BSN get Imran for MHL

08/05/2003

MALAYSIA Hockey League (MHL) defending overall champions Bank Simpanan
Nasional have managed to secure Pakistan junior Imran Warsi for the
challenge starting on June 5 - but they are still smarting from a player
exodus.
BSN won an unprecedented third consecutive title last year when they
beat Anderson Sports Club 1-0, but might struggle this year.
Pakistan's Sohail Abbas and Kashif Jawad, who helped them lift the title
last year, could not be signed this year as they are on national duty. But
BSN coach C. Paramalingam pursued the Pakistan officials relentlessly and,
reluctantly, they agreed to part ways with Imran.
"Pakistan have a busy schedule this year in their run-up to the
Champions Trophy and they were not willing to release their top players to
play in the MHL. But I kept up the correspondence and finally, they agreed
to spare Imran who is a budding junior," said Paramalingam.
Imran is a penalty corner flicker who plays for the National Bank of
Pakistan as a left back, but Paramalingam is planning to utilise him in
midfield. He played in the Four-Nation International Under-19 Invitational
Hockey Tournament at Bukit Jalil in January and emerged joint top-scorer
with team-mate Mahmood Ali on five goals.
After stalwarts Lee Sien Lam, Roslan Jamaluddin, Amin Rahim, P.
Prabahkaran and Jivan Moham left BSN, Paramalingam was left with a diluted
side and they will be playing as underdogs this year.
"No doubt, we will be the underdogs this year, but I have secured 20
`big hearts' who have given their best in training. Only Megat Azrafiq (in
Europe with the national team) and Imran are not with us yet. Hopefully,
Imran will be down by next week after his visa is cleared," said
Paramalingam.
Dr Calvin Fernandez will be returning to hockey after completing his
studies and BSN will place him in midfield with old hand I. Vickneswaran,
and Redzuan Ponirin.
For strikers, BSN have secured Rodhanizam Radzi, Faizal Daud, Muazam
Mahmud and Robert Alcantara.
And in Roslan's spot between the posts, Paramalingam will depend on his
second choice last year - Firdaus Razali.
"I was toying with the idea of getting a goalkeeper from the Bukit Jalil
Sports School, but I have decided on Firdaus because it will be too risky
to try and expose a goalkeeper in the MHL," said Paramalingam.
Meanwhile, Johor Baru Municipal Council and Pahang Sports Council paid
their MHL entry fee yesterday, making it an 11-team league. MHF are still
waiting for Ipoh City Hall to complete the cast.
Five teams - Tenaga Nasional, Sapura, Customs Kuala Lumpur, Srii Aroma
PISC and Johor Baru - have yet to submit their team lists.
(END)