FIH accepts rule changes

Jalandhar, Nov 12: International Hockey Federation FIH has accepted some proposals of its Rules Advisory Panel RAP, significant of them being the five-yard wide dotted arc around the quot;Dquot; area 16-yard circle, replacement of quot;bleeding playersquot; at the time of penalty corner execution and against any extension in the protective gear of a goalkeeper.

Stating this at a press conference here on Thursday night, RAP member and former Indian captain Pargat Singh said there were however, differences on allowing 100 per cent composite hockey sticks in international tournaments. He said he was opposed to its introduction because use of such a stick could speed up play by 15 to 20 per cent.

Brig Atif of Pakistan also opposed the use of 100 per cent composite hockey stick but FIH8217;s equipment committee8217;s chairperson Bob Davidzol of the Netherlands pressed for its inclusion in the Sydney Olympics.