Azlan Shah Cup scrapped

27/06/2002

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), in a move to maintain quality, has
decided not to organise the Azlan Shah Cup this year.
Initially scheduled to be held in Ipoh on Sept 15-22, the tournament was
bought forward to July 7-15 - but now, it has been scrapped because of
poor response from invited teams.
"I have tried my level best to invite teams for the Azlan Shah Cup, but
I have only received a positive reply from South Korea. The other teams
have replied in the negative.
"So, the Azlan Shah will definitely not be held next month but I leave
it to the MHF competitions committee to make a stand on whether to hold it
at a later date, but with a different name," said MHF secretary S.
Satgunam.
Most of the world's top-10 teams have a tight calendar this year, so
even if MHF do decide to hold it at a later date by inviting lower ranked
teams, the tournament will not be called the Azlan Shah Cup.
Argentina, Spain, Germany, South Korea and Holland were invited for the
Azlan Shah Cup, which is seen as on par with the standard of the Champions
Trophy, but Argentina, Spain, Germany, and Holland have declined
invitation for this year.
The MHF did receive an appeal from Japan to be included in the Azlan
Shah Cup, but they are not keen on it. Pakistan were among the teams
which were slighted at not being invited.
"We would like to maintain a certain standard in the tournament. That is
why we rather not hold the Azlan Shah Cup this year. But some foreign
teams will be invited before the September Asian Games to prepare the
national side and the tournament will be held under another name," said
Satgunam.
Korea are hot on the list for a few Test matches before the Asian Games.
"The national team, now in England for two Test matches, need more
matches to prepare for the Asian Games, so the MHF will try and invite a
few countries. We have been in contact with Korea, and they are very keen
to play a few Test matches," said Satgunam.
In the Asian Games, Malaysia are in the relatively easy Group A with
defending champions India, Japan, Oman and Bangladesh.
(END)