States can select Sports School players

27/11/2002

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) Competitions Committee has endorsed a request from the Bukit Jalil (BJSS) and Bandar Penawar Sports Schools (BPSS), and the winners were the States.
"BJSS and BPSS requested that their students be allowed to play for
their respective States during age-group tournaments and only if the
States do not need their help, can they play for Kuala Lumpur.
"The Competitions Committee had no objections as it will benefit the
States if they can have their cream players in age-group tournaments,"
said Competitions Committee secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
Right now, Kuala Lumpur always field the cream of the country while the
rest lose their players when they enrol in the sport schools. The ruling
will see more balanced age-group tournaments next year.
The committee will also submit a request to the MHF Council to continue
with the RM5,000 per-team subsidy which was given out to promote this
year's Junior Hockey League (JHL).
"We felt that the money would help teams prepare for the JHL and there
is a strong possibility that the council will endorse it."
Sarawak representative Amar Singh suggested that teams from East
Malaysia should receive more money so that they too can take part in the
JHL.
"We will forward Amar's suggestion to the MHF Council because we want
teams from East Malaysia to take part in the JHL. A little help from MHF
might unearth talent from the other side."
This year, 22 teams took part in the JHL and the MHF is expecting a
similar number in the next edition.
"We are confident that the response will be also good next year and that
is why we have decided on the two division format. The top 10 teams this
year will play in Division One and the others in Division Two.
"We have also decided that the top six teams in Division One and the top
two teams in Division Two will play in the quarter-finals. This way, even
teams in the second division will have a shot at the overall title," said
Satgunam.
However, if the number of teams that register for the JHL is 16 or less,
the two-division plan will be scrapped.
The Competitions Committee also endorsed a new tournament for next year _ indoor hockey.
"Indoor hockey was very popular years ago, but it was forgotten. For
next year, an indoor hockey tournament will be held on Aug 14-17 but we
have yet to decide the venue."
(END)