Bundesliga stint on hold

27/02/1999


GERMAN coach Paul Lissek's plans to expose six juniors in the Bundesliga
to inculcate "German thinking" for the 2001 Junior World Cup assault has
been put on hold.
Malaysia Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy president Datuk Seri P.
Alagendra said yesterday the German HA could not accommodate their request
because of a tight season.
"We also wrote to Australia and Holland with the same request and while
the Dutch have yet to reply, the Australians gave the same reply as the
Germans," said Alagendra.
Six juniors from the Project 2001 squad were to play in the German
National Hockey League as well as in a Four-Nation under the guidance of
Lissek. The plan was made with the approval of the National Sports Council
who have employed Lissek as consultant.
The six who missed the chance of the German attachment are Chua Boon
Huat and Suhaimi Ibrahim (Red and White Munich); K. Keevan Raj and K.
Logan Raj (Monchengladbach); Madzli Ikmar and Syayrim Uda Karim (Black and
White Neuss).
In the previous stint in 1997, S. Kuhan, R. Shankar, Kerpal Singh, Nor
Azlan Bakar and Chairil Anwar Aziz played in the three-month Bundesliga as
part of their preparation for the World Cup in Utrecht.
Malaysia failed to qualify for the Junior World Cup in Milton Keynes,
England in 1997 for the first time after finishing fifth in the Asian
Junior Cup three years ago.
The silver lining is former national hockey coach Volker Knapp's
willingness to recruit two juniors to play for Eintracht Frankfurt on
April 16 to May 30 and the deal is that the German club will pay for air
tickets, board and lodging.
"We received a letter from Knapp yesterday on the request for two
juniors and would extend our help in selecting the players. It is actually
a compliment to Malaysian players because it looks like they have made a
name at the international level."
Meanwhile, the MHF Competitions Committee announced yesterday Germany,
Canada, Pakistan, South Korea and New Zealand confirmed their first team
for the Azlan Shah Cup.
"Even after the closing date for entries, we received requests from five
other countries. Unfortunately, we could not accommodate them.
"It only goes to show that the tournament has gained recognition over
the years. In fact, Canada and Germany have plans to come early and play a
few friendlies."
MHF have decided that they will not recall players who were dropped
before the Commonwealth Games but will try and accommodate a few seniors
who would have sat their examinations before the Cup.
"We met some of the players and university officials and have received a
positive response.
"In fact, Maninderjit Singh and Mirnawan Nawawi have committed
themselves for the tournament."
(END)