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The International Hockey Federation (FIH) formalized the use of the video umpire for all future major FIH events during its Executive Board meeting held in London on Thursday. The video umpire will be used during the Olympic Games, World Cups, Champions Trophies and Olympic and World Cup qualifiers. The decision was taken based on the successful use of the video umpire at the recently held Men’s and Women’s World Cup.
During the two day session of the Executive Board more important decisions for hockey were taken. One of these decisions is that there will also be three qualification tournaments of six nations per gender for the 2010 World Cups. This is already the case for the qualification process for the 2008 Olympic Games. In the past, one twelve nation qualifier per gender was organized. As a consequence more teams will be given the possibility to participate in the qualification system.
The Executive Board also approved that two top coaches will be nominated as FIH Master Coach. Barry Dancer of Australia, winner of the silver medal during the BDO World Cup men, and Argentine Sergio Vigil will be part of the elite group of highest degree FIH coaches. Furthermore, the Executive Board recognized the World Grand Masters Association (WGMA) as international organization for hockey players aged 60 and over. This means the recognition of the importance of international veterans hockey.
The week of FIH meetings will continue on Friday with the WorldHockey Forum ‘Synergy for Success’. On Saturday, the FIH Congress will take place in London. After this meeting more important announcements for the future of hockey will be made.
