Record entries for Junior League

21/05/2002

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation Competitions Committee finally met for the
first time after a lapse of almost two years to announce that the Junior
Hockey League will have a record entry this season.
The last time the Competitions Committee met was on Sept 2000 and the
Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) was organised without the committee meting at
all.
"I assure all that from now, the competitions committee will meet more
regularly and we will make the decisions," said chairman Datuk Abdul Jalil
Abdul Majid after Junior Hockey League (JHL) entries closed yesterday.
Jalil said that 22 teams have registered for the JHL, starting on June
21. "The response has been overwhelming because our estimate was for about
16 teams. Only Malacca, Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis have failed to send in
teams and we will be contacting them, especially Kedah and Malacca, to
find out why."
Kuala Lumpur Malay Mail will be making their debut in the Junior League
alongside, among others, Synergy Holiday Club from Selangor and Serdang
Hockey Club.
Synergy are still looking for more players, especially goalkeepers, and
those who are interested can contact P. Kuganeson at 012-2980204 for
trials.
Last year 14 teams took part in the League but with the Malaysian Hockey
Federation (MHF) providing a grant of RM5,000 per-team this year, Perak
have sent in the largest contingent with five teams.
The perak teams are Andersen, Ipoh Municipal Council, Perak Malays,
Taiping HA and Kerian District HA.
Malacca are a sad story because last year Malacca Municipal Council were
the champions, but this year they have even failed to field a team.
Malacca HA officials said earlier that they will be concentrating on
schools this year and that is the reason they will not field a team in the
Junior League.
Last year's overall runners-up Petaling Jaya Municipal Council and Olak
have also fielded a team each and judging by the entries, the Junior
League is going to be an explosive affair this season.
And since there are 22 teams, the format will have to be changed into
two groups of 11 teams.
"We will hold a press conference to announce the details tomorrow
(today)," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam. The draw is also expected to be
made today.
Teams: Sultan Abu Bakar College Johor, MSN Johor, Serdang Hockey Club,
Telekom Pahang, Bukit Jalil Sports School, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Penang
Indians, Synergy Holiday Club, MSS Terengganu, MSS Kuala Lumpur, Seberang
Prai Municipal Council, AFATS, Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, Kerian
Hockey Association, Olak, KL Malay Mail, Datuk Taha, Ipoh Municipal
Council, Anderson, Taiping HA, Perak Malays and Yayasan Negri Sembilan.
(END)