SHA gets one blow after another

18/04/2003

A day after Selangor Sikh Association (SSA) players were alleged to have
assaulted an umpire, the Selangor HA (SHA) Division One League received
another blow when Old La Sallians Association of Klang-MPK (Olak-MPK)
threathened to withdraw.
Olak, after playing seven matches, are pulling out because an
unqualified umpire has been umpiring in the League.
Olak play Synergy Hockey Club at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium today but
Olak officials said that they will not be at the venue.
"I have sent the boys back to their respective States as we will not
play against Synergy tomorrow (today)," said an Olak official who declined
to be named.
As for the assault, umpire Hasbullah Rashid alleged he was assaulted
after the SHA Division One League match at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium
on Tuesday, and the Selangor HA will hold a meeting on May 6 to deliberate
on the matter.
In his police report, Hasbullah alleged three SSA players pushed him to
the ground after they lost 2-1 to Selangor Indian Association.
He also claims to have been pushed to the ground and jabbed with hockey
sticks, a claim which SSA denies.
SHA secretary G. Tamilselvam yesterday said: "The technical Committee
will decide whether the case should be referred to the Disciplinary Board.
"There are many versions to the incident, so we will wait for the match
officials' report, and also talk to the umpire before deciding whether to
refer the case to the DB," said Tamilselvam.
"As for Olak's withdrawal, I have not received anything in writing from
them. But if they decide to pull out after playing seven matches, there is
avenue to take action against Olak," said Tamilselvam.
A SSA official who declined to be named, said the umpire was never
pushed to the ground.
"The players (Selangor Sikh Association) rushed to the umpire after the
match because we were unhappy with a penalty stroke awarded by Hasbullah,
which was dubious.
"We did crowd around him to ask for an explanation, but there was no
pushing or shoving.
"Maybe some of the players accidently bumped into him when we crowded
him, but for sure, Hasbullah did not fall on to the pitch and none of the
players jabbed him with hockey sticks," said the official.
(END)