FIH shoots down 18-player ruling again

18/01/2002

THE Six-Nation's managers' meeting started on a quiet note with tournament
director Douglas Gray going about the usual routine and rules for the Six-
Nation which begins today.
But the moment he announced that the International Hockey Federation
(FIH) has shot down, for the second time, a request to allow all 18
players to be fielded in the Six-Nation, a barrage of protests rang out
from the floor.
Team managers from Australia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Holland and Japan were
visibly upset with the blunt `NO' from the FIH.
But the matter was put to rest temporarily when Malaysian Hockey
Federation (MHF) deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra said he will call
FIH again later in the evening and make a third request by virtue of being
hosts.
And his request was again turned down by the FIH and only 16 players
will be able to play during the Six-Nation.
Two weeks ago, the Malaysian Hockey Federation had made a request to the
FIH to allow teams to field 18 players but it was shot down.
And on Wednesday, the team managers of the participating countries made
an appeal to Gray to forward the matter to the FIH again.
"I received a stern `No' from the FIH when I called them regarding the
matter yesterday (Wednesday). I was not given a reason, but FIH were
adamant not to allow all 18 players to be fielded in the Six-Nation," said
Gray.
The FIH made it clear that teams will be allowed to use 18 players only
for the World Cup because it will be played in humid conditions. They said
it is a one-off ruling only for the World Cup.
New Zealand were the only team not represented in the managers' meeting
because they were scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur late last night.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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