Today, Wednesday 6th April is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. We commemorate this day to honour the role that sport plays in society, not only by promoting a healthier lifestyle, but also as a vehicle of development in areas affected by poverty, conflict, and inequality.
In light of this day, we bring you an update on the Targetted Assistance Programme (TAP) in Turkey. In partnership with the KNHB, the EHF and the FIH, Turkish Hockey continues to work hard and invest in the development of hockey. The Turkey TAP initiative focuses on building a long-term strategy for hockey. Last year, an indoor seminar brought over 250 umpires, coaches and players to work together.
This week, for 5 days (5th – 10 April) an umpiring course has taken center stage. Workshops with more than 30 beginner umpires, 30 advanced umpires will take place during the week, culminating with a workshop at the end of the week for umpire coaches.
Yolande Brada (NED) and Rob ten Cate (NED) are conducting this seminar. The basic umpiring seminar included a section on match preparation, how to reach the top, rules and interpretations and practical sessions. The more advanced umpires will review video footage and discuss body language and presentation. A practical session will be held with them as well. The umpire coaches will participate in a workshop about positive coaching and will have a practical assessment session.
Turkey stands as a great European example that sport can bring us together, and that working to better our sport can happen anywhere, and can help bring communities together.
The European Hockey Federation and all its member nations continue to work in their efforts to grow hockey, and by doing so, foster peace and equality throughout our continent, and the world. As the headquarters of the EHF are in Brussels, Belgium, we are recently reminded that the promotion of peace is an ever-pressing issue, and that sport can make a valuable contribution to this effort.
Source: EHF