MARGAO
Anoshka D'Souza, the sole Goan participant, was one of the 14 women selected for the prestigious Hockey Technical Official Level 1 Course. The course, held in 2024, took place alongside the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, India.
The course saw the participation of 28 dedicated attendees”14 men and 14 women”who were mentored by esteemed educator Elisabeth Fuerst. This initiative is part of a larger effort to advance the standards of hockey officiating and prepare future officials for international tournaments.
Fuerst, appointed by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), focused on enhancing the participants' understanding of the sport’s rules and regulations. She emphasized the importance of applying theoretical knowledge in real-life situations to ensure accurate and informed decision-making. “The competence of the candidates was already quite high when they entered the course,” said Fuerst. “We concentrated on refining their skills to handle complex scenarios and improve officiating standards. I’m confident that this course will have a lasting impact on the future of hockey officiating in the country,” she added.
D'Souza expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the course, noting how the experience was enriched by the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants. "The course provided invaluable insights into the management and application of rules, and I’m thankful to have had the chance to learn from Ms. Fuerst, who shared a wealth of knowledge," she said.
During the course, participants had the unique opportunity to witness matches from the Asian Champions Trophy and were presented with the tournament mascot, "Gudiya," as a token of appreciation. D'Souza concluded by thanking Hockey India, the Asian Hockey Federation, and Goan Hockey for supporting her nomination and offering her this incredible opportunity. She also extended her heartfelt gratitude to her family and the Goan hockey community for their constant encouragement and support.
