JHL provides talent windfall

13/08/2002

THE MHF-Milo-Admiral-NSC Junior League saw an overwhelming 22 teams taking
part this year but whether the figure will be maintained, or bettered,
next season is unclear.
This year, the JHL thrived on Malaysia Games money as States prepared
their players, and when the coffers dry up next year, the Malaysian Hockey
Federation (MHF) expects fewer teams to take part.
And the RM5,000 subsidy offered to each team this year might not be
there next season as it is subject to the MHF council's approval.
Perak fielded a record five teams but only two teams, Ipoh City Council
and SMK Anderson, put up a creditable show while the rest might not field
a team next season.
Perak Malays Hockey Association, Taiping District and Krian District
struggled and Taiping almost withdrew at the tail-end because they did not
have enough money to carry on.
A timely intervention by MHF saved Taiping and the whipping boys of the
League ended their fixtures with double-digit hammerings.
Next season, it would be wiser if Perak concentrate on two teams and not
stretch out their resources.
On the pitch, there was plenty of flair displayed by the top four teams
in Group A and B and the selectors have shortlisted 31 new faces as
national prospects.
"The selectors went around the country to watch the JHL matches and we
discovered 31 players who have the potential to don national colours,"
said junior manager Poon Fook Loke.
The 31 will be called for a five-day camp in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 18-
23.
"During the camp, we will monitor them and if they impress, we will put
them under our various age-group teams and in the long run, they can
replace national players who call it quits," said Poon.
The JHL was a windfall, not only to Group B League and Overall champions
Telekom Pahang, but the country as well.
The recent spate of national players calling it quits has opened up
avenues for the younger generation to display their skills and the 31
selected from the JHL is the first step to have a bigger big pool of
future Malaysian flag-bearers.
The selected 31 - goalkeepers: Che Mohamed Nasa (MSNJ), T. Veerasegar
(Olak-MPK), Nasrul Azim Rahimi (Anderson); Defenders: S. Vatu Malar (YNS),
Nor Hameizi (Olak-MPK), Ilham Fuad (AFATS), Baljit Singh (Anderson),
Mohamed Sari Jasmani (TNB), Syafiq Amir Kamarudin (TNB), Wan Mohamed
Asyrizal (TNB); Midfield: Manpreet Singh (Perak Malays), Mohamed Zulladli
Jamil (Malay Mail), Abdul Hadi Adam (Ipoh), P. Mahendra Thevar (YNS),
Mohamed Jabir (MPSP), Fazlil Hafez Urwah (PJMC), Nor Azizan Rani (PJMC),
A. Yuaneswaran (MSSKL), Amir Syafiq Awang Soh (MSST); Forwards: Mohamed
Zamzuhairi (Olak-MPK), Saiful Amri Idris (MSST), M. Sriganenthra (Malay
Mail), Kelvinder Singh (MSSKL), Mohamed Amerullah Aziz (Malaysia SS),
Mohamed Shahrul Amran (Datuk Taha), G. Vijayan (YNS), Ahmad Anuar Kamal
(Ipoh), Mohamed Redza (Serdang), Faridz Hashim (Serdang), Mohamed Syakir
(Serdang), Mohamed Fairuz (Serdang).
(END)