JHL gets tremendous response

05/06/2002

THE MHF-Milo-Admiral Junior Hockey League (JHL) from June 21-Aug 4
received such a tremendous response that the Malaysian Hockey Federation
(MHF) had to turn away Singapore.
"Singapore had sent in their application for the JHL but the fixtures
for the 22-team League were so tight that we had to turn them away," said
MHF secretary S. Satgunam after the JHL draw was conducted yesterday.
The League, to be run in two pools, will take a two-week break in August
to accommodate the national Under-18 players' Tour of Poland.
"After the League fixtures are over, the JHL will take a two-week break
so that the Under-18 players can head for Poland for a hockey carnival.
The semifinals of the JHL will resume after the Under-18 team returns
home," said Satgunam.
If MHF had entertained Singapore's request, the League fixtures would
have spilled into the dates of the Poland Tour.
"We have also decided to run the 2003 JHL on a Division One and Division
Two basis. So, teams will have to fight for a top-five finish in the
respective pools if they want to play in Division One next year," said
Satgunam.
The MHF, which will give a subsidy of RM5,000 to each team in the JHL,
will have to fork out an additional sum of about RM22,000, assuming none
of the matches end in a draw, to pay the RM200-per win match bonus
promised.
The winners of Pool A and Pool B will each receive RM7,500 while the
Overall Champions will pocket RM25,000.
Last year, 15 teams competed in the JHL and Malacca Municipal Council
were the champions but they are not fielding a team this year.
TEAMS - Pool A: Armed Forces Apprentice Training School, Sultan Abu
Bakar College, Malay Mail, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Yayasan Negri Sembilan,
Penang Indians Sports Club, Ipoh Municipal Council, Krian Hockey
Association, Perak Malays Hockey Association, Petaling Jaya Municipal
Council, Olak.
Pool B: Johor Sports Council, MSSKL, Malaysian Sports School, SMK Datuk
Taha, Pahang Telecoms, Seberang Prai Municipal Council, Taiping Hockey
Association, SMK Anderson, Synergy Hockey Club, Serdang Hockey Club,
Terengganu Sports Council.
(END)