Mumbai: The best in sports equipment follows the best in talent for World Series Hockey. After the announcement of signing on the leading players, coaches and administrators for the league comes news that WSH will be setting up international standard goalposts at every tournament venue. These goalposts are the same ones that will be used in the London Olympics in 2012, and are manufactured by Harrod UK, who are the official suppliers to the event.
One of the most experienced international companies in providing sports equipment, Harrod UK has been responsible for goalposts used in global sporting events and world class stadiums, including the recently concluded Rugby World Cup, Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010,Wembley Stadium, Santiago Bernabéu, and the Dubai Sports City.
The specialty of these goalposts is that the back post is outside the net, thus not allowing balls to rebound at pace from within the goal, and leaving no doubt in decisions made by umpires on shots on goal that enter the goal.
Kevin Utton, Sales and Marketing Manager at Harrod UK said, “At Harrod UK, we are committed to providing the best quality sports equipment to many leagues and world class stadia throughout the World. We are delighted to add World Series Hockey to our roster of prestigious clients, and as a hockey tournament whose commitment to global standards is evident; we wish them success for the inaugural edition
Anil Vohra, joint secretary, Chandigarh Hockey Association, said, “We are looking forward to the installation of Harrod UK goalposts at our venue as it will make Chandigarh eligible for hosting world class hockey events and will give the opportunity for our players to practice in a stadium that mirrors the best in the world from an infrastructure perspective”
Dennis Meredith, Technical Director of WSH, said, “As part of the legacy that World Series Hockey will be adding to Indian hockey, all venues will be equipped with goalposts and nets from Harrod UK, the sole supplier of goalposts and nets for London 2012 Olympics. The goalposts are made to FIH specifications for world level events, and will greatly assist umpires in decisions for shots on goal that enter the goals. The design of the goals ensure there is no possible rebound once the ball enters the net.”
The WSH will be held from December 17, 2011 to January 22, 2012 and will involve 200 leading players -- Indian and international -- who will showcase their talent in 61 matches. It will be a multi-city franchise-based League with players being allocated to the teams based on the internationally accepted and practised ‘draft’ system.
The inaugural edition of the league will comprise eight teams out of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Pune, Bhopal, Punjab, Ranchi and Rourkela.
Hockey players, for the first time, will have a global platform to exhibit their skills for which they will be financially rewarded. The legacy created by the planned upgrading of infrastructure across the country will benefit hockey for generations to come.
Some of the Indian stars who will be seen in action in WSH include Dhanraj Pillay, Rajpal Singh, Sandeep Singh, Adrian D’Souza, Sardara Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Arjun Halappa, Diwakar Ram, Bharat Chetri, Dhananjay Mahadik, Shivendra Singh, Mandeep Antil, S.V. Sunil, Roshan Minz, William Xalxo, Prabodh Tirkey and Yuvraj Walmiki.
The star studded line-up ensures the league will be vibrant and competitive, drawing the global spotlight on India.
