KUALA LUMPUR – From Alphonso Davies to Margaret Mac Neil, Canada champions cultural diversity in sports to give a chance to all its citizens regardless of their backgrounds.
The nation with a storied history in field hockey has been turning heads with the cultural and ethnic mosaic that comprises their squad at the ongoing FIH Men’s Junior World Cup.
Its field hockey team, affectionately known as the Red Caribou, boasts a remarkable history, making eight appearances in the Olympics, six in the FIH Men’s Senior World Cup, and 15 in the Pan American Games, where they clinched the championship four times (1983, 1987, 1999, 2007).
What has particularly caught the attention of fans at this year’s world cup is the team’s composition, featuring 11 players of Indian descent out of a total of 18.
Speaking to Scoop, Canadian head coach Geoffrey Matthews explained the significance of cultural diversity in sports in his country.
The 45-year-old, who is also of Irish descent, shed light on how his country’s government prioritises the inclusivity of its citizens via sports.
“The representation of all cultures in sports has consistently been a primary criterion set by our government and I believe that our government has been doing a fantastic job with their initiatives in showcasing diversity through sports beginning from the schools.
“As a nation, we are always ready to embrace people from different cultures without looking at their backgrounds, and I’m proud to say that we don’t have any quota system in our country.
“Cultural representation is not limited to field hockey only. We have a total of 58 sports associations in the country, and we have athletes from all races in all the teams without being dominated by one race or ethnicity,” said Matthews.
The coach also elaborated on the significant role the Indian community has played in shaping the landscape of field hockey in Canada.
“The contribution of the Indian community to field hockey in our country is immeasurable.
“Most of the players that we have are from Surrey, which is one of the biggest cities in our country. They have a great love for the sport and have always been active in field hockey.
“The Indians have been the backbone of the sport’s development, and their influence can be witnessed at all levels of the game.
“From grassroots initiatives to elite competitions, the Indian diaspora has played an integral role. Our team is a true reflection of Canada’s multicultural identity.
“The players, with their Indian heritage, bring a distinct style of play, adding flair and creativity to our game. It’s a testament to the inclusive nature of our sport,” Matthews added.
Canada was placed in Group C together with Spain, India and South Korea in the ongoing world cup.
The team with an average age of 21 years old has so far conceded a total of 33 goals in the tournament.
Canada lost to Egypt through a penalty shootout this morning in their thirteenth to sixteenth place match. – December 13, 2023