31/12/2002
SPORTEXCEL turned 10 this year but its achievements surpassed all
boundaries and with continued support from its Charter Members, the
National Sports Council and the solid backing of Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, junior athletes in Malaysia can always count on the Foundation for
support.
Its annual budget is RM500,000 but according to SportExcel Executive
Director Teng Mui Ngee, SportExcel has managed to save about RM100,000 to be utilised for the following year.
"We have been supporting numerous junior events in the country on a
shoestring budget, but always save some money for next year's programme because one never knows when some charter members might decide to cut back," said Teng.
Magnum Corporation Bhd was the latest to join SportExcel this year and
handed a cheque for RM45,000, for the next three years, but are looking
for a specific sport to help nurture in 2003.
"Magnum, with strong ties to taekwondo, has suggested that we organise a national championship for exponents and the matter will be discussed at our next meeting," said Teng.
Shalin Zulkifli (bowling), Ong Beng Hee, Nicol David (squash) and Ben
Leong (golf) are some of the household names who grew up with SportExcel funding.
For their contribution to the sport, squash stalwarts Ong and Nicol and
bowler Shalin were inducted into SportExcel's Hall of Fame at the Royal
Selangor Club in Dataran Merdeka in July.
There was, however, for the second consecutive year, no recipient for
SportExcel's Award of Excellence but another squash player, Low Wee Wern, was awarded the Special Award.
The 12-year old from Penang was awarded the Special Award based on her outstanding performances in various age-group competitions abroad.
Among Wee Wern's achievements are winning the Queensland Junior
Championships (Under-13), Hong Kong Junior Open (Under-13) and Scottish Junior Open (Under-13).
This year was special for SportExcel because the Foundation held its
Grand Finals on a carnival basis, but for 2003, it may be different.
"We held all the Grand Finals on a carnival basis this year to help
States select athletes for the Sabah Malaysia Games, but faced many
logistic problems because it was a mammoth project.
"Next year, we are planning to hold the various Grand Finals on
different dates. Maybe for the year 2004, when Negri Sembilan host the
Malaysia Games, we might revert to the carnival system," said Teng.
All States utilised the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MSSM National Junior
Circuits Grand Finals to gauge the performances of its athletes before the
Sabah Malaysia Games, and found it very beneficial.
The sports that were featured in the Grand Finals at the National Sports
Complex in Bukit Jalil were cycling, squash, gymnastics (rhythmic and
artistic), sepaktakraw and athletics.
Several other sports were held outside Bukit Jalil like bowling (Pyramid
Megalanes at Bandar Sunway), shooting (Subang Shooting Range), swimming-diving (Kuala Lumpur Swimming Complex in Cheras) and tennis (National Tennis Centre at Jalan Duta).
Cricket, meanwhile, was played by two combined teams - North and South at the Royal Military College in Sungai Besi.
"SportExcel, in only 10 years, has shown results which we never expected
so soon. We could not have done it without support from our Charter
Members," said Teng.
SportExcel Charter Members: The New Straits Times, Permanis Sdn Bhd, Kodak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, HSBC Malaysia Berhad, Carslberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd, IGB Corporation Bhd, Antah Holdings Bhd, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Sistem Television (M) Bhd, Esso Production Malaysia Inc, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, WTW Lehrer MC Govern Sdn Bhd, Resorts World Bhd, Paul Chuah & Co, Ancom Berhad, Sports
Toto Malaysia Bhd, Aluminium Company of Malaysia Bhd, IJM Corporation Bhd, PanGlobal Insurance Bhd, Magnum Corporation Bhd, National Sports Council.
(END)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Karamjit, Ong shine for Malaysia
27/12/2002
THE year 2002 brought a bounty of golden harvests for Malaysia but the
most memorable one was from rally driver Karamjit Singh.
The `Flying Sikh' set new standards for Malaysians to follow with his
mighty display at the World Circuit.
Karamjit marked monumental milestones for the Petronas EON Racing Team when he first won his second consecutive overall Asia Pacific Rally
Championship title, and then, he was crowned Production Car World Rally champion.
Karamjit is the first Asian driver ever to win the title and the first
in world rallying history to win both that and the APRC title over a
single season.
Karamjit and his long-time partner Allen Oh, looking at a once-in-a-
lifetime chance at becoming world champions going into the Telstra Rally of Australia, faced an imposing task by any standard.
With a slim lead in the championship, he had to finish ahead of
Finland's Kristian Sohlberg. He attacked on Leg One, finishing the day
35.5 seconds ahead of Sohlberg but the Finn fought back on Leg Two.
Just as Karamjit's advantage shrunk, he found the title literally handed
to him when Sohlberg retired with a broken rear suspension.
Malaysians were busy as bees this year, starting with the Hockey World
Cup where Malaysia finished a commendable eighth, then the Manchester Commonwealth Games and ending with the Asian Games in Busan.
Mohamed Hafiz Hashim, Chan Chong Ming-Chew Chun Eng, Lim Pek Siah-Ang Li Peng, Siti Zalina Osman, Ong Beng Hee, Sarah Yap, Wendy Chai, Ho Ro Bin, Siti Zalina Ahmad, Josiah Ng ... the list of gold medallists was quite impressive in 2002.
However Amirul Hamizan, who won three gold medals in the 56kg category of the Manchester Commonwealth Games, was brought down to earth in the Busan Asian Games where his 260kg total lift could only place him seventh.
But in the end, Wushu exponent Ho and lawn bowler Siti received the
Olympian of the Year 2002 because their feats were deemed as of world
standards.
Ho won the Nanquan three-events gold at the Busan Games while Siti the
Lawn Bowls singles gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.
The year will also go down as special to karate eponents who won five
medals at the Asian Games. The most successful sport for Malaysia in Busan was karate and credit goes to gold medallists R. Puvaneswaran and S. Premila for their confident performances. Their gold medals helped salvage a campaign that almost went wrong after spending millions.
Premila did the country proud again in the World Championships in
Madrid, Spain, when she became the first Malaysian exponent to win a
medal.
Premila, who won bronze in the Open category of the kumite event,
defeated M. Jankovic of Croatia 2-1 for the first World Championships
medal.
In squash, Ong Beng Hee will be forever remembered for his Asian Games and Asian Championships gold medals. His move to stop studying and concentrate full-time on squash paid off handsome dividends.
Two gold and two bronze was what squash targetted in Busan, but Nicol
David's shock loss in the final to Hong Kong's Rebecca Chiu latter blew up into a controversy involving her coach Richard Glenfield - but it has been settled since and Nicol can look forward to a better 2003.
Josiah Ng, although more was expected of him and he failed in
Manchester, brought some cheer to cycling in the country with his silver
in the Asian Games.
The United States-based cyclist grabbed the 200m silver medal in the
Asian Games, two months after finishing fifth in the same event in the
Commonwealth Games.
Ng confirmed his calibre as a rider of Asian class, and he has been
given the chance to progress by training at the International Cycling
Union's World Cycling Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The centre was launched in April and is only open to the world's best
young cyclists who train under UCI's top coaches and experts using the
latest technique and technology.
In gymnastics, for years the girls have kept the boys in the shadows,
but 2002 was different.
Pommel horse specialist Onn Kwang Tung created history by winning gold at the Pacific Alliance competition in Victoria, Canada. The lad grew in confidence after he insisted on competing in last year's KL Sea Games with a knee injury.
He modified his routine to make it safer to dismount from the pommel
horse, and with a bandaged limb, managed to garner enough points to help Malaysia win the KL Sea Games team gold medal.
Ng Shu Wai added points for the boys when he unexpectedly sprung a
silver in Manchester.
Shu Wai won silver in the floor exercise, scoring 9.300 points after a
start value of 9.7, from what was a very decent and simple routine with no mistakes.
Loke Yik Siang then came into the picture. Although suffering from a
shoulder injury, he came back strongly in the pommel horse to perform a
simple yet near-flawless performance for a commonwealth bronze - and make the country notice the boy gymnasts. SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
Commonwealth Games 2002 - MEN'S BADMINTON: Mohammad Hafiz Hashim (1 gold, singles), Chew Choon Eng (1 gold, doubles; 1 silver mixed doubles), Chan Chong Ming (1 gold, doubles); Lee Tsuen Seng (1 silver, singles).
Women: Lim Pek Siah (1 gold, doubles); Ang Li Peng (1 gold, doubles).
Swimming - Lim Keng Liat (1 silver, 50m backstroke; 1 bronze, 100m
backstroke).
BOWLING - FIQ Asian Championships (Qatar) Lai Kin Ngoh, Sarah Yap, Wendy Chai, Lisa Kwan, Shalin Zulkifli, Tang Joh Six (gold, Women"s Team).
ATHLETICS - Asian Track and Field Championships (Colombo): Loo Kum Zee (1 bronze, high jump); Faiz Mohammad (1 bronze, 110m hurdles).
SEPAKTAKRAW - World Inter-Regu Championships (Singapore): Suhaimi Salim, Aznan Raslan, Firdaus Abdul Ghani, Azman Nasruddin (silver).
(END)
THE year 2002 brought a bounty of golden harvests for Malaysia but the
most memorable one was from rally driver Karamjit Singh.
The `Flying Sikh' set new standards for Malaysians to follow with his
mighty display at the World Circuit.
Karamjit marked monumental milestones for the Petronas EON Racing Team when he first won his second consecutive overall Asia Pacific Rally
Championship title, and then, he was crowned Production Car World Rally champion.
Karamjit is the first Asian driver ever to win the title and the first
in world rallying history to win both that and the APRC title over a
single season.
Karamjit and his long-time partner Allen Oh, looking at a once-in-a-
lifetime chance at becoming world champions going into the Telstra Rally of Australia, faced an imposing task by any standard.
With a slim lead in the championship, he had to finish ahead of
Finland's Kristian Sohlberg. He attacked on Leg One, finishing the day
35.5 seconds ahead of Sohlberg but the Finn fought back on Leg Two.
Just as Karamjit's advantage shrunk, he found the title literally handed
to him when Sohlberg retired with a broken rear suspension.
Malaysians were busy as bees this year, starting with the Hockey World
Cup where Malaysia finished a commendable eighth, then the Manchester Commonwealth Games and ending with the Asian Games in Busan.
Mohamed Hafiz Hashim, Chan Chong Ming-Chew Chun Eng, Lim Pek Siah-Ang Li Peng, Siti Zalina Osman, Ong Beng Hee, Sarah Yap, Wendy Chai, Ho Ro Bin, Siti Zalina Ahmad, Josiah Ng ... the list of gold medallists was quite impressive in 2002.
However Amirul Hamizan, who won three gold medals in the 56kg category of the Manchester Commonwealth Games, was brought down to earth in the Busan Asian Games where his 260kg total lift could only place him seventh.
But in the end, Wushu exponent Ho and lawn bowler Siti received the
Olympian of the Year 2002 because their feats were deemed as of world
standards.
Ho won the Nanquan three-events gold at the Busan Games while Siti the
Lawn Bowls singles gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.
The year will also go down as special to karate eponents who won five
medals at the Asian Games. The most successful sport for Malaysia in Busan was karate and credit goes to gold medallists R. Puvaneswaran and S. Premila for their confident performances. Their gold medals helped salvage a campaign that almost went wrong after spending millions.
Premila did the country proud again in the World Championships in
Madrid, Spain, when she became the first Malaysian exponent to win a
medal.
Premila, who won bronze in the Open category of the kumite event,
defeated M. Jankovic of Croatia 2-1 for the first World Championships
medal.
In squash, Ong Beng Hee will be forever remembered for his Asian Games and Asian Championships gold medals. His move to stop studying and concentrate full-time on squash paid off handsome dividends.
Two gold and two bronze was what squash targetted in Busan, but Nicol
David's shock loss in the final to Hong Kong's Rebecca Chiu latter blew up into a controversy involving her coach Richard Glenfield - but it has been settled since and Nicol can look forward to a better 2003.
Josiah Ng, although more was expected of him and he failed in
Manchester, brought some cheer to cycling in the country with his silver
in the Asian Games.
The United States-based cyclist grabbed the 200m silver medal in the
Asian Games, two months after finishing fifth in the same event in the
Commonwealth Games.
Ng confirmed his calibre as a rider of Asian class, and he has been
given the chance to progress by training at the International Cycling
Union's World Cycling Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The centre was launched in April and is only open to the world's best
young cyclists who train under UCI's top coaches and experts using the
latest technique and technology.
In gymnastics, for years the girls have kept the boys in the shadows,
but 2002 was different.
Pommel horse specialist Onn Kwang Tung created history by winning gold at the Pacific Alliance competition in Victoria, Canada. The lad grew in confidence after he insisted on competing in last year's KL Sea Games with a knee injury.
He modified his routine to make it safer to dismount from the pommel
horse, and with a bandaged limb, managed to garner enough points to help Malaysia win the KL Sea Games team gold medal.
Ng Shu Wai added points for the boys when he unexpectedly sprung a
silver in Manchester.
Shu Wai won silver in the floor exercise, scoring 9.300 points after a
start value of 9.7, from what was a very decent and simple routine with no mistakes.
Loke Yik Siang then came into the picture. Although suffering from a
shoulder injury, he came back strongly in the pommel horse to perform a
simple yet near-flawless performance for a commonwealth bronze - and make the country notice the boy gymnasts. SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
Commonwealth Games 2002 - MEN'S BADMINTON: Mohammad Hafiz Hashim (1 gold, singles), Chew Choon Eng (1 gold, doubles; 1 silver mixed doubles), Chan Chong Ming (1 gold, doubles); Lee Tsuen Seng (1 silver, singles).
Women: Lim Pek Siah (1 gold, doubles); Ang Li Peng (1 gold, doubles).
Swimming - Lim Keng Liat (1 silver, 50m backstroke; 1 bronze, 100m
backstroke).
BOWLING - FIQ Asian Championships (Qatar) Lai Kin Ngoh, Sarah Yap, Wendy Chai, Lisa Kwan, Shalin Zulkifli, Tang Joh Six (gold, Women"s Team).
ATHLETICS - Asian Track and Field Championships (Colombo): Loo Kum Zee (1 bronze, high jump); Faiz Mohammad (1 bronze, 110m hurdles).
SEPAKTAKRAW - World Inter-Regu Championships (Singapore): Suhaimi Salim, Aznan Raslan, Firdaus Abdul Ghani, Azman Nasruddin (silver).
(END)
Fostering unity through sport
27/12/2002
KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Sports and Youth Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein strongly believes that sports is a powerful medium which can foster racial integration in schools, and has drawn plans to "convert" school systems that have been hijacked.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamed said yesterday the lack of integration in national schools had resulted in practices that emphasised form over substance.
The Prime Minister also lamented that as a result, more importance was
placed on the banning of shorts and skirts than the desire to see people
of all races study together.
"I strongly believe that wearing long pants during Physical Education
and while taking part in school sports does not make a person `more Islam' than those who do not. Even athletes from the Middle East wear shorts when playing soccer, so I see no justice in depriving schoolchildren of wearing shorts during sports," said Hishammuddin in Kuala Lumpur.
"And with the close relationship that we have with the Education
Ministry (sports section) I plan to address the issue next year. The
Sports Ministry and the Education Ministry have had several meetings in
the last few months and have come out with plans to utilise sports as a
tool to foster racial integration like in the 1970s and 1980s."
A working relationship between the two ministries was fostered on
Nov 2, 1987 and in 2000, a meeting between the two ministries was held to, among others, find ways to bind the various races under one roof.
"I strongly believe that via sports, patriotism and the love for the
country can be strengthened so that national integration will be achieved
in the near future.
"The Tunas Cemerlang and Bakat Khas programmes came out of the meeting and it was also agreed that the Education Ministry will allocate enough time for all students to take part in PE and also develop and implement inter-racial programmes."
The joint committee entrusted to formulate plans to take sports in
schools to a higher level has suggested five programmes namely:
* To develop a bigger base for selection;
* To cater for institutions of higher learning and students who have
left the schooling system; * To develop high-achieving sports to be implemented by the National
Sports Council;
* To build more sporting facilities under the Education Ministry; and
* Development of a sports programme under the NSC and the Education
Ministry.
"The committee divided and implemented the above tasks and next year, we will go into top gear so that when the present batch of medal winners
retire, there will be enough youth to fill the vacuum," he said.
The Education Ministry has built six new teacher training colleges which
offer PE courses and by 2004, about 2,800 teachers with PE credentials
will graduate.
"The Education Ministry, with an overall budget of RM142 million until
2010, has projected that about 5,800 teachers with strong PE backgrounds will be available to realise the dream of making Malaysia a sporting
nation. The plan is, by 2010, every Secondary School will have two full-
time sports teachers, while Primary Schools will have one."
The Education Ministry has identified 15 schools as "Project Schools"
and next year, plans are afoot to have a such schools in every district.
"The existing two sports schools (Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar) have
served their purpose well but enrolment is limited so the Education
Ministry will build two more sports schools, in Perlis and Pahang, so that
a bigger base will be available for national selection," said
Hishammuddin.
He added that building new school blocks on existing fields would no
longer be tolerated as gazetted in a directive to all schools.
"Right now, if a school lacks classrooms, the playing field is
sacrificed but that practice is now history because we have an
understanding with the Education Ministry that under no circumstances must fields be encroached upon.
"And for all new schools, the Education Ministry's stand is that it must
have a soccer pitch, a 400m running track, and courts for tennis,
badminton, sepak takraw, volleyball, netball, and basketball."
(END)
KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Sports and Youth Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein strongly believes that sports is a powerful medium which can foster racial integration in schools, and has drawn plans to "convert" school systems that have been hijacked.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamed said yesterday the lack of integration in national schools had resulted in practices that emphasised form over substance.
The Prime Minister also lamented that as a result, more importance was
placed on the banning of shorts and skirts than the desire to see people
of all races study together.
"I strongly believe that wearing long pants during Physical Education
and while taking part in school sports does not make a person `more Islam' than those who do not. Even athletes from the Middle East wear shorts when playing soccer, so I see no justice in depriving schoolchildren of wearing shorts during sports," said Hishammuddin in Kuala Lumpur.
"And with the close relationship that we have with the Education
Ministry (sports section) I plan to address the issue next year. The
Sports Ministry and the Education Ministry have had several meetings in
the last few months and have come out with plans to utilise sports as a
tool to foster racial integration like in the 1970s and 1980s."
A working relationship between the two ministries was fostered on
Nov 2, 1987 and in 2000, a meeting between the two ministries was held to, among others, find ways to bind the various races under one roof.
"I strongly believe that via sports, patriotism and the love for the
country can be strengthened so that national integration will be achieved
in the near future.
"The Tunas Cemerlang and Bakat Khas programmes came out of the meeting and it was also agreed that the Education Ministry will allocate enough time for all students to take part in PE and also develop and implement inter-racial programmes."
The joint committee entrusted to formulate plans to take sports in
schools to a higher level has suggested five programmes namely:
* To develop a bigger base for selection;
* To cater for institutions of higher learning and students who have
left the schooling system; * To develop high-achieving sports to be implemented by the National
Sports Council;
* To build more sporting facilities under the Education Ministry; and
* Development of a sports programme under the NSC and the Education
Ministry.
"The committee divided and implemented the above tasks and next year, we will go into top gear so that when the present batch of medal winners
retire, there will be enough youth to fill the vacuum," he said.
The Education Ministry has built six new teacher training colleges which
offer PE courses and by 2004, about 2,800 teachers with PE credentials
will graduate.
"The Education Ministry, with an overall budget of RM142 million until
2010, has projected that about 5,800 teachers with strong PE backgrounds will be available to realise the dream of making Malaysia a sporting
nation. The plan is, by 2010, every Secondary School will have two full-
time sports teachers, while Primary Schools will have one."
The Education Ministry has identified 15 schools as "Project Schools"
and next year, plans are afoot to have a such schools in every district.
"The existing two sports schools (Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar) have
served their purpose well but enrolment is limited so the Education
Ministry will build two more sports schools, in Perlis and Pahang, so that
a bigger base will be available for national selection," said
Hishammuddin.
He added that building new school blocks on existing fields would no
longer be tolerated as gazetted in a directive to all schools.
"Right now, if a school lacks classrooms, the playing field is
sacrificed but that practice is now history because we have an
understanding with the Education Ministry that under no circumstances must fields be encroached upon.
"And for all new schools, the Education Ministry's stand is that it must
have a soccer pitch, a 400m running track, and courts for tennis,
badminton, sepak takraw, volleyball, netball, and basketball."
(END)
AHF to ensure Doha has hockey
26/12/2002
THE Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) will make sure that the men's and
women's hockey is played during the 2004 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
"It was a sad day when hockey was not included in next year's Sea Games
in Vietnam because they do not have the facilities or the manpower, but
AHF discussed the matter during the Busan Asian Games and the response was good from the next Asian Games hosts," said AHF secretary Tan Sri P. Alagendra yesterday.
Doha have started building artifical hoockey pitches and the AHF will
help them by organising exhibition matches and, train technical officials,
umpires and coaches.
"The AHF are confident that by helping Doha to get the ball rolling,
hockey will not be left out of the next Asian Games. The facilities will
be ready soon, and AHF can start by holding a few exhibition matches to
promote hockey in the region," said Alagendra.
Hockey in the Asian Games is of high standard as Champions Trophy teams India, Pakistan and South Korea and up-and-coming sides from Japan and Malaysia put up a keen tussle for the best of Asia title this year.
"The AFH also conducted a poll of the region and some interesting
findings emerged which will be utilised to develop hockey, mainly women's, in the region in the net few years," said Alagendra.
The AFH poll found out that many of their member countries were already making great efforts to promote the sport, but were still using
traditional methods.
"In some cases, we found that a lot of work has ben put in by our member
countries to promote hockey but there was no overall structure to support
and sustain long-term growth.
"Interestingly, we also noted that some countries which have great
success at the international level, didn't have any development
structures. But overall, there is room for a planned development which the AHF hope to help achieve," said Alagendra.
The AHF have also agreed to host more age-group tournaments to develop grassroots hockey.
"New age-group competitions,Under-18 and Under-16, were introduced in 2001 and the AHF are keen to have more regional competitions to encourage age-group and indoor hockey is actively played. Tayyab Ikram of Macau will help towards this cause," said Alagendra.
The surprise find was that Iran have been actively playing indoor
hockey, and the AHF awarded them the First Asian Indoor Tournament to be held next year.
"A few meetings were held with Iran to discuss development plans to
improve their infrastructure and expertise.
"In a meeting with the Iran National Olympic Council, it was agreed to
extend more support to Iran Hockey Federation and as a result, three
hockey officials were included as observers during the Busan Asian Games.
"After their visit to Busan, it was agreed that Iran will install 10
artificial pitches by the end of 2003 with support from their government.
And since they have been actively playing indoor hockey for years, we have awarded them the First Asian Indoor Hockey tournament. The AFH will support them to develop more coaches, umpires and officials," said
Alagendra.
Plans are also afoot to help East Timor play active hockey.
A few of the AHF members received recognition from the FIH and AHF
recently and they are: FIH - President's Award: Tayyab Ikram (Macau);
Order Of Merit: Annabel Dhillon (Singapore); Members Of Honours: Brig Atiff (Pakistan).
AHF: Members Of Honours: Pissit Nampanich (Thailand), Brig Atif
(Pakistan).
(END)
THE Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) will make sure that the men's and
women's hockey is played during the 2004 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
"It was a sad day when hockey was not included in next year's Sea Games
in Vietnam because they do not have the facilities or the manpower, but
AHF discussed the matter during the Busan Asian Games and the response was good from the next Asian Games hosts," said AHF secretary Tan Sri P. Alagendra yesterday.
Doha have started building artifical hoockey pitches and the AHF will
help them by organising exhibition matches and, train technical officials,
umpires and coaches.
"The AHF are confident that by helping Doha to get the ball rolling,
hockey will not be left out of the next Asian Games. The facilities will
be ready soon, and AHF can start by holding a few exhibition matches to
promote hockey in the region," said Alagendra.
Hockey in the Asian Games is of high standard as Champions Trophy teams India, Pakistan and South Korea and up-and-coming sides from Japan and Malaysia put up a keen tussle for the best of Asia title this year.
"The AFH also conducted a poll of the region and some interesting
findings emerged which will be utilised to develop hockey, mainly women's, in the region in the net few years," said Alagendra.
The AFH poll found out that many of their member countries were already making great efforts to promote the sport, but were still using
traditional methods.
"In some cases, we found that a lot of work has ben put in by our member
countries to promote hockey but there was no overall structure to support
and sustain long-term growth.
"Interestingly, we also noted that some countries which have great
success at the international level, didn't have any development
structures. But overall, there is room for a planned development which the AHF hope to help achieve," said Alagendra.
The AHF have also agreed to host more age-group tournaments to develop grassroots hockey.
"New age-group competitions,Under-18 and Under-16, were introduced in 2001 and the AHF are keen to have more regional competitions to encourage age-group and indoor hockey is actively played. Tayyab Ikram of Macau will help towards this cause," said Alagendra.
The surprise find was that Iran have been actively playing indoor
hockey, and the AHF awarded them the First Asian Indoor Tournament to be held next year.
"A few meetings were held with Iran to discuss development plans to
improve their infrastructure and expertise.
"In a meeting with the Iran National Olympic Council, it was agreed to
extend more support to Iran Hockey Federation and as a result, three
hockey officials were included as observers during the Busan Asian Games.
"After their visit to Busan, it was agreed that Iran will install 10
artificial pitches by the end of 2003 with support from their government.
And since they have been actively playing indoor hockey for years, we have awarded them the First Asian Indoor Hockey tournament. The AFH will support them to develop more coaches, umpires and officials," said
Alagendra.
Plans are also afoot to help East Timor play active hockey.
A few of the AHF members received recognition from the FIH and AHF
recently and they are: FIH - President's Award: Tayyab Ikram (Macau);
Order Of Merit: Annabel Dhillon (Singapore); Members Of Honours: Brig Atiff (Pakistan).
AHF: Members Of Honours: Pissit Nampanich (Thailand), Brig Atif
(Pakistan).
(END)
MHF bars 28 trainees from JHL
25/12/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), wiser after this season's bungle,
have named 28 national trainees who will not be allowed to play in the
Junior Hockey League (JHL) starting on Feb 7.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd were left fuming after two of their star players
were plucked by MHF to attend Tests in China even though the JHL had
entered its crucial stages.
"The juniors named among the 28 trainees will not be eligible to play in
the JHL, that is why we decided to name the national trainees early and
avoid complications at a later date," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam.
The MHF listed 28 players and five reserves for the national team
preparing for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in March and among them were eight
juniors who will have to give the JHL a skip.
The eight are Megat Azrafiq, Mohamed Sallehhin, Mohamed Anwar, Engku
Malek, Mohamed Suppian, Ismail Abu, Mohamed Fakhrulradzi and Shahrun
Nabil.
SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu, who finished second in the just-
concluded champions schools, have contributed their skipper Mohamed
Shahrun Nabil to national training.
Shahrun, 19, will have the distinction of following in the footsteps of
the oldest current national player Chairil Anwar, 31, - who is also from
Terengganu.
Making a comeback for national duty is Nor Azlan Bakar who decided to
rest after the Kuala Lumpur World Cup in March and missed the Busan Asian
Games bronze medal.
With Nor Azlan's return, the backline will be further strenghtened and
the burden will be less on K. Gobinathan and S. Kuhan.
Even though Nor Azlan Bakar was away from the national team for a long
period, he was still named among the trainees while the other players who
took a break from hockey but decided to make a comeback have been placed
on the reserves list for the Azlan Shah Cup.
Jiwa Mohan, Tajol Rosli and K. Logan Raj will have to prove to national
coach Paul Lissek that they have been keeping themselves fit while
studying if they want a shot at the Azlan Shah Cup.
THE NATIONAL TRAINEES - Goalkeepers: Roslan Jamaluddin, S. Kumar,
Mohamed Hanifi Hassan; Defenders: S. Kuhan, K. Gobinathan, Madzli Ikmar,
Amin Rahim, Reduan Ponirin, Nor Azlan Bakar, Megat Azrafiq, Mohamed
Sallehhin, Mohamed Anwar, Engku Malek; Midfield: P. Prabhakaran, K. Keevan
Raj, Saiful Azli, Norazlan Rahim, Azlan Misron, Jivan Mohan, Mohamed
Suppian; Forwards: Rodhanizam Radzi, Chairil Anwar, Fairuz Ramli, Chua
Boon Huat, Ikmal Abdul jabar, Ismail Abu, Mohamed Fakhrulradzi, Shahrun
Nabil.
Reserves: Jiwa Mohan, Tajol Rosli, K. Logan Raj, Riduan Nasir, Fairuz
Hamsani.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), wiser after this season's bungle,
have named 28 national trainees who will not be allowed to play in the
Junior Hockey League (JHL) starting on Feb 7.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd were left fuming after two of their star players
were plucked by MHF to attend Tests in China even though the JHL had
entered its crucial stages.
"The juniors named among the 28 trainees will not be eligible to play in
the JHL, that is why we decided to name the national trainees early and
avoid complications at a later date," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam.
The MHF listed 28 players and five reserves for the national team
preparing for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in March and among them were eight
juniors who will have to give the JHL a skip.
The eight are Megat Azrafiq, Mohamed Sallehhin, Mohamed Anwar, Engku
Malek, Mohamed Suppian, Ismail Abu, Mohamed Fakhrulradzi and Shahrun
Nabil.
SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu, who finished second in the just-
concluded champions schools, have contributed their skipper Mohamed
Shahrun Nabil to national training.
Shahrun, 19, will have the distinction of following in the footsteps of
the oldest current national player Chairil Anwar, 31, - who is also from
Terengganu.
Making a comeback for national duty is Nor Azlan Bakar who decided to
rest after the Kuala Lumpur World Cup in March and missed the Busan Asian
Games bronze medal.
With Nor Azlan's return, the backline will be further strenghtened and
the burden will be less on K. Gobinathan and S. Kuhan.
Even though Nor Azlan Bakar was away from the national team for a long
period, he was still named among the trainees while the other players who
took a break from hockey but decided to make a comeback have been placed
on the reserves list for the Azlan Shah Cup.
Jiwa Mohan, Tajol Rosli and K. Logan Raj will have to prove to national
coach Paul Lissek that they have been keeping themselves fit while
studying if they want a shot at the Azlan Shah Cup.
THE NATIONAL TRAINEES - Goalkeepers: Roslan Jamaluddin, S. Kumar,
Mohamed Hanifi Hassan; Defenders: S. Kuhan, K. Gobinathan, Madzli Ikmar,
Amin Rahim, Reduan Ponirin, Nor Azlan Bakar, Megat Azrafiq, Mohamed
Sallehhin, Mohamed Anwar, Engku Malek; Midfield: P. Prabhakaran, K. Keevan
Raj, Saiful Azli, Norazlan Rahim, Azlan Misron, Jivan Mohan, Mohamed
Suppian; Forwards: Rodhanizam Radzi, Chairil Anwar, Fairuz Ramli, Chua
Boon Huat, Ikmal Abdul jabar, Ismail Abu, Mohamed Fakhrulradzi, Shahrun
Nabil.
Reserves: Jiwa Mohan, Tajol Rosli, K. Logan Raj, Riduan Nasir, Fairuz
Hamsani.
(END)
Anderson champs again
23/12/2002
SMK Anderson of Perak romped home to their eighth Champions Schools title when they steamrolled SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu 5-1 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang yesterday.
In the third placing match, SMK St David High of Malacca beat SMK Datuk Abdul Kadir of Penang 2-1.
Perak's win yesterday, which was their third straight in the Champions
Schools, was sealed in the first five minutes of the match itself, even
before Padang Midin players could break sweat.
Hanif Hamzah, receiving a through pass from Azli Misron, sounded the
board in the third minute by pushing between the pads of Terengganu
goalkeeper Nurul Fakri.
And right after re-start Perak won a penalty corner and Azli made it 2-0
with ease - again the ball went between the pads of Nurul, who is a
national trainee.
Terengganu rose to the occassion in the seventh minute when Mohamed
Shahrun fired home a penalty corner goal to narrow the gap and the match looked like it was going to be a sizzler.
But Perak nipped the fightback in the 10th minute with a field goal from
Mohamed Herwan and consolidated their position in the 22nd minute when Azli, the younger brother of national player Azlan Misron, scored his second off a penalty corner set-piece.
All four goals were soft ones, but the off-form Terengganu goalkeeper
Nurul failed to keep his pads shut.
In the second half, Anderson took it easy but still managed to increase
the lead in the 69th minute when Mohamed Noor Khairul sounded the board.
Terengganu replaced Nurul with their second goalkeeper Zulfadli Rashid
in the second half and he played a big role in keeping the score down.
In the placing match, Malacca had to bring out their best to beat a
robust Penang side. Penang drew first blood with an eighth minute K.
Harusan field goal but in the second half, Penang lost their cool and
Malacca won the match with goals from Mohamed Amir (41st) and Nor Hamezi Omar (61st).
Perak coach Mokhtar Baharuddin said he had briefed his strikers on
Nurul's weaknesses and that is the main reason they managed to score with ease.
"I watched the goalkeeper (Nurul) over the last few matches and knew his
weaknesses, that is why we managed to score two quick goals in the third
and fourth minutes," said Mokhtar.
The good news for Anderson is that the same team will be eligible to
play in the next Champions Schools.
"The last goal was scored by a Form Two boy (Mohamed Noor) and the rest of the players will be eligible when we attempt to defend out title next
year," said Mokhtar.
But the bad news for Anderson is that they do not have enough money,
yet, to field this young side in the Junior Hockey League next year.
"We are a very poor school and do not have enough money to take part in
the Junior League yet. But I will try and source for funds in the next few
months," said Mokhtar.
This is the time for the Old Boys of Anderson to show their gratitude to
the school.
Results - Final: SMK Anderson (Pk) 5 SMK Padang Midin (Ter) 1; 3rd-4th: SMK St David High (Mal) 2 SMK Datuk Abdul Kadir (Pg) 1.
(END)
SMK Anderson of Perak romped home to their eighth Champions Schools title when they steamrolled SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu 5-1 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang yesterday.
In the third placing match, SMK St David High of Malacca beat SMK Datuk Abdul Kadir of Penang 2-1.
Perak's win yesterday, which was their third straight in the Champions
Schools, was sealed in the first five minutes of the match itself, even
before Padang Midin players could break sweat.
Hanif Hamzah, receiving a through pass from Azli Misron, sounded the
board in the third minute by pushing between the pads of Terengganu
goalkeeper Nurul Fakri.
And right after re-start Perak won a penalty corner and Azli made it 2-0
with ease - again the ball went between the pads of Nurul, who is a
national trainee.
Terengganu rose to the occassion in the seventh minute when Mohamed
Shahrun fired home a penalty corner goal to narrow the gap and the match looked like it was going to be a sizzler.
But Perak nipped the fightback in the 10th minute with a field goal from
Mohamed Herwan and consolidated their position in the 22nd minute when Azli, the younger brother of national player Azlan Misron, scored his second off a penalty corner set-piece.
All four goals were soft ones, but the off-form Terengganu goalkeeper
Nurul failed to keep his pads shut.
In the second half, Anderson took it easy but still managed to increase
the lead in the 69th minute when Mohamed Noor Khairul sounded the board.
Terengganu replaced Nurul with their second goalkeeper Zulfadli Rashid
in the second half and he played a big role in keeping the score down.
In the placing match, Malacca had to bring out their best to beat a
robust Penang side. Penang drew first blood with an eighth minute K.
Harusan field goal but in the second half, Penang lost their cool and
Malacca won the match with goals from Mohamed Amir (41st) and Nor Hamezi Omar (61st).
Perak coach Mokhtar Baharuddin said he had briefed his strikers on
Nurul's weaknesses and that is the main reason they managed to score with ease.
"I watched the goalkeeper (Nurul) over the last few matches and knew his
weaknesses, that is why we managed to score two quick goals in the third
and fourth minutes," said Mokhtar.
The good news for Anderson is that the same team will be eligible to
play in the next Champions Schools.
"The last goal was scored by a Form Two boy (Mohamed Noor) and the rest of the players will be eligible when we attempt to defend out title next
year," said Mokhtar.
But the bad news for Anderson is that they do not have enough money,
yet, to field this young side in the Junior Hockey League next year.
"We are a very poor school and do not have enough money to take part in
the Junior League yet. But I will try and source for funds in the next few
months," said Mokhtar.
This is the time for the Old Boys of Anderson to show their gratitude to
the school.
Results - Final: SMK Anderson (Pk) 5 SMK Padang Midin (Ter) 1; 3rd-4th: SMK St David High (Mal) 2 SMK Datuk Abdul Kadir (Pg) 1.
(END)
Anderson gunning for eighth title
22/12/2002
DEFENDING champions SMK Anderson of Ipoh will be out to win their eighth Champions Schools title today when they meet SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
In the semi-finals yesterday, Anderson brushed aside SMK Datuk Haji
Abdul Kadir of Penang 4-0 while Padang Midin had to bring out their best to shut out SMK St David of Malacca 3-1.
In the last edition in Malacca in March this year, Anderson defeated SMK
Khir Johari of Kedah 2-0 and will be motivated to clinch their eighth
title since 1992.
Terengganu team manager Mohamed Zaki admitted that it will be near
impossible to deny Perak the title, while Perak manager Noor Aman was
confident his boys will not let him down in their quest for the title.
"We lost 2-0 to Perak in the Group A preliminary round and I know that
it will be tough to beat the defending champions. They have all-round
strength and in the semi-finals, they even had the luxury of benching a
few of their stars so that they will be better prepared to play in the
final.
"My boys are in high spirits and none of them are injured. That is our
only plus factor going into the final," said Zaki.
Perak rested skipper Azli Misron midway in the semi-finals and according to Noor, they did not want to risk injury.
"We played a good game against Penang and had the match under control.
That is why I rested a few of my players, including the skipper because I
did not want to risk injuries going into the final.
"We have played Terengganu in the group matches, and I am confident we will be able to defend our title tomorrow (today)," said Noor.
Perak scored two goals in each half and Penang were hardly in the fight
from the beginning. Fazreen Ekhsan scored two penalty corner goals in the 13th and 34th minutes while the third was scored by Hanif Hamzah in the 53rd and it was also off a penalty corner set-piece. Perak celebrated the victory with a 65th minute penalty corner which was converted by Mohameed Nazrin.
In the other semi-final, Terengganu's Mohamed Shahrun scored three
minutes before the breather but even with the lead, struggled midway
through the match until the 60th minute for the second goal through
Syarafi Khamis.
St David made a gallant comeback with a Mohamed Ashraf penalty corner goal in the 62nd minute but five minutes later, Shahrun converted the deciding penalty corner for Terengganu.
Results (s-finals): SMK Padang Midin (Ter) 3 SMK St David High (Mal) 1; SMK Anderson (Pk) 4 SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 0.
Today - 3rd-4th: SMK St David High (Mal) v SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 3pm; Final: SMK Anderson (Pk) v SMK Padang Midin (Ter) 5pm. Both matches at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
(END)
In the semi-finals yesterday, Anderson brushed aside SMK Datuk Haji
Abdul Kadir of Penang 4-0 while Padang Midin had to bring out their best to shut out SMK St David of Malacca 3-1.
In the last edition in Malacca in March this year, Anderson defeated SMK
Khir Johari of Kedah 2-0 and will be motivated to clinch their eighth
title since 1992.
Terengganu team manager Mohamed Zaki admitted that it will be near
impossible to deny Perak the title, while Perak manager Noor Aman was
confident his boys will not let him down in their quest for the title.
"We lost 2-0 to Perak in the Group A preliminary round and I know that
it will be tough to beat the defending champions. They have all-round
strength and in the semi-finals, they even had the luxury of benching a
few of their stars so that they will be better prepared to play in the
final.
"My boys are in high spirits and none of them are injured. That is our
only plus factor going into the final," said Zaki.
Perak rested skipper Azli Misron midway in the semi-finals and according to Noor, they did not want to risk injury.
"We played a good game against Penang and had the match under control.
That is why I rested a few of my players, including the skipper because I
did not want to risk injuries going into the final.
"We have played Terengganu in the group matches, and I am confident we will be able to defend our title tomorrow (today)," said Noor.
Perak scored two goals in each half and Penang were hardly in the fight
from the beginning. Fazreen Ekhsan scored two penalty corner goals in the 13th and 34th minutes while the third was scored by Hanif Hamzah in the 53rd and it was also off a penalty corner set-piece. Perak celebrated the victory with a 65th minute penalty corner which was converted by Mohameed Nazrin.
In the other semi-final, Terengganu's Mohamed Shahrun scored three
minutes before the breather but even with the lead, struggled midway
through the match until the 60th minute for the second goal through
Syarafi Khamis.
St David made a gallant comeback with a Mohamed Ashraf penalty corner goal in the 62nd minute but five minutes later, Shahrun converted the deciding penalty corner for Terengganu.
Results (s-finals): SMK Padang Midin (Ter) 3 SMK St David High (Mal) 1; SMK Anderson (Pk) 4 SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 0.
Today - 3rd-4th: SMK St David High (Mal) v SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 3pm; Final: SMK Anderson (Pk) v SMK Padang Midin (Ter) 5pm. Both matches at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
(END)
Terengganu shock Sports School
21/12/2002
MALAYSIA Sports School were brought down to earth when they lost 5-2 to SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu in the quarterfinals of the Champions Schools at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang yesterday.
After an impressive run in the group stages, the under-16 boys found the
going uphill against the matured Terengganu side and never put up much of a fight.
The Terengganu hero yesterday was Mohamed Nazreen who scored a brace in the 10th, 37th, 45th and 56th. The other goal was scored by Mohamed Razali (31st). The Sports School goal scorers were Baljit Singh (49th) and Nabil Fikri (62nd).
In the Penang-Pahang last eight match, SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir fought tooth-and-nail to shut out SMK Seberang Temerloh of Pahang with a sudden-death goal in the 72nd minute.
Penang were a lazy side in the first half and it looked like playing
with only one break since Monday did more damage to them than the fitter Pahang boys. But in the second half, after a fiery pep-talk from their coach, they practically camped in the Pahang semi-circle and were rewarded with late goals.
Pahang, relying heavily on counter-attacks, drew first blood in the 33rd
minute when Mohamed Firdaus deflected home a penalty corner meelee and went into the breather looking very confident and fresh.
Penang limped back into the match in the second half and there were
plenty of near-misses but Pahang defended their one-goal lead with
numbers.
The defensive strategy backfired when L. Pragash scored the equaliser
off a penalty corner in the 57th minute to force sudden-death. And barely
two minutes into extra-time, Pragash shut the door on Pahang with his
second penalty corner goal.
In the other quarter-final, St David High of Malacca beat Negri
Sembilan's SM Datuk Taha 3-2.
Negri had a good grip of the match with a 2-0 lead but handed the
quarter-final ticket to Malacca by making some silly mistakes.
Negri's Mohamed Aini (30th) and Mohamed Zulfadli (37th) could not dent the fighting spirit of Malacca who equalised within a apate of a minute.
Mohamed Faris ignited the fightback with a 40th minute field goal and
right after re-start, Mohamed Amir made the score level.
And in the 48th minute, Malacca were awarded a penalty stroke and Azmir Osman took them into the semifinals.
Results (q-finals) - SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 1 SMK Seberang
Temerloh (Pah) 1 - Penang win 2-1 on sudden-death goal; SMK Padang Midin (Trg) 5 Malaysia Sports Schools 2; St David High (Mal) 3 SM Datuk Taha (NS) 2; SMK Anderson (Pk) 5 Armed Forces (AFATS) 0.
(END)
MALAYSIA Sports School were brought down to earth when they lost 5-2 to SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu in the quarterfinals of the Champions Schools at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang yesterday.
After an impressive run in the group stages, the under-16 boys found the
going uphill against the matured Terengganu side and never put up much of a fight.
The Terengganu hero yesterday was Mohamed Nazreen who scored a brace in the 10th, 37th, 45th and 56th. The other goal was scored by Mohamed Razali (31st). The Sports School goal scorers were Baljit Singh (49th) and Nabil Fikri (62nd).
In the Penang-Pahang last eight match, SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir fought tooth-and-nail to shut out SMK Seberang Temerloh of Pahang with a sudden-death goal in the 72nd minute.
Penang were a lazy side in the first half and it looked like playing
with only one break since Monday did more damage to them than the fitter Pahang boys. But in the second half, after a fiery pep-talk from their coach, they practically camped in the Pahang semi-circle and were rewarded with late goals.
Pahang, relying heavily on counter-attacks, drew first blood in the 33rd
minute when Mohamed Firdaus deflected home a penalty corner meelee and went into the breather looking very confident and fresh.
Penang limped back into the match in the second half and there were
plenty of near-misses but Pahang defended their one-goal lead with
numbers.
The defensive strategy backfired when L. Pragash scored the equaliser
off a penalty corner in the 57th minute to force sudden-death. And barely
two minutes into extra-time, Pragash shut the door on Pahang with his
second penalty corner goal.
In the other quarter-final, St David High of Malacca beat Negri
Sembilan's SM Datuk Taha 3-2.
Negri had a good grip of the match with a 2-0 lead but handed the
quarter-final ticket to Malacca by making some silly mistakes.
Negri's Mohamed Aini (30th) and Mohamed Zulfadli (37th) could not dent the fighting spirit of Malacca who equalised within a apate of a minute.
Mohamed Faris ignited the fightback with a 40th minute field goal and
right after re-start, Mohamed Amir made the score level.
And in the 48th minute, Malacca were awarded a penalty stroke and Azmir Osman took them into the semifinals.
Results (q-finals) - SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 1 SMK Seberang
Temerloh (Pah) 1 - Penang win 2-1 on sudden-death goal; SMK Padang Midin (Trg) 5 Malaysia Sports Schools 2; St David High (Mal) 3 SM Datuk Taha (NS) 2; SMK Anderson (Pk) 5 Armed Forces (AFATS) 0.
(END)
Sports School charge into last eight
20/12/2002
MALAYSIA Sports School charged into the quarter-finals of the Champions Schools tournament yesterday when they humbled SMK Taman Datuk Harun of Selangor 5-1 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
The Sports School, comprising 16-year-olds, topped Group D with three
straight wins and will meet SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu in the last
eight today.
Yesterday, the Sports School boys played impressive hockey and only made one silly mistake in the 22nd minute which was duly converted by
Selangor's Adam Ramli.
Sports School controlled the rest of the match with accurate passing and
stopping - their only weakness was in the semi-circle where they wasted
too many chances which might prove costly in the quarterfinals.
The Sports School goals were scored by Mohamed Razi (third), M. Yuvaraj (19th), Mohamed Yusri (27th), Hafis Jami (49th, 70th).
In Group B, SMK Seberang Temerloh of Pahang beat SMK Khir Johari of
Kedah 3-1 but had to go through a penalty shoot-out with Negri Sembilan's SM Datuk Taha to decide who topped the group because both teams were tied on points as well as goals.
Negri Sembilan lost the penalty shoot-out 4-1 and it almost looked like
they wanted to end second in Group B and meet St David High of Malacca in the quarter-finals by shooting wide.
The Pahang goals were scored by Mohamed Al Fadhiur (second), Mohamed Hadri (12th) and Mohamed Firdaus (54th). The Kedah goal was scored by Mohamed Hafiul (13th).
In Group C, Malacca beat Penang 3-2 to top the group. The Malacca goals were scored by Norikram Sulaiman (32nd), Mohamed Faris (45th) and Amir Osman (48th). Both the penang goals were scored by L. Pragash (61 and 69th).
Results: Malaysia Sports Schools 5 SMK Taman Datuk Harun (Sel) 1; St
David High (Mal) 3 SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 2; SMK Seberang
Temerloh (Pah) 3 SMK Khir Johari (Ked) 1; Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (Joh) 0 SMK Hamzah Macang (Kel) 1; SMK Padang Midin (Trg) 9 SMK Taman Melati (KL) 0.
Today - quarterfinals: Malaysia Sports Schools v SMK Padang Midin (Trg) 8am; St David High (Mal) v SM Datuk Taha (NS) 9.30am; SMK Seberang Temerloh (Pah) v SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 6pm; SMK Anderson (Pk) v Armed Forces (AFATS) 8pm.
(All matches played at the Pandamran Hockey Stadium in Klang.)
(END)
MALAYSIA Sports School charged into the quarter-finals of the Champions Schools tournament yesterday when they humbled SMK Taman Datuk Harun of Selangor 5-1 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
The Sports School, comprising 16-year-olds, topped Group D with three
straight wins and will meet SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu in the last
eight today.
Yesterday, the Sports School boys played impressive hockey and only made one silly mistake in the 22nd minute which was duly converted by
Selangor's Adam Ramli.
Sports School controlled the rest of the match with accurate passing and
stopping - their only weakness was in the semi-circle where they wasted
too many chances which might prove costly in the quarterfinals.
The Sports School goals were scored by Mohamed Razi (third), M. Yuvaraj (19th), Mohamed Yusri (27th), Hafis Jami (49th, 70th).
In Group B, SMK Seberang Temerloh of Pahang beat SMK Khir Johari of
Kedah 3-1 but had to go through a penalty shoot-out with Negri Sembilan's SM Datuk Taha to decide who topped the group because both teams were tied on points as well as goals.
Negri Sembilan lost the penalty shoot-out 4-1 and it almost looked like
they wanted to end second in Group B and meet St David High of Malacca in the quarter-finals by shooting wide.
The Pahang goals were scored by Mohamed Al Fadhiur (second), Mohamed Hadri (12th) and Mohamed Firdaus (54th). The Kedah goal was scored by Mohamed Hafiul (13th).
In Group C, Malacca beat Penang 3-2 to top the group. The Malacca goals were scored by Norikram Sulaiman (32nd), Mohamed Faris (45th) and Amir Osman (48th). Both the penang goals were scored by L. Pragash (61 and 69th).
Results: Malaysia Sports Schools 5 SMK Taman Datuk Harun (Sel) 1; St
David High (Mal) 3 SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 2; SMK Seberang
Temerloh (Pah) 3 SMK Khir Johari (Ked) 1; Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (Joh) 0 SMK Hamzah Macang (Kel) 1; SMK Padang Midin (Trg) 9 SMK Taman Melati (KL) 0.
Today - quarterfinals: Malaysia Sports Schools v SMK Padang Midin (Trg) 8am; St David High (Mal) v SM Datuk Taha (NS) 9.30am; SMK Seberang Temerloh (Pah) v SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir (Pg) 6pm; SMK Anderson (Pk) v Armed Forces (AFATS) 8pm.
(All matches played at the Pandamran Hockey Stadium in Klang.)
(END)
Alagendra retains AHF post
19/12/2002
TAN Sri P. Alagendra whipped challenger Annabel Dhillon of Singapore to retain the post of secretary of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) during its elections in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Alagendra was elected to the post for a third term when he received 40
votes to Annabel's two.
Sultan Azlan Shah was returned unopposed as president as was treasurer
Fumio Ogura of Japan.
The five vice-presidents elected yesterday were M. Ueda of Japan (41
votes), K.P.S. Gill of India (40), Shin Bark Jae of South Korea (31), Brig
Mussarat Ullah Khan of Pakistan (40) and P. Raj Kumar Singh of India (16).
After the elections, a number of tournaments were awarded to member
countries. Malaysia was handed the task of hosting the Men's Asia Cup
2003.
"We received backing to host the Men's Asia Cup on Sept 11 next year
while a number of other tournaments were awarded to the rest of the member countries but the dates have yet to be fixed," said Alagendra.
To host the Asia Cup, Malaysia beat bids from Bangladesh, Taiwan and
India.
The 2003 Women's Asia Cup was awarded to India, the Junior Men's AHF Cup to Singapore, the Junior Women's AHF Cup to Taiwan and the Junior Men's Asia Cup 2004 to Pakistan.
However, for the 2004 tournament, Malaysia and Oman have been placed on standby because Pakistan has pulled out of hosting previous tournaments.
"For the 2004 Asia Cup, we have set June 2003 as the deadline for Pakistan to make a commitment. If they can't host it, Oman are the first reserves while Malaysia are second," said Alagendra.
Asian Hockey Federation Line-Up - President: Sultan Azlan Shah;
Secretary: Tan Sri P. Alagendra; Vice-Presidents: M. Ueda (Jpn), K.P.S.
Gill (Ind), Shin Bark Jae (Kor), Brig Mussarat Ullah Khan (Pak), P. Raj
Kumar Singh (Ind).
Council Members: M. Lukshumayeh (Sin), Dawood Ahmed Ali Al-Raisi (Oman), Choi Ki Soo (Kor), Prof Dr Primadi (Indo), Tayyab Ikram (Macau), Shamsul Bari (Ban), Anil Sharma (Nep).
Appointed members: Jayatissa Herath (SL), Nematpour (Iran).
Heads of committes - Competitions Chairman: M. Ueda (Jpn), Secretary: S. Satgunam (Mas).
Development and Coaching - Chairman: F. Ogura (Jpn), Secretary: Tayyab Ikram (Macau).
Equipment Committe - Chairman: Dhillon (Ind), Secretary: Jyothi Kumaran (Ind).
Finance Committee - Chairman: Shin Bark Jae (Kor), Secretary: A.F.M.
Conway (HK).
Media - Chairman: S. Thiyagarajan (Ind), Secretary: Frankie D'Cruz
(Mas).
Medical - Chairman: Dr Ramlan Aziz (Mas), Secretary: Dr M. Chandran.
Protocol - Chairman: K.P.S Gill (Ind), Secretary: Kyaw Naing (Mya).
Umpiring - Chairman: Brig Mussarat Ullah Khan (Pak), Secretary: Masako Kamisuki (Jpn).
Athletes Panel - Chairman: M. Lukshumayeh (Sin), Secretary: Islahuddin Saddiqui (Pak).
Disciplinary Committee - Chairman: Vidya Stokes (Ind), Secretary: Roy
Rajasingam (Mas).
Marketing Committee - Chairman: Shim Bark Jae (Kor), Secretary: Kim Sung Hee (Kor).
(END)
TAN Sri P. Alagendra whipped challenger Annabel Dhillon of Singapore to retain the post of secretary of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) during its elections in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Alagendra was elected to the post for a third term when he received 40
votes to Annabel's two.
Sultan Azlan Shah was returned unopposed as president as was treasurer
Fumio Ogura of Japan.
The five vice-presidents elected yesterday were M. Ueda of Japan (41
votes), K.P.S. Gill of India (40), Shin Bark Jae of South Korea (31), Brig
Mussarat Ullah Khan of Pakistan (40) and P. Raj Kumar Singh of India (16).
After the elections, a number of tournaments were awarded to member
countries. Malaysia was handed the task of hosting the Men's Asia Cup
2003.
"We received backing to host the Men's Asia Cup on Sept 11 next year
while a number of other tournaments were awarded to the rest of the member countries but the dates have yet to be fixed," said Alagendra.
To host the Asia Cup, Malaysia beat bids from Bangladesh, Taiwan and
India.
The 2003 Women's Asia Cup was awarded to India, the Junior Men's AHF Cup to Singapore, the Junior Women's AHF Cup to Taiwan and the Junior Men's Asia Cup 2004 to Pakistan.
However, for the 2004 tournament, Malaysia and Oman have been placed on standby because Pakistan has pulled out of hosting previous tournaments.
"For the 2004 Asia Cup, we have set June 2003 as the deadline for Pakistan to make a commitment. If they can't host it, Oman are the first reserves while Malaysia are second," said Alagendra.
Asian Hockey Federation Line-Up - President: Sultan Azlan Shah;
Secretary: Tan Sri P. Alagendra; Vice-Presidents: M. Ueda (Jpn), K.P.S.
Gill (Ind), Shin Bark Jae (Kor), Brig Mussarat Ullah Khan (Pak), P. Raj
Kumar Singh (Ind).
Council Members: M. Lukshumayeh (Sin), Dawood Ahmed Ali Al-Raisi (Oman), Choi Ki Soo (Kor), Prof Dr Primadi (Indo), Tayyab Ikram (Macau), Shamsul Bari (Ban), Anil Sharma (Nep).
Appointed members: Jayatissa Herath (SL), Nematpour (Iran).
Heads of committes - Competitions Chairman: M. Ueda (Jpn), Secretary: S. Satgunam (Mas).
Development and Coaching - Chairman: F. Ogura (Jpn), Secretary: Tayyab Ikram (Macau).
Equipment Committe - Chairman: Dhillon (Ind), Secretary: Jyothi Kumaran (Ind).
Finance Committee - Chairman: Shin Bark Jae (Kor), Secretary: A.F.M.
Conway (HK).
Media - Chairman: S. Thiyagarajan (Ind), Secretary: Frankie D'Cruz
(Mas).
Medical - Chairman: Dr Ramlan Aziz (Mas), Secretary: Dr M. Chandran.
Protocol - Chairman: K.P.S Gill (Ind), Secretary: Kyaw Naing (Mya).
Umpiring - Chairman: Brig Mussarat Ullah Khan (Pak), Secretary: Masako Kamisuki (Jpn).
Athletes Panel - Chairman: M. Lukshumayeh (Sin), Secretary: Islahuddin Saddiqui (Pak).
Disciplinary Committee - Chairman: Vidya Stokes (Ind), Secretary: Roy
Rajasingam (Mas).
Marketing Committee - Chairman: Shim Bark Jae (Kor), Secretary: Kim Sung Hee (Kor).
(END)
MSFD sets lofty target
13/12/2002
MALAYSIA Sports Federation of the Deaf (MSFD) is confident of winning five-gold medals in the First Asia Pacific Deaf Badminton Championship on Dec 17-21 at the KLBA Hall in Kuala Lumpur.
Its confidence stems from the fact that its shuttlers have steadily
progressed over the last few years.
"We have a set a target of five gold medals for the championship because
our shuttlers have done well in recent top-notch tournaments. And as
hosts, we have the advantage," said MSFD vice-president Aqlam Jafri
yesterday.
Malaysia won three gold medals and one silver at the Sixth Asia Pacific
Games for the Deaf in Taiwan in 2000 with its trumpcard being Thomas Teh Cheang Hock.
And in 2001, in the World Games for the Deaf in Rome, Italy, Thomas did the country proud again when he won two silver medals in the singles and doubles.
His secret? "I started playing badminton at the age of three as my
father loved the game too," said Thomas through an interpreter.
His father is none other than Teh Kew San, who captained the 1967
Malaysian team which wrenched the Thomas Cup from the Indonesians in Jakarta. The other members of that triumphant team were Tan Aik Huang, Yew Cheng Ho, Ng Boon Bee and Billy Ng.
National trainees - Men: Adrol Hisyam, S. Muniandy, Thomas Teh Cheang Hock, Wu Wai Loon, Lim Khye Soon, Chuah Soo Beng, Koh Fook Seong, Aziran Abdul Rahman.
Women: Lisa Tee Chia Mei, Subashini Nair, Foo Chiew Phing, Artika Suraya Ayub, Normala Fahsya Najjamuddin, Aryanti Awang.
Coach: Mohamed Iqbal.
(END)
MALAYSIA Sports Federation of the Deaf (MSFD) is confident of winning five-gold medals in the First Asia Pacific Deaf Badminton Championship on Dec 17-21 at the KLBA Hall in Kuala Lumpur.
Its confidence stems from the fact that its shuttlers have steadily
progressed over the last few years.
"We have a set a target of five gold medals for the championship because
our shuttlers have done well in recent top-notch tournaments. And as
hosts, we have the advantage," said MSFD vice-president Aqlam Jafri
yesterday.
Malaysia won three gold medals and one silver at the Sixth Asia Pacific
Games for the Deaf in Taiwan in 2000 with its trumpcard being Thomas Teh Cheang Hock.
And in 2001, in the World Games for the Deaf in Rome, Italy, Thomas did the country proud again when he won two silver medals in the singles and doubles.
His secret? "I started playing badminton at the age of three as my
father loved the game too," said Thomas through an interpreter.
His father is none other than Teh Kew San, who captained the 1967
Malaysian team which wrenched the Thomas Cup from the Indonesians in Jakarta. The other members of that triumphant team were Tan Aik Huang, Yew Cheng Ho, Ng Boon Bee and Billy Ng.
National trainees - Men: Adrol Hisyam, S. Muniandy, Thomas Teh Cheang Hock, Wu Wai Loon, Lim Khye Soon, Chuah Soo Beng, Koh Fook Seong, Aziran Abdul Rahman.
Women: Lisa Tee Chia Mei, Subashini Nair, Foo Chiew Phing, Artika Suraya Ayub, Normala Fahsya Najjamuddin, Aryanti Awang.
Coach: Mohamed Iqbal.
(END)
Koreans lead the way
13/12/2002
FIFTEEN-year-old Choi Bok Eum underlined the awesome reputation of Korean bowlers when he fired a total of 918 pinfalls to become the new leader in the Boys' Open of the Third Milo International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championships at the Megalanes in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
The bespectacled left-handed heavy hook bowler knocked down lines of
185, 258, 237 and 238 to top the list of qualifiers and had two pins more
than overnight leader Sean Hee of Selangor.
Choi, who is from Seoul, only started bowling three years ago and is a
member of the Korean Youth Bowling Camp under coach Kim Jeong-Bo.
The other Korean, Back Seung Joon, who arrived late on Wednesday night, also did well to score 893. He has already secured a berth in the Finals with his current seventh placing. Australian Trent Cage shot 875 and is in 11th spot and should make the top-32 cut.
In the Girls' Open, Sabah Malaysia Games All-Events gold medallist
Vivien Khoo improved her score to 856 to move up to second spot, 21 pins behind leader Sharon Chai. She is one pin ahead of Yazlin Razlan who slipped to third.
Indonesia's Putty Adrmein shot 832 to secure sixth placing and Sharon
Limansantoso shot 815 for 10th. National bowler Chop Poh Lai, who started her campaign on Wednesday night, scored 818 to tie with Malaysia Games Masters gold medallist Zandra Aziela in eighth.
More international stars are expected to arrive today. Arriving
yesterday was 1999 CGU Asian Bowling Tour's Malaysia leg champion Cheng Chao-Sheng of Taiwan.
Cheng, younger brother of Cheng Chao-Yu who represented Taiwan at the Riga AMF World Cup, will be having his last crack at the Junior All-Stars title as he will be overaged next year.
Born in 1980, Cheng has been actively competing in international
tournaments for the past three years. Among his many achievements is the Singles gold in the recent Far East Championship in Shenzen, China.
Asian Games gold medallist Nam Bo Ra and Kim Hyo-Mi of Korea are
expected to arrive today with Asian Games silver medallist Kim Kyungmin, who shot a perfect game and won a vintage car during the Malaysian Open last March.
Defending champion and 2001 Asian No 1, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong will also arrive today to defend his title.
Qualifying rounds conclude today. The First Block of Masters will roll
off tomorrow followed by the Second Block and the stepladder Grand Finals
on Sunday.
(END)
FIFTEEN-year-old Choi Bok Eum underlined the awesome reputation of Korean bowlers when he fired a total of 918 pinfalls to become the new leader in the Boys' Open of the Third Milo International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championships at the Megalanes in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
The bespectacled left-handed heavy hook bowler knocked down lines of
185, 258, 237 and 238 to top the list of qualifiers and had two pins more
than overnight leader Sean Hee of Selangor.
Choi, who is from Seoul, only started bowling three years ago and is a
member of the Korean Youth Bowling Camp under coach Kim Jeong-Bo.
The other Korean, Back Seung Joon, who arrived late on Wednesday night, also did well to score 893. He has already secured a berth in the Finals with his current seventh placing. Australian Trent Cage shot 875 and is in 11th spot and should make the top-32 cut.
In the Girls' Open, Sabah Malaysia Games All-Events gold medallist
Vivien Khoo improved her score to 856 to move up to second spot, 21 pins behind leader Sharon Chai. She is one pin ahead of Yazlin Razlan who slipped to third.
Indonesia's Putty Adrmein shot 832 to secure sixth placing and Sharon
Limansantoso shot 815 for 10th. National bowler Chop Poh Lai, who started her campaign on Wednesday night, scored 818 to tie with Malaysia Games Masters gold medallist Zandra Aziela in eighth.
More international stars are expected to arrive today. Arriving
yesterday was 1999 CGU Asian Bowling Tour's Malaysia leg champion Cheng Chao-Sheng of Taiwan.
Cheng, younger brother of Cheng Chao-Yu who represented Taiwan at the Riga AMF World Cup, will be having his last crack at the Junior All-Stars title as he will be overaged next year.
Born in 1980, Cheng has been actively competing in international
tournaments for the past three years. Among his many achievements is the Singles gold in the recent Far East Championship in Shenzen, China.
Asian Games gold medallist Nam Bo Ra and Kim Hyo-Mi of Korea are
expected to arrive today with Asian Games silver medallist Kim Kyungmin, who shot a perfect game and won a vintage car during the Malaysian Open last March.
Defending champion and 2001 Asian No 1, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong will also arrive today to defend his title.
Qualifying rounds conclude today. The First Block of Masters will roll
off tomorrow followed by the Second Block and the stepladder Grand Finals
on Sunday.
(END)
Sharon strikes for All-Star lead
11/12/2002
SHARON Chai snatched the overnight lead from Yazlin Razlan in the girls' Open Division of the third Milo International Junior All-Stars
Championship at the Pyramid Megalanes in Bandar Sunway yesterday.
Malaysia's Sharon knocked down a total 877 pins in her first attempt in
the qualifying round.
Sharon, a semi-finalist at the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour in Hong Kong
last week, was in good form to register lines of 253, 247, 175 and 202 to
lead Yazlin by 22 pins.
Esther Cheah of Selangor improved her score to 837 and is in the fourth
spot behind Yazlin and Tang Joh Six, followed by Christine Ong with 824 in fifth.
There were no change among the top-four positions in the Boys' Open
Division yesterday. Overnight leader Sean Hee of Selangor retained his top spot with 916 pins while the other three keglers also maintained their
positions.
Karry Chang of Sarawak (903), Mustafa Yassin from the National Squad
(899) and team-mate Jonathan Lim (894) kept their second to fourth
positions.
Australian Matthew Sofia knocked down 866 pins to set himself seventh
while Selangor's up-and-coming SportExcel Finals Graded winner Zaid Izlan was eighth with 851.
The Korean took to the lanes yesterday and Choi Bok-Eum scored 804 for
18th.
"A big contingent from Indonesia and Singapore arrived yesterday
afternoon and will take to the lanes tomorrow (today). We are expecting
more keglers to arrive in the next few days and the number could be more than the 300 which took part in the Championship last year," said
Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress secretary Sidney Tung yesterday.
Keglers from Singapore, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia and Hong Kong will pit their skills in the Third Edition from today.
"The qualifying rounds will end on Friday and the final will be held
over the weekend. In the Girls Open, defending champion Yaslia Razlan of Malaysia is the automatic qualifier to defend her crown," said Tung.
Meanwhile, Sidney also said that Penang will host the sixth Asian
Schools Championships on April 2-7.
"This will be the second time Malaysia will host the Championships. The
first was in Johor in 2000. Penang were handed the task when Australia and New Zealand declined to compete in Indonesia after the Bali bombing
incident.
"The Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) was on the hunt for another location and Malaysia accepted it," said Tung.
Top 10 results - Boys' Open: 1 Sean Hee (Sel) 916 pins, 2 Karry Chang
(Sar) 903, 3 Mustafa Yassin (Nat Squad) 899, 4 Jonathan Lim (Nat Squad) 894, 5 Ang Kean Joo (Sel) 887, 6 Eric Ang (Pg Megalanes) 879, 7 Matthew Sofia (Aus) 866, 8 Zaid Izlan (MTBC-NSC) 851, 9 Abdul Haffez (Sar) 848, 10 Aaron Chin (Nat Squad) 846.
Girls Open: 1 Sharon Chai (Nat Squad) 877, 2 Yazlin Razlan (Nat Squad)
855,3 Tang Joh Six (Nat Squad) 841, 4 Esther Cheah (Pramid ML) 837, 5 Christine Ong (Nat Squad) 824, 6 Zandra Aziela (Pyramid ML) 818, 7 Lim Jiachyi (MTBC-NSC) 808, 8 Sharon Koh (Pyramid ML) 786, 9 Hee Kar Foong (Sel) 757, 10 Vivien Khoo (Nat Squad).
(END)
SHARON Chai snatched the overnight lead from Yazlin Razlan in the girls' Open Division of the third Milo International Junior All-Stars
Championship at the Pyramid Megalanes in Bandar Sunway yesterday.
Malaysia's Sharon knocked down a total 877 pins in her first attempt in
the qualifying round.
Sharon, a semi-finalist at the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour in Hong Kong
last week, was in good form to register lines of 253, 247, 175 and 202 to
lead Yazlin by 22 pins.
Esther Cheah of Selangor improved her score to 837 and is in the fourth
spot behind Yazlin and Tang Joh Six, followed by Christine Ong with 824 in fifth.
There were no change among the top-four positions in the Boys' Open
Division yesterday. Overnight leader Sean Hee of Selangor retained his top spot with 916 pins while the other three keglers also maintained their
positions.
Karry Chang of Sarawak (903), Mustafa Yassin from the National Squad
(899) and team-mate Jonathan Lim (894) kept their second to fourth
positions.
Australian Matthew Sofia knocked down 866 pins to set himself seventh
while Selangor's up-and-coming SportExcel Finals Graded winner Zaid Izlan was eighth with 851.
The Korean took to the lanes yesterday and Choi Bok-Eum scored 804 for
18th.
"A big contingent from Indonesia and Singapore arrived yesterday
afternoon and will take to the lanes tomorrow (today). We are expecting
more keglers to arrive in the next few days and the number could be more than the 300 which took part in the Championship last year," said
Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress secretary Sidney Tung yesterday.
Keglers from Singapore, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia and Hong Kong will pit their skills in the Third Edition from today.
"The qualifying rounds will end on Friday and the final will be held
over the weekend. In the Girls Open, defending champion Yaslia Razlan of Malaysia is the automatic qualifier to defend her crown," said Tung.
Meanwhile, Sidney also said that Penang will host the sixth Asian
Schools Championships on April 2-7.
"This will be the second time Malaysia will host the Championships. The
first was in Johor in 2000. Penang were handed the task when Australia and New Zealand declined to compete in Indonesia after the Bali bombing
incident.
"The Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) was on the hunt for another location and Malaysia accepted it," said Tung.
Top 10 results - Boys' Open: 1 Sean Hee (Sel) 916 pins, 2 Karry Chang
(Sar) 903, 3 Mustafa Yassin (Nat Squad) 899, 4 Jonathan Lim (Nat Squad) 894, 5 Ang Kean Joo (Sel) 887, 6 Eric Ang (Pg Megalanes) 879, 7 Matthew Sofia (Aus) 866, 8 Zaid Izlan (MTBC-NSC) 851, 9 Abdul Haffez (Sar) 848, 10 Aaron Chin (Nat Squad) 846.
Girls Open: 1 Sharon Chai (Nat Squad) 877, 2 Yazlin Razlan (Nat Squad)
855,3 Tang Joh Six (Nat Squad) 841, 4 Esther Cheah (Pramid ML) 837, 5 Christine Ong (Nat Squad) 824, 6 Zandra Aziela (Pyramid ML) 818, 7 Lim Jiachyi (MTBC-NSC) 808, 8 Sharon Koh (Pyramid ML) 786, 9 Hee Kar Foong (Sel) 757, 10 Vivien Khoo (Nat Squad).
(END)
Lissek targets Olympics semis
01/12/2002
NATIONAL chief coach Paul Lissek has drawn up a comprehensive training programme leading up to what he hopes will be a semi-final appearance in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The qualifier for Athens is on March 2-13, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. The
Olympics are from Aug 13-29.
"Everything that is being done right now is aimed towards preparing a
strong team for the 2004 Athens Olympics. My personal target is to take
the team into the semi-finals," said Lissek yesterday.
The 2003 calendar is void of tournaments so a plan was devised to keep
them busy with international friendlies.
"After the Azlan Shah Cup in March, the seniors and juniors will head
for Europe in May where matches against England, Belgium, Holland and Germany have been arranged," said Lissek.
The Tour is from May 1-20 and at the tail end of it, a training camp
with the German players has been arranged.
"After that we have invited China for several Test matches on Aug 25-31.
Test matches have also been arranged against Spain in Madrid at the end of 2003."
The Spain Tests are meant to get the team used to the conditions and
venue of the Olympics qualifier.
"And for 2004, the Azlan Shah Cup has been brought forward to Jan 8-18 so that the team can get maximum exposure before the qualifiers in March," said Lissek.
But a problem that has arose is the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF)
agreeing to test three new rules in next year's Azlan Shah Cup.
The three rules are:
* Having only eight defenders in the 25-yard line at any one time.
* Increasing the goalscoring area from the semi-circle to the 25-
yardline.
* During long corners, the defending team will have eight defenders
behind the goal-line.
"I am in two minds right now. If I train the players to play according
to the new rules and it is only used for the Azlan Shah Cup but not
implemented in other tournaments, I will have to re-train them for the
Olympics qualifiers.
"I do not understand the FIH. Why can't they implement the rule at the
Champions Trophy and then see whether it works or not. They should just
leave the Azlan Shah Cup alone," said Lissek.
Lissek called the first rule stupid and detrimental to the sport.
"FIH tried out the first rule at the Hamburg Masters in Germany in June
and I found it very ridiculous to make sure that three players stay out of
the 25-yard line when being attacked.
"My opinion is shared by the rest of the coaches from Germany, South
Korea and Argentina as they found the ruling a handicap during the German Masters.
"Is a defender, who is trying to stop an attacker, supposed to stop at
the 25-yard line and count his teammates before deciding what to do next?
The umpires had an equally tough time at the Hamburg Masters, trying to keep count during 70 minutes of play."
But he was quite surprised with the ruling which allowed a player to
score from any point inside the 25-yard line.
"This is an interesting rule and the goalkeeper will have to be alert at
all times and not just when the ball enters the semicircle. I will have to
try it out before commenting," said Lissek.
(END)
NATIONAL chief coach Paul Lissek has drawn up a comprehensive training programme leading up to what he hopes will be a semi-final appearance in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The qualifier for Athens is on March 2-13, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. The
Olympics are from Aug 13-29.
"Everything that is being done right now is aimed towards preparing a
strong team for the 2004 Athens Olympics. My personal target is to take
the team into the semi-finals," said Lissek yesterday.
The 2003 calendar is void of tournaments so a plan was devised to keep
them busy with international friendlies.
"After the Azlan Shah Cup in March, the seniors and juniors will head
for Europe in May where matches against England, Belgium, Holland and Germany have been arranged," said Lissek.
The Tour is from May 1-20 and at the tail end of it, a training camp
with the German players has been arranged.
"After that we have invited China for several Test matches on Aug 25-31.
Test matches have also been arranged against Spain in Madrid at the end of 2003."
The Spain Tests are meant to get the team used to the conditions and
venue of the Olympics qualifier.
"And for 2004, the Azlan Shah Cup has been brought forward to Jan 8-18 so that the team can get maximum exposure before the qualifiers in March," said Lissek.
But a problem that has arose is the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF)
agreeing to test three new rules in next year's Azlan Shah Cup.
The three rules are:
* Having only eight defenders in the 25-yard line at any one time.
* Increasing the goalscoring area from the semi-circle to the 25-
yardline.
* During long corners, the defending team will have eight defenders
behind the goal-line.
"I am in two minds right now. If I train the players to play according
to the new rules and it is only used for the Azlan Shah Cup but not
implemented in other tournaments, I will have to re-train them for the
Olympics qualifiers.
"I do not understand the FIH. Why can't they implement the rule at the
Champions Trophy and then see whether it works or not. They should just
leave the Azlan Shah Cup alone," said Lissek.
Lissek called the first rule stupid and detrimental to the sport.
"FIH tried out the first rule at the Hamburg Masters in Germany in June
and I found it very ridiculous to make sure that three players stay out of
the 25-yard line when being attacked.
"My opinion is shared by the rest of the coaches from Germany, South
Korea and Argentina as they found the ruling a handicap during the German Masters.
"Is a defender, who is trying to stop an attacker, supposed to stop at
the 25-yard line and count his teammates before deciding what to do next?
The umpires had an equally tough time at the Hamburg Masters, trying to keep count during 70 minutes of play."
But he was quite surprised with the ruling which allowed a player to
score from any point inside the 25-yard line.
"This is an interesting rule and the goalkeeper will have to be alert at
all times and not just when the ball enters the semicircle. I will have to
try it out before commenting," said Lissek.
(END)
Lissek: Why can't players be serious?
30/11/2002
THE national hockey team had their last training session before breaking
camp yesterday and chief coach Paul Lissek sported a worried frown.
There has been no change in attitude among a select group of players,
who take things for granted and skip training at the drop of a coin, and
they do not even have the courtesy to inform Lissek about their
whereabouts.
Lissek had to resort to calling up the juniors just to keep the training
schedule.
"I still do not understand why players do not take it seriously when
they receive a national call-up for training. Fairuz (Ramli) is the latest
to copy the trend when he failed to show up today (yesterday) without any
notice," said Lissek at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Fairuz was on medical leave for three days with a strained back, and was
supposed to report back to training yesterday but there was no sign of him - and he did not even call the coach to offer an excuse.
"Maybe he thought that it was the last day of training and he could skip
it," lamented Lissek.
The only call that Lissek received while in the midst of training was
from P. Prabahkaran.
"Prabha said he was involved in an accident while on his way to
training. He said it was not serious but he was too shaken-up to attend
training," said Lissek.
The national squad, training for the Azlan Shah Cup in March next year,
has been hit by a series of withdrawals and Lissek was forced to
call up several juniors.
"I recalled the entire squad which went to the Asian Games in Busan, but
a few players could not make it because of work or studies. So I called in
a few juniors to fill up the vacuum," said Lissek.
Among others, Saiful Azli wrote in that he had to concentrate on his
work as he has just received a promotion while K. Keevan Raj is studying
for his final year. However, both have said they will keep fit and make a
return for the Azlan Shah Cup.
Kulvinder Singh, who played for Kuala Lumpur Schools Sports Council in the National Junior League (NJL), benefitted from the withdrawals.
"We called up 30 outstanding players from the JHL to attend centralised
training and Kulvinder was among those who really impressed with his
commitment and skills. He was rated second among the 30 players in the
camp so we decided to call him for national training," said assistant
coach Stephen van Huizen.
Kulvinder, 17, received a golden opportunity to impress the selectors
and fight for a spot in the Under-19 International Invitation at the
National Hockey Stadium on Jan 5.
The national team will break camp today and regroup on Dec 16 for a
fitness test.
"I have given each player a training guide during the six-week break in
December right up till January. I will conduct a fitness test on Dec 16
and the second test will be on January 2. I will know then if they had
followed the programme as instructed," said Lissek.
(END)
THE national hockey team had their last training session before breaking
camp yesterday and chief coach Paul Lissek sported a worried frown.
There has been no change in attitude among a select group of players,
who take things for granted and skip training at the drop of a coin, and
they do not even have the courtesy to inform Lissek about their
whereabouts.
Lissek had to resort to calling up the juniors just to keep the training
schedule.
"I still do not understand why players do not take it seriously when
they receive a national call-up for training. Fairuz (Ramli) is the latest
to copy the trend when he failed to show up today (yesterday) without any
notice," said Lissek at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Fairuz was on medical leave for three days with a strained back, and was
supposed to report back to training yesterday but there was no sign of him - and he did not even call the coach to offer an excuse.
"Maybe he thought that it was the last day of training and he could skip
it," lamented Lissek.
The only call that Lissek received while in the midst of training was
from P. Prabahkaran.
"Prabha said he was involved in an accident while on his way to
training. He said it was not serious but he was too shaken-up to attend
training," said Lissek.
The national squad, training for the Azlan Shah Cup in March next year,
has been hit by a series of withdrawals and Lissek was forced to
call up several juniors.
"I recalled the entire squad which went to the Asian Games in Busan, but
a few players could not make it because of work or studies. So I called in
a few juniors to fill up the vacuum," said Lissek.
Among others, Saiful Azli wrote in that he had to concentrate on his
work as he has just received a promotion while K. Keevan Raj is studying
for his final year. However, both have said they will keep fit and make a
return for the Azlan Shah Cup.
Kulvinder Singh, who played for Kuala Lumpur Schools Sports Council in the National Junior League (NJL), benefitted from the withdrawals.
"We called up 30 outstanding players from the JHL to attend centralised
training and Kulvinder was among those who really impressed with his
commitment and skills. He was rated second among the 30 players in the
camp so we decided to call him for national training," said assistant
coach Stephen van Huizen.
Kulvinder, 17, received a golden opportunity to impress the selectors
and fight for a spot in the Under-19 International Invitation at the
National Hockey Stadium on Jan 5.
The national team will break camp today and regroup on Dec 16 for a
fitness test.
"I have given each player a training guide during the six-week break in
December right up till January. I will conduct a fitness test on Dec 16
and the second test will be on January 2. I will know then if they had
followed the programme as instructed," said Lissek.
(END)
Selangor SA sponsor six juniors
29/11/2002
THE Selangor Shooting Association (SSA) has come to the rescue of six
juniors when the National Sports Council (NSC) decided not to foot their
bill for the 26th SEASA Shooting Championship in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The championship is scheduled for Nov 27 to Dec 8, but as the events
which the Malaysians will be competing in only begins on Dec 1, the three
boys will leave for Vietnam tomorrow followed by the girls on Dec 4.
"The NSC felt that after the Busan Asian Games, there are no more big
events for the shooters, so they did not fund the juniors for the Vietnam
Championship.
"But for the sake of development, SSA decided to send the six young
shooters on its own accord," said National Shooting Association of
Malaysia (NSAM) honorary advisor Ong Hoon Chin.
It is also learnt that as the seniors were not available for one reason
or another, hence the juniors got their break to represent the country in
a competition which is deemed similar in standard to the Sea Games.
"Ten countries will be competing in Vietnam and the competition is
expected to be stiff as the Championship offers `Minimum Qualification
Scores (MQS)' for the Athens 2004 Olympics," said Ong.
The MQS, awarded by the International Shooting Federation, is important
for shooters who hope to qualify for the Olympics.
In the absence of national stars, Lim I Vern, Mashita Ramli, Norhidayah
Ramli, Leong Jia Chyuan, Nicholas Aw Kai Foong and Mohamed Hezir Azmi will
now get their shot at glory.
Selangor shooters dominated this year's National Championships and the
SportExcel Grand Finals at the Subang Shooting Range, so it is not
surprising that all the six shooters selected are from Selangor.
In the Sabah Malaysia Games, I Vern helped Selangor to better the
State's 1998 Games record in the women's team rifle event. Together with Joanne Ng and Zalita Mohamed Yusoff, the trio also improved the Games record of 1,159 by two points.
In Vietnam, I Vern will partner Mashita and Norhidayah in the air rifle
event.
Mashita and I Vern were also in top form in the National Championship
when they, together with Joanne, erased the air rifle team record with a
combined total of 1,164 points.
Leong is another budding shooter. He equalled the National Junior Record with 571 points in the sport pistol. His score matched that of Kelantan's
Nik Arisuddin Atqi in March.
"Although we have sent a very junior side, all of them have been
progresssing steadily since January.
"In Vietnam, they will get a chance to compete with senior shooters from
other countries and maybe pick up a few pointers," said Ong.
Squad: Lim I Vern (air rifle, prone, three position), Mashita Ramli (air
rifle, prone, three position), Norhidayah Ramli (air rifle, prone, three
position), Leong Jia Chyuan (air pistol, sport pistol), Nicholas Aw Kai
Foong (air pistol, sport pistol), Mohamed Heir Azmi (air pistol, sport
pistol).
(END)
THE Selangor Shooting Association (SSA) has come to the rescue of six
juniors when the National Sports Council (NSC) decided not to foot their
bill for the 26th SEASA Shooting Championship in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The championship is scheduled for Nov 27 to Dec 8, but as the events
which the Malaysians will be competing in only begins on Dec 1, the three
boys will leave for Vietnam tomorrow followed by the girls on Dec 4.
"The NSC felt that after the Busan Asian Games, there are no more big
events for the shooters, so they did not fund the juniors for the Vietnam
Championship.
"But for the sake of development, SSA decided to send the six young
shooters on its own accord," said National Shooting Association of
Malaysia (NSAM) honorary advisor Ong Hoon Chin.
It is also learnt that as the seniors were not available for one reason
or another, hence the juniors got their break to represent the country in
a competition which is deemed similar in standard to the Sea Games.
"Ten countries will be competing in Vietnam and the competition is
expected to be stiff as the Championship offers `Minimum Qualification
Scores (MQS)' for the Athens 2004 Olympics," said Ong.
The MQS, awarded by the International Shooting Federation, is important
for shooters who hope to qualify for the Olympics.
In the absence of national stars, Lim I Vern, Mashita Ramli, Norhidayah
Ramli, Leong Jia Chyuan, Nicholas Aw Kai Foong and Mohamed Hezir Azmi will
now get their shot at glory.
Selangor shooters dominated this year's National Championships and the
SportExcel Grand Finals at the Subang Shooting Range, so it is not
surprising that all the six shooters selected are from Selangor.
In the Sabah Malaysia Games, I Vern helped Selangor to better the
State's 1998 Games record in the women's team rifle event. Together with Joanne Ng and Zalita Mohamed Yusoff, the trio also improved the Games record of 1,159 by two points.
In Vietnam, I Vern will partner Mashita and Norhidayah in the air rifle
event.
Mashita and I Vern were also in top form in the National Championship
when they, together with Joanne, erased the air rifle team record with a
combined total of 1,164 points.
Leong is another budding shooter. He equalled the National Junior Record with 571 points in the sport pistol. His score matched that of Kelantan's
Nik Arisuddin Atqi in March.
"Although we have sent a very junior side, all of them have been
progresssing steadily since January.
"In Vietnam, they will get a chance to compete with senior shooters from
other countries and maybe pick up a few pointers," said Ong.
Squad: Lim I Vern (air rifle, prone, three position), Mashita Ramli (air
rifle, prone, three position), Norhidayah Ramli (air rifle, prone, three
position), Leong Jia Chyuan (air pistol, sport pistol), Nicholas Aw Kai
Foong (air pistol, sport pistol), Mohamed Heir Azmi (air pistol, sport
pistol).
(END)
Shalin, Kin Ngoh lead doubles
28/11/2002
SHALIN Zulkifli and Lai Kin Ngoh had a fine outing at the 28th Hong Kong International Open at the SCAA Bowling Alley yesterday when they took the lead in the women's doubles with a score of 871 pinfalls.
The Malaysian men also followed suit when Azren Mohamed Noor and Mustafa Yassin rolled 911 to top the doubles event.
Malaysia also topped the Women's Trios when the combination of Shalin,
Kin Ngoh and Sarah Yap had a total score of 1,284.
In the women's Open division, Yap Seok Kim of Singapore scorched the
lanes with lines of 214, 225, 214 and 248 for a 901 total.
The Singaporean took over the lead from Shalin who scored 896 on
Tuesday.
Asian Games gold medallist Sarah leapfrogged into third with a
creditable showing of 889.
The atmosphere was tensed in the men's Open as several established
bowlers dug into their reserves to vie for a place in this weekend's
finals.
Indonesia's rising star, Ryan Lalisang showed his maturity to upstage
the more seasoned campaigners with an immaculate performance.
Ryan started with a superb progression of 236, 259, 267 and 194 for a
956 total to emerge as the new leader. Sam Goh of Singapore remained
second with 938 while Yoon Dal Young of Korea bowled 926 for third.
Results: Men's Singles - 1 Ryan Laliasang (Indon) 956, 2 Sam Goh (Sin)
938, 3 Yoon Dal Young (S Kor) 926; Doubles: 1 Azren Noor-Mustafa Yassin (Mas) 911, 2 Paeng Nepocemu-Purvis Granger (Phi) 854, 3 Peter Yung-Jent Li (HK) 851; Trios: 1 Wu Siu Hong, Rocky Hui, Cyrus Cheung (HK) 1,295; 2 Chan Ka Ming, Clement Poon, Elvis Law (HK) 1,242; 3 Cheng Chao Yu, Yeh Ting Sui, Hsiao Chin Liang (Tai) 1,232.
All-Events: 1 Azidi Ameran (Mas) 1,744.
Women's Singles: 1 Yap Seok Kim (Sin) 901 pts, 2 Shalin Zulkfli (Mas)
896, 3 Sarah Yap (Mas) 889; Doubles: 1 Shalin-Lai Kin Ngoh 871, 2 Cookie Lee-Jenny Ho (HK) 806, 3 Lisa Del Rosario-Yap Seok Kim (Phil) 803; Trios: 1 Shalin Zulkfili, Lai Kin Ngoh, Sarah Yap (Mas) 1,284; 2 Valerie Teo, Jennifer Tan, Alice Tay (Sin) 1,255; 3 Armein Putty, Soediyong, Shmizu Hiroko (Indon) 1,198.
(END)
SHALIN Zulkifli and Lai Kin Ngoh had a fine outing at the 28th Hong Kong International Open at the SCAA Bowling Alley yesterday when they took the lead in the women's doubles with a score of 871 pinfalls.
The Malaysian men also followed suit when Azren Mohamed Noor and Mustafa Yassin rolled 911 to top the doubles event.
Malaysia also topped the Women's Trios when the combination of Shalin,
Kin Ngoh and Sarah Yap had a total score of 1,284.
In the women's Open division, Yap Seok Kim of Singapore scorched the
lanes with lines of 214, 225, 214 and 248 for a 901 total.
The Singaporean took over the lead from Shalin who scored 896 on
Tuesday.
Asian Games gold medallist Sarah leapfrogged into third with a
creditable showing of 889.
The atmosphere was tensed in the men's Open as several established
bowlers dug into their reserves to vie for a place in this weekend's
finals.
Indonesia's rising star, Ryan Lalisang showed his maturity to upstage
the more seasoned campaigners with an immaculate performance.
Ryan started with a superb progression of 236, 259, 267 and 194 for a
956 total to emerge as the new leader. Sam Goh of Singapore remained
second with 938 while Yoon Dal Young of Korea bowled 926 for third.
Results: Men's Singles - 1 Ryan Laliasang (Indon) 956, 2 Sam Goh (Sin)
938, 3 Yoon Dal Young (S Kor) 926; Doubles: 1 Azren Noor-Mustafa Yassin (Mas) 911, 2 Paeng Nepocemu-Purvis Granger (Phi) 854, 3 Peter Yung-Jent Li (HK) 851; Trios: 1 Wu Siu Hong, Rocky Hui, Cyrus Cheung (HK) 1,295; 2 Chan Ka Ming, Clement Poon, Elvis Law (HK) 1,242; 3 Cheng Chao Yu, Yeh Ting Sui, Hsiao Chin Liang (Tai) 1,232.
All-Events: 1 Azidi Ameran (Mas) 1,744.
Women's Singles: 1 Yap Seok Kim (Sin) 901 pts, 2 Shalin Zulkfli (Mas)
896, 3 Sarah Yap (Mas) 889; Doubles: 1 Shalin-Lai Kin Ngoh 871, 2 Cookie Lee-Jenny Ho (HK) 806, 3 Lisa Del Rosario-Yap Seok Kim (Phil) 803; Trios: 1 Shalin Zulkfili, Lai Kin Ngoh, Sarah Yap (Mas) 1,284; 2 Valerie Teo, Jennifer Tan, Alice Tay (Sin) 1,255; 3 Armein Putty, Soediyong, Shmizu Hiroko (Indon) 1,198.
(END)
MHF to test new rules
28/11/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has finally agreed to test three new
rules in the Azlan Shah Cup on March 22-30 in Ipoh.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) had proposed in 2001 that
Malaysia adapt the changes but MHF replied in the negative then, because
it would have disrupted preparations for the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup.
"I have written to the FIH Rules Board that the experimental rules will
be tested during the Azlan Shah Cup," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam
yesterday.
But MHF has not agreed to adapt the new rules in the domestic
competitions.
The three new rules are:
* Having only eight defenders in the 25-yard line at any one time.
* Increasing the goalscoring area from the semi-circle to the 25-yard
line.
* During long corners, the defending team will have eight defenders
behind the goal-line.
The first rule, which is aimed at having less crowded defences, has been
tried out in Australia and the FIH found that it does encourage attacking
play.
"In the FIH letter, it was stated that the first rule reduces hard hits
into the circle because it is more effective to build up through ball
possession and to penetrate the circle for a shot at goal," said Satgunam.
The main reason for the rule is to make the circle and surrounding areas
more safer and increase the likelihood of shots at goal which should
increase the number of goals.
The umpires must also make sure that three players are outside the 25-
yard line during attacks and if the rule is breached, a penalty corner
will be awarded to the opponents. And for persistent intentional breaches
of this rule, a player will be cautioned, warned or suspended.
"The MHF Umpires Board will meet next month to brief its members on the three experimental rules in the Azlan Shah Cup."
The Azlan Shah Cup has attracted Champions Trophy teams Germany, India, South Korea and Pakistan. New Zealand have also confirmed they will compete.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has finally agreed to test three new
rules in the Azlan Shah Cup on March 22-30 in Ipoh.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) had proposed in 2001 that
Malaysia adapt the changes but MHF replied in the negative then, because
it would have disrupted preparations for the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup.
"I have written to the FIH Rules Board that the experimental rules will
be tested during the Azlan Shah Cup," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam
yesterday.
But MHF has not agreed to adapt the new rules in the domestic
competitions.
The three new rules are:
* Having only eight defenders in the 25-yard line at any one time.
* Increasing the goalscoring area from the semi-circle to the 25-yard
line.
* During long corners, the defending team will have eight defenders
behind the goal-line.
The first rule, which is aimed at having less crowded defences, has been
tried out in Australia and the FIH found that it does encourage attacking
play.
"In the FIH letter, it was stated that the first rule reduces hard hits
into the circle because it is more effective to build up through ball
possession and to penetrate the circle for a shot at goal," said Satgunam.
The main reason for the rule is to make the circle and surrounding areas
more safer and increase the likelihood of shots at goal which should
increase the number of goals.
The umpires must also make sure that three players are outside the 25-
yard line during attacks and if the rule is breached, a penalty corner
will be awarded to the opponents. And for persistent intentional breaches
of this rule, a player will be cautioned, warned or suspended.
"The MHF Umpires Board will meet next month to brief its members on the three experimental rules in the Azlan Shah Cup."
The Azlan Shah Cup has attracted Champions Trophy teams Germany, India, South Korea and Pakistan. New Zealand have also confirmed they will compete.
(END)
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)
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)
STAM finds drug trio guilty
25/11/2002
SEPAK TAKRAW players Mohamed Hanif Azman, Mohamed Firdaus Abdul Ghani and Mohamed Aznan Raslan have been banned for two years for knowingly consuming cough mixture containing morphine just before the Busan Asian Games in September.
Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (STAM) acting president Tengku
Muhammad Sultan Abu Bakar said the trio were banned because they brought shame to the sport, association and country.
STAM, promised Tengku Adnan, will also make sure the sport stays clean
but first, it will get its house in order by electing a new president
during the BGM on Dec 15.
Former president Datuk Saidin Tamby, a former Selangor state executive councillor, vacated his post after he was found guilty by the Sessions Court of receiving a million-ringgit bribe and was jailed one year and fined RM10,000 in August.
The trio, who were sent home after they tested positive for morphine in
doping tests conducted by the National Sports Council prior to the Games, were found to have abused the drug with the intention of cheating.
"We promised to take action, and today (yesterday), after a thorough
investigation, we have found that the three players took cough mixture
which contained morphine with the intention of cheating.
"They have violated the International Olympic Council (IOC) code and
will have to stay away from the sport.
"After two years, we will impose a one-year good behaviour bond. And if
they still abuse morphine, or any other drug during the one-year
probation, we will not hesitate to ban them for life," said Tengku
Muhammad.
In the course of investigations, the STAM committee was sent on a wild
goose chase by Mohamed Hanif who claimed that he was given the cough
mixture by a relative.
"We were led to believe that the trio unknowingly took the cough mixture
during the initial phase of investigations. But when we probed deeper, and found out that Mohamed Hanif was not telling us the truth, the element of cheating surfaced.
"All the leads that Mohamed Hanif gave us turned out to be dead ends,
and we never found out who actually gave the trio the morphine-based cough mixture," said Tengku Muhammad.
The trio tested positive during a routine test by NSC, which
subsequently sent the urine samples to the Universiti Sains Malaysia
laboratory in Penang. The trio were however given the benefit of doubt and allowed to go to Busan.
But after the second samples proved positive, Asian Games chef-de-
mission Datuk Khalid Yunus sent them home.
The STAM council will meet again on Dec 1, and the main agenda is to
amend the constitution and allow an outsider to be appointed as the
president. Presently, the president must be a serving State association
member.
"We will take steps to make sure that the sport is void of drugs. And
steps can only be taken after we amend the STAM constitution and hold
elections in December," said Tengku Muhammad.
(END)
SEPAK TAKRAW players Mohamed Hanif Azman, Mohamed Firdaus Abdul Ghani and Mohamed Aznan Raslan have been banned for two years for knowingly consuming cough mixture containing morphine just before the Busan Asian Games in September.
Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (STAM) acting president Tengku
Muhammad Sultan Abu Bakar said the trio were banned because they brought shame to the sport, association and country.
STAM, promised Tengku Adnan, will also make sure the sport stays clean
but first, it will get its house in order by electing a new president
during the BGM on Dec 15.
Former president Datuk Saidin Tamby, a former Selangor state executive councillor, vacated his post after he was found guilty by the Sessions Court of receiving a million-ringgit bribe and was jailed one year and fined RM10,000 in August.
The trio, who were sent home after they tested positive for morphine in
doping tests conducted by the National Sports Council prior to the Games, were found to have abused the drug with the intention of cheating.
"We promised to take action, and today (yesterday), after a thorough
investigation, we have found that the three players took cough mixture
which contained morphine with the intention of cheating.
"They have violated the International Olympic Council (IOC) code and
will have to stay away from the sport.
"After two years, we will impose a one-year good behaviour bond. And if
they still abuse morphine, or any other drug during the one-year
probation, we will not hesitate to ban them for life," said Tengku
Muhammad.
In the course of investigations, the STAM committee was sent on a wild
goose chase by Mohamed Hanif who claimed that he was given the cough
mixture by a relative.
"We were led to believe that the trio unknowingly took the cough mixture
during the initial phase of investigations. But when we probed deeper, and found out that Mohamed Hanif was not telling us the truth, the element of cheating surfaced.
"All the leads that Mohamed Hanif gave us turned out to be dead ends,
and we never found out who actually gave the trio the morphine-based cough mixture," said Tengku Muhammad.
The trio tested positive during a routine test by NSC, which
subsequently sent the urine samples to the Universiti Sains Malaysia
laboratory in Penang. The trio were however given the benefit of doubt and allowed to go to Busan.
But after the second samples proved positive, Asian Games chef-de-
mission Datuk Khalid Yunus sent them home.
The STAM council will meet again on Dec 1, and the main agenda is to
amend the constitution and allow an outsider to be appointed as the
president. Presently, the president must be a serving State association
member.
"We will take steps to make sure that the sport is void of drugs. And
steps can only be taken after we amend the STAM constitution and hold
elections in December," said Tengku Muhammad.
(END)
Telekom hat-trick
21/11/2002
TELEKOM Malaysia yesterday signed a sponsorship agreement with First Cartel (M) Sdn Bhd to become the title sponsor of the Le Tour de Langkawi for the third straight year.
The race, scheduled for Jan 31-Feb 9, is now officially known as the
Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi after a cheque presentation ceremony held at the Sports Ministry in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
"Telekom will sponsor the Tour to a tune of RM10 million. The breakdown is RM6 million in cash, RM2 million in kind and RM2 million for the live broadcast of the nationwide event," said First Cartel chairman Datuk Wan Lokman Wan Ibrahim.
Telekom has been the main sponsor of the event since its inception seven
years ago.
Signing the contract on behalf of Telekom was its deputy chief executive
Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Daud and general manager (corporate affairs) Khairul Annuar Mohamed Zamzam.
First Cartel was represented by Wan Lokman and its executive director
Abdullah Kamal Shafi'i. Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein Onn and Telekom chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Radzi Mansor were also present.
"Telekom Malaysia's sponsorship has contributed significantly to the
development and success of the race since its inception in 1996. For next
year, the Tour has been accorded a status of 2.2 by UCI, the world's
governing body of cycling.
"With the upgrade, more Trade One teams will be eligible to compete and
the points awarded are also higher. Malaysia is the only nation in Asia to
be given the distinction of hosting such a highly-rated Tour which now
ranks alongside some of the biggest races on the UCI calendar. It is also
one of the world's richest Tours with total prize money of RM1.5 million,"
said Wan Lokman.
"Our ability to stage an outstanding Tour has resulted in the improved
rating next year. All this, however, would not have been possible without
the tremendous backing of Telekom Malaysia," said Wan Lokman.
The improved rating has already attracted the sport's big teams and
names including Lampre's Gabriele Missaglia and Rubens Bertogliati and Credit Agricole's star Stuart O'Grady.
"The eighth edition of the race, 10-stages in all, will cover a total of
1,343 kilometres and is scheduled to start in Langkawi with a time-trial
on Jan 31. The race will take riders to 10 States in the Peninsula with
the exception of Johor and Malacca," said Wan Lokman.
"With the telecasts, we hope to show the world that Malaysia is a safe
place to visit and is free from terrorist threats," said Wan Lokman.
"Following last year's successful live telecast, First Cartel, with
technical cooperation from United Kingdom-based VTV, ABC of Australia and RTM has taken a step forward to have the race shown live in Asia and Japan via J Sky Sport and ESPN Starsports. This development is a major boost for Malaysia."
As title sponsor, Telekom will also mobilise 500 of their staff to
become volunteers for the race.
"We will also donate 200 bicycles to less fortunate students who have
done well in their studies and excelled in sports. The bicycles will be
presented during the 10 stages and the students will be selected with help
from the Education Ministry," said Abdul Rahim.
(END)
TELEKOM Malaysia yesterday signed a sponsorship agreement with First Cartel (M) Sdn Bhd to become the title sponsor of the Le Tour de Langkawi for the third straight year.
The race, scheduled for Jan 31-Feb 9, is now officially known as the
Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi after a cheque presentation ceremony held at the Sports Ministry in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
"Telekom will sponsor the Tour to a tune of RM10 million. The breakdown is RM6 million in cash, RM2 million in kind and RM2 million for the live broadcast of the nationwide event," said First Cartel chairman Datuk Wan Lokman Wan Ibrahim.
Telekom has been the main sponsor of the event since its inception seven
years ago.
Signing the contract on behalf of Telekom was its deputy chief executive
Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Daud and general manager (corporate affairs) Khairul Annuar Mohamed Zamzam.
First Cartel was represented by Wan Lokman and its executive director
Abdullah Kamal Shafi'i. Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein Onn and Telekom chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Radzi Mansor were also present.
"Telekom Malaysia's sponsorship has contributed significantly to the
development and success of the race since its inception in 1996. For next
year, the Tour has been accorded a status of 2.2 by UCI, the world's
governing body of cycling.
"With the upgrade, more Trade One teams will be eligible to compete and
the points awarded are also higher. Malaysia is the only nation in Asia to
be given the distinction of hosting such a highly-rated Tour which now
ranks alongside some of the biggest races on the UCI calendar. It is also
one of the world's richest Tours with total prize money of RM1.5 million,"
said Wan Lokman.
"Our ability to stage an outstanding Tour has resulted in the improved
rating next year. All this, however, would not have been possible without
the tremendous backing of Telekom Malaysia," said Wan Lokman.
The improved rating has already attracted the sport's big teams and
names including Lampre's Gabriele Missaglia and Rubens Bertogliati and Credit Agricole's star Stuart O'Grady.
"The eighth edition of the race, 10-stages in all, will cover a total of
1,343 kilometres and is scheduled to start in Langkawi with a time-trial
on Jan 31. The race will take riders to 10 States in the Peninsula with
the exception of Johor and Malacca," said Wan Lokman.
"With the telecasts, we hope to show the world that Malaysia is a safe
place to visit and is free from terrorist threats," said Wan Lokman.
"Following last year's successful live telecast, First Cartel, with
technical cooperation from United Kingdom-based VTV, ABC of Australia and RTM has taken a step forward to have the race shown live in Asia and Japan via J Sky Sport and ESPN Starsports. This development is a major boost for Malaysia."
As title sponsor, Telekom will also mobilise 500 of their staff to
become volunteers for the race.
"We will also donate 200 bicycles to less fortunate students who have
done well in their studies and excelled in sports. The bicycles will be
presented during the 10 stages and the students will be selected with help
from the Education Ministry," said Abdul Rahim.
(END)
MHF in talks with MSSM
20/11/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) met Malaysian Schools Sports Council
(MSSM) officials recently but nothing concrete has come out of it just
yet.
Reason being that is was not the MHF Schoools Committee which met MSSM,
but the MHF top brass.
"It was a fruitful meeting in the sense that we discussed ways to
promote the game at the schools level, but we can't carry out any projects
just yet because it falls under the MHF Schools Committee," said MHF
secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
The Schools Committee, chaired by Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid, will first
have to identify its members because some of the State schools council
chairmen will be replaced at the end of the year.
"The Schools Committee will have to first identify its members, and we
can only do that in January when the MSSM appoints new State
representatives. After we hand them official appointment letters, work can
start," said Satgunam.
In a meeting held in July by the MSSM, a framework to chart the future
of hockey was put into place, and among the suggestions was for MHF and
State HAs to help MSSM financially.
The minutes of the meeting said the only way for MSSM to develop a sound
blueprint for the 2003-2005 term is if it receives money from the MHF to
start its programmes.
"A launching grant for the development of hockey must be set-up
immediately and money distributed to States when there is a need," read
the minutes of the meeting.
Other than money, MSSM also said it needed technical help from MHF to
run the show.
"In the meeting last week, it was suggested that we identify and promote
umpires who officiate at schools tournaments but it is almost an
impossible task because the umpires are not appointed by the MFH Umpires
Board but are recommended by the States.
"We will have to iron-out this techniccal glitch before we can start
promoting umpires at schools level," said Satgunam.
Meanwhile, Singapore has requested for several friendlies after Dec 13
with the national boys' under-18 team.
"We have agreed in principle to host Singapore and the matches will be
held after Hari Raya at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Singapore is keen to develop its youth and we are more than glad to help
them," said Satgunam.
With hockey out of next year's the Vietnam Sea Games, Singapore will
have to look for more regional friendlies to keep its youth busy.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) met Malaysian Schools Sports Council
(MSSM) officials recently but nothing concrete has come out of it just
yet.
Reason being that is was not the MHF Schoools Committee which met MSSM,
but the MHF top brass.
"It was a fruitful meeting in the sense that we discussed ways to
promote the game at the schools level, but we can't carry out any projects
just yet because it falls under the MHF Schools Committee," said MHF
secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
The Schools Committee, chaired by Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid, will first
have to identify its members because some of the State schools council
chairmen will be replaced at the end of the year.
"The Schools Committee will have to first identify its members, and we
can only do that in January when the MSSM appoints new State
representatives. After we hand them official appointment letters, work can
start," said Satgunam.
In a meeting held in July by the MSSM, a framework to chart the future
of hockey was put into place, and among the suggestions was for MHF and
State HAs to help MSSM financially.
The minutes of the meeting said the only way for MSSM to develop a sound
blueprint for the 2003-2005 term is if it receives money from the MHF to
start its programmes.
"A launching grant for the development of hockey must be set-up
immediately and money distributed to States when there is a need," read
the minutes of the meeting.
Other than money, MSSM also said it needed technical help from MHF to
run the show.
"In the meeting last week, it was suggested that we identify and promote
umpires who officiate at schools tournaments but it is almost an
impossible task because the umpires are not appointed by the MFH Umpires
Board but are recommended by the States.
"We will have to iron-out this techniccal glitch before we can start
promoting umpires at schools level," said Satgunam.
Meanwhile, Singapore has requested for several friendlies after Dec 13
with the national boys' under-18 team.
"We have agreed in principle to host Singapore and the matches will be
held after Hari Raya at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Singapore is keen to develop its youth and we are more than glad to help
them," said Satgunam.
With hockey out of next year's the Vietnam Sea Games, Singapore will
have to look for more regional friendlies to keep its youth busy.
(END)
Accountability is the name of the game
17/11/2002
MALAYSIAN Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra has come out with a foolproof plan to ensure the newly appointed sub-committee chairmen and members remain on their toes. A check-and-balance system has been proposed and once endorsed at the next council meeting, MHF should become a more professional outfit. Alagendra spoke at length to TIMESPORT'S JUGJET SINGH about MHF's new motto - accountability.
Q: The MHF had come under heavy fire for the past eight months because the sub-committees were hardly alive. After the elections, what changes can be expected?
A: The Kuala Lumpur World Cup took a toll on hockey's administrators for the past three years, but it was no excuse to neglect grassroots
development. I agree that the MHF committees hardly functioned during that period, so after the elections, I made a number of proposals which, if
endorsed at the next meeting, will revolutionise the administration of
hockey.
I have proposed that the MHF adheres strictly to a provision in the
constitution which allows us to remove members who are absent from two consecutive meetings. Here, the sub-committee chairmen must have the courage to report to the council on members who are never around when meetings are held.
I have always believed in the motto `leadership by example' and if I can
find the time to attend all the meetings, I see no reason why appointed
members cannot do the same. We will no longer tolerate members who are only alive by name, not action.
The same applies to chairmen of committees. If they do not function and
are hardly around, we will not hesitate to throw the constitution at them
and appoint someone who is interested in the job.
Q: In the past, meetings were held at the whim and fancy of a select
few, how different is the present set-up?
A: A systematic approach to meetings has been arranged where the council will meet once every three months and meetings will be held in different States. The proposal is to hold the council meetings to coincide with tournaments.
For example, the next council meeting could be held in Ipoh in March as
Perak will be hosting the Azlan Shah Cup. This way, hockey officials will
be more motivated to attend as they can also watch or officiate at the
tournament.
The sub-committee meetings will be held once every two months so that
they can prepare a detailed report of their progress for the council to
check and endorse.
We have also made sure that protocol will be strictly followed because
in the past, people took things for granted and forgot about the basics
like issuing a minimum of two weeks' notice for meetings and details like
date, time, place and agenda.
Basic matters like minutes of meetings must be distributed two weeks
prior to a meeting. This is to allow the principle office bearers (i.e.
president, deputy president, vice-presidents, secretary and treasurer) to
check on the work of sub-committees.
These are the basic requirements of any organisation, but along the way,
MHF lost its direction and we aim to put everything back on track.
Q: What measures have been put into place to make sure plans and ideas
get off the drawing board?
A: All committees should come out with innovative ideas to prepare their
two-year action plan and by the third meeting, they should produce their
plans and there should be no more excuses and delays.
These plans will be subjected to six-monthly periodical reviews and as
an added measure, there should be an evaluation on a two-monthly period to ensure that action is proceeding as planned.
The plans will be closely monitored with the view of identifying `grey
areas' and finding solutions to problems. They must be receptive to
suggestions and all the plans must be submitted for approval by the
council and once approved, no changes can be made without the endorsement of the council.
For this term, committees are responsible for implementing their plans
within the prescribed time.
Q: MHF has just formed a marketing arm to fill up its coffers, why the
delay?
A: After the Kuala Lumpur World Cup, from which we made a hefty profit,
we feel that it is time that we have professionals to bring in the money
for development and other purposes. Before that, there was no need for
such a committee as the affairs could be run on an ad hoc basis when the
need arose.
But with the appointment of Affin Bank CEO Raja Datuk Seri Aman as
chairman and having sponsors that have helped us on the committee, we hope to become financially sound and help develop the game and not just wait for the States to act on their own.
Q: What if after all the measures, MHF still fails to function properly.
A: This is where accountability comes in and I will be the first to
admit if we fail. And even after all the measures are put into place and
nothing comes out of them, I will give way to someone else and the rest of
the office bearers should do the same.
(END)
MALAYSIAN Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra has come out with a foolproof plan to ensure the newly appointed sub-committee chairmen and members remain on their toes. A check-and-balance system has been proposed and once endorsed at the next council meeting, MHF should become a more professional outfit. Alagendra spoke at length to TIMESPORT'S JUGJET SINGH about MHF's new motto - accountability.
Q: The MHF had come under heavy fire for the past eight months because the sub-committees were hardly alive. After the elections, what changes can be expected?
A: The Kuala Lumpur World Cup took a toll on hockey's administrators for the past three years, but it was no excuse to neglect grassroots
development. I agree that the MHF committees hardly functioned during that period, so after the elections, I made a number of proposals which, if
endorsed at the next meeting, will revolutionise the administration of
hockey.
I have proposed that the MHF adheres strictly to a provision in the
constitution which allows us to remove members who are absent from two consecutive meetings. Here, the sub-committee chairmen must have the courage to report to the council on members who are never around when meetings are held.
I have always believed in the motto `leadership by example' and if I can
find the time to attend all the meetings, I see no reason why appointed
members cannot do the same. We will no longer tolerate members who are only alive by name, not action.
The same applies to chairmen of committees. If they do not function and
are hardly around, we will not hesitate to throw the constitution at them
and appoint someone who is interested in the job.
Q: In the past, meetings were held at the whim and fancy of a select
few, how different is the present set-up?
A: A systematic approach to meetings has been arranged where the council will meet once every three months and meetings will be held in different States. The proposal is to hold the council meetings to coincide with tournaments.
For example, the next council meeting could be held in Ipoh in March as
Perak will be hosting the Azlan Shah Cup. This way, hockey officials will
be more motivated to attend as they can also watch or officiate at the
tournament.
The sub-committee meetings will be held once every two months so that
they can prepare a detailed report of their progress for the council to
check and endorse.
We have also made sure that protocol will be strictly followed because
in the past, people took things for granted and forgot about the basics
like issuing a minimum of two weeks' notice for meetings and details like
date, time, place and agenda.
Basic matters like minutes of meetings must be distributed two weeks
prior to a meeting. This is to allow the principle office bearers (i.e.
president, deputy president, vice-presidents, secretary and treasurer) to
check on the work of sub-committees.
These are the basic requirements of any organisation, but along the way,
MHF lost its direction and we aim to put everything back on track.
Q: What measures have been put into place to make sure plans and ideas
get off the drawing board?
A: All committees should come out with innovative ideas to prepare their
two-year action plan and by the third meeting, they should produce their
plans and there should be no more excuses and delays.
These plans will be subjected to six-monthly periodical reviews and as
an added measure, there should be an evaluation on a two-monthly period to ensure that action is proceeding as planned.
The plans will be closely monitored with the view of identifying `grey
areas' and finding solutions to problems. They must be receptive to
suggestions and all the plans must be submitted for approval by the
council and once approved, no changes can be made without the endorsement of the council.
For this term, committees are responsible for implementing their plans
within the prescribed time.
Q: MHF has just formed a marketing arm to fill up its coffers, why the
delay?
A: After the Kuala Lumpur World Cup, from which we made a hefty profit,
we feel that it is time that we have professionals to bring in the money
for development and other purposes. Before that, there was no need for
such a committee as the affairs could be run on an ad hoc basis when the
need arose.
But with the appointment of Affin Bank CEO Raja Datuk Seri Aman as
chairman and having sponsors that have helped us on the committee, we hope to become financially sound and help develop the game and not just wait for the States to act on their own.
Q: What if after all the measures, MHF still fails to function properly.
A: This is where accountability comes in and I will be the first to
admit if we fail. And even after all the measures are put into place and
nothing comes out of them, I will give way to someone else and the rest of
the office bearers should do the same.
(END)
13 vie for five veep posts
17/11/2002
OLYMPIC Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar has been returned unopposed for a third term.
Nominations closed at midnight yesterday, and at Press time, three posts
were void of challenges.
OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, first elected in 1992, and treasurer
Datuk Kee Yong Wee, were the other two incumbents returned unopposed.
But three nominations were received for the deputy president's post,
currently held by Tan Sri Khir Johari. However, Khir has indicated that he will not be seeking re-election.
OCM also received 13 nominations for the five vice presidents posts.
Sieh did not reveal the names as some might have been nominated without their consent and could withdraw.
"The full list of nominations can only be released on Nov 30 because
there are bound to be changes and we need to ask those who have been
nominated whether they are really interested in the post or have been
nominated without their consent," said Sieh yesterday.
Three women are among the candidates who were nominated for the vice-president's posts.
"There is a provision to reserve one vice president's post for a woman
but since there are three nominations, one will fill the automatic seat
while the other two can challenge for the remaining four posts," said
Sieh.
The five incumbents are Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk M. Jegathesan, W.Y.
Chin, Datuk Syed Mohamed Aidid and Norminshah Sabirin and, according to Sieh, all five have been nominated and they will defend their seats.
"The OCM elections are on Dec 14 and there might be some withdrawals
when the final list is confirmed on Nov 30. OCM has 35 voting members and each member has three votes. We also have 12 non-voting affiliates," said Sieh.
As for the 10 incumbents, they do not have voting rights and this,
according to Sieh, suits the council well.
"We have many voting members so there is no need for the incumbents to
have voting rights, unlike smaller associations where they have fewer
voting members and the incumbent votes are needed to have a check-and-balance system," said Sieh.
Assistant secretaries Mohamed Fadzil Othman and Latifah Ya'cob will be
challenged by two men and one woman candidate. And for the assistant
treasurer's post, which is currently held by S. Jahendran, there were
three nominations.
"The main agenda after the elections is to amend the constitution and
allow OCM to arbitrate in matters relating to their affiliates. At
present, we have an unwritten rule where associations can refer to us if
they have problems, but we can't force them to come to us because it is
not provided for in the constitution.
"Once we amend the constitution and make arbitration compulsory, they
will have to face us when we call them up," said Sieh.
The Malaysian AAU, the Malaysian Hockey Federation and the ongoing
Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia problems are among the reasons why the OCM decided to amend its constitution to allow arbitration.
"Under the Sports Act, there is a provision to have an arbitration body
in the OCM before the matter is passed on to the Sports Commissioner. So by amending the constitution, we will only be exercising our rights."
Meanwhile, Sieh also said that OCM are trying to get Tunku Imran elected into the Olympic Council of Asia.
"It will be a feather in the cap for Tunku and for the progress of
Malaysian sports if he is elected as the Rules Committee Chairman of OCA.
Much work can be done in that area and we feel that Tunku is the right man for the position."
Tunku Imran is currently on the International Olympic Council's (IOC)
Commission of Sports and Law committee and he will attempt to become a committee chairman of OCA during their elections on Jan 24.
(END)
Nominations closed at midnight yesterday, and at Press time, three posts
were void of challenges.
OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, first elected in 1992, and treasurer
Datuk Kee Yong Wee, were the other two incumbents returned unopposed.
But three nominations were received for the deputy president's post,
currently held by Tan Sri Khir Johari. However, Khir has indicated that he will not be seeking re-election.
OCM also received 13 nominations for the five vice presidents posts.
Sieh did not reveal the names as some might have been nominated without their consent and could withdraw.
"The full list of nominations can only be released on Nov 30 because
there are bound to be changes and we need to ask those who have been
nominated whether they are really interested in the post or have been
nominated without their consent," said Sieh yesterday.
Three women are among the candidates who were nominated for the vice-president's posts.
"There is a provision to reserve one vice president's post for a woman
but since there are three nominations, one will fill the automatic seat
while the other two can challenge for the remaining four posts," said
Sieh.
The five incumbents are Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk M. Jegathesan, W.Y.
Chin, Datuk Syed Mohamed Aidid and Norminshah Sabirin and, according to Sieh, all five have been nominated and they will defend their seats.
"The OCM elections are on Dec 14 and there might be some withdrawals
when the final list is confirmed on Nov 30. OCM has 35 voting members and each member has three votes. We also have 12 non-voting affiliates," said Sieh.
As for the 10 incumbents, they do not have voting rights and this,
according to Sieh, suits the council well.
"We have many voting members so there is no need for the incumbents to
have voting rights, unlike smaller associations where they have fewer
voting members and the incumbent votes are needed to have a check-and-balance system," said Sieh.
Assistant secretaries Mohamed Fadzil Othman and Latifah Ya'cob will be
challenged by two men and one woman candidate. And for the assistant
treasurer's post, which is currently held by S. Jahendran, there were
three nominations.
"The main agenda after the elections is to amend the constitution and
allow OCM to arbitrate in matters relating to their affiliates. At
present, we have an unwritten rule where associations can refer to us if
they have problems, but we can't force them to come to us because it is
not provided for in the constitution.
"Once we amend the constitution and make arbitration compulsory, they
will have to face us when we call them up," said Sieh.
The Malaysian AAU, the Malaysian Hockey Federation and the ongoing
Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia problems are among the reasons why the OCM decided to amend its constitution to allow arbitration.
"Under the Sports Act, there is a provision to have an arbitration body
in the OCM before the matter is passed on to the Sports Commissioner. So by amending the constitution, we will only be exercising our rights."
Meanwhile, Sieh also said that OCM are trying to get Tunku Imran elected into the Olympic Council of Asia.
"It will be a feather in the cap for Tunku and for the progress of
Malaysian sports if he is elected as the Rules Committee Chairman of OCA.
Much work can be done in that area and we feel that Tunku is the right man for the position."
Tunku Imran is currently on the International Olympic Council's (IOC)
Commission of Sports and Law committee and he will attempt to become a committee chairman of OCA during their elections on Jan 24.
(END)
MHF issues stern reminders
16/11/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation has sent out letters of appointments to
the various sub-committees laced with a stern reminder.
If the appointed candidate fails to turn up for two consecutive meetings
without a valid reason, he will be promptly replaced.
"I have sent out appointment letters to all the committee members and in
it I have stated that if they fail to turn up for two consecutive
meetings, MHF will not hesitate to replace them with people who are
willing to work," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
The appointed members will receive an added incentive in travelling
subsidies when they attend.
"Unlike previously, we will give the committee members a travelling
allowance to ease their burden and encourage a full turnout." The Com-
petitions Committee, chaired by Datuk Bashir Ahmad, has already called for
a meeting next week while the other committees are said to be keen to host
their first meetings this month.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will bid to host the 2005 Junior World Cup and also
the Junior Asia Cup next year.
Malaysia hosted the Junior World Cup in 1982 and 1989 and the prospect
of landing a hat-trick would be explored.
Pakistan is also looking to host the 2005 Junior World Cup.
"We have sent our bids for two major junior events including the youth
World Cup to be held in 2005 and are hopeful of being awarded the rights
to hold these tournaments," Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary
Brigadier Musarratullah Khan was quoted as saying on the website.
Pakistan has never hosted the Junior World Cup and in did not even
qualify for the last edition held in Hobart, Tasmania.
The PHF recently entered the bidding contest for the Junior World Cup
and will only know who its rivals are during the International Hockey
Federation (FIH) Congress in Perth, Australia next month.
The FIH meeting will be held during the Women's World Cup in Perth.
Pakistan is also trying to get the hosting rights for the Junior Asia Cup.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation has sent out letters of appointments to
the various sub-committees laced with a stern reminder.
If the appointed candidate fails to turn up for two consecutive meetings
without a valid reason, he will be promptly replaced.
"I have sent out appointment letters to all the committee members and in
it I have stated that if they fail to turn up for two consecutive
meetings, MHF will not hesitate to replace them with people who are
willing to work," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
The appointed members will receive an added incentive in travelling
subsidies when they attend.
"Unlike previously, we will give the committee members a travelling
allowance to ease their burden and encourage a full turnout." The Com-
petitions Committee, chaired by Datuk Bashir Ahmad, has already called for
a meeting next week while the other committees are said to be keen to host
their first meetings this month.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will bid to host the 2005 Junior World Cup and also
the Junior Asia Cup next year.
Malaysia hosted the Junior World Cup in 1982 and 1989 and the prospect
of landing a hat-trick would be explored.
Pakistan is also looking to host the 2005 Junior World Cup.
"We have sent our bids for two major junior events including the youth
World Cup to be held in 2005 and are hopeful of being awarded the rights
to hold these tournaments," Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary
Brigadier Musarratullah Khan was quoted as saying on the website.
Pakistan has never hosted the Junior World Cup and in did not even
qualify for the last edition held in Hobart, Tasmania.
The PHF recently entered the bidding contest for the Junior World Cup
and will only know who its rivals are during the International Hockey
Federation (FIH) Congress in Perth, Australia next month.
The FIH meeting will be held during the Women's World Cup in Perth.
Pakistan is also trying to get the hosting rights for the Junior Asia Cup.
(END)
MHF turning pro in stages
15/11/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is gradually turning professional, and the first step towards this is hiring a fulltime paid development officer.
MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra said yesterday that the game
has become too big to be handled on a volunteer basis alone, and that the
MHF needs fulltime staff to monitor development programmes.
"So much more could be done with a fulltime development officer so we
will be seeking the help of the National Sports Council to appoint someone for the post.
"This is a practice at the FIH and Asian Hockey Federation level where
there is a `Development of Coaching Committee'.
"This seems to work well at the above two levels and maybe it is time
that MHF thinks along this line," said Alagendra.
A proposal has been submitted for the next council meeting to endorse
the position. MHF has drawn up mega development plans and it would be "meaningless if they are not implemented."
"Our previous development plans will expire at the end of the year so
the existing plans must be reviewed and new ones put in place. We are
looking at a five-year plan which will take us right up to 2007," said
Alagendra.
Areas that have been neglected in the past three years will receive
special attention and this means the Schools Committee will benefit
greatly.
"We plan to include again schools, colleges, universities, State HAs and
districts in our nationwide development plans. In the early days, special
emphasis was placed on the development of hockey in these areas but most links were broken in the past three years.
"To bridge the gap again and see that plans materialise into results, a
fulltime development officer, like what Yang Siow Ming did previously, is
a must," said Alagendra.
Malaysian Universities Sports Council (MASUM) will be roped back into
the MHF plan and "if need be, we will change the name of the Schools
Committee".
"If MASUM feels left out because the MHF bridge is named Schools
Committee, we are willing to change it as long as hockey is played on a
more regular basis at universities.
"We have had numerous national players studying in universities but they
still did not field a team for the Malaysian Hockey League. These are some of the grey areas that need to be adressed in the next two years."
MHF has been talking about indoor hockey for years but it never got past
the planning stage.
"Among the items on the `must do' list is Indoor Hockey. And with the
help of the Malaysian Schools Sports Council, under-11 and under-14
tournaments will be organised to improve the basics of the game among our youth."
(END)
MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra said yesterday that the game
has become too big to be handled on a volunteer basis alone, and that the
MHF needs fulltime staff to monitor development programmes.
"So much more could be done with a fulltime development officer so we
will be seeking the help of the National Sports Council to appoint someone for the post.
"This is a practice at the FIH and Asian Hockey Federation level where
there is a `Development of Coaching Committee'.
"This seems to work well at the above two levels and maybe it is time
that MHF thinks along this line," said Alagendra.
A proposal has been submitted for the next council meeting to endorse
the position. MHF has drawn up mega development plans and it would be "meaningless if they are not implemented."
"Our previous development plans will expire at the end of the year so
the existing plans must be reviewed and new ones put in place. We are
looking at a five-year plan which will take us right up to 2007," said
Alagendra.
Areas that have been neglected in the past three years will receive
special attention and this means the Schools Committee will benefit
greatly.
"We plan to include again schools, colleges, universities, State HAs and
districts in our nationwide development plans. In the early days, special
emphasis was placed on the development of hockey in these areas but most links were broken in the past three years.
"To bridge the gap again and see that plans materialise into results, a
fulltime development officer, like what Yang Siow Ming did previously, is
a must," said Alagendra.
Malaysian Universities Sports Council (MASUM) will be roped back into
the MHF plan and "if need be, we will change the name of the Schools
Committee".
"If MASUM feels left out because the MHF bridge is named Schools
Committee, we are willing to change it as long as hockey is played on a
more regular basis at universities.
"We have had numerous national players studying in universities but they
still did not field a team for the Malaysian Hockey League. These are some of the grey areas that need to be adressed in the next two years."
MHF has been talking about indoor hockey for years but it never got past
the planning stage.
"Among the items on the `must do' list is Indoor Hockey. And with the
help of the Malaysian Schools Sports Council, under-11 and under-14
tournaments will be organised to improve the basics of the game among our youth."
(END)
A permanent base for MHF
15/11/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is working to provide assistance to its sub-committees and its target is next March.
Coaching chairman Datuk R. Yogeswaran had brought up the need to have a permanent office and funds to run the sub-committee, because the present ad hoc basis has not been providing the desired results.
"I assured the sub-committee chairmen that plans are afoot to have a
permanent base and if all goes well, it will be ready by March next year,"
said MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra yesterday.
"And with help from the newly set-up marketing arm, we hope to provide
some assistance to the sub-committees to run their courses, seminars and development plans."
Initially, there were plans to convert the Tun Razak Stadium in Kuala
Lumpur into a hockey academy but after coaching chairman Ho Koh Chye (who was to head the academy) resigned and the MHF went into a turmoil because of poor management at sub-committee level, the National Sports Council decided to freeze the plan.
"The establishment of a hockey academy is long overdue, but we are
taking positive action to finalise the subject with NSC," said Alagendra.
In a proposal submitted to the council at its last meeting, March 2003
had been earmarked for the launch of the academy.
"A working paper is already in place, and all that is needed now is a
concerted effort with the NSC to start the academy," added Alagendra.
The three main components listed in the academy proposal are MHF-NSC and the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSC).
Once it takes off, the academy will not only concentrate on developing
hockey players but also umpires, coaches and technical officials.
"The academy can be run by volunteers but we will also have hired staff
to handle the administrative side.
"For a start, those who have received scholarships from Yayasan Hockey
Malaysia could be hired to help run the academy in the capacity as
fulltime administrators and directors.
"Emphasis on mastering basic skills and achieving a high level of
fitness could be among the main objectives of the hockey academy," said
Alagendra.
A proposal was also made to the MHF council to have a tour of the
Australian hockey academies before the implementation date.
"This is among the long-term plans that we have come up with to ensure
Malaysian hockey heads in the right direction and after winning the bronze medal at the Asian Games in Busan, we should be aiming higher."
In the 14th Asian Games, Malaysia beat Pakistan for the bronze to deny
them a medal in the Games for the first time in 56 years.
"And in the Kuala Lumpur World Cup, Malaysia finished eighth from 16
teams. On both occassions, the Malaysian team had at least six juniors on
the pitch. This showed that grassroot development should be maintained at a high level so that the country will have a pool of skilled and quality
players for the future.
"The hockey academy with solid collaboration with the MSSC, can help
achieve that," said Alagendra.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is working to provide assistance to its sub-committees and its target is next March.
Coaching chairman Datuk R. Yogeswaran had brought up the need to have a permanent office and funds to run the sub-committee, because the present ad hoc basis has not been providing the desired results.
"I assured the sub-committee chairmen that plans are afoot to have a
permanent base and if all goes well, it will be ready by March next year,"
said MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra yesterday.
"And with help from the newly set-up marketing arm, we hope to provide
some assistance to the sub-committees to run their courses, seminars and development plans."
Initially, there were plans to convert the Tun Razak Stadium in Kuala
Lumpur into a hockey academy but after coaching chairman Ho Koh Chye (who was to head the academy) resigned and the MHF went into a turmoil because of poor management at sub-committee level, the National Sports Council decided to freeze the plan.
"The establishment of a hockey academy is long overdue, but we are
taking positive action to finalise the subject with NSC," said Alagendra.
In a proposal submitted to the council at its last meeting, March 2003
had been earmarked for the launch of the academy.
"A working paper is already in place, and all that is needed now is a
concerted effort with the NSC to start the academy," added Alagendra.
The three main components listed in the academy proposal are MHF-NSC and the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSC).
Once it takes off, the academy will not only concentrate on developing
hockey players but also umpires, coaches and technical officials.
"The academy can be run by volunteers but we will also have hired staff
to handle the administrative side.
"For a start, those who have received scholarships from Yayasan Hockey
Malaysia could be hired to help run the academy in the capacity as
fulltime administrators and directors.
"Emphasis on mastering basic skills and achieving a high level of
fitness could be among the main objectives of the hockey academy," said
Alagendra.
A proposal was also made to the MHF council to have a tour of the
Australian hockey academies before the implementation date.
"This is among the long-term plans that we have come up with to ensure
Malaysian hockey heads in the right direction and after winning the bronze medal at the Asian Games in Busan, we should be aiming higher."
In the 14th Asian Games, Malaysia beat Pakistan for the bronze to deny
them a medal in the Games for the first time in 56 years.
"And in the Kuala Lumpur World Cup, Malaysia finished eighth from 16
teams. On both occassions, the Malaysian team had at least six juniors on
the pitch. This showed that grassroot development should be maintained at a high level so that the country will have a pool of skilled and quality
players for the future.
"The hockey academy with solid collaboration with the MSSC, can help
achieve that," said Alagendra.
(END)
Puvaneswaran eyes medal
14/11/2002
BUSAN Asian Games gold medallist R. Puvaneswaran has set himself a stiff
target in the 16th World Karate Championships in Madrid, Spain from Nov
19-24.
He wants to break the Malaysian duck in the 16th Edition, as no
Malaysian karate exponent has ever won a medal before.
"It will be extremely difficult to win a medal in the World
Championships because each category will at least have 80 to 90 exponents,
but I aim to give it my best shot and return with a medal," said
Puvaneswaran after receiving the Jalur Gemilang from Sports Minister Datuk
Hishammuddin Hussein Onn yesterday.
Thirteen have been selected for the World Championships in Spain, and
the Malaysian Karate-do Federation (Makaf) believes it has the exponents
capable of breaking the country's medal drought in the World
Championships.
Asian Games and Asian championship gold medallist Puvaneswaran, along
with the women kumite exponents, have been earmarked as potential
medallist in this year's edition.
Puvaneswaran, 28, from Sentul Pasar in Kuala Lumpur, came close to
winning a medal in the last World Championships in Munich, Germany, two
years ago, but lost the bout for bronze by one point to a Japanese
exponent.
"It was so close in Germany two years ago, I fought eight bouts and when
the time came for the bronze fight, I lost out by only one point. It was a
heartbreaking experience and I hope to erase it in Spain," said
Puvaneswaran.
Puvaneswaran kept the promise he made to Malaysians and himself four
years ago when he delivered the nation's fifth gold medal of the Busan
Asian Games by clinching the 55kg kumite gold by beating Otabek Kasimov of
Uzbekistan.
Rated a gold medal prospect in Bangkok `98, Puvaneswaran returned to KL
with nothing when he was disqualified in the bronze medalplay-off.
So, after erasing the Bangkok nightmare, he plans to do the same in
Spain.
The women kumite exponents - Asian Games gold medallist S. Premila, M.
Sri Rajarajeswari and Agnes Tan - have also been earmarked to deliver
medals in the World Championships.
SQUAD - MEN: Ku Jin Keat (individual and team kata), Yeoh Swee King
(men's team kata), Cheah Boon Chong (men's team kata), R. Puvaneswaran
(60kg), Lim Yoke Wai (65kg), A. Alexander (70kg), S. Mahendran (75kg).
Women: Lim Lee Lee (indvidual team kata), Jacklyn Chng (women's team
kata), Thoe Ai Poh (women's team kata), M. Sri Rajarajeswari (53kg), S.
Premila (60kg), Agnes Tan Sze Ching (60kg).
(END)
BUSAN Asian Games gold medallist R. Puvaneswaran has set himself a stiff
target in the 16th World Karate Championships in Madrid, Spain from Nov
19-24.
He wants to break the Malaysian duck in the 16th Edition, as no
Malaysian karate exponent has ever won a medal before.
"It will be extremely difficult to win a medal in the World
Championships because each category will at least have 80 to 90 exponents,
but I aim to give it my best shot and return with a medal," said
Puvaneswaran after receiving the Jalur Gemilang from Sports Minister Datuk
Hishammuddin Hussein Onn yesterday.
Thirteen have been selected for the World Championships in Spain, and
the Malaysian Karate-do Federation (Makaf) believes it has the exponents
capable of breaking the country's medal drought in the World
Championships.
Asian Games and Asian championship gold medallist Puvaneswaran, along
with the women kumite exponents, have been earmarked as potential
medallist in this year's edition.
Puvaneswaran, 28, from Sentul Pasar in Kuala Lumpur, came close to
winning a medal in the last World Championships in Munich, Germany, two
years ago, but lost the bout for bronze by one point to a Japanese
exponent.
"It was so close in Germany two years ago, I fought eight bouts and when
the time came for the bronze fight, I lost out by only one point. It was a
heartbreaking experience and I hope to erase it in Spain," said
Puvaneswaran.
Puvaneswaran kept the promise he made to Malaysians and himself four
years ago when he delivered the nation's fifth gold medal of the Busan
Asian Games by clinching the 55kg kumite gold by beating Otabek Kasimov of
Uzbekistan.
Rated a gold medal prospect in Bangkok `98, Puvaneswaran returned to KL
with nothing when he was disqualified in the bronze medalplay-off.
So, after erasing the Bangkok nightmare, he plans to do the same in
Spain.
The women kumite exponents - Asian Games gold medallist S. Premila, M.
Sri Rajarajeswari and Agnes Tan - have also been earmarked to deliver
medals in the World Championships.
SQUAD - MEN: Ku Jin Keat (individual and team kata), Yeoh Swee King
(men's team kata), Cheah Boon Chong (men's team kata), R. Puvaneswaran
(60kg), Lim Yoke Wai (65kg), A. Alexander (70kg), S. Mahendran (75kg).
Women: Lim Lee Lee (indvidual team kata), Jacklyn Chng (women's team
kata), Thoe Ai Poh (women's team kata), M. Sri Rajarajeswari (53kg), S.
Premila (60kg), Agnes Tan Sze Ching (60kg).
(END)
Yogeswaran: I want a successor
13/11/2002
DATUK R. Yogeswaran was happily enjoying playing golf after officially
retiring from hockey in March, that is, until he was drawn back into the
game by the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council.
Yogeswaran got four appointments - Coaching Committee chairman,
Independent Delegate, member of the Selection Committee and member of the
Technical and Development Committee.
The appointments came as a shock to him because he had made it clear
that he was not interested in MHF posts, but was willing to help in a low-
key role.
"But since the MHF council has decided to name me in various committees,
I accept the appointments for one reason only.
"I would like to train a successor in the Coaching Committee and call it
a day when the committee is on a sound footing," said Yogeswaran.
Yogeswaran has done and seen everything in hockey and he firmly believes
that the present committee chairpersons should set themselves a target -
and resign without being told to if they failed to achieve it in the next
two years.
"I have many ideas on how to improve coaching in the country and I
believe in setting targets. If I do not achieve it, it is better I let go
instead of hanging around past my time."
And to achieve his targets he is looking for support form the parent
body in the form of an office, and a budget to work on.
"The Coaching Committee cannot run on its own, we need help from the
Federation and the first necessity is to have an office where we can
conduct our affairs efficiently.
"Coaching, like all the other committees, needs to have a budget to run
the show as we can no longer run on an ad-hoc basis and source for money
one week before our programmes begin," said Yogeswaran.
He also feels that all the other committees - Technical and Development,
Schools, Umpires Board and Competitions - need to work together because
their work is inter-related.
"All the committees must sit and set a target, example for the national
team, and then help each other achieve it. If not, nothing will be gained
when the present term ends."
For a start, Yogeswaran would like to get parents involved in
`coaching'.
"They need not sit for exams and get certificates but parents who are
interested to groom their children into hockey players can help by
imparting the correct basics.
"Right now, very few parents are involved in a big way in hockey and
students rely too much on unqualified teachers to teach them the basics.
That is why the selectors have a tough time looking for young players with
strong basics for national camps.
"Once we get parents involved in hockey, I believe half the battle is
won," said Yogeswaran.
Coaching Committee - Chairman: Datuk R. Yogeswaran; secretary: Dr Balbir
Singh; Members: Teng Cheng Leong, C. Paramalingam, Yang Siow Ming, N. Sri
Shanmuganathan, Arrifin Mohamed Ghani, Vincent Fernandez, Ahmad Shukri
Dhaban, I. Vikneswaran, B. Rajendran.
(END)
DATUK R. Yogeswaran was happily enjoying playing golf after officially
retiring from hockey in March, that is, until he was drawn back into the
game by the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council.
Yogeswaran got four appointments - Coaching Committee chairman,
Independent Delegate, member of the Selection Committee and member of the
Technical and Development Committee.
The appointments came as a shock to him because he had made it clear
that he was not interested in MHF posts, but was willing to help in a low-
key role.
"But since the MHF council has decided to name me in various committees,
I accept the appointments for one reason only.
"I would like to train a successor in the Coaching Committee and call it
a day when the committee is on a sound footing," said Yogeswaran.
Yogeswaran has done and seen everything in hockey and he firmly believes
that the present committee chairpersons should set themselves a target -
and resign without being told to if they failed to achieve it in the next
two years.
"I have many ideas on how to improve coaching in the country and I
believe in setting targets. If I do not achieve it, it is better I let go
instead of hanging around past my time."
And to achieve his targets he is looking for support form the parent
body in the form of an office, and a budget to work on.
"The Coaching Committee cannot run on its own, we need help from the
Federation and the first necessity is to have an office where we can
conduct our affairs efficiently.
"Coaching, like all the other committees, needs to have a budget to run
the show as we can no longer run on an ad-hoc basis and source for money
one week before our programmes begin," said Yogeswaran.
He also feels that all the other committees - Technical and Development,
Schools, Umpires Board and Competitions - need to work together because
their work is inter-related.
"All the committees must sit and set a target, example for the national
team, and then help each other achieve it. If not, nothing will be gained
when the present term ends."
For a start, Yogeswaran would like to get parents involved in
`coaching'.
"They need not sit for exams and get certificates but parents who are
interested to groom their children into hockey players can help by
imparting the correct basics.
"Right now, very few parents are involved in a big way in hockey and
students rely too much on unqualified teachers to teach them the basics.
That is why the selectors have a tough time looking for young players with
strong basics for national camps.
"Once we get parents involved in hockey, I believe half the battle is
won," said Yogeswaran.
Coaching Committee - Chairman: Datuk R. Yogeswaran; secretary: Dr Balbir
Singh; Members: Teng Cheng Leong, C. Paramalingam, Yang Siow Ming, N. Sri
Shanmuganathan, Arrifin Mohamed Ghani, Vincent Fernandez, Ahmad Shukri
Dhaban, I. Vikneswaran, B. Rajendran.
(END)
Jalil gets two years
11/11/2002
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) have entrusted Datuk Jalil Abdul
Majid to chair the all-important Schools Committee, though he failed to
make headway when he was the previous chairman of the Competitions
Committee.
The appointment did take many by surprise, as the Schools Committee was
barely alive when it was led by Datuk Seri Manap Ibrahim, and only a
mammoth effort can bridge the broken link between the Federation and
schools.
The Schools Committee report that was submitted by Manap for the
Biennial General Meeting stated that the committee only met twice during
the last term. But he did not find it necessary to mention in his report
when the committee met and who attended the two meetings.
Manap blamed the low frequency of meetings to the 2002 Kuala Lumpur
World Cup, and went on to say that the programmes for schools were
conducted through the other sub-committees (Technical and Development,
Competitions, Coaching and Umpires Board).
Manap, who was the only vice-president to be ousted in the MHF
elections, went on saying that the Schools Committee must assist the
Malaysian Schools Sports Council, Teachers Training Divisions and
Universities Sports Council in providing technical, material and advisory
assistance and support.
Manap's BGM report under Activity Report, Plan and Proposal was
completely void of any activity that
the committee conducted in the last term but instead, was full of `ifs'
and `buts'.
Extracts from the report: The Schools Committee is working on a three to
five year development plan...
* A sub-committee, within the Schools Committee will be set up to
monitor the progress of the development plan...
* There are about 2,000 schools that are active in hockey. Efforts must
be made to increase this number...
* The MHF is prepared to provide technical assistance to schools to
introduce and promote Indoor Hockey...
* The MHF will assist in organising Annual Training Camps during school
holidays ...
The Schools Committee report went in a roundabout way to say what should
and can be done, but nothing was mentioned of what was implemented in the
last term, suggesting that the committee only existed in name.
Jalil, when he was the chairman of the Competitions Committee, could
never find time to attend meetings, and the hectic competition period of
2000-2002 was run by the MHF Standing Committee.
He has been given a second chance to prove himself, and Jalil owes it to
the future of hockey to put his head into the matter.
Hockey at the school level is almost non existent and the recent
National Under-15 tournament in Terengganu was a mockery as far as skills
and basics were concerned.
Chief coach Paul Lissek was in Terengganu to talent scout and returned
disillusioned. Not a single player in the Under-15 tournament had the
basics and skills to make the age-group training squad.
The blame lies not on the players but the coaches who received a
dressing down from Lissek when he conducted a clinic during the Under-15
tournament.
Jalil has two years to put things back in order.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) have entrusted Datuk Jalil Abdul
Majid to chair the all-important Schools Committee, though he failed to
make headway when he was the previous chairman of the Competitions
Committee.
The appointment did take many by surprise, as the Schools Committee was
barely alive when it was led by Datuk Seri Manap Ibrahim, and only a
mammoth effort can bridge the broken link between the Federation and
schools.
The Schools Committee report that was submitted by Manap for the
Biennial General Meeting stated that the committee only met twice during
the last term. But he did not find it necessary to mention in his report
when the committee met and who attended the two meetings.
Manap blamed the low frequency of meetings to the 2002 Kuala Lumpur
World Cup, and went on to say that the programmes for schools were
conducted through the other sub-committees (Technical and Development,
Competitions, Coaching and Umpires Board).
Manap, who was the only vice-president to be ousted in the MHF
elections, went on saying that the Schools Committee must assist the
Malaysian Schools Sports Council, Teachers Training Divisions and
Universities Sports Council in providing technical, material and advisory
assistance and support.
Manap's BGM report under Activity Report, Plan and Proposal was
completely void of any activity that
the committee conducted in the last term but instead, was full of `ifs'
and `buts'.
Extracts from the report: The Schools Committee is working on a three to
five year development plan...
* A sub-committee, within the Schools Committee will be set up to
monitor the progress of the development plan...
* There are about 2,000 schools that are active in hockey. Efforts must
be made to increase this number...
* The MHF is prepared to provide technical assistance to schools to
introduce and promote Indoor Hockey...
* The MHF will assist in organising Annual Training Camps during school
holidays ...
The Schools Committee report went in a roundabout way to say what should
and can be done, but nothing was mentioned of what was implemented in the
last term, suggesting that the committee only existed in name.
Jalil, when he was the chairman of the Competitions Committee, could
never find time to attend meetings, and the hectic competition period of
2000-2002 was run by the MHF Standing Committee.
He has been given a second chance to prove himself, and Jalil owes it to
the future of hockey to put his head into the matter.
Hockey at the school level is almost non existent and the recent
National Under-15 tournament in Terengganu was a mockery as far as skills
and basics were concerned.
Chief coach Paul Lissek was in Terengganu to talent scout and returned
disillusioned. Not a single player in the Under-15 tournament had the
basics and skills to make the age-group training squad.
The blame lies not on the players but the coaches who received a
dressing down from Lissek when he conducted a clinic during the Under-15
tournament.
Jalil has two years to put things back in order.
(END)
RM332,777 payout by YHM
11/11/2002
YAYASAN Hockey Malaysia (YHM) was founded in 1992 as an arm of the
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) and a total amount of RM332,777 was paid
out for scholarships between the period of 1993-2002.
MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra, who sits on the YHM Board of
Trustees, said YHM has rewarded hockey players handsomely for their
contribution to the country.
"Yayasan Hockey Malaysia has been very supportive to players who have
contributed to the sport and now we are looking for some assistance from
the recipients," said Alagendra.
YHM has helped two hockey players to realise their dream of becoming
doctors - Dr Brian Jayhan Siva to a tune of RM40,000 to study medicine at
Universiti Malaya and Dr Calvin Fernandez with RM52,000 to study at
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
"We are very proud that two of our former players have studied hard and
become doctors. Now they can help us by being committee members in the MHF
Medical Committee," said Alagendra.
The Medical Committee, chaired by Dr Ramlan Aziz only had one member in
Datuk Dr Ramanathan, but for this term MHF are looking to have a bigger
pool.
"Brian and Calvin have been appointed as members of the Medical
Committee and we also hope to have one doctor from each state as a member
so that the welfare of players can be taken care of in a systematic
manner," said Alagendra.
YHM also paid out well under the Players Retirement Scheme and the
biggest recipients were Nor Saiful Zaini (RM50,000) and Mirnawan Nawawi
(RM50,000).
Among the other recipients were Maninderjit Singh (RM38,480), Lim Chiow
Chuan (RM15,000), Soon Mustafa (RM15,000) and Sarjit Singh (RM15,000).
"The Yayasan has paid out a total of RM370,480 under the Players
Retirement Scheme to 28 players," said Alagendra.
Under the Welfare Scheme, YHM awarded financial assistance to former
national players and they are Anantha Rajah (RM5,000), V. Maniam
(RM3,000), Redzuan Abdullah (RM7,000), Abdul Razak Leman (RM10,000) and
Lim (RM20,000).
Yayasan Hockey Malaysia Scholars: Brian Jayhan Siva (medicine) RM40,000;
Calvin Fernandez (medicine) RM52,000; Atul Kumar (Social Science)
RM11,500; Nicholas Ivan Pereira (Engineering) RM3,000; R. Shankar
(Accountancy) RM1,500; Conrad Fernandez (Human Development Management)
RM3,000; Nor Saiful Zaini (Sports Science) RM17,520; Mirnawan Nawawi
(Sports Science) RM17,520; Maninderjit Singh (Sports Science) RM17,520;
Nor Azlan Bakar (Business Administration) RM5,776; Mohamed Nizam Nordin
(Health and Fitness) RM3,000; K. Kevan Raj (Bachelor of Commerce)
RM32,000; Aphtar Singh (Sports Science) RM20,000; M. Jayamaran (Sports
Science) RM18,000; I. Vikneswaran (Sports Science) RM18,000; Zam Zam Ali
(Sports Science) RM18,000; Redzuan Ponirin (Computer Science) RM6,737;
Nishel Kumar (Sports Science) RM18,000; Roslan Jamaluddin (Sports Science)
RM12,000.
(END)
YAYASAN Hockey Malaysia (YHM) was founded in 1992 as an arm of the
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) and a total amount of RM332,777 was paid
out for scholarships between the period of 1993-2002.
MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra, who sits on the YHM Board of
Trustees, said YHM has rewarded hockey players handsomely for their
contribution to the country.
"Yayasan Hockey Malaysia has been very supportive to players who have
contributed to the sport and now we are looking for some assistance from
the recipients," said Alagendra.
YHM has helped two hockey players to realise their dream of becoming
doctors - Dr Brian Jayhan Siva to a tune of RM40,000 to study medicine at
Universiti Malaya and Dr Calvin Fernandez with RM52,000 to study at
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
"We are very proud that two of our former players have studied hard and
become doctors. Now they can help us by being committee members in the MHF
Medical Committee," said Alagendra.
The Medical Committee, chaired by Dr Ramlan Aziz only had one member in
Datuk Dr Ramanathan, but for this term MHF are looking to have a bigger
pool.
"Brian and Calvin have been appointed as members of the Medical
Committee and we also hope to have one doctor from each state as a member
so that the welfare of players can be taken care of in a systematic
manner," said Alagendra.
YHM also paid out well under the Players Retirement Scheme and the
biggest recipients were Nor Saiful Zaini (RM50,000) and Mirnawan Nawawi
(RM50,000).
Among the other recipients were Maninderjit Singh (RM38,480), Lim Chiow
Chuan (RM15,000), Soon Mustafa (RM15,000) and Sarjit Singh (RM15,000).
"The Yayasan has paid out a total of RM370,480 under the Players
Retirement Scheme to 28 players," said Alagendra.
Under the Welfare Scheme, YHM awarded financial assistance to former
national players and they are Anantha Rajah (RM5,000), V. Maniam
(RM3,000), Redzuan Abdullah (RM7,000), Abdul Razak Leman (RM10,000) and
Lim (RM20,000).
Yayasan Hockey Malaysia Scholars: Brian Jayhan Siva (medicine) RM40,000;
Calvin Fernandez (medicine) RM52,000; Atul Kumar (Social Science)
RM11,500; Nicholas Ivan Pereira (Engineering) RM3,000; R. Shankar
(Accountancy) RM1,500; Conrad Fernandez (Human Development Management)
RM3,000; Nor Saiful Zaini (Sports Science) RM17,520; Mirnawan Nawawi
(Sports Science) RM17,520; Maninderjit Singh (Sports Science) RM17,520;
Nor Azlan Bakar (Business Administration) RM5,776; Mohamed Nizam Nordin
(Health and Fitness) RM3,000; K. Kevan Raj (Bachelor of Commerce)
RM32,000; Aphtar Singh (Sports Science) RM20,000; M. Jayamaran (Sports
Science) RM18,000; I. Vikneswaran (Sports Science) RM18,000; Zam Zam Ali
(Sports Science) RM18,000; Redzuan Ponirin (Computer Science) RM6,737;
Nishel Kumar (Sports Science) RM18,000; Roslan Jamaluddin (Sports Science)
RM12,000.
(END)
MHF moves into top gear
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) Executive Committee met in Kuala
Lumpur yesterday and the outcome was refreshing, as a string of meetings
have been slated to chart the future of hockey.
Unlike the past when meetings were a rarity, and the standing committee
made up of a select few who ran the show, the new-look MHF looks
promising.
But there was one glaring omission. The MHF council did not see it
necessary to have a media committee to handle public relations. Even the
parent body, the FIH, has a media committee.
Fresh faces, except for Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid, were also chosen to
revive the various MHF sub-committees which have been dormant for the past
three years.
The Executive Council will meet four times next year - Feb 15, May 3,
Aug 1 and Nov 15 - and one month before the Executive Council meets, the
various sub-committees will hold their meetings to brief the council of
progress made.
"The MHF constitution allows us to form committees when necessary and
today (yesterday) saw the birth of the Management Committee to replace the
Standing Committee. The Management Committee, made up of the president,
deputy president, five vice-presidents, secretary and treasurer, will meet
in between the council meetings to discuss urgent matters," said MHF
deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra.
Another fresh addition to the MHF was a Marketing Committee and the
chairman appointed was Raja Datuk Seri Aman Raja Ahmad. A marketing arm is
badly needed by the MHF, which had been relying on ad hoc committees to
fill up their coffers all these years.
Datuk R. Yogeswaran, who moved into the shadows after his last
appointment as manager for the Kuala Lumpur World Cup team, was appointed
the Coaching Committee chairman. His assistant Dr Balbir Singh was re-
appointed for another term. Yogeswaran was also named as one of the three
Independent Delegates.
The other Independent Delegates are Datuk Anuar Mohamed Nor (re-
appointed to serve another term) and Datuk Sulaiman Mohamed Noor.
Jalil, who was previously the chairman of the Competitions Committee,
was selected to head the all-important Schools Committee.
"The Schools Committee members will be made up of the 15 State
representatives from the Malaysian Schools Sports Council. We have also
decided to have the Director General of Education as the division advisor
for the committee," said Alagendra.
The Schools Committee, previously headed by Datuk Seri Manap Ibrahim,
failed to live up to expectations and the MHF and schools drifted apart as
a result.
The Competitions Committee will now be headed by Datuk Bashir Ahmad who
will be assisted by S. Satgunam.
The appointment of N. Sreedharan as chairman of the MHF Umpires Board
(MHFUB) came as a revelation. The umpires can now expect brighter days
ahead. MHFUB also saw a change in the secretary's post which will now be
occupied by Brian Gerard Fernandez.
When the MHFUB was run by the previous chairman V. Kulasingam and
secretary Teo Choon Seng, the umpires almost went on strike because little
was done to take them to the next level.
They claimed that courses and assignments to upgrade them to
international umpires were non-existant. Sreedharan will have much damage
control to do over the next few months. THE MHF SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Umpires Board - Chairman: N. Sreedharan; Secretary: Brian Gerard
Fernandez.
Coaching Committee - Chairman: Datuk R. Yogeswaran; Secretary: Dr Balbir
Singh.
Competitions Committee - Chairman: Datuk Bashir Ahmad; Secretary: S.
Satgunam.
Technical and Development Committee - Chairman: Dr S.S. Cheema;
Secretary: V. Muraleedharan.
Schools Committee - Chairman: Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid; Secretary: Ahmad
Shukri.
Selection Committee - Chairman: Sultan Azlan Shah; Secretary: S.
Satgunam.
Marketing Committee - Chairman: Raja Datuk Seri Aman Raja Ahmad.
Legal and Special Projects - Chairman: Roy Rajasingam.
Independent Delegates - Datuk Anuar Mohamed Nor, Datuk R. Yogeswaran,
Datuk Sulaiman Mohamed Noor.
Assistant Secretary: T. Paramalingam.
Assistant Treasurer: Wan Mohamed Nasim.
(END)
Lumpur yesterday and the outcome was refreshing, as a string of meetings
have been slated to chart the future of hockey.
Unlike the past when meetings were a rarity, and the standing committee
made up of a select few who ran the show, the new-look MHF looks
promising.
But there was one glaring omission. The MHF council did not see it
necessary to have a media committee to handle public relations. Even the
parent body, the FIH, has a media committee.
Fresh faces, except for Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid, were also chosen to
revive the various MHF sub-committees which have been dormant for the past
three years.
The Executive Council will meet four times next year - Feb 15, May 3,
Aug 1 and Nov 15 - and one month before the Executive Council meets, the
various sub-committees will hold their meetings to brief the council of
progress made.
"The MHF constitution allows us to form committees when necessary and
today (yesterday) saw the birth of the Management Committee to replace the
Standing Committee. The Management Committee, made up of the president,
deputy president, five vice-presidents, secretary and treasurer, will meet
in between the council meetings to discuss urgent matters," said MHF
deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra.
Another fresh addition to the MHF was a Marketing Committee and the
chairman appointed was Raja Datuk Seri Aman Raja Ahmad. A marketing arm is
badly needed by the MHF, which had been relying on ad hoc committees to
fill up their coffers all these years.
Datuk R. Yogeswaran, who moved into the shadows after his last
appointment as manager for the Kuala Lumpur World Cup team, was appointed
the Coaching Committee chairman. His assistant Dr Balbir Singh was re-
appointed for another term. Yogeswaran was also named as one of the three
Independent Delegates.
The other Independent Delegates are Datuk Anuar Mohamed Nor (re-
appointed to serve another term) and Datuk Sulaiman Mohamed Noor.
Jalil, who was previously the chairman of the Competitions Committee,
was selected to head the all-important Schools Committee.
"The Schools Committee members will be made up of the 15 State
representatives from the Malaysian Schools Sports Council. We have also
decided to have the Director General of Education as the division advisor
for the committee," said Alagendra.
The Schools Committee, previously headed by Datuk Seri Manap Ibrahim,
failed to live up to expectations and the MHF and schools drifted apart as
a result.
The Competitions Committee will now be headed by Datuk Bashir Ahmad who
will be assisted by S. Satgunam.
The appointment of N. Sreedharan as chairman of the MHF Umpires Board
(MHFUB) came as a revelation. The umpires can now expect brighter days
ahead. MHFUB also saw a change in the secretary's post which will now be
occupied by Brian Gerard Fernandez.
When the MHFUB was run by the previous chairman V. Kulasingam and
secretary Teo Choon Seng, the umpires almost went on strike because little
was done to take them to the next level.
They claimed that courses and assignments to upgrade them to
international umpires were non-existant. Sreedharan will have much damage
control to do over the next few months. THE MHF SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Umpires Board - Chairman: N. Sreedharan; Secretary: Brian Gerard
Fernandez.
Coaching Committee - Chairman: Datuk R. Yogeswaran; Secretary: Dr Balbir
Singh.
Competitions Committee - Chairman: Datuk Bashir Ahmad; Secretary: S.
Satgunam.
Technical and Development Committee - Chairman: Dr S.S. Cheema;
Secretary: V. Muraleedharan.
Schools Committee - Chairman: Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid; Secretary: Ahmad
Shukri.
Selection Committee - Chairman: Sultan Azlan Shah; Secretary: S.
Satgunam.
Marketing Committee - Chairman: Raja Datuk Seri Aman Raja Ahmad.
Legal and Special Projects - Chairman: Roy Rajasingam.
Independent Delegates - Datuk Anuar Mohamed Nor, Datuk R. Yogeswaran,
Datuk Sulaiman Mohamed Noor.
Assistant Secretary: T. Paramalingam.
Assistant Treasurer: Wan Mohamed Nasim.
(END)
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