Judge Ramesh Patel’s comments
Arun Panchia was a prominent part of the Auckland National Hockey League team that won the title in 2012. He was a member of the Black Sticks team that won the Azlan Shah Cup Tournament in Malaysia for the first time for New Zealand, and had a stint in the professional Hockey league in the Netherlands.
While he did not make the final 18 to go to the 2012 London Olympics, he was named the first reserve to be called, in case of injury and was considered by some to be unlucky for having missed the final selection in the first place.
Arun Panchia has cemented his place in the Black Sticks midfield and looks to have a bright future at the top level.
Shareena Nana
Shareena Nana’s achievements in 2012 include being part of the Premier 1 Women’s Howick Pakuranga club team, a member of the Auckland Indian Sports Club team at the Hockey Tournament during Queen’s Birthday weekend, and a member of the Northland National Hockey League team.
Shareena came to prominence in 2011 when she was selected in the Junior Black Sticks team to tour India.
Since then, Shareena’s development in Hockey is continuing. I hope that it is not long before she is considered for higher national honours.
