H ockey History Historical records indicate that the crude form of hockey was played in Egypt around , years ago. Evidence also shows that a form of this game was played by Romans and Greeks. The modern game of hockey evolved in England in the mid-eighteenth century, primarily around the schools. The first Olympic Hockey Competition for men was held in London in .
Ireland and Scotland competed separately. After having made its first appearance in games, hockey was subsequently dropped from the Stockholm Olympic Games. It reappeared in at Antwerp (Belgium) before being omitted again in Paris in . The Paris organisers refused to include hockey in the Olympics, stating that the sport had no International Federation.
Hockey had made its first step towards an International Federation in when the Hockey Association in England and the Belgium Hockey Association agreed to recognise each other to regulate international hockey relations. The French Association followed soon after, but this was not considered sufficient to recognise this game at the international level. Federation International de Hockey (FIH) The International Hockey Federation, the world governing body was founded in Paris in , initiated by Paul Leautey, a Frenchman. Paul Leautey became the first President of the FIH.
In many ways, the FIH serves as the ‘guardian’ of the sport. It works in co-operation with both the national and Activity . •• What is the air pressure of a handball? •• What is the size and weight of a handball?
•• Who invented Handball? •• Which two countries played the first handball match in Olympic Games? continental organisations to ensure consistency and unity in hockey around the world. The Federation International Hockey (FIH) not only regulates the sport, but is also responsible for its development and promotion so as to guarantee a secure future for hockey.
FIH comprises a network of five continental federations (CHFS), National associations (NHAS), an executive board and expert advisory committees, with a Head Office in Brussels. The FIH retains overall responsibility for hockey worldwide, including the rules of hockey, umpiring and coaching.