An Extra-ordinary Congress, held in Kuala Lumpur on January 15th, was attended by 32 representatives from 23 affiliates.

With the FIH due to appoint new committees, the nominations from Asian national associations were considered with a view to recommendations.

The importance and significance of the FIH Year of the Youth 2001 was emphasised and national associations urged to give this programme their fullest support.

(A further meeting of AHF affiliates was held in Brussels on April 20.)

Bangladesh HF are to organise the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup tournament on a bi-annual basis.

The first of these tournaments, a nine nations event, was successfully organised in March at Dhaka. India defeated Pakistan in a classic final which was decided only after extra time and penalty strokes. (See Results on Page xx).

The 3rd East Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Osaka (Japan) in May.

In the spirit of the Year of the Youth, the AHF has planned two junior tournaments. The Boys Under 18 AHF Cup will be held in Ipoh (Malaysia) from June 1-10 and the Girls Under 16 AHF Cup at Hyderabad (India) from July 5-14.

The Chinese HA are to organise their 2nd International Junior Hockey Summer Camp in Shanghai from August 8-18. Amongst the countries invited are: Australia, England, Germany,Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia and Thailand.

HRH Sultan Azlan Shah, the AHF president, and the 32 delegates who attended the AHF Extra-ordinary Congress, were present at the launch of Asia’s YotY programme.

Over 700 school children were involved in the Art and Photographic competitions, skills sessions, clinics and several other interesting events.

A collection of photographs, posters, videos, and publicity items, together with the YotY programmes of the various Asian hockey associations, are being compiled for record purposes and informative value to the affiliates.

Jayatissa Herath, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, was elected as president of the Sri Lanka HA on March 13. K Jayaretnam was appointed Secretary.

Earlier on February 9, Nukenov O Maratkaly was elected president of the Kazakhstan HF for a four year term. A lawyer by profession, he has many years of hockey experience. Shaimerdenov Sayan has been appointed their Secretary.