India’s Sardara, Rani in hockey All Star squads

CHENNAI - Only two Indians, defender Sardara Singh and forward Rani Rampal, figure in the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) All Star men and women’s teams for 2010.

Sardara Singh, who began his career as a forward and then shifted to the midfield before converting to a sweeper-back, has had an outstanding career and is among the 18 players in the men’s All-Star team.

Rani Rampal made her mark at the 2010 Women’s World Cup where she emerged as the top field goal scorer. Her eye-catching performances have put her alongside legends such as Luciana Aymar of Argentina, the ace striker.

Rampal was adjudged Player of the Tournament at the World Cup held in Argentina.

The two groups feature a number of legendary icons such as five-time nominees Luciana Aymar, Australian skipper Jamie Dwyer and Dutch drag-flick specialist Teun de Nooijer. These three players have also collected a staggering 14 FIH Player of the Year titles over the past decade.

Argentina’s Carlos Retegui and Danny Kerry of England have been named coaches of the women’s All Stars list while Kookaburra’s boss Ric Charlesworth and Markus Weise of Germany have made the men’s list.

Retegui had a near flawless 12 months, guiding Argentina’s women team to success at the World Cup and Champions Trophy, while Kerry’s England team took great strides forward by winning a trio of bronze medals at the Champions Trophy, World Cup and Commonwealth Games tournaments.

Charlesworth’s inclusion is no surprise considering his staggering coaching achievements this year, overseeing Australian triumphs at the Champions Trophy, World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

Weise has also achieved great things in 2010, directing his exciting young Germany team to a silver medal at the World Cup.

Each FIH All Star list was created using the recommendations and opinions of various hockey experts from across the globe including players, officials, coaches and journalists. The squads (with All-Star record):

Women: Luciana Aymar (Arg), Soledad Garcia (Arg), Noel Barrionuevo (Arg), Carla Rebecchi (Arg), Casey Eastham (Aus), Madonna Blyth (Aus), Fu Baorong (Chn), Zhao Yudiao (Chn), Helen Richardson (Eng), Rani Rampal (Ind), Beth Storry (Eng), Crista Cullen (Eng), Natascha Keller (Ger), Maartje Paumen (Ned), Naomi van As (Ned), Marsha Marescia (RSA), Joyce Sombroek (Ned), Kayla Sharland (NZ), Coaches: Carlos Retegui (Arg) and Danny Kerry (Eng)

Men: Jamie Dwyer (Aus), Ashley Jackson (Eng), Rehan Butt (Pak), Barry Middleton (Eng), David Alegre (Esp), Des Abbott (Aus), Eddie Ockenden (Aus), Guus Vogels (Ned), James Fair (Eng), Jong Ho Seo (Kor), Lucas Villa (Arg), Matthias Witthaus (Ger), Max Mller (Ger), Moritz Frste (Ger), Nick Wilson (NZ), Sardara Singh (Ind), Teun de Nooijer (Ned), Tobias Hauke (Ger), Coaches: Ric Charlesworth (Aus) and Markus Weise (Ger)