On 23 June the world celebrated Olympic Day – an annual occasion which is much more than just a sports event. It is a day for the world to get active, learn about Olympic values and discover new sports.
Earlier this year, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) reached out to National Associations in a bid to coordinate joined up global activity to engage the world with the sport of hockey.
More than 30 countries will be undertaking hockey activity this year with some of their projects highlighted below.
Olympic Day Asia 2017
Afghanistan
Afghanistan invited 14 different federations to take part in the celebrations for the Olympic Day. Among the likes of the participants were government officials, federation officials, players experienced and youthful and local sports lovers. Check out the photos here
Iraq
Iraq Hockey Federation celebrated Olympic day in Baghdad despite political instability in the capital city. We hope to see hockey take the best of any situation and wish Iraq Hockey Federation the best.
For more information on Iraq Hockey Federation see contact information Ismael Abd Zaid, Sec General,
dr.ismael1975@g.com
Chinese Taipei
The Olympic Day was celebrated to spread the information and spirits for Olympic Day Celebration to their local association branches. Everyone was involved from young children from elementary schools, junior high schools and senior high schools to play friendly games for Olympic Day Celebration. This event also promoted the friendship and understand among the players. They invited coaches from their national teams to join in this event.
Qatar
Qatar Hockey Federation celebrated Olympic day with a Juniors Girls Festival with more than 70 participants. A Senior Hockey 5 Tournament included 170 participants which consisted of athletes, junior players and officials. Other activities included Girls U-10 and Boys U-15 tournaments.
Pakistan
Olympic Day is a regular feature of Pakistan Hockey Federation’s Annual Calendar of activities since 2016. This year, this event was organized throughout Pakistan in a most splendid manner by 98 districts. Prominent districts were: Mardan, Bannu, Abbottabad, Buner (Province of KPK), Sukkur & Karachi (Province of Sindh),
Quetta (Province of Balochistan), Jhelum, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Vehari, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur & Sargodha (Province of Punjab). In these festivities some 2700 people were engaged. Male & female percentage was 70 & 30%, respectively. Some 463 schools & clubs were involved. Ex-Olympians were also part of these celebrations. At Sukkur, Syed Khursheed Shah, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly of Pakistan was Guest-of-Honour. Check out the photos here
China
Over 200 kids and their parents were involved, aged between 8 and 13. Boys and girls from 3 different primary schools and 1 international school in Beijing joined our activity. Chinese Senior National Team was invited to play hockey games and teach the kids some basic skills. Li Hongxia, the former captain and star player of Chinese National Team who has won Silver Medal in Beijing 2008 started the first international hockey club in Beijing.
UAE
In UAE there was an air of encouraged hockey players of all ages, gender and athletic ability to come together and enjoy the sport. Many officials and veterans took part in the event.
India
The Olympic Day Celebrations enabled the young and old, men and women, professional and amateur alike in the country to spread the art of staying fit and healthy by turning up in great numbers for hockey matches, rallies in the cities across the country which included other outdoor activities also. We are happy to inform that each and every Hockey India member units Olympic Day celebrations were posted on Hockey India social media platforms.
Hockey India had the honour to have triple Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist Balbir Singh Senior, former Indian Hockey Captain and Olympian Dhanraj Pillay, Olympian Ajit Lakra and former International Hockey player Dhananjay Mahadik as part of this special occasion.
Myanmar
Myanmar national players, permanent club players, amateur club players, students and parents alike took part in the event. This turned out to be a good chance for the youth to approach the federations among the event. Government officials and MHF’s CEC members received admiration for their support for the development of hockey in Myanmar. National coaches and umpires got international experience through the conference, which was conducted by Regional Development Officer (CAS). Check out the photos here
Singapore
In conjunction with Olympic Day 2017 and in preparation for the Schools 11-a-side U-14 Hockey competition due to begin, Singapore Hockey Federation hosted a Hockey 5s competition aimed at schools with athletes between 12 to 14 years of age. 144 youth athletes participated in the competition which was split into a boys and a girls category. In total there were 6 boys teams and 12 girls teams participating from 6 schools. Check out the photos here
Philippines
Philippine Hockey Federation celebrated Olympic Day with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the other National Sports Associations (NSAs). The entire team was there and in the games, finished fourth place overall. Philippine hockey players were with the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, former Congressman Jose Cojuangco, Jr.; IOC Member Mikaela Cojuangco-Jaworski; Larong Hockey sa Pilipinas, Inc and President BGen Benjamin Espiritu, Philippine Olympic Committee Secretary-General and Philippine Hockey Federation de-facto Ambassador Steve Hontiveros. Players received awards from long-time IOC Member Frank Elizalde. Check out the photos here
Iran
As a tradition, Iran celebrates the Olympic Day with vigor. Players from hockey academies, schools, juniors and seniors alike got together to share the pitch with the national team. Check out the photos here
Nepal
In Nepal there was an air of encouraged hockey players of all ages, gender and athletic ability to come together and enjoy the sport. Over 50 people took part in the event. Under 18 Girls indoor hockey team and the senior men’s hockey team displayed their abilities to the audience and over 50 veterans. Check out the photos here
Indonesia
The Indonesian Hockey Association (PHSI) elected to celebrate the International Olympic Day with 250 students in Ciputra Stadium on June 16th, 2017, West Java. The students, aged 8 to 15 years old, were provided fun activities in field hockey to stimulate their interest in the sport and therefore provide a solid foundation for the grassroots development of the sport in Indonesia.
All the above activities were organized and executed without a sponsor or financial support from the Indonesian government or any third party. Check out the photos here
Korea
Korea hosted about 200 participants aged 13-15 with the presence of national players, officials and executive members of the Korean Hockey Association. Check out the photos here
Saudi Arabia
23 June the world celebrated Olympic Day – an annual occasion which is much more than just a sports event. It is a day for the world to get active, learn about Olympic values and discover new sports. Earlier this year, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) reached out to National Associations in a bid to coordinate joined up global activity to engage the world with the sport of hockey.
Saudi Arabia celebrated Olympic day on July 7 @ Ettifaq sports club. We had many players from various clubs in Saudi and also players from our neighbouring country Bahrain were present with their Junior and Senior teams to celebrate Olympic day. We had some friendly matches of senior club players and there were also matches for the school kids. The event was organised in a very spirited manner and the importance of sports and participation for all was highlighted with great enthusiasm.
Special thanks to our sponsors Mr. Maaz and Talent Hunt General Contracting – Jubail for their support.
We thank all participants and hope to make the event bigger and better every year.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Hockey Federation was able to develop and promote the Olympic Day event throughout Sri Lanka. Several school clubs attended the event the parents were involved closely to promote the sport of Hockey.
Check out the photos here
Tadjikistan
Tajikistan Hockey federation organized Olympic day in three regions of the country. The main event was held in Olympic Sports Cin Dushanbe where attendance was seen among Secretary General NOC, government officials, schools, college teachers and students alike. The second event was held in Hamadoni region in Sports School Boys and Girls. And the third event was held in Khujant in their national hockey stadium. The main focus of these activities was to promote the Hockey 5 format in schools and to interact the students to get involved in the sport of hockey.
Check out the photos here
Vietnam
Vietnam hockey displayed an array of activities during the Olympic Day. As 30 new hockey players16 to 22 years old showed up to participate in the activities with 10% men and 90% women. In attendance were national hockey players and young students eager to learn more about the sport and the eventful day involved. It took place at the HCM city. Check out the photos here
For more information about Olympic Day, click here.
If you’re involved, make sure you use the hashtag #OlympicDay
Full list of countries undertaking hockey activity on Olympic Day:
Asia: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
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