Clubs agree to release players

24/03/2002

THE Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) managers meeting was held yesterday and
the nine team managers unanimously agreed to place national duty above
club commitments.
There was fear that some of the managers would not agree to releasing
their players for a host of national assignments during the league because
they had paid good money to secure some of their star players. But
yesterday good sense prevailed and hockey was the winner.
"We (Malaysia Hockey Federation) put forward the suggestion that clubs
place national duty first and foremost and they agreed. A meeting between
the MHF and the National Sports Council will be held on Tuesday (tomorrow)
to chart new plans for hockey with the Asian Games in Busan (South Korea)
as our main target for a medal," said MHF deputy-president Tan Sri P.
Alagendra yesterday.
Malaysia are slated to play Test matches gainst Korea in Busan from May
10-15 and this clashes with MHL fixtures.
After that, it is the Four-Nation in Australia involving the hosts,
Argentina, South Korea and Malaysia. This too, clashes with the MHL
fixtures.
Malaysia have also been invited to play in Germany, South Africa,
Argentina, Holland and Japan after their good showing in the World Cup.
Top of the list must surely be the Four-Nation Panasonic Cup in Hamburg
in June. But this five-star tournament clashes with an earlier plan made
by the MHF to play in the Australian Four-Nation.
Alagendra said the meeting with the NSC will iron-out this problem.
"We have too many invitations and do not want to rush out and accept
all. In the meeting with the NSC on Tuesday we will decide which
tournaments we will play in to prepare for the Asian Games," said
Alagendra.
Although all the teams, with the exception of Navy who are based in
Lumut, are from the Klang Valley, Alagendra was optimistic that the league
will serve its purpose of unearthing new talent for the national team.
"I am happy with the turnout from the clubs and hope that a few new
players will be discovered.
"I would also like to stress that being a member of the recent World Cup
team does not gurantee any player the right to play in the Asian Games. We
(MHF) are serious about blooding new players and those who do well in the
MHL will definitely be selected for the September Games," said Alagendra.
The 2001 MHL was postponed because the national team had too many
tournaments to play in to prepare for the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup.
Bank Simpanan National, champions in 2000, have assembled a formidable
side which is capable of a double this year.
With 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup top-scorer Sohail Abbas of Pakistan and
compatriot Kashif Jawad, the top scorer in the January Six-Nations,
turning our for BSN this season, the Bankers look good for another title.
Sohail is definitely a sound replacement for Mirnawan Nawawi and Indian
international Dhanraj Pillay who quit BSN and signed with Anderson Sports
Club this season.
Going by the team list Anderson Sports Club, now with Dhanraj, Mirnawan
and midfielder Len Ayappa, should give BSN a run for their money. They
also have national stars Maninderjit Singh and S. Shanker.
The rest of the teams are only in in to gain experience and, if
possible, to play the role of spoilers.
Teams like Bumiputera Commerce, Jolly Lads Sports Club, Maybank, Armed
Forces and Navy will find it tough.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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