Hockey has one body

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 36

Hockey has one body

International hockey will come under the umbrella of one governing body from June 1 next year. The International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations recently accepted proposals that will absorb their organisation into the International Hockey Federation on that date. The amalgamation has been forced on the two federations by the introduction of women’s hockey to the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee will deal with only one international federation

when organising the Olympics. ■Provision has been made for women to have their say in the running of international hockey. One woman will be a vice-president, and two others will be added to the present six-member I.H.F. council. Places have also been set aside on the various committees and sub-committees of the I.H.F. for women. The I.F.W.H.A. tournament. previously known as the world championship, and scheduled for Kuala Lumpur in April 1983, will have its

format changed and become the women’s World Cup. In the past, the I.F.W.H.A. tournament has been open to all member countries, and the entry has often exceeded 20. Under the new system the World Cup will be restricted to 12 teams, selected by the F.I.H. supreme council. A second tourament — the womens Inter-Continental Cup — will be held for the remaining teams. If the number of teams tor this tournament is more than 12, preliminary elemination games will be held.