On Wednesday, 16 January, the Ambassador attended the Press Conference on the official establishment of the Macedonian Field Hockey Federation. Since a few months, the Netherlands Embassy actively encourages the initiators of field hockey in Macedonia. It is organizing concrete support through field hockey clubs in the Netherlands, the Dutch Field Hockey Federation and the commercial sector ( www.dekkersport.com). To promote this new sport, a friendly match will be organized between mixed teams of Macedonia and the Netherlands in Ohrid on 2 February. Ambassador Filippini said: "I am looking forward to this sportive challenge, marking the beginning of what I hope will be a series of Dutch-Macedonian fiield hockey encounters! Knowing the excellent physical condition of our Macedonian friends, we will have to put our best foot forward in February.   Press coverage:     http://www.utrinski.com.mk/  http://www.netpress.com.mk/  http://www.mrt.com.mk  http://www.makfax.com.mk/  http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/  http://www.mia.com.mk/  http://www.vreme.com.mk/       English summary press coverage   The Macedonian Field Hockey Federation was officially promoted yesterday in the premises of the Agency of Youth and Sports. David Balbirnie, Secretary General of the European Field Hockey Federation and Simone Filippini, Dutch Ambassador to Macedonia were present at the promotion of the Macedonian Field Hockey Federation as the 43rd member of the European organisation. Dejan Panovski, President of the Macedonian Field Hockey Federation said that the Agency of Youth and Sports will popularise this sport in the country and informed that there are already 5 field hockey teams in Ohrid, Struga, Gevgelija, Prilep and Skopje. For the time being the field hockey will be played in the sports halls and the first open-air fields will be constructed soon. Balbirnie said that the European Federation will help support the Macedonian Federation with equipment, assistance in the construction of the fields, seminars and experts’ visits. The Ambassador of the Netherlands Simone Filippini pointed out that the Netherlands will take active part in the popularisation of this sport, which is very popular in the Netherlands, and informed that on February 2nd the Macedonian male representation will welcome the representation of the Netherlands, which ranks second in the world.