Even if the World Federation currently has 132 member countries, there are still many nations that could join the hockey world, in the short or long term. That is why Leandro Negre, the President of the IHF, continues to travel the world. He wants to help new territories promote the sport, build adequate sports infrastructure and fund coaching education, as well as assist them in developing their national teams.
Now that the quarterfinals are over the tournament becomes even tenser as teams compete for a coveted spot in Rio for the 2016 Olympics. Australia was the first to qualify for the semifinal after their win over Italy. Right behind them their neighbors, the Blacksticks, clinched the second spot beating Japan 5-1. Then without any difficulty the Netherlands were able to grab the third semifinal placement over India. Lastly, Korea grabbed the last semi-final spot after a shoot-out win against Belgium
Since the creation of hockey in the late nineteenth century, the rules have naturally evolved and the sport has undergone constant change to streamline the game and to make it more comprehensible for the general public. There has been the elimination of the offside rule (since the 1970s), changes to penalty corners, the incorporation of self-passes (i.e. a player’s ability to make a pass to himself or herself during a free hit) and shoot-outs. The IHF, unlike other federations, has always remained extremely attentive to bringing about positive changes to hockey and to providing an ever more attractive and spectacular image of the game.
In South Korea, sports are everywhere. They oscillate between traditions and modernity. The main sports in which South Korea stands out are: taekwondo, football, and baseball, which generally make the newspaper headlines.
During the past year among 20 different species an idea arose to determine which animal is the king of hockey. The Belgian Lions decide to invite their friends on the edge of a forest in Antwerp. They managed to build an entire arena where the games would take place. As a reward the best three animals receive a ticket for the big animal Olympic games, organized by the Brazilian jaguar next year.
It was back in 1906 that William T. Gray, an Irish priest originally from Dublin and hockey player during his free time, taught several Keio University students the basics of hockey for the very first time. At three o’clock in the afternoon on 26 November 1906, a hundred or so amazed students attended the demonstration in Shiba Park as Mr. Gray took his stick in hand.
