Record entries for girls' league

13/02/2003

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (Women's Section) Junior Hockey League
will see a record entry of 10 teams vying for honours, starting at the end
of March.
Another special feature this year, in their bid to make the girls' final
memorable, MHF(WS) has decided to hold it just before the boys' JHL final
on May 11 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
"The final has been slated for May 11, just hours before the boys' JHL
final so that fans can watch two exciting finals in a row this year," said
MHF(WS) secretary S. Shamala.
In the inaugural girls' JHL in 2001 only five teams - two from Bukit
Jalil Sports School, one from Bandar Penawar Sports School and one each
from Perak and Pahang took part.
Last year, eight teams - Bukit Jalil, Bandar Penawar, MSS Negri
Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor entered.
This year, the teams taking part are Bukit Jalil Sports School, Bukit
Jalil Sports School Puteri, Negri Sembilan Schools Sports Council,
Terengganu, SMK Seberang Temerloh (Pahang), SMK Tengku Afzan (Pahang),
Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Pahang.
Missing from the list this year are Sarawak who took part last year and
were accorded special privileges as their matches were spread over two
weeks to cut costs.
"We tried to get another two teams to enter the Junior League, but have
yet to get a response from States which we approached. Still, having 10
teams this year can be considered a big achievement," said Shamala.
The MHF(WS) hopes to use the Junior league to select players for its
various agegroup development programmes.
Milo, National Sports Council and Admiral will be the main sponsors for
the girls' JHL this year.
(END)