KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt has been picked in All Star team by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The experienced forward is one of the world’s best hockey players selected in the men’s team on the basis of their performance on the international circuit. The FIH All Star men’s and women’s teams for 2010 feature a total of 36 players and four coaches who have lit up the hockey world over the past 12 months with their achievements. The impressive squads feature a number of legendary icons who have been named on the All Stars lists on many previous occasions, such as five time nominees Luciana Aymar (ARG), Jamie Dwyer (AUS) and Teun de Nooijer (NED). Between them, these three players have also collected a staggering 14 FIH Player of the Year titles over the past decade. However, they are far from being the only high achievers in the All Star teams. Three players have notched up their fourth appearances on the lists, with Natascha Keller (GER), Fu Baorong (CHN) and Jong Ho Seo (KOR) all featuring in the 2010 squads. Madonna Blyth (AUS), Crista Cullen (ENG), Maartje Paumen (NED), Naomi van As (NED) and Marsha Marescia (RSA) have each been named in the women’s FIH All Stars team for a third time, with Barry Middleton (ENG), Eddie Ockenden (AUS), Matthias Witthaus (GER), Moritz F¸rste (GER) and the now retired Netherlands goalkeeper Guus Vogels also achieved the same feat in the men’s All Star team. Argentina penalty corner star Noel Barrionuevo makes the list for a second time, joined by her teammate Carla Rebecchi, Casey Eastham (AUS), Helen Richardson (ENG), Ashley Jackson (ENG), Rehan Butt (PAK) and Max M¸ller (GER). Of the 18 strong men’s All Star list, seven players are there for the first time. James Fair makes it an impressive double for England goalkeepers, joining Beth Storry in the 2010 All Star teams, while Kookaburra’s striker Des Abbott also makes the list following a year in
which he won the top prize at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, ABN AMRO Champions Trophy and the Commonwealth Games. Spanish midfielder David Alegre has been an impressive performer for his country, being joined on the list by Argentina’s Lucas Villa, brilliant India defender Sardar Singh and Nick Wilson of New Zealand, a striker nominated by his peers for the FIH Young Player of the Year Award. The winner of that particular award was Germany midfielder Tobias Hauke, who also becomes an FIH All Star for the first time.
