Hockey federation president faces challenge

Dubai: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Els van Breda Vriesman faces a strong challenge in the oncoming Presidential election.

Vriesman, who has encouraged UAE to gain international exposure, will have to win if she has to remain as the President for the next four years.

The FIH has received three applications for the presidential election. The two other candidates are Peter Cohen, FIH Honorary Secretary General P and Leandro Negre, FIH Executive Board member and President of European Hockey Federation.

Vriesman has been the president of the FIH since 2001.

The presidential election is to the held on November 29 during the FIH Congress to be held in Los Angeles.

Vriesman had visited Dubai in 2004 and assured all support to UAE for the promotion of the game here. UAE is now gearing up to host the 2009 Asia Cup at the Dubai Sports City's state of the art hockey stadium.