FIH looks to save water, to change playing surface by 2024

Bringing about changes in the rules of hockey has been a norm for a while and the sport in the future may not be played in the way it is today.

This was evident following the 46th international hockey federation (FIH) Congress that concluded here on Saturday in which many changes to the sport have been proposed.

First of all, the sport could be played on a very different kind of turf as early as the 2024 Paris Olympics as FIH is keen on reducing the use of water for the surface. Astroturf needs a lot of water to control the pace of the ball.

“We cannot continue to be seen as wasting water. We cannot be wasting so much water when many people around the world do not even have water to drink,” FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil said here on Saturday.

“We will have to make this happen. The suppliers (of the surface) have to work on systems, which use less water.”

Decades after shifting the sport from grass to Astroturf, international hockey will also return to grass, but not for major tournaments.

Weil said that “hockey can be played on any surface” and this is being done to create a broader space for the sport around the globe.

“The perception is that hockey is an elite sport. But all you need for hockey is a stick, a ball and two goalposts. We want to tell the world that hockey can be played on any surface,” said Weil.

5-A-SIDE HOCKEY

The world hockey body will also be increasing its focus on Hockey5s – a format used at the Youth Olympic Games.

From the second half of 2019, international exhibition tournaments will be organised which will be five-a-side. However, FIH CEO clearly stated that it will not replace the traditional 11-a-side hockey.

“Five-a-side hockey is easier to promote in countries where the sport is not that popular. It brings down the cost because instead of 18-member squads, only nine people may travel to take part in Hockey5s,” added Weil.