Hockey in Brazil being set for the 2016 Olympics
A SportAccord meeting took place in London last week on April 5, in which three key hockey organisations met up to put focus on the future of Brazilian hockey.
These organisations, namely Brazilian Hockey Confederation (BHC), Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOA) and International Hockey Federation (FIH), agreed upon working together to develop the Brazilian hockey for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formerly signed by Sydnei Rocha of BHC at Rio de Janairo, was also undertaken by the BOC President, Dr. Carlos Nuzman and the FIH President, Leandro Negre, during the London meeting.
The MoU was a mutual undertaking that all the parties agree upon the fact that Rio will host the 2016 Olympic Games has allowed an opportunity to develop hockey in Brazil. It will be the most favourable situation for the Brazilian hockey to find two Brazilian
teams in the 2016 Olympics.
Most importantly, the highlighted aims in the MoU are set towards the introduction of better systems to boost up the performance level of the existing top hockey players. All such actions are intended to make the Brazilian team eligible to participate in
the 2016 Games, being one of the most competitive teams in the event.
For this purpose, the MoU agreement states to appoint a top level High Performance Director who will be responsible to co-ordinate and process the High Performance system, as well as interact with the Brazilian team coaches and players.
In addition, the FIH made an agreement to arrange the needed donations of hockey sticks, balls and goal-keeping kit from sponsors for two years ahead.
Negre said, “The focus of the project will be on improving the Brazilian national teams so they will be able to qualify and compete with the rest of the field at the 2016 Olympics. But beyond 2016, we want to leave a stronger hockey legacy in Brazil and
help develop the sport from the grass roots level.”
With no time to waste, the FIH has already posted the advertisement to hire a high performance director.
In other hockey developmental programs, Negre was found attending a special hockey match in Barcelona on April 2.
It was a one-of-a-kind event named as Ciutat de Barcelona hockey tournament, which included unique group of athletes with mental disabilities.
Few of the clubs that participated were Atletic Terrassa, Egara, R.C Polo, FC Barcelona and C.F. Junior.
The tournament gained attention of many fans and supporters including the Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu and the FIH President Leandro Negre, who attended the final game.
Negre said, “It was an amazing experience to see the players in action. It serves as a reminder to us all just how far the reach of athletics can extend and what a positive impact it can have on people.”
The event concluded with a prize distribution to winners and every participant was awarded a souvenir for participation.
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