Late sport Hockey association on tenterhooks

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 6

Late sport Hockey association on tenterhooks

The New Zealand Hoekey Association ' is 'on tenterhooks after the decision of the Great Britain Hockey Soard to withdraw from the Moscow Olympics. As part of its final preparation for the Olympics, New Zealand is scheduled-to-play in a mlnltournament, at Crystal .Palace, London, from July ■ 4: to 6. But with the> withdrawal of Britain, the N.Z.TLA. is not. certain, if the tournament win stlU be held. At its: management committee last evening a decision was made to ring London and inquire if the tournament is still on. There have been other snags in the pre-Olymptc tour. In the final .week from July/7 to 13, before- moving to • Moscow the team had' hoped to .play : : West Germany, but the’. , Germans already/ have matches arranged. An invitation was received to play in. Poland that week but the/.'New Zealand coach, Brian Maunsell was not keen for two treasons. Firstly It would require:

a return to grass rarfaces he wants'as-much play as pea sible-on artificial surfaces, and secondly he did not want ti riskin jury-against a Polish nidi that', is'-traditionally robust; Several alternatives are bein| looked. at for the final week One ■ .IsA a 'tournament scheduled in Cardiff . for which New Ze» land wlll Wek-an’ entry. Other! are to* return to the Netherlands dr West/Germany to train od artificial; surfaces and play ctul teams. K the Indian Airlines teas comes to New Zealand fur 11 days in May, its tour will now-bi confined to the upper half of thi Northisland. •sit . was hoped the team woull fly Into Christchurch and out from Auckland, but because q ticketing, has to use Aucklam for/hoth entry and departoi* Tbe N.ZHA. win approach's! sedations in the top part of’tbf North Inland to ascertain -if thq are wining to host' the' UtoM team during its stay, ] , ! *