Following an agreement between the Umpiring Committees of the Asian Hockey Federation and the Pan American Hockey Federation to provide promising umpires with more international experience (and with the approval of the FIH), the PAHF has invited:

• Kim Hong Lae (Korea) to officiate at the 8th Men's Pan American Junior Championships in Havana, Cuba, in February,
• Nor Piza Hassan (Malaysia) to officiate at the 5th Women's Pan American Junior Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March.

Later in the year, two PAHF umpires will be invited to officiate at tournaments in Asia.

"We are delighted that this exchange of young umpires has been arranged", said Richard Kentwell, Secretary of the PAHF Umpiring Committee, "as this will provide an excellent opportunity for these four young umpires to gain some valuable international experience and possible upgrading. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Kim and Mrs. Hassan to our tournaments".

This Umpire Exchange Program is supported and sanctioned by the FIH Umpiring Committee.

For more information about the Pan American Junior Championships, please visit the Pan American Hockey Federation web site.

The Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) is recognized by the FIH as the governing continental federation for all field hockey in the Pan American region. There are 22 member Nations of the PAHF. For more information please contact info@panamhockey.org.