`Poor' teams must prepare from now

30/06/1997

ELECTRICAL Switchgear Automation (ESA) of Penang and Old La Sallians of
Klang (Olak) won a title each after the dust settled on the MHF-Milo-NSC
Junior League Hockey on Saturday.
Olak pipped ESA for the League title and the Penang-based ESA exacted
the revenge in the overall title battle. But they were not the only
winners.
The League, which kicked off on May 2, can claim top honours for it
achieved its target of being a platform for the betterment of our hockey.
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) and National Sports Council (NSC) have
selected 27 players for this purpose.
The players were selected to form the national Under-19 squad.
Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), Penang Juniors and third-placed
finisher Tampin District are the other victors.
BJSS, although at the receiving end most of time, have youth on their
side and the Most Promising Player award went to their Wan Mohamed Zarir.
Zarir is one of those selected by MHF and NSC for the national Under-19
team.
Penang Juniors are in the same category as BJSS. They are said to be the
back-up for overall winners ESA while Tampin District have contributed
three players for the Under-19 team.
The disappointment of the League were last year's runnersup Andersonians
who failed to shine, but they deserve credit for putting up a team
although most of their `big names' were pinched by other teams.
And although only 10 teams competed, there were 12 in 1995, the total
prize money was increased from RM54,000 to RM73,000. Teams were also
provided with full hockey attire which reduced their preparation cost by
at least RM7,000.
And the RM500 purse for each win was also introduced.
But sadly, the increase in prize money and the attire subsidy were
announced just before the League kicked-off and most `poorer' teams were
caught off guard and did not have the time to put together a side.
Maybe they can start preparing now for next year.
(END)