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ONE of the world’s most respected umpires will be ensuring the rules of the sport are strictly adhered to and the games flow in fast-moving fashion during this coming weekend’s much-anticipated Bahrain Hockey Association’s (BHA) Bahrain Hockey 6s Tournament.
Twelve teams from home and abroad will be vying for honours on Friday with the action starting at 8.30am at St Christopher’s Senior School in Isa Town and spectators are invited to soak up the atmosphere during the free family event which will have stalls and other attractions.
Tournament director Jude D’Souza is delighted to have secured the services of Raghuprasad RV, considered to be one of the top International Hockey Federation (FIH) umpires in the world, who will be officiating alongside Murthy Dayal, a leading instructor from visiting celebrity Jude Felix’s hockey academy charitable trust and Fran Treadgold, the UK Lions chairman.
“I’m happy to play a part in the Bahrain Hockey 6s this year – it’s a fantastic initiative,” said Raghuprasad, who has officiated at the Olympics, Commonwealth and Asian Games alongside major tournaments in his home country of India and received the Golden Whistle from the sport’s governing body for officiating 100 senior international games.
His Bahrain date will help warm him up for the coming World League event at Raipur, India, from November 27 to December 6, and he has also been appointed as an umpire to officiate in the Champions Trophy to be held in Argentina next summer.
Excitement has been intensifying amongst hockey enthusiasts on the island, as reported in GulfWeekly, with the arrival of Jude Felix, former captain of the Indian national hockey team, who will be the tournament’s celebrity guest of honour.
Felix has played competitively in Asia and Europe, starred in two Olympics and picked up the coveted sporting Arjuna Award from the President of India. He also helps run the Jude Felix Hockey Academy, a charitable trust which promotes the game of hockey amongst under-privileged children in India.
A non-profit organisation, it is affiliated to the Karnataka State Hockey Association, and players and fans are planning a series of fundraising events to support the good cause. It will include an auction of memorabilia signed by the star and a donation of hockey equipment.
Participating teams in the tournament representing the kingdom will be the Hungry Hamours, Wizards, Bahrain Hawks, Bahrain Falcons, Ministry of Interior and Young Stars Hockey Club and they will be facing international competition for glory in the shape of Doha Wanderers, Dubai Republicans, UTSC Oman, Oman Veterans, Saudi Hockey and Kuwait Hockey.
Playing stars and celebrities are planning to visit and offer tips to young enthusiasts at St Christopher’s School and the Indian School Bahrain tomorrow.
Tournament sponsors and supporters include Marvel Technologies, Next Black Computers, Tariq Pastries, Whitepaper Media, Powerhorse, Sirma water, Aster Medical Centre, Mathias Tourism and GulfWeekly.
* For further details, visit https://www.facebook.com/bahrainhockey
