KLHA launches Schools League

05/07/2002

KUALA Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) marked another milestone yesterday
when they launched a grassroots development initiative aimed at improving
interest and the level of hockey among secondary school pupils in Kuala
Lumpur.
KLHA yesterday held a brief ceremony with their sponsors, Nestle
Products Sdn Bhd and Sapura Holdings Bhd, to launch the 2002 KL Schools
Hockey League which will begin on Sunday with 15 teams taking part.
"This joint venture with the State Schools Sports Council is a first for
Malaysia and we hope it will benefit hockey in the long run," said KLHA
president Tan Sri Noordin Hassan.
The response for the schools league has been tremendous as 15 of the 19
invited schools responded positively. Divided into two groups, the schools
will play a single round robbin format where the group champions and
runners-up will meet in rhe crossover semifinals.
"A total of 53 matches are expected to be played by the participating
schools and the project differs from other competitions held at schools
level as it offers participarting schools at least seven competitive
matches over a period of two months.
"Also the competition rules have been modified to allow each team to
register and field all 20 players for league matches. This was done to
give all players a chance to show off their skills and give them a sense
of participation in every match," said Noordin.
To make it more exciting, each team will be allowed to field eight
under-15 players and at any given time, while three or more under-15
players must be on the pitch.
"It is hoped that the inclusion of under-15 players in the under-18 age-
group tournament will develop their mental strength, character, attitude
and skills to compete with physically bigger players.
"Such a situation is regularly faced by the national team when they meet
European opponents and the organisers of this league hope to prepare them
by simulating such a physically-competitive arena in the early stage of
their life as hockey players," said Noordin.
Apart from providing a platform for more competitive matches, the
tournament also offers a base for aspiring teaches to become hockey
coaches by handling a team in a league situation.
"The programme has been made possible with the help of Nestle, Sapura
and Malay Mail and it is hoped that it will become an annual event and
that it extends the hockey playing season for schools.
"At the end of the tournament, 60 players will be selected for advanced
training under the supervision of KLHA coaches," said Noordin.
Group A: Sek Men Seri Hartamas, SMK Tinggi Setapak, Sek Men Bukit
Bandaraya, St John's Institution, Sek MBS Sentul, SMK Victoria, Sek Men
Sungai Besi, Sek Men Alam Shah.
Group B: SMK Kepung Baru, SMK Seri Pantai, Sek Men Vivekananda, SMK
Taman Melati, SMK Raja Abdullah, SMK Titiwangsa, Sek Men Sains Selangor.
(END)