ABN AMRO, FIH's WorldHockey Partner since the beginning of this year, is to become the title sponsor of FIH's WorldHockey Team Rankings.

The ABN AMRO WorldHockey Team Rankings are the official acid tests of an international team's standing on a world level. Points are awarded only at the conclusion of an FIH or continental level event and these points amortize over a period of four years, which gives the best reflection of the current status of each national team. A team's position on the rankings is essential to determine its participation in certain FIH World Level events, as well as its pool allocation.

FIH's partner broadcaster for Asia and Middle East, Ten Sports, will be producing and airing 4 different 30 second short features each month to give an up to date story of the rankings and the teams and individual players at the forefront of international hockey. The shorts will also appear on the front page of the FIH website www.worldhockey.org.

Els van Breda Vriesman, FIH President commented: ÔÇ£I'm delighted that ABN AMRO has chosen to extend its involvement in international hockey to the rankings. The deal is very special in that it promotes the stars and stories of hockey via the video clips produced by Ten Sports, and screened by them and by FIH's website.ÔÇØ

Ernst Boekhorst, Head Sponsoring for ABN AMRO Netherlands, is happy with the sponsorship. "Our partnership with FIH provides ABN AMRO with a great opportunity to connect to the interests of our clients. This sponsorship fits the international character and ambition of the bank."

Please click here for direct access to the ABN AMRO WorldHockey Team Rankings