MHF to increase seats at both pitches

28/10/2001

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) plan to increase the seating
capacity at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil for the 2002 Kuala
Lumpur World Cup on Feb 24 to March 9.
Both the pitches will see action during the hectic eight-team-per-group
format so seating at the main stadium will be increased by 3,000 temporary
seats to 15,000 while additional 2,800 temporary seats will increase the
capacity of the second pitch to 4,800.
"We will also lay new turf at both the pitches as it is a requirement to
stage a world class event," said MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra
after officiating the release of the match schedule yesterday.
For the first time in the history of the World Cup, the match schedule
was released outside of FIH headquarters in Brussels because, according to
Alagendra, "We have a very close working relationship with the FIH."
World Cup debutants Cuba will take on Sydney 2000 Olympic silver
medallists South Korea in the curtain raiser to the 10th Men's World Cup
on Feb 24.
Later in the day, defending champions Holland meet New Zealand while the
hosts face Australia.
The World Cup will feature for the first time an enlarged field of 16
nations divided into two groups of eight teams and a total of 72 matches
will be played over 14 days with the final on March 9.
Under the 2x8 format, each team will play seven matches in their group
followed by crossover playoffs before the final classification matches.
The two top teams in each group qualify for the semifinals while the
rest play for placings.
(END)