The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Negre calls for co-operation

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Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008
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Negre calls for co-operation

Chennai: Leandro Negre, President, International Hockey Federation, has appealed to everyone to sink differences and work for enhancing the image of the sport across the globe.

Noting the “narrow result” at Los Angeles FIH Congress last month and the “emotions that followed,” the 62-year-old said in a message to The Hindu, “I am confident that the sport of hockey will stand together because I know that despite having different personalities, we share a common project based on the same beliefs which are the ones inspiring the FIH mission.”

While agreeing that it is a privilege to head the hockey community, Negre noted that “we have to recognise that some associations are very fragile and need to be nurtured to ensure we do not lose hockey in those countries.”

The President paid warm tributes to his predecessor, Els van Breda Vriesman, hailing her “dedication and commitment” and how “the sport of hockey owes her a great deal,” and acknowledged how Els had “established a high-profile and committed team of professionals at the FIH.

“I look forward to working with them for the good of hockey and at the same time grow our position as a leading Olympic sport.” — Hockey Correspondent

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