Hockey-Tokyo Games offer transfer hopefuls limelight to show skills

TOKYO, Aug 6 (Reuters) – For hockey gamers the Olympics are the last word stage at which they will showcase their abilities within the hope of transferring to a membership in a aggressive league, corresponding to these in Europe.

However the coronavirus pandemic has brought about logistical hurdles on account of journey restrictions and put strain on membership budgets which make it tougher for gamers to maneuver after the 14-day Tokyo Olympics hockey match finishes on Friday.

“The factor concerning the Olympic Video games is that there is a form of settlement that gamers are at their greatest at this explicit time,” mentioned Shane McLeod, who led Belgium’s males crew to their first Olympic gold on Thursday as their head coach.

“It is a grocery store the place you see all of the completely happy items on show on the highest stage.”

South Africa teenage prodigy Mustaphaa Cassiem received the hearts of worldwide hockey followers when he scored towards Belgium and the Netherlands at Tokyo 2020 and made the successful objective in his nation’s 4-3 conquer Germany.

The 19-year-old ahead’s brother, Dayaan, who’s 22 and likewise performs as an attacker, additionally caught the attention of many in South Africa’s group stage video games. South Africa is ranked twelfth on the planet rankings.

“They have some pace on them and actual ability,” Belgium’s Arthur van Doren, 2017 world participant of the 12 months, mentioned about South Africa.

The strain to point out one of the best hockey on the Olympics is simply as excessive for girls gamers.

“I feel it is extraordinarily necessary to point out high-quality play right here,” mentioned Maho Segawa, 25, a mid-fielder for Japan’s girls crew.

Segawa is hoping to play at a membership within the aggressive Dutch league or one other European competitors corresponding to Belgium or Spain to get an opportunity to develop her hockey abilities and magnificence.

“If I can get the expertise will probably be a plus, so I feel I wish to go as quickly as I can,” mentioned Segawa, who did a half-season stint on mortgage at a Spanish membership in 2017.

However the COVID-19 disaster has raised the bar for going overseas.

“It put issues on maintain. It hasn’t stopped it fully. You continue to get some who travelled throughout and are eager to try this,” mentioned McLeod earlier than Belgium performed the ultimate.

“You possibly can’t simply go for 2 weeks after which come again, not like that anymore. It needs to be a two- to three-year dedication actually.”

Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Enhancing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.