The European Hockey Federation is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Theo Ykema who passed away last Wednesday, September 7th at the age of 83.
Ykema was an international hockey player in 1959 and 1960 before going on to be an excellent administrator with both the KNHB and with the FIH who he served on the Executive Board from 1990 to 2006.
From 1986 to 1995, he was part of the KHNB board with his motto the “federation is of the clubs and for the clubs”. He became an Honorary Member in 1995.
With the FIH, he chaired the Coaching Committee and was instrumental in promoting both coaching and development. Under his chairmanship, the FIH appointed a Coaching Manager and a Development Manager and later five Continental Development Officers.
In 2000, he received an award for his exceptional commitment to international hockey and an award for national associations’ development initiatives was subsequently named in his honour.
EHF President Marijke Fleuren said: “Theo and I are from the same hockeyclub, LOHC Leiden. Wherever he went, he started to steer the wheel but always with the interest of the people involved in mind. He was a hockey lover ‘pur sang’. Rest in peace, dear Theo.”
The EHF board and employees would like to share their condolences with Theo’s family and friends.
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