Malaysia to face Japan in Challenge opener

08/11/2001

MALAYSIA will open their Champions Challenge campaign against Japan on Dec
7 at the National Hockey Stadium.
The inaugural Champions Challenge men's hockey tournament, moved from
India because of security reasons, will see Argentina, Belgium, India,
Japan, Malaysia and South Africa battle it out on Dec 7-15 in Kuala
Lumpur.
Yesterday, the match schedule was approved by the International Hockey
Federation (FIH).
"We have received approval from the FIH to hold the tournament from Dec
7-15 at the National Hockey Stadium. Our request for Malaysia to play at
8pm, because of the Fasting Month, was also approved," said MHF secretary
S. Satgunam yesterday.
The winner of the new tournament will earn a place in the next Champions
Trophy tournament to be played in the German city of Cologne in August.
The Champions Challenge was originally scheduled to be held in New
Delhi, but the FIH was forced to change the venue after some of the teams
declined to travel to India due to the US-led strikes on nearby
Afghanistan.
FIH secretary-general Peter Cohen said, on their official website, that
Kuala Lumpur would get a chance to test their organisational capabilities
ahead of the World Cup on February 24 to March 9.
The FIH are still looking for an alternative venue for the women's
Champions Challenge event, which was also scheduled to be held in New
Delhi on the same dates.
Teams: Malaysia, Argentina, Belgium, India, Japan, South Africa.
* jugjet@nstp.com.my
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