Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – December 15, 2023: The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) successfully concluded its annual Executive Board Meeting on December 15, 2023, at the Royal Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The gathering witnessed the active participation of a diverse group of AHF Executive Board members, comprising both male and female representatives, alongside key advisors. Hosted by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), the event was presided over by AHF President Dato Fumio Ogura, with the esteemed presence of International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Dato Tayyab Ikram as the guest of honor.
The meeting commenced with an opening address from AHF President Dato Fumio Ogura, extending a warm welcome to Dato Tayyab Ikram, Dato Seri Subahan, and all AHF Executive Board members. In addition, the MHC President delivered a brief speech, setting the tone for the discussions. FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram presented the FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy, urging AHF Executive Board members to align their efforts with the strategy for the attainment of sustainable development goals within the international hockey community.
Throughout the course of the meeting, the AHF Executive Board conducted a comprehensive review of the organization’s activities in 2023. Notable achievements included the successful execution of AHF events during the year, showcasing the federation’s commitment to advancing the sport of hockey in the region.
The Development, Education, and Engagement update underscored the completion of over 100 mega development projects in Asia, underscoring AHF’s dedication to fostering the growth of hockey. The federation expressed gratitude to its commercial partners for their integral role in contributing to the growth and success of AHF during 2023.
The Communications update highlighted the digital success of AHF’s online platforms, including the website and social media channels, reaching a broader audience and promoting engagement within the hockey community. The positive financial update signaled an improvement in AHF’s financial standing, reflecting the organization’s sustained growth and stability.
Acknowledging the significant progress made by National Associations, the AHF Executive Board celebrated the heightened growth and development achieved across member countries. The Olympic Solidarity update shed light on the support received from the IOC Olympic Solidarity, detailing how AHF member National Associations utilized grants for diverse developmental initiatives.
In a significant move, Sri Lanka was allocated a full hockey turf through the AHF Pitch Projects, solidifying the commitment to infrastructure development. A delegation from Sri Lanka consisting of Rohana Dissanayake, Honorable State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka, and Shemal Fernando, Director General of Sports of Sri Lanka, joined the AHF Executive Board Meeting, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to complete the allocation process for the pitch.
Kyrgyzstan’s efforts toward formal membership in FIH and AHF were recognized during the meeting. The President of the Kyrgyzstan Hockey Federation KUBAN ATAGARAEV joined the AHF Executive Board meeting in a special appearance upon the invitation from the AHF Executive Board to assess the progress on the membership application of the Kyrgyzstan Hockey Federation. Kyrgyzstan has demonstrated significant progress in completing their membership application, bringing them closer to formal recognition within the international as well as Asian hockey community.
An important focus of the meeting was the progress report on preparations for the upcoming Aichi Nagoya Asian Games 2026, presented by AHF Senior Vice-President. The AHF President proposed the appointment of Yokoyama Hide as the AHF Representative and Director Coordination to the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games 2026, a proposal that was unanimously accepted by the Executive Board.
In an environmentally conscious move, Mr. Ghulam Ghous proposed and gained unanimous approval for the celebration of August 1st as the “Give Back to Forest” Day officially by the Asian Hockey Federation. This initiative aligns with AHF’s commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, a project initiated and set forth under the visionary leadership of FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram. The Asian Hockey Federation formally invites the other continental hockey federations and also the FIH to observe 1st August as the Give Back to Forest Day.
In conclusion, AHF Executive Board expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meeting and the formidable progress of AHF during 2023, emphasizing the organization’s dedication to advancing the sport of hockey in Asia and beyond. The AHF looks forward to continued collaboration and growth in the coming year 2024, building on the achievements of 2023.
by Asia Hockey
