Global hockey community pulls out all stops to celebrate Olympics Day.

ISLAMABAD -- Although these are far from normal times, the international hockey community has pulled out all the stops when it comes to celebrating the greatest multi-sport show of them all.

Hockey players and hockey fans from across the world showed innovation, creativity and a determination to celebrate the annual International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Day with a whole range of hockey-focused events and activities, said a press release issued by Federation of International Hockey (FIH).

Central to the hockey activities were the three themes of this year's IOC campaign: #StayStrong, #StayHealthy and #StayActive.

All three, mental strength, healthy living and getting fit, are particularly pertinent to people across the globe right now, as just about everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Pacific Islands, the National Associations of Tonga and Vanuatu organised hockey activities in some of the smaller village communities that lie just outside the city.

Neighbouring Tonga saw the Tonga Hockey Federation join forces for the fourth consecutive year with the National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) to run activities that promoted Olympic values. Hockey players of all abilities came together with participants from a wide range of other Olympic sports in events organised by sports federations. There was also a hockey festival for primary school children, which was the culmination of several weeks of coaching activity that had taken place before lockdown was imposed.

In Pakistan, national team players past and present were encouraged to communicate with fans around the themes highlighted during Olympic Day. Using video clips, online discussions and written messages, the athletes demonstrated their stick and ball skills and shared their online fitness training tips. Olympians were asked to write essays of up to 300 words about their own experiences of the Olympics.

Also in Asia, the Chinese Taipei Hockey Association was in a position to bring people together to enjoy playing hockey. To mark Olympic Day, the National Association held a series of competitions for people ranging in age from 10-55, with participants of all levels having a go at the sport.

Things got very artistic in Paraguay as the Paraguay Hockey Federation published a series of flyers showing how hockey can help people get, and stay, fit and healthy. The message was loud and clear - hockey is good for the mind and body.

Another PAHF nation, Argentina, has a...

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