that more than 60 percent of international hockey games have not made any qualifying points has made an increasingly strong case for changing focus," said the federation said in a statement.The match-based world ranking system includes the exchange of points between two teams competing in every match permitted by FIH.The number of points exchanged depends on three factors: the outcome of the match, the relative classification of teams and the importance of the match.FIH said that the new model eliminates much of the subjectivity surrounding continental weighting by creating a fair system for all.The decision to introduce a new global ranking system was taken after a one-year trial period.“By using all the official international matches that have been played since the end of the Rio 2016 Olympics, a working model for the new system has been created, which allows continuous monitoring, evaluation and adjustment throughout 2019."The results of the testing phase indicate that the new system was more dynamic and immediately reflected the current form of the current global ranking system and was subsequently approved by the FIH Executive Board," said the world body.The implementation of the new system for calculating the global FIH rankings will not affect existing placements: each country will start in 2020 in the same arrangement and with the same number of ranking points that ended in 2019.Commenting on the decision, FIH Development and Sports Director John Wyatt said, "As a sport, we are constantly striving to innovate and provide opportunities for our member countries."As with any launch of a new system and introduction of changes, it will take some time for everyone to amend, and we will constantly monitor the rating to ensure that it is accurate and fair to everyone.Read More: Test Events for Hockey (Sr. Men) in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo
The Indian women's hockey team left the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for Argentina on Sunday. This will be the first round of the national team in almost a year. India Hockey Company also selected the 25-member Indian Hockey Team for the tour. The Indian team is scheduled to play two games against Argentina (Junior) on January 17 and 19, two games against Argentina B on January 22 and 24, and four matches against Argentina on January 26, 28, 30, and 31. Indian hockey and the host national league have created a biological bubble in Argentina for both the Argentina women's team and the Indian women's team. The Indian women hockey team will be staying in a hotel where separate team rooms have been provided for all meals, team meetings, sessions, etc.“It feels great to be on the road again. We have worked hard on our game for the past few months and it is time to put our skills to live in an international match. Playing in international matches will be a bit different at this point.” Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal said in at Statement: "We will be in a biological bubble, and the team is excited to return to the field in the best possible way at this time."The entire Indian group underwent a Covid-19 RT-PCR test 72 hours before leaving New Delhi. Although there are no quarantine requirements upon arrival in Argentina, the team will continue to comply with all health and safety measures recommended by the governments of India and Argentina, according to Hockey India in an official statement.The deputy captain and goalkeeper of the Indian women's hockey team, Savita, thanked Hockey India and SAI for organizing the tour of Argentina.We desperately need to return to a competitive situation where there is not much time left for the Olympics. We have been doing well in the training sessions, but the international match is always the real test for any athlete. Therefore, we would like to thank Savita: “India Hockey and SAI for their efforts. In organizing a tour for us. We are looking forward to a great game and we hope to start playing with all our energy from the first match. "The 25-member Indian Women's Hockey squad: Rani (Captain), Savita (Vice-Captain), Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Gurjit Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Rashmita Minz, Manpreet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Vandana Katariya, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur, Jyoti, Udita, Rajwinder Kaur, Salima Tete, Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Namita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi.Also Read: THE 47TH FIH STATUTORY CONGRESS WILL HAPPEN IN DELHI
Indian hockey striker Dilpreet Singh, who was training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Center in Bangalore as part of the potential major-male group, plans to make the cut in the Round of 16 final that he will represent to India in the prestigious Tokyo Olympics, set to begin in July.The 21-year-old striker said that since there are no major competitions in 2020 affected by the epidemic, he takes every training session as an opportunity to make a strong case for a place on the Olympic team. We don't want to worry about factors that are not under our control. I don't want to wait for the chance to play a match for India to defend myself but to make the most of the opportunity here in the camp to show my skills and prove myself. "We give 100 percent of each training session," Dilpreet said in a statement.Speaking of his development and the opportunity for him to train with senior players again in the camp, the youngster added: "I've been working on my technical game. I improved my end. Watching the older players playing and spending time with them helps the younger players gain confidence and of course improve." We ask our veteran players for advice and guidance, and they have been of great help to us at all times. "Dilpreet, who was part of the teams that won the silver and bronze medals at the Breda Hockey Champions Cup 2018 and Asian Games 2018, respectively, returned to the junior starting group after the 2018 World Cup.Speaking of the omission, the boy from Amritsar said, “I was very upset with myself because I was a part of almost every major tournament and I was looking forward to appearing in the Olympics as well. But the omission of the senior core group affected me so much and made me realize that I had squandered the golden opportunity and I had to work harder. "However, a year later, after doing well in potential youth basics, Dilpreet was called up for the FIH Pro League match against World Champion Belgium."I started from scratch. I trained hard in the junior camp to at least get a place in the first team. He used to follow every first-team training exercise. I was in constant contact with the top players for that and asked them for guidance, and finally, in 2020, I'm back." "To the main group of the FIH Hockey Pro League. The postponement of the Olympic Games gave players like me the opportunity to improve the situation and make the most of it. The choice of teams is not in my hands, I focus on giving 100 percent on the field and improving day after day."Also Read: The 47th FIH Statutory Congress will happen in Delhi
Odisha Chief Minister Naveenn Patnaik announced his sponsorship of Indian hockey for another 10 years after the teams' impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics. Each player has been awarded 10 lakh and each supporting staff 5 lakh by the state government. "You made us all so proud of your energetic fight in Tokyo. These are very emotional moments for India to witness the revival of Indian hockey. For nearly four decades, hockey fans have been eager to see India win a medal in the Olympic Games". Mr. Patnaik Congratulates to the hockey teams. "The way the whole country has been glued to the screens to watch team games, it's pretty clear that there is more to hockey than just sport. In this pandemic, it's remarkable that our teams have worked so hard despite all the challenges and come out victorious. " Noting that in these times of crisis, the teams have brought smiles on the faces of crores of Indian, Mr. Patnaik said: “We in Odisha are happy that our partnership with Hockey India has led to such a great achievement for the country. I believe Odisha and hockey are destined to become synonymous. Odisha will support hockey teams for another 10 years." After Sahara's sponsorship of Indian hockey ended, Odisha went through its public sector unit, Odisha Mining Corporation, to sponsor national teams (men / women, junior / old) in 2018. The sponsorship was 140 crore for a period of five years. Mr. Patnaik gave13 different awards. While Harmanpreet Singh won the player with the most goals scored, PR Sreejesh was awarded for saving the most goals. Each team presented a framed jersey signed by the players to CM. The government also awarded 50 lakh rupees to Hockey India. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Patnaik and the people of Odisha for showing their love and affection for the sport. With your continued support, Indian Hockey looks forward to building on the achievements of the Tokyo Olympics and continue this steady rise to take it back to the elite level where it belongs,” said Narinder Dhruv Batra, president of the Indian Olympic Association. Odisha Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera, departmental Secretary R. Vineel Krishna and chairman of the Odisha Hockey promotion council Dilip Tirkey were present.Also Read- ICC T20 World Cup 2021 complete schedule: India to face Pakistan on October 24
