... but Sabah pleased with Alagendra

03/05/2002

SABAH have always been in the wilderness of hockey, as none of their
players have ever made the national team before, but the Sabah Hockey
Association are not complaining.
Ponder on this - Sabah have always stayed away from the Champions
Schools, the Junior League, the Razak Cup and the Malaysia Hockey League
because they never had the players to form a decent team.
Only now, since Sabah will be hosting the Malaysia Games in September,
have they formed an under-21 team.
But Sabah HA secretary Ajaib Singh had only praises for the Malaysian
Hockey Federation (MHF) who he said have been a great help to them over
the years.
"We have received tremendous help from the MHF deputy president Tan Sri
P. Alagendra over the years and this year, we have formed an under-21 side
which will be taking part in the Malaysia Games which we are hosting,"
said Ajaib yesterday.
And towards this purpose, Sabah HA recently hired India's World Cup
coach C.R. Kumar (who replaced Cedric D'souza midway in the Kuala Lumpur
World Cup) to boost their Malaysia Games team.
"We hired him for one year and his main job is to develop and scout for
local talent. Recently national chief coach Paul Lissek came down to Sabah
and watched the Mayor's Cup and he was impressed. He even recommended that
two of our players to be based in the (proposed) hockey academy in Kuala
Lumpur," said Ajaib.
But the hockey academy that was supposed to be based at the Tun Razak
Stadium, has now been shelved as the the National Sports Council want the
MHF to put their house in order first.
"As far as the Sabah HA is concerned, we have no major problems with the
MHF. This is probably because we have our own comprehensive development
programme every year.
"And with the availibility of an artificial pitch at the Likas Sports
Complex, things have become much easier and entertaining as well," saif
Ajaib.
Ajaib also said that when they approach MHF for assistance, they
normally get it.
"We always appreciate their speedy response. and coupled with our hard
work and proper planning, we only need to invite others to come and assist
us when we think we need some additional expertise," said Ajaib.
Ajaib also said that they are absolutely happy with two prominent
officials - Alagendra and NSC hockey co-ordinator Arrifin Ghani - who
never turn them away whenever they need assistance like training technical
officials and umpires.
When asked about monetary assistance from the MHF: "We get some
assistance from the Ministry of Sports and we have some sponsors who
contribute generously to our programmes.
"And with that, we have organised a junior and a senior tournament."
(END)