Current German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy Women 2008 – taking place from 17 until 25 May at the Warsteiner HockeyPark in Monchengladbach, Germany – as a highlight of the German sports year 2008.

In an interview for the new German federation-website www.hockey.de the Chancellor described why it was on her heart to accept the patronage for the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy Women 2008. Merkel said: ‘The German hockey ladies are a symbol for the girl power in German serious sports. Like their counterparts in soccer and handball they represent the top class of women sport teams in Germany.’

For the first time ever the German Chancellor Merkel accepted the patronage for an international hockey tournament. The German head of government  referred to the successes the German women’s hockey team captured during the last few years and remembered – besides the first ever Champions Trophy victory 2006 and the first ever European title 2007 – especially the Olympic victory 2004. Merkel: ‘That gives hope for the Champions Trophy 2008, which can be considered as the general rehearsal on their way to the Olympics in Beijing. That makes the tournament additionally more attractive and exciting.’

Source: DHB