MHF(WS) rejects Batu Pahat MC protest

07/05/2003

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (WS) has rejectd the protest lodged by
Batu Pahat Municipal Council on poor umpiring during their MHF(WS)-Milo-
Admiral-NSC Junior Hockey League match against SMK Raja Perempuan of Ipoh
on Sunday.
Batu Pahat, who lost 2-1 and with it their spot in the final, had
claimed that since both umpires were from Perak, they (Batu Pahat) were at
a disadvantage.
Batu Pahat needed a win to pip Bukit Jalil Sports School to the final.
MHF(WS) secretary Dr S. Shamala said yesterday that Batu Pahat had no
grounds to claim that the umpires were biased.
"It is true that we have been utilising home-ground umpires for all our
matches but this only because of financial constraints and we also want to
expose more umpires to the JHL. There were minor protests at some matches,
but most went smoothly except for the Batu Pahat-Raja Perempuan encounter.
"Batu Pahat did request for neutral umpires, but we did not entertain
their request because it would be unfair to the other teams in the JHL if
we did give them special treatment.
"Although the protest has been thrown out and the score stands, we will
hold an inquiry on the alledged threatening incident," said Shamala.
Batu Pahat captain Raihana Hazali alledged that she was threatened by
the match umpire during a heated protest after Raja Perempuan scored their
second goal.
Fixtures: Saturday - 3rd-4th placing: Batu Pahat MC v Pahang Sports
Council (3.30pm).
Sunday - Final: Kuala Lumpur v Bukit Jalil Sports School (3.30pm).
Note: Both Matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil.
(END)