20/08/2003
THE National juniors have started playing like the seniors as they had
Pakistan under wraps before losing 5-2 in the opening match of the FIH
Youth Carnival in Poznan, Poland on Monday.
Megat Azrafiq scored off a penalty corner in the 11th minute, but
Pakistan equalised in the 18th minute and just before the break, made it
2-1.
But in the second half, even though Malaysia narrowed the gap to 3-2 off
a Tengku Tajuddin field goal, Pakistan romped home 5-2, with their final
goal coming off a penalty stroke.
This was the sketchy story patched up from bits and pieces the Malaysian
Hockey Federation could make out from the fax sent to them by team manager
Poon Fook Loke.
Attempts to contact coach Sarjit Singh and Fook Loke in Poland were
futile as they had moved from their designated hotel.
"It is very difficult to contact the team in Poland as they had moved
hotel for reasons only known to them. I tried to contact the FIH for the
full results, but the parent body was also unable to help," said Satgunam.
Malaysia, the defending champions, meet France in their next match.
(END)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Kumaresan inducted
20/08/2003
CYCLIST M. Kumaresan and hurdler Nur Herman Majid were yesterday inducted
into the SportExcel Hall of Fame at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala
Lumpur.
Last year, squash darling Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee and Shalin Zulkifli
were recognised for their efforts.
This year Kumaresan (cycling) and Nur Herman (athletics), two athletes
who are no longer active, are being recognised. "The SportExcel Hall of
Fame is restricted to those athletes who have been in receipt of
SportExcel funding and who have consistently achieved excellence at Asian
or World level while being good role models," said SportExcel president
Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar after welcoming the duo to the Hall of Fame.
"SportExcel is by any yardstick, a young organisation, but we have been
able to maintain a high profile in Malaysian sport through our junior
circuits and other activities.
"At the same time, we have also remained totally relevant to Malaysian
sport by carving a niche in the area of junior development. To date,
thousands of young juniors have benefited by competing on our circuits.
"As at the end of 2002, SportExcel had provided assistance to 82
athletes, some of whom had achieved excellence at the Asian and world
levels.
"Cricketer Arul Suppiah and Beng Hee are well on their way to achieving
their dream of becoming professionals in their field," said Tunku Imran.
Tunku Imran said SportExcel is proud to be able to play a part nurturing
Malaysian juniors: "It is truly our joy and vision to assist every
talented junior to realise his or her dream."
SportExcel is now looking towards Sabah and Sarawak.
"We will re-think our strategies, as one of our goals is to play a
bigger part in the development of juniors in Sabah and Sarawak. This will
be done with the co-operation of national associations and in respect of
our circuits.
"We believe that there is a huge reservoir of junior talent in Sabah and
Sarawak that has not been systematically tapped," concluded Tunku Imran.
Kumaresan, a household name in cycling, started his quest to represent
Malaysia at the age of 10, and received the country's highest sports award
when voted Sportsman of The Year in 1987.
"Some might say that at 10, one does not have an ambition yet. But for
me, I had a burning desire to represent the country from that age, and
tried my hand at numerous sports.
"But in the end, I found my niche in cycling and it has given me great
joy over the years by winning medals for the country," said Kumaresan.
The veteran cyclist has a collection of 19 medals, with nine golds from
the Sea Games and three silvers and one bronze from the Asian meet.
Nur Herman, synonymous with 110m hurdles, ruled the lanes from 1990 to
2001. He was the undisputed champion in six consecutive Sea Games starting
from 1991 in Manila till his farewell in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
He not only won gold in KL, but silenced his critics by clocking 14.02s,
a Sea Games record. His personal best of 13.73s, which won him bronze in
the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games, is still the current national record.
(END)
CYCLIST M. Kumaresan and hurdler Nur Herman Majid were yesterday inducted
into the SportExcel Hall of Fame at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala
Lumpur.
Last year, squash darling Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee and Shalin Zulkifli
were recognised for their efforts.
This year Kumaresan (cycling) and Nur Herman (athletics), two athletes
who are no longer active, are being recognised. "The SportExcel Hall of
Fame is restricted to those athletes who have been in receipt of
SportExcel funding and who have consistently achieved excellence at Asian
or World level while being good role models," said SportExcel president
Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar after welcoming the duo to the Hall of Fame.
"SportExcel is by any yardstick, a young organisation, but we have been
able to maintain a high profile in Malaysian sport through our junior
circuits and other activities.
"At the same time, we have also remained totally relevant to Malaysian
sport by carving a niche in the area of junior development. To date,
thousands of young juniors have benefited by competing on our circuits.
"As at the end of 2002, SportExcel had provided assistance to 82
athletes, some of whom had achieved excellence at the Asian and world
levels.
"Cricketer Arul Suppiah and Beng Hee are well on their way to achieving
their dream of becoming professionals in their field," said Tunku Imran.
Tunku Imran said SportExcel is proud to be able to play a part nurturing
Malaysian juniors: "It is truly our joy and vision to assist every
talented junior to realise his or her dream."
SportExcel is now looking towards Sabah and Sarawak.
"We will re-think our strategies, as one of our goals is to play a
bigger part in the development of juniors in Sabah and Sarawak. This will
be done with the co-operation of national associations and in respect of
our circuits.
"We believe that there is a huge reservoir of junior talent in Sabah and
Sarawak that has not been systematically tapped," concluded Tunku Imran.
Kumaresan, a household name in cycling, started his quest to represent
Malaysia at the age of 10, and received the country's highest sports award
when voted Sportsman of The Year in 1987.
"Some might say that at 10, one does not have an ambition yet. But for
me, I had a burning desire to represent the country from that age, and
tried my hand at numerous sports.
"But in the end, I found my niche in cycling and it has given me great
joy over the years by winning medals for the country," said Kumaresan.
The veteran cyclist has a collection of 19 medals, with nine golds from
the Sea Games and three silvers and one bronze from the Asian meet.
Nur Herman, synonymous with 110m hurdles, ruled the lanes from 1990 to
2001. He was the undisputed champion in six consecutive Sea Games starting
from 1991 in Manila till his farewell in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
He not only won gold in KL, but silenced his critics by clocking 14.02s,
a Sea Games record. His personal best of 13.73s, which won him bronze in
the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games, is still the current national record.
(END)
Investigate Randburg, MHF
20/08/2003
THE spirit of protectionism in its core and original form, must have been
built on honest intentions and honourable values. Then, man evolved
further, and since then, given it a whole new perspective that now
balances precariously between safety and conspiracy.
The lines have been so blurred in this new context of protectionism that
it has become virtually impossible to tell if you are really helping or
conspiring against the one you profess to protect. Is it a cover that you
are providing, or a cover-up?
When master tacticians throw the proverbial bureaucratic cloak over
something that could be incriminating, it's not a cover-up. That's
strategic planning. For, by protecting the offender from prostration, they
have secured the exponent's silence and undivided loyalty.
If he is a formidable opponent, there would be neither cover nor a
cover-up. Which, if you come to think of it, also works out just fine for
the unsuspecting victims - namely you and me.
If he is a crony, the cover-up is normally dictated by, for want of a
better word in this context, honourable intentions. Like they say, the
path to hell is sometimes paved with good intentions.
But in this context though, honesty would normally prevail - as we have
seen so often - only after a cover is blown or when the damage has become
too colossal to cloak.
Which brings us to the raging forum in websites, expounding the alleged
sex scandal of two hockey players in South Africa recently during the
Champions Challenge where the national team took the nation deeper into
the abyss of oblivion.
For the record Malaysia, who started as favourites, finished last in
this tournament.
The call from readers and the sport's followers, is for an inquiry, a
thorough investigation to ascertain the credibility of the allegations,
and expose the offenders.
Just as alarming are suggestions that the Malaysian sportswriters who
were in Randburg to cover the tournament, were part of a conspiracy to
cover up the scandal.
Timesport's hockey writer Jugjet Singh, who had stayed in a different
hotel from the national team, explains that though he had heard about it,
wasn't able to chronicle it as he was neither a witness to the alleged
scandal, nor was he able to affirm it with an official statement.
All Jugjet was witness to was that, the two ladies in question were
vacationing Malaysian stewardesses who were friends of the two players,
stayed in the same hotel as the Malaysian sportswriters, and supported the
team in matches.
Team manager, Zulkifli Abbas - a former national goalkeeper - whom I
spoke to yesterday, said he is submitting a thorough report to the
Malaysian Hockey Federation and is leaving the question of an inquiry to
the discretion of the national body.
"And if they (MHF) find there is a cover-up, that is if they decide to
investigate further, I will be the first to resign," he assured.
But given the attention this bit of disturbing news has received from
the fraternity here and internationally, it would be judicious for the MHF
to conduct an inquiry with the genuine interest of getting to the truth -
whatever it may be - of this alleged scandal.
And may I suggest that this inquiry be conducted by an independent unit
that's neither subservient nor beholden to all the parties concerned, and
one that's hand-picked by the Sports Commissioner, Datuk Mahamad Zabri
Min.
We can't leave this to the MHF simply because they won't be absolved
from cries of a cover-up, even if they genuinely find after thorough
investigations, that the allegations were unfounded.
And the Sports Ministry - as much as its minister Datuk Hishammuddin
Hussein might want to declare it an internal affair - has to be involved
as the credibility of the sport's athletes, and its management have been
publicly challenged.
For, the last thing that anyone wants here is for faceless website
contributors, and ardent hockey followers - as genuine as they may be - to
act as judge, jury and executioner, without according the reluctant
`defendants' their constitutional right of a proper `trial'
And if there indeed was a cover-up at Randburg, then Zulkifli should
honour his word by being "the first to resign" and the offenders expelled
from the national team.
As for the local sports media, I believe we are still very much in the
business of covering issues and events, and not involved in the politics
of cover-ups.
(END)
THE spirit of protectionism in its core and original form, must have been
built on honest intentions and honourable values. Then, man evolved
further, and since then, given it a whole new perspective that now
balances precariously between safety and conspiracy.
The lines have been so blurred in this new context of protectionism that
it has become virtually impossible to tell if you are really helping or
conspiring against the one you profess to protect. Is it a cover that you
are providing, or a cover-up?
When master tacticians throw the proverbial bureaucratic cloak over
something that could be incriminating, it's not a cover-up. That's
strategic planning. For, by protecting the offender from prostration, they
have secured the exponent's silence and undivided loyalty.
If he is a formidable opponent, there would be neither cover nor a
cover-up. Which, if you come to think of it, also works out just fine for
the unsuspecting victims - namely you and me.
If he is a crony, the cover-up is normally dictated by, for want of a
better word in this context, honourable intentions. Like they say, the
path to hell is sometimes paved with good intentions.
But in this context though, honesty would normally prevail - as we have
seen so often - only after a cover is blown or when the damage has become
too colossal to cloak.
Which brings us to the raging forum in websites, expounding the alleged
sex scandal of two hockey players in South Africa recently during the
Champions Challenge where the national team took the nation deeper into
the abyss of oblivion.
For the record Malaysia, who started as favourites, finished last in
this tournament.
The call from readers and the sport's followers, is for an inquiry, a
thorough investigation to ascertain the credibility of the allegations,
and expose the offenders.
Just as alarming are suggestions that the Malaysian sportswriters who
were in Randburg to cover the tournament, were part of a conspiracy to
cover up the scandal.
Timesport's hockey writer Jugjet Singh, who had stayed in a different
hotel from the national team, explains that though he had heard about it,
wasn't able to chronicle it as he was neither a witness to the alleged
scandal, nor was he able to affirm it with an official statement.
All Jugjet was witness to was that, the two ladies in question were
vacationing Malaysian stewardesses who were friends of the two players,
stayed in the same hotel as the Malaysian sportswriters, and supported the
team in matches.
Team manager, Zulkifli Abbas - a former national goalkeeper - whom I
spoke to yesterday, said he is submitting a thorough report to the
Malaysian Hockey Federation and is leaving the question of an inquiry to
the discretion of the national body.
"And if they (MHF) find there is a cover-up, that is if they decide to
investigate further, I will be the first to resign," he assured.
But given the attention this bit of disturbing news has received from
the fraternity here and internationally, it would be judicious for the MHF
to conduct an inquiry with the genuine interest of getting to the truth -
whatever it may be - of this alleged scandal.
And may I suggest that this inquiry be conducted by an independent unit
that's neither subservient nor beholden to all the parties concerned, and
one that's hand-picked by the Sports Commissioner, Datuk Mahamad Zabri
Min.
We can't leave this to the MHF simply because they won't be absolved
from cries of a cover-up, even if they genuinely find after thorough
investigations, that the allegations were unfounded.
And the Sports Ministry - as much as its minister Datuk Hishammuddin
Hussein might want to declare it an internal affair - has to be involved
as the credibility of the sport's athletes, and its management have been
publicly challenged.
For, the last thing that anyone wants here is for faceless website
contributors, and ardent hockey followers - as genuine as they may be - to
act as judge, jury and executioner, without according the reluctant
`defendants' their constitutional right of a proper `trial'
And if there indeed was a cover-up at Randburg, then Zulkifli should
honour his word by being "the first to resign" and the offenders expelled
from the national team.
As for the local sports media, I believe we are still very much in the
business of covering issues and events, and not involved in the politics
of cover-ups.
(END)
League format now
18/08/2003
EGYPT and Polish Division One Champions Gneizno have pulled out of the FIH
Youth Carnival starting in Poland today, so now there will be no final and
the League champions will lift the title.
The FIH gave no reasons for the withdrawals.
Malaysia, the inaugural champions last year, will now open their
campaign against Pakistan and the prospect of landing the title again
looks much brighter.
In the earlier fixtures, Malaysia were slated to play Germany first and
were drawn in Group A which also had Pakistan and Gneizno.
But with the League system, Malaysia stand a good chance as the
Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee has injected five
experienced hands to defend the gold medal.
The inclusion of Azli Misron, P. Prabahkaran, Megat Azrafiq, Ismail Abu
and Jivan Mohan added extra bite to the team.
Teams: France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland.
Fixtures: Today- India v France, Malaysia v Pakistan, Germany v Poland;
Aug 20: France v Malaysia, Germany v India, Poland v Pakistan; Aug 21:
Malaysia v India, France v Poland, Germany v Pakistan; Aug 23: Malaysia v
Germany, Pakistan v France, India v Poland; Aug 24: Germany v France,
Poland v Malaysia, India v Pakistan.
(END)
EGYPT and Polish Division One Champions Gneizno have pulled out of the FIH
Youth Carnival starting in Poland today, so now there will be no final and
the League champions will lift the title.
The FIH gave no reasons for the withdrawals.
Malaysia, the inaugural champions last year, will now open their
campaign against Pakistan and the prospect of landing the title again
looks much brighter.
In the earlier fixtures, Malaysia were slated to play Germany first and
were drawn in Group A which also had Pakistan and Gneizno.
But with the League system, Malaysia stand a good chance as the
Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee has injected five
experienced hands to defend the gold medal.
The inclusion of Azli Misron, P. Prabahkaran, Megat Azrafiq, Ismail Abu
and Jivan Mohan added extra bite to the team.
Teams: France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland.
Fixtures: Today- India v France, Malaysia v Pakistan, Germany v Poland;
Aug 20: France v Malaysia, Germany v India, Poland v Pakistan; Aug 21:
Malaysia v India, France v Poland, Germany v Pakistan; Aug 23: Malaysia v
Germany, Pakistan v France, India v Poland; Aug 24: Germany v France,
Poland v Malaysia, India v Pakistan.
(END)
Nasihin returns from the dead
17/08/2003
THE national hockey team, in dire need of a good goalkeeper, had their
prayers answered as former international Nasihin Nubli (pic) has shown
interest in making a comeback.
Nasihin, who quit after the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, is still among
the better goalkeepers in the country as he has kept himself in the
picture by playing for Sapura in the Malaysia Hockey League.
Assistant national coach Arul Selvaraj, who still does not have a clue
on the status of Nasihin, however, said the goalkeeper has started
training with the national side.
"Nasihin's issue is for the Malaysian Hockey Federation to ponder upon.
I have heard that he was told to write in to the MHF on his intention to
rejoin the national team, but have not seen anything in black and white.
"However, he has started training on his own, while Roslan (Jamaluddin)
and (S.) Kumar are in the national team programme," said Arul.
The red tape is expected to be sorted out before chief coach Paul Lissek
returns from the Champions Trophy where he has gone to watch Malaysia's
opponents in the Asia Cup - India and Pakistan - in action.
Lissek will also give a talk during a coaching course held in
conjunction with the Champions Trophy.
The national team had everything going for them in the Champions
Challenge in South Africa, but were relegated to the last spot when both
Roslan and Kumar made schoolboy mistakes and conceded goals from acute
angles.
Meanwhile, the national juniors left for Poland on Friday to defend
their FIH World Youth Festival trophy not having a clue about which team
has withdrawn from the tournament.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said he received a call from the FIH saying
that one team has withdrawn, making it a seven-team tournament, but was
still waiting for the FIH E-mail to confirm the withdrawal and the new
fixtures.
When Malaysia left for Poland, they were drawn in Group A with Germany,
Pakistan and the Polish Division One champions. In Group B are India,
France, Poland and Egypt.
(END)
THE national hockey team, in dire need of a good goalkeeper, had their
prayers answered as former international Nasihin Nubli (pic) has shown
interest in making a comeback.
Nasihin, who quit after the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, is still among
the better goalkeepers in the country as he has kept himself in the
picture by playing for Sapura in the Malaysia Hockey League.
Assistant national coach Arul Selvaraj, who still does not have a clue
on the status of Nasihin, however, said the goalkeeper has started
training with the national side.
"Nasihin's issue is for the Malaysian Hockey Federation to ponder upon.
I have heard that he was told to write in to the MHF on his intention to
rejoin the national team, but have not seen anything in black and white.
"However, he has started training on his own, while Roslan (Jamaluddin)
and (S.) Kumar are in the national team programme," said Arul.
The red tape is expected to be sorted out before chief coach Paul Lissek
returns from the Champions Trophy where he has gone to watch Malaysia's
opponents in the Asia Cup - India and Pakistan - in action.
Lissek will also give a talk during a coaching course held in
conjunction with the Champions Trophy.
The national team had everything going for them in the Champions
Challenge in South Africa, but were relegated to the last spot when both
Roslan and Kumar made schoolboy mistakes and conceded goals from acute
angles.
Meanwhile, the national juniors left for Poland on Friday to defend
their FIH World Youth Festival trophy not having a clue about which team
has withdrawn from the tournament.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said he received a call from the FIH saying
that one team has withdrawn, making it a seven-team tournament, but was
still waiting for the FIH E-mail to confirm the withdrawal and the new
fixtures.
When Malaysia left for Poland, they were drawn in Group A with Germany,
Pakistan and the Polish Division One champions. In Group B are India,
France, Poland and Egypt.
(END)
Nor Saiful to realise dream in Holland
16/08/2003
NOR Saiful Zaini left for Holland yesterday to realise his dream of
becoming a full-fledged coach, but he did not go under the Malaysian
Hockey Federation's (MHF) banner.
Instead, his trip to Amstelveen, Holland, the venue of the Champions
Trophy, was sponsored by his employers Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
The former national skipper underwent his first FIH coaching course in
Kuala Lumpur during the 2002 World Cup and then at the end of the year, he
attended another course in Perth during the Women's World Cup.
He passed with flying colours and the FIH offered him a ticket to attend
the Final course which will make him only the fourth person in Malaysia to
have an FIH Coaching Certificate.
The others are Stephen van Huizen, Wallace Tan and Collin Sta Maria but
all three have been left out of the national circle at the moment.
The former international was offered a place during the first MHF
attachment stint, where Sarjit Singh, Arul Selvaraj and Tai Beng Hai
graduated, but he declined because of work commitment. But he was not
considered for the second attachment stint involving six more coaches.
Nor Saiful, after completing his FIH course in Amstelveen, is looking to
handle an under-12 team.
"I am not looking to handle the big boys, all I want is to conduct
development work because most of the players lack basics. I can help by
setting the youth on the correct path, and then it will become easier to
teach them the technical side of matters when they graduate into the
senior ranks," said Nor Saiful before heading for Holland.
Nor Saiful, who plays for Tenaga Nasional in the Malaysia Hockey League,
still has the most powerful hit in the country and he was among the most
technically sound player that came out of the middle of 80s era.
Nor Saiful has the credit of featuring in all the major internationals
like the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics, and the Utretch World Cup as well
as the only time when Malaysia played in the Champions Trophy.
"I have gone the full circle, have played at every level and now this is
one way that I can contribute to the sport which I love most," said Nor
Saiful.
And up till today, other than K. Gobinathan who is still trying his
best, no other Malaysian has been as accurate as Nor Saiful during penalty
corner hits.
So, the MHF must not leave him out of the picture after he completes his
coaching course because then, the number of FIH qualified coaches in
Malaysia will increase to four, but the number involved with the national
team will be zero.
(END)
NOR Saiful Zaini left for Holland yesterday to realise his dream of
becoming a full-fledged coach, but he did not go under the Malaysian
Hockey Federation's (MHF) banner.
Instead, his trip to Amstelveen, Holland, the venue of the Champions
Trophy, was sponsored by his employers Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
The former national skipper underwent his first FIH coaching course in
Kuala Lumpur during the 2002 World Cup and then at the end of the year, he
attended another course in Perth during the Women's World Cup.
He passed with flying colours and the FIH offered him a ticket to attend
the Final course which will make him only the fourth person in Malaysia to
have an FIH Coaching Certificate.
The others are Stephen van Huizen, Wallace Tan and Collin Sta Maria but
all three have been left out of the national circle at the moment.
The former international was offered a place during the first MHF
attachment stint, where Sarjit Singh, Arul Selvaraj and Tai Beng Hai
graduated, but he declined because of work commitment. But he was not
considered for the second attachment stint involving six more coaches.
Nor Saiful, after completing his FIH course in Amstelveen, is looking to
handle an under-12 team.
"I am not looking to handle the big boys, all I want is to conduct
development work because most of the players lack basics. I can help by
setting the youth on the correct path, and then it will become easier to
teach them the technical side of matters when they graduate into the
senior ranks," said Nor Saiful before heading for Holland.
Nor Saiful, who plays for Tenaga Nasional in the Malaysia Hockey League,
still has the most powerful hit in the country and he was among the most
technically sound player that came out of the middle of 80s era.
Nor Saiful has the credit of featuring in all the major internationals
like the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics, and the Utretch World Cup as well
as the only time when Malaysia played in the Champions Trophy.
"I have gone the full circle, have played at every level and now this is
one way that I can contribute to the sport which I love most," said Nor
Saiful.
And up till today, other than K. Gobinathan who is still trying his
best, no other Malaysian has been as accurate as Nor Saiful during penalty
corner hits.
So, the MHF must not leave him out of the picture after he completes his
coaching course because then, the number of FIH qualified coaches in
Malaysia will increase to four, but the number involved with the national
team will be zero.
(END)
Bazli out of Poznan squad
15/08/2003
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee ignored an outstanding
goalkeeper and instead decided to blood a 16-year-old striker in the
Under-21 FIH Youth Carnival in Poznan, Poland on Aug 18-24.
Malaysia, the defending champions, will not have goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli,
who was voted goalkeeper-of-the-tournament in the Youth Carnival last
year.
The newcomer is Mohamed Razie Rahim, who last turned out for Malaysia
Sports School in the Junior Hockey League.
"We did not select Bazli because his form has dropped tremendously and
the other two goalkeepers Firdaus Razali and Hanafi Hassan have overtaken
him.
"We have also decided to blood 16-year-old Razie because he is fast
becoming an asset up front," said team manager Poon Fook Loke after the
Selection Committee meeting yesterday.
Two `problem' players also received a lifeline yesterday. S. Selvaraju,
who was benched from the Malaysia Sports School side when he received a
red card for throwing his stick at the technical desk during last year's
Junior Hockey League, and Megat Azrafiq, whose knee injury forced him out
of the Champions Challenge, were among the relieved faces when the names
were announced by MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra.
"I am very grateful because the MHF have given me a chance to play in
Poland. I have always given my best, but thought my hockey career was over
after the silly outburst during the JHL. Now I will be out to justify my
selection," said Selvaraju.
"We have retained eight players from the gold medal-winning side from
last year and since the tournament has been upgraded from under-18 to
under-21, we have also included five players who have experience in the
senior side," said Alagendra.
And the MHF, who had a tough time selecting the team because very little
separated the 30 players in training, will make sure they do not lose
those who were dropped yesterday.
"The 12 players not selected today (yesterday) will report for training
on Aug 28 where a fitness test will be conducted to see if they have been
following the programme. And since this are the players who will, more or
less, represent the country in the 2005 Junior World Cup, we want to keep
them on their toes," added Alagendra.
About 50 per cent of the current batch will not be eligible to play in
the 2005 Junior World Cup, but all of them will be able to contribute in
the World Cup Qualifiers in Karachi next year.
In Poland, Malaysia have been placed in Group A with Germany, Pakistan
and Polish league champions Gniezno.
India look set to dominate Group B as their opponents are Egypt, France
and Poland.
The squad - Goalkeepers: Mohamed Firdaus Razali, Hanafi Hassan
Defenders: Engku Abdul Malek (capt), S. Bubalan, Sallehin Ghani, Megat
Azrafiq Termizi, Mohamed Sufian
Midfield: Mohamed Fakhrulrazi, Jivan Mohan, P. Prabahkaran, Azli Misron,
Razi Ismail
Forwards: Kelvinder Singh, Shahrun Nabil, S. Selvaraju, Tengku Ahmad
Tajuddin, Ismail Abu, Razie Rahim.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee ignored an outstanding
goalkeeper and instead decided to blood a 16-year-old striker in the
Under-21 FIH Youth Carnival in Poznan, Poland on Aug 18-24.
Malaysia, the defending champions, will not have goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli,
who was voted goalkeeper-of-the-tournament in the Youth Carnival last
year.
The newcomer is Mohamed Razie Rahim, who last turned out for Malaysia
Sports School in the Junior Hockey League.
"We did not select Bazli because his form has dropped tremendously and
the other two goalkeepers Firdaus Razali and Hanafi Hassan have overtaken
him.
"We have also decided to blood 16-year-old Razie because he is fast
becoming an asset up front," said team manager Poon Fook Loke after the
Selection Committee meeting yesterday.
Two `problem' players also received a lifeline yesterday. S. Selvaraju,
who was benched from the Malaysia Sports School side when he received a
red card for throwing his stick at the technical desk during last year's
Junior Hockey League, and Megat Azrafiq, whose knee injury forced him out
of the Champions Challenge, were among the relieved faces when the names
were announced by MHF deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra.
"I am very grateful because the MHF have given me a chance to play in
Poland. I have always given my best, but thought my hockey career was over
after the silly outburst during the JHL. Now I will be out to justify my
selection," said Selvaraju.
"We have retained eight players from the gold medal-winning side from
last year and since the tournament has been upgraded from under-18 to
under-21, we have also included five players who have experience in the
senior side," said Alagendra.
And the MHF, who had a tough time selecting the team because very little
separated the 30 players in training, will make sure they do not lose
those who were dropped yesterday.
"The 12 players not selected today (yesterday) will report for training
on Aug 28 where a fitness test will be conducted to see if they have been
following the programme. And since this are the players who will, more or
less, represent the country in the 2005 Junior World Cup, we want to keep
them on their toes," added Alagendra.
About 50 per cent of the current batch will not be eligible to play in
the 2005 Junior World Cup, but all of them will be able to contribute in
the World Cup Qualifiers in Karachi next year.
In Poland, Malaysia have been placed in Group A with Germany, Pakistan
and Polish league champions Gniezno.
India look set to dominate Group B as their opponents are Egypt, France
and Poland.
The squad - Goalkeepers: Mohamed Firdaus Razali, Hanafi Hassan
Defenders: Engku Abdul Malek (capt), S. Bubalan, Sallehin Ghani, Megat
Azrafiq Termizi, Mohamed Sufian
Midfield: Mohamed Fakhrulrazi, Jivan Mohan, P. Prabahkaran, Azli Misron,
Razi Ismail
Forwards: Kelvinder Singh, Shahrun Nabil, S. Selvaraju, Tengku Ahmad
Tajuddin, Ismail Abu, Razie Rahim.
(END)
High rental force MHF out
14/08/2003
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation will be moving out of the National Hockey
Stadium in Bukit Jalil soon because they can no longer afford to pay the
rent.
No, the MHF has not gone broke, but they feel that the RM2,000 per month
rent is too steep and with money slow to reach their coffers from
sponsors, they felt moving out is the best solution.
MHF has also moved the final of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) from
Bukit Jalil to the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium for the same reason.
"We can no longer afford to pay RM2,000 per month for the office space
at the National Hockey Stadium. And since the National Sports Council has
told us to maximise the use of the Tun Razak Stadium, we will be moving
there once renovation work is completed.
"We have also decided to shift the final of the MHL to the Kuala Lumpur
HA Stadium because it is too expansive to host it at Bukit Jalil. The KLHA
Stadium is very much cheaper than the RM2,000 we will need to host it at
Bukit Jalil," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
Satgunam was responding to a statement made by Olympic Council of
Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar who lamented the fact that
The Merdeka Stadium Board is more interested in making money from non-
sporting activities than helping national sports associations to use their
premises.
"Right now, there are very few activities at the National Stadium
because no club or school can afford to pay for it's use. For the past
year, all the teams in the Junior Hockey League and the Malaysia Hockey
League have selected their home venues at either the Pandamaran, KLHA or
Tun Razak stadiums.
"Only the national players train at Bukit Jalil right now," said
Satgunam.
The national players bill is footed by the National Sports Council, and
that is the only reason they are still at the National Hockey Stadium.
Given a chance, they will bolt to the Tun Razak Stadium too.
But the NSC can't afford to make that move because then the National
Stadium will be totally void of hockey.
"The stadiums were built for sports but it looks as though they are
going towards raising income from activities other than sports," said
Tunku Imran after chairing OCM's Executive Board meeting in Wisma OCM on
Tuesday.
The MHF used to have their office at the Tun Razak Stadium, but after
the National Stadium was built for the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth
Games, they shifted their office to Bukit Jalil.
The Tun Razak Stadium, after being empty for the last five years, has
been overrun by white ants, but needs only minor renovation to get it back
in working order. The turf at Tun Razak is still first class.
The MHF has slowly started to shift matches to Tun Razak, as seen during
the China International Friendlies before the Champions Challenge.
"If nobody can afford to name the National Stadium as their home venue,
we can't force them as there are many alternatives in the Klang Valley and
any one of them is value for money," said Satgunam.
The Azlan Shah Cup, held in Ipoh this year, might remain in the north
next year too because of the cost factor even though the stadium in Ipoh
is no longer suitable to host international events due to the of lack of
changing rooms and media and resting facilities.
The only tournament slated for the National Stadium this year is the
Asia Cup in September and that too because of FIH requirements for two
international standard pitches for big events.
But don't be surprised if that too is moved to KLHA, because if the
South Africans can play all the Champions Challenge matches on just one
pitch, one sees no reason why the FIH can't allow Malaysia the same.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation will be moving out of the National Hockey
Stadium in Bukit Jalil soon because they can no longer afford to pay the
rent.
No, the MHF has not gone broke, but they feel that the RM2,000 per month
rent is too steep and with money slow to reach their coffers from
sponsors, they felt moving out is the best solution.
MHF has also moved the final of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) from
Bukit Jalil to the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium for the same reason.
"We can no longer afford to pay RM2,000 per month for the office space
at the National Hockey Stadium. And since the National Sports Council has
told us to maximise the use of the Tun Razak Stadium, we will be moving
there once renovation work is completed.
"We have also decided to shift the final of the MHL to the Kuala Lumpur
HA Stadium because it is too expansive to host it at Bukit Jalil. The KLHA
Stadium is very much cheaper than the RM2,000 we will need to host it at
Bukit Jalil," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
Satgunam was responding to a statement made by Olympic Council of
Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar who lamented the fact that
The Merdeka Stadium Board is more interested in making money from non-
sporting activities than helping national sports associations to use their
premises.
"Right now, there are very few activities at the National Stadium
because no club or school can afford to pay for it's use. For the past
year, all the teams in the Junior Hockey League and the Malaysia Hockey
League have selected their home venues at either the Pandamaran, KLHA or
Tun Razak stadiums.
"Only the national players train at Bukit Jalil right now," said
Satgunam.
The national players bill is footed by the National Sports Council, and
that is the only reason they are still at the National Hockey Stadium.
Given a chance, they will bolt to the Tun Razak Stadium too.
But the NSC can't afford to make that move because then the National
Stadium will be totally void of hockey.
"The stadiums were built for sports but it looks as though they are
going towards raising income from activities other than sports," said
Tunku Imran after chairing OCM's Executive Board meeting in Wisma OCM on
Tuesday.
The MHF used to have their office at the Tun Razak Stadium, but after
the National Stadium was built for the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth
Games, they shifted their office to Bukit Jalil.
The Tun Razak Stadium, after being empty for the last five years, has
been overrun by white ants, but needs only minor renovation to get it back
in working order. The turf at Tun Razak is still first class.
The MHF has slowly started to shift matches to Tun Razak, as seen during
the China International Friendlies before the Champions Challenge.
"If nobody can afford to name the National Stadium as their home venue,
we can't force them as there are many alternatives in the Klang Valley and
any one of them is value for money," said Satgunam.
The Azlan Shah Cup, held in Ipoh this year, might remain in the north
next year too because of the cost factor even though the stadium in Ipoh
is no longer suitable to host international events due to the of lack of
changing rooms and media and resting facilities.
The only tournament slated for the National Stadium this year is the
Asia Cup in September and that too because of FIH requirements for two
international standard pitches for big events.
But don't be surprised if that too is moved to KLHA, because if the
South Africans can play all the Champions Challenge matches on just one
pitch, one sees no reason why the FIH can't allow Malaysia the same.
(END)
Smark bankers
14/08/2003
BANK Simpanan Nasional are among the richer clubs in the Malaysia Hockey
League but they too have shied away from wanting to make the National
Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil their home ground over the years.
The reason, according to BSN coach C. Paramalingam, there is no point in
forking out exorbitant fees when there are cheaper alternatives.
"We are among the teams which can afford to play at the National Hockey
Stadium, but why pay more when the Tun Razak Stadium is three times
cheaper?" questioned Paramalingam.
The Tun Razak Stadium, under the jurisdiction of the National Sports
Council, charges RM60 per match, while it costs RM180 at the National
Hockey Stadium if the floodlights are not used.
"It is very sad to see the National Stadium turn into a white elephant
because none of the clubs or schools can afford to use its pitches.
"It also does not make economic sense because by placing too high a
price, nobody is going to use the stadium and in the long run, the
artificial turf is going to crack under the heat and then what? We will
need to spend millions to returf it if we secure another international
tournament," said Paramalingam.
Bookings at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, the Tun Razak Stadium and the
Pandaraman Hockey Stadium in Klang, all within a 30km radius of each
other, are very heavy and matches or development programmes are always
being run at the three venues.
But at the National Stadium, only the national hockey team has the
luxury of training on it.
"The Pandamaran Stadium is heavily booked by clubs and schools because
the Klang Municipal Council does not charge the Selangor HA for
development programmes while a nominal fee is imposed on schools.
"Why can't the Stadium Board practice the same? I am sure that even with
nominal booking fees, if the pitch is heavily booked, the Stadium Board
will make more money than what they are getting now because the volume
will be much higher," said Paramalingam.
The veteran coach is also sad that the Bukit Jalil Stadium is only
`national' in name, unlike other national stadiums all over the world and
this is a shame.
"Take the Karachi and Perth Commonwealth national stadiums as examples.
The two venues are fully booked and hockey is played from morning till
night.
"The Bukit Jalil Stadium is always empty, save for the national players
who train there.
"It is a crying shame and the Olympic Council of Malaysia should come
out with a proposal to save the hockey stadium from turning into a white
elephant," said Paramalingam.
(END)
BANK Simpanan Nasional are among the richer clubs in the Malaysia Hockey
League but they too have shied away from wanting to make the National
Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil their home ground over the years.
The reason, according to BSN coach C. Paramalingam, there is no point in
forking out exorbitant fees when there are cheaper alternatives.
"We are among the teams which can afford to play at the National Hockey
Stadium, but why pay more when the Tun Razak Stadium is three times
cheaper?" questioned Paramalingam.
The Tun Razak Stadium, under the jurisdiction of the National Sports
Council, charges RM60 per match, while it costs RM180 at the National
Hockey Stadium if the floodlights are not used.
"It is very sad to see the National Stadium turn into a white elephant
because none of the clubs or schools can afford to use its pitches.
"It also does not make economic sense because by placing too high a
price, nobody is going to use the stadium and in the long run, the
artificial turf is going to crack under the heat and then what? We will
need to spend millions to returf it if we secure another international
tournament," said Paramalingam.
Bookings at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, the Tun Razak Stadium and the
Pandaraman Hockey Stadium in Klang, all within a 30km radius of each
other, are very heavy and matches or development programmes are always
being run at the three venues.
But at the National Stadium, only the national hockey team has the
luxury of training on it.
"The Pandamaran Stadium is heavily booked by clubs and schools because
the Klang Municipal Council does not charge the Selangor HA for
development programmes while a nominal fee is imposed on schools.
"Why can't the Stadium Board practice the same? I am sure that even with
nominal booking fees, if the pitch is heavily booked, the Stadium Board
will make more money than what they are getting now because the volume
will be much higher," said Paramalingam.
The veteran coach is also sad that the Bukit Jalil Stadium is only
`national' in name, unlike other national stadiums all over the world and
this is a shame.
"Take the Karachi and Perth Commonwealth national stadiums as examples.
The two venues are fully booked and hockey is played from morning till
night.
"The Bukit Jalil Stadium is always empty, save for the national players
who train there.
"It is a crying shame and the Olympic Council of Malaysia should come
out with a proposal to save the hockey stadium from turning into a white
elephant," said Paramalingam.
(END)
All clear for Kin Ngoh
13/08/2003
FOLLOWING a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test at the Kuala Lumpur General
Hospital, Lai Kin Ngoh has been given the all-clear to continue with her
bowling career.
Chief coach Holloway Cheah, looking very relieved, said Kin Ngoh should
be back in action after a short rest.
"She went for an MRI test yesterday morning and the doctor said her knee
injury was not too bad and that all she needed was some rest. Should be
back at the lanes in a week or two," said Cheah.
Kin Ngoh aggravated an old knee injury while training on Tuesday, and
there were fears that she might not be able to bowl in the World
Championships at the Pyramid Megalanes on Sept 9-20.
Other than the Kin Ngoh scare, Cheah is also pleased with the progress
shown by the national bowlers.
"Malaysia, as hosts, have the advantage of naming the bowlers at the
eleventh hour, so we will maximise this advantage by naming the squad as
late as possible.
"This will give all the national trainees an equal chance to excel and
be selected on merit," said Cheah.
The boys might find the going tough in the World Championships as the
standard of the top fifty bowlers is almost the same and the gold medal
might be decided on tournament-day form.
"But the Malaysian girls have a better chance of excelling in the World
Championships as they are rated among the top five in the world," said
Cheah.
The trainees have been hard at work, burning the Megalanes five times a
week, with a gym workout thrown in to keep them fit.
"We have bowled in the lane patterns given for the World Championships
and the performance of the trainees has been very encouraging. Even if
there is any change to the lane pattern during the tournament, we expect
it to be marginal.'
The World Championships has already cracked a record as 634 bowlers (374
men and 260 women) were confirmed when entries closed on July 31. It has
exceeded the 601 bowlers who rolled at the last championship in Abu Dhabi,
UAE.
(END)
FOLLOWING a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test at the Kuala Lumpur General
Hospital, Lai Kin Ngoh has been given the all-clear to continue with her
bowling career.
Chief coach Holloway Cheah, looking very relieved, said Kin Ngoh should
be back in action after a short rest.
"She went for an MRI test yesterday morning and the doctor said her knee
injury was not too bad and that all she needed was some rest. Should be
back at the lanes in a week or two," said Cheah.
Kin Ngoh aggravated an old knee injury while training on Tuesday, and
there were fears that she might not be able to bowl in the World
Championships at the Pyramid Megalanes on Sept 9-20.
Other than the Kin Ngoh scare, Cheah is also pleased with the progress
shown by the national bowlers.
"Malaysia, as hosts, have the advantage of naming the bowlers at the
eleventh hour, so we will maximise this advantage by naming the squad as
late as possible.
"This will give all the national trainees an equal chance to excel and
be selected on merit," said Cheah.
The boys might find the going tough in the World Championships as the
standard of the top fifty bowlers is almost the same and the gold medal
might be decided on tournament-day form.
"But the Malaysian girls have a better chance of excelling in the World
Championships as they are rated among the top five in the world," said
Cheah.
The trainees have been hard at work, burning the Megalanes five times a
week, with a gym workout thrown in to keep them fit.
"We have bowled in the lane patterns given for the World Championships
and the performance of the trainees has been very encouraging. Even if
there is any change to the lane pattern during the tournament, we expect
it to be marginal.'
The World Championships has already cracked a record as 634 bowlers (374
men and 260 women) were confirmed when entries closed on July 31. It has
exceeded the 601 bowlers who rolled at the last championship in Abu Dhabi,
UAE.
(END)
Tough in Poznan
13/08/2003
MALAYSIA have been drawn in a killer group and their prospect of retaining
the FIH Youth Carnival Trophy they won in Poznan, Poland last year, looks
bleak.
In Group A with runners-up Germany and Pakistan, Malaysia will have to
bring out their best to finish in the top two, and a spot in the semi-
finals. The other team in the group is Polish league champions Gniezno.
India look set to dominate Group B as their opponents are Egypt, France
and Poland, who will once again host the tournament.
As if things were not already tough enough, Malaysia will open their
title defence against Germany on Aug 18.
"The boys took a break while the Champions Challenge was on in South
Africa and we resumed training on Monday, but it looks like they have been
keeping fit so all they need to do is work on tactics," said juniors coach
Sarjit Singh yesterday.
The juniors training squad numbered 26 players, but two more have joined
from the senior squad and this can only boost their chances of retaining
the title.
"National coach Paul Lissek has agreed to release (P.) Prabahkaran and
Ismail (Abu) from the Asia Cup training squad and their presence will
beef-up the attack," said Sarjit.
Ismail made his international debut in the Champions Challenge in South
Africa where he was a little shaky, so he definitely needs the Poland
exposure to make him a better player. He might even play in the Asia Cup
on his return because Lissek likes his daring approach in the semi-circle.
"The Malaysian Hockey Federation will be naming the Poland-bound players
tomorrow and two days later we leave for Poland."
Yesterday, the juniors played Malaysia Hockey League side Ernst & Young
and they displayed a good shape.
Fixtures - Aug 18: India v Egypt; Malaysia v Germany; Pakistan v
Gniezno; Poland v France.
Aug 19: Pakistan v Malaysia; Germany v Gniezno
Aug 20: France v India; Poland v Egypt
Aug 21: Germany v Pakistan; France v Egypt; Gniezno v Malaysia; India v
Poland.
Aug 23: Semi-finals.
Aug 24: Final.
(END)
MALAYSIA have been drawn in a killer group and their prospect of retaining
the FIH Youth Carnival Trophy they won in Poznan, Poland last year, looks
bleak.
In Group A with runners-up Germany and Pakistan, Malaysia will have to
bring out their best to finish in the top two, and a spot in the semi-
finals. The other team in the group is Polish league champions Gniezno.
India look set to dominate Group B as their opponents are Egypt, France
and Poland, who will once again host the tournament.
As if things were not already tough enough, Malaysia will open their
title defence against Germany on Aug 18.
"The boys took a break while the Champions Challenge was on in South
Africa and we resumed training on Monday, but it looks like they have been
keeping fit so all they need to do is work on tactics," said juniors coach
Sarjit Singh yesterday.
The juniors training squad numbered 26 players, but two more have joined
from the senior squad and this can only boost their chances of retaining
the title.
"National coach Paul Lissek has agreed to release (P.) Prabahkaran and
Ismail (Abu) from the Asia Cup training squad and their presence will
beef-up the attack," said Sarjit.
Ismail made his international debut in the Champions Challenge in South
Africa where he was a little shaky, so he definitely needs the Poland
exposure to make him a better player. He might even play in the Asia Cup
on his return because Lissek likes his daring approach in the semi-circle.
"The Malaysian Hockey Federation will be naming the Poland-bound players
tomorrow and two days later we leave for Poland."
Yesterday, the juniors played Malaysia Hockey League side Ernst & Young
and they displayed a good shape.
Fixtures - Aug 18: India v Egypt; Malaysia v Germany; Pakistan v
Gniezno; Poland v France.
Aug 19: Pakistan v Malaysia; Germany v Gniezno
Aug 20: France v India; Poland v Egypt
Aug 21: Germany v Pakistan; France v Egypt; Gniezno v Malaysia; India v
Poland.
Aug 23: Semi-finals.
Aug 24: Final.
(END)
Tenaga retain League title
12/08/2003
TENAGA Nasional Bhd retained their Malaysia Hockey League title in style
when they beat Maybank 2-1 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium yesterday.
It was a hat-trick of League titles for Tenaga, and now they will be
pitching for the elusive overall title.
"Even though we have won the League title for the third time in a row,
the last time the overall title came our way was in 1992. So, naturally,
we will be going out for the double this year," said Tenaga coach K.
Rajan.
Tenaga were the overall champions in 1989, 1987 and then landed the
double in 1992, but for the past three seasons, the overall title keeps
evading them.
With the win yesterday, Tenaga pocketed RM20,000 while Sapura finished
second on the standings and their purse is RM10,000.
The other teams which qualified for the quarter-finals are Ernst &
Young, Maybank, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Royal Malaysian Customs, Royal
Malay Regiment and Pahang Sports Council.
The quarter-finals first leg starts on Aug 29, and Tenaga will face
eighth-placed Pahang Sports Council and they should have no problems
reaching the last four with ease.
Yesterday, Tenaga fielded the best players, and the only regular reserve
on the starting line-up was goalkeeper M. Nadarajan, 33, who put up a
sterling display to stop the Maybank forwards.
Maybank shocked Tenaga with a 15th minute goal by Ismail Abu but Nor
Saiful Zaini slammed in the equaliser in the 21st minute and the winner
was scored by Nor Azlan Rahim in the 25th minute.
"Nadarajan asked to be fielded today and showed that he still has it in
him to play in the MHL for a few more years," said Rajan.
At the Azlan Shah Stadium, Royal Malay Regiment (RMR) completed their
fixtures on a high note when they outplayed Navy Dolphin 7-2.
However it was only in the 30th minute when RMR really took control over
the Navy boys after being held 2-2 after 25 minutes of play.
But it was smooth sailing all the way after that as they knocked home
five goals.
RMR, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals, took the lead in
the fifth minute through Hong Kong import Arif Ali but five minutes later
Navy drew level with a field goal from Mohamed Noor Saad.
RMR regained the lead in the 21st minute through Zulmadi Ariffin but the
Naval team fought back to draw level for the second time four minutes
later through the efforts of Mohamed Nasir Sobri.
Arif scored his second goal in the 30th minute with Zulmadi, Supri Mat
Jusoh, Sulaiman Bujang and Ramli Ismail completing the rout.
(END)
TENAGA Nasional Bhd retained their Malaysia Hockey League title in style
when they beat Maybank 2-1 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium yesterday.
It was a hat-trick of League titles for Tenaga, and now they will be
pitching for the elusive overall title.
"Even though we have won the League title for the third time in a row,
the last time the overall title came our way was in 1992. So, naturally,
we will be going out for the double this year," said Tenaga coach K.
Rajan.
Tenaga were the overall champions in 1989, 1987 and then landed the
double in 1992, but for the past three seasons, the overall title keeps
evading them.
With the win yesterday, Tenaga pocketed RM20,000 while Sapura finished
second on the standings and their purse is RM10,000.
The other teams which qualified for the quarter-finals are Ernst &
Young, Maybank, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Royal Malaysian Customs, Royal
Malay Regiment and Pahang Sports Council.
The quarter-finals first leg starts on Aug 29, and Tenaga will face
eighth-placed Pahang Sports Council and they should have no problems
reaching the last four with ease.
Yesterday, Tenaga fielded the best players, and the only regular reserve
on the starting line-up was goalkeeper M. Nadarajan, 33, who put up a
sterling display to stop the Maybank forwards.
Maybank shocked Tenaga with a 15th minute goal by Ismail Abu but Nor
Saiful Zaini slammed in the equaliser in the 21st minute and the winner
was scored by Nor Azlan Rahim in the 25th minute.
"Nadarajan asked to be fielded today and showed that he still has it in
him to play in the MHL for a few more years," said Rajan.
At the Azlan Shah Stadium, Royal Malay Regiment (RMR) completed their
fixtures on a high note when they outplayed Navy Dolphin 7-2.
However it was only in the 30th minute when RMR really took control over
the Navy boys after being held 2-2 after 25 minutes of play.
But it was smooth sailing all the way after that as they knocked home
five goals.
RMR, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals, took the lead in
the fifth minute through Hong Kong import Arif Ali but five minutes later
Navy drew level with a field goal from Mohamed Noor Saad.
RMR regained the lead in the 21st minute through Zulmadi Ariffin but the
Naval team fought back to draw level for the second time four minutes
later through the efforts of Mohamed Nasir Sobri.
Arif scored his second goal in the 30th minute with Zulmadi, Supri Mat
Jusoh, Sulaiman Bujang and Ramli Ismail completing the rout.
(END)
Tigers set to roar
11/08/2003
JBCC.....................2 Royal M'sian Customs................4
BSN......................2 Pahang Sports Council...............1
TENAGA Nasional Bhd have the luxury of fielding their reserves against
Maybank in the last league match of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) at
the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium today.
Tenaga have safely defended their league title as Maybank will have to
beat them by a whopping 23-goal margin today to deny them, but that does
not mean the Lions are going sit back and watch the match from the
sidelines as at stake is the second spot which comes with a purse of
RM10,000.
Yesterday, defending Overall champions Bank Simpanan Nasional beat a
grity Pahang Sports Council 2-1 to finish sixth on the standings and will
meet the third placed team which might be either Ernst & Young or Sapura.
Bank Simpanan Nasional have been struggling in the MHL as their Pakistan
import Syed Imaran has not been up to the mark, unlike the previous season
where they had goal machines Sohail Abbas and Kashif Jawad from Pakistan
to take them the distance.
BSN scored off a Faizal Maadun field goal in the 16th minute and just
before the half-time break, Syed Imran scored off a penalty corner but in
the second half, BSN struggled to hold back an attacking Pahang and were
lucky to be let off the hook as only Harjeet Singh was on target in the
56th minute to rteduce the deficit.
At the Johor Baru Stadium, Royal Malaysian Customs beat Johor Baru City
Council 4-2 to finish fifth in their maiden outing in the MHL.
Tenaga coach K. Rajan aims to make it very difficult for Maybabnk: esterdayWe
have virtually defended out league title, so now, I will be planning to
keep our unbeaten record intact.
"We have won nine matches and drawn one, so the boys will be all out to
keep a clean slate entering into the quarter-finals as a morale boost,"
said Rajan.
The quarter-finals kick-of on Aug 29, and eighth-placed Pahang Sports
Council can expect to be kicked around by league champions Tenaga in the
curtain raiser.
TODAY: Tenaga Nasional v Maybank (Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, 5.15pm);
Dolphins v Royal Malay Regiment (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5.15pm).
(END)
JBCC.....................2 Royal M'sian Customs................4
BSN......................2 Pahang Sports Council...............1
TENAGA Nasional Bhd have the luxury of fielding their reserves against
Maybank in the last league match of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) at
the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium today.
Tenaga have safely defended their league title as Maybank will have to
beat them by a whopping 23-goal margin today to deny them, but that does
not mean the Lions are going sit back and watch the match from the
sidelines as at stake is the second spot which comes with a purse of
RM10,000.
Yesterday, defending Overall champions Bank Simpanan Nasional beat a
grity Pahang Sports Council 2-1 to finish sixth on the standings and will
meet the third placed team which might be either Ernst & Young or Sapura.
Bank Simpanan Nasional have been struggling in the MHL as their Pakistan
import Syed Imaran has not been up to the mark, unlike the previous season
where they had goal machines Sohail Abbas and Kashif Jawad from Pakistan
to take them the distance.
BSN scored off a Faizal Maadun field goal in the 16th minute and just
before the half-time break, Syed Imran scored off a penalty corner but in
the second half, BSN struggled to hold back an attacking Pahang and were
lucky to be let off the hook as only Harjeet Singh was on target in the
56th minute to rteduce the deficit.
At the Johor Baru Stadium, Royal Malaysian Customs beat Johor Baru City
Council 4-2 to finish fifth in their maiden outing in the MHL.
Tenaga coach K. Rajan aims to make it very difficult for Maybabnk: esterdayWe
have virtually defended out league title, so now, I will be planning to
keep our unbeaten record intact.
"We have won nine matches and drawn one, so the boys will be all out to
keep a clean slate entering into the quarter-finals as a morale boost,"
said Rajan.
The quarter-finals kick-of on Aug 29, and eighth-placed Pahang Sports
Council can expect to be kicked around by league champions Tenaga in the
curtain raiser.
TODAY: Tenaga Nasional v Maybank (Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, 5.15pm);
Dolphins v Royal Malay Regiment (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5.15pm).
(END)
bankers trash Dolphins
09/08/2003
MAYBANK had to endure 35 minutes of torture before they steamrolled Navy
Dolphins 7-1 at the Tun Razak Stadium to keep a top-two finish in the
Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) in sight.
Maybank, although still occupying the fourth spot on the standings, now
will have to pray for the Sapura-Ernst & Young match to end up in a draw
today and then beat Tenaga Nasional to finish second in the MHL.
Maybank's Sufian Mohamed scored in the ninth minute, but a torrential
downpour stopped the match for 45 minutes after that and upon resumption,
bottom-of-the-table Navy shocked the title aspirants with a 24th minute
equaliser from M. Sivalingam.
And for the remainder of the half, Navy defended bravely and Maybank
went into the dressing room looking a little shaky. But in the second
half, they started with a bang and piled up the goals.
Suffian (37th, 60th), Ismail Abu (42nd) and a hat-trick from Riduan
Nasir (47th, 63rd, 70th) completed the rout.
At the Johor Baru Stadium, Royal Malay Regiment went on a rampage and
slammed in 10 goals past Johor Baru Municipal Council and
With the win, RMR made sure they will be playing in the quarter-finals.
The RMR goals were scored by Ramli Ismail (seventh, 62nd), Zulhairi
Ariffin (22nd, 17th, 23rd, 60th), Arif Ali (31st, 36th), Sulaiman Bujang
(36th, 69th). The Johor consolation was scord by Manveer Singh in the 15th
minute.
At the Bertam Stadium in Penang, Pahang Sports Council beat Srii Aroma
1-0 in front of a few hundred home supporters in a monotonous match.
Both teams played an attacking game, but the goals never came except for
the one in the 32nd minute by Pahang's Mohamed Razi Ismail.
Srii Aroma was a big let down for the home crowd who came to watch them
win the last home match at the stadium but went home disappointed.
At the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Customs handed Ipoh City Hall a 3-0
thrashing yesterday.
For Ipoh City Hall, the defeat has virtually put them out of the running
for a quarter-final berth as they wind up their fixtures against high
riding Tenaga Nasional today at the same venue.
Customs, lying fifth on the standings and already qualified for the
quarter-final took the Ipoh team lightly by playing a cool game.
And their break came in the 14th minute when M. Jayamaran broke through
a shaky defense and made a cross from the right for Ranjit Singh to push
the ball home.
Ipoh City Hall tried hard to even the score but some of the individual
attempts by juniors Fazreen Ekhsan Kulub and R.Premkumar did not shake the
confidence of the Customs back line.
Customs, needing another goal to keep their hopes alive, found it in the
42nd minute when former international Lam Mun Fatt sneaked through the
Ipoh defence to beat Kezuan Ghazali from close range.
Ipoh City Hall kept up the pressure but their finishing was a big
letdown and in the 60th minute Anuar Musadat had one good chance but with
only P.Ganesan to beat he sent his shot wide.
Customs wrapped up the match with a 65th minute goal through Mohamed
Farid who went solo and beat Kezuan.
Results - Maybank 7 Navy 1, RMR 10 JBMC 1, Pahang SC 1 Srii Aroma 0,
Customs 3 Ipoh City Hall 0.
(END)
MAYBANK had to endure 35 minutes of torture before they steamrolled Navy
Dolphins 7-1 at the Tun Razak Stadium to keep a top-two finish in the
Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) in sight.
Maybank, although still occupying the fourth spot on the standings, now
will have to pray for the Sapura-Ernst & Young match to end up in a draw
today and then beat Tenaga Nasional to finish second in the MHL.
Maybank's Sufian Mohamed scored in the ninth minute, but a torrential
downpour stopped the match for 45 minutes after that and upon resumption,
bottom-of-the-table Navy shocked the title aspirants with a 24th minute
equaliser from M. Sivalingam.
And for the remainder of the half, Navy defended bravely and Maybank
went into the dressing room looking a little shaky. But in the second
half, they started with a bang and piled up the goals.
Suffian (37th, 60th), Ismail Abu (42nd) and a hat-trick from Riduan
Nasir (47th, 63rd, 70th) completed the rout.
At the Johor Baru Stadium, Royal Malay Regiment went on a rampage and
slammed in 10 goals past Johor Baru Municipal Council and
With the win, RMR made sure they will be playing in the quarter-finals.
The RMR goals were scored by Ramli Ismail (seventh, 62nd), Zulhairi
Ariffin (22nd, 17th, 23rd, 60th), Arif Ali (31st, 36th), Sulaiman Bujang
(36th, 69th). The Johor consolation was scord by Manveer Singh in the 15th
minute.
At the Bertam Stadium in Penang, Pahang Sports Council beat Srii Aroma
1-0 in front of a few hundred home supporters in a monotonous match.
Both teams played an attacking game, but the goals never came except for
the one in the 32nd minute by Pahang's Mohamed Razi Ismail.
Srii Aroma was a big let down for the home crowd who came to watch them
win the last home match at the stadium but went home disappointed.
At the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Customs handed Ipoh City Hall a 3-0
thrashing yesterday.
For Ipoh City Hall, the defeat has virtually put them out of the running
for a quarter-final berth as they wind up their fixtures against high
riding Tenaga Nasional today at the same venue.
Customs, lying fifth on the standings and already qualified for the
quarter-final took the Ipoh team lightly by playing a cool game.
And their break came in the 14th minute when M. Jayamaran broke through
a shaky defense and made a cross from the right for Ranjit Singh to push
the ball home.
Ipoh City Hall tried hard to even the score but some of the individual
attempts by juniors Fazreen Ekhsan Kulub and R.Premkumar did not shake the
confidence of the Customs back line.
Customs, needing another goal to keep their hopes alive, found it in the
42nd minute when former international Lam Mun Fatt sneaked through the
Ipoh defence to beat Kezuan Ghazali from close range.
Ipoh City Hall kept up the pressure but their finishing was a big
letdown and in the 60th minute Anuar Musadat had one good chance but with
only P.Ganesan to beat he sent his shot wide.
Customs wrapped up the match with a 65th minute goal through Mohamed
Farid who went solo and beat Kezuan.
Results - Maybank 7 Navy 1, RMR 10 JBMC 1, Pahang SC 1 Srii Aroma 0,
Customs 3 Ipoh City Hall 0.
(END)
Academy on hold
08/08/2003
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation's (MHF) plan to set up an academy at the
Tun Razak Stadium may have been placed on ice, but the 40 players selected
for the proposed academy have been thrown a lifeline.
The MHF Technical and Development Committee, chaired by Dr S.S. Cheema,
will call up those selected during the Malaysia Schools Sports Council
tournament in Kuantan in June for a training camp just before the Asia Cup
Kicks off in September.
"The Technical and Development Committee will meet this Sunday to iron
out the finer details of the camp, but it has been agreed that we bring
down the 40 players selected during the MSSM tournament in Kuantan to
watch the Asia Cup as well as undergo a training camp," said Dr Cheema.
The committee will also bring down all the schools coaches involved
during the MSSM to give them a refresher course.
"We also decided to bring down all the coaches involved with the MSSM
because they too need to be briefed on how to handle the selected boys
once they return to their respective States," said Dr Cheema.
The National Sports Council did not approve funding to set up an academy
at the Tun Razak Stadium because they felt that it will clash with the
Bandar Penawar and Bukit Jalil Sports Schools programmes.
"Since the academy did not get off the blueprint stage, it would be a
waste to let the 40 players, all handpicked by expert eyes, to get lost in
the abyss.
"That is why we will bring them down for the Asia Cup. By keeping in
touch with them, hockey in the country will benefit in the long run," said
Dr Cheema.
Some of the boys, who are in Form One to Three, will be sent to the
Bandar Penawar Sports School if they manage to catch the eyes of the
selectors.
The MHF, in its efforts to have a constant supply of talented players
for the national junior and senior squads, have also come up with an
ambitious development programme which will be in full bloom in three
years' time.
And the camp in September will be the starting point for the MHF dream
to have a national team for each of the Under-13, Under-14 and Under-16
age groups by 2006.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation's (MHF) plan to set up an academy at the
Tun Razak Stadium may have been placed on ice, but the 40 players selected
for the proposed academy have been thrown a lifeline.
The MHF Technical and Development Committee, chaired by Dr S.S. Cheema,
will call up those selected during the Malaysia Schools Sports Council
tournament in Kuantan in June for a training camp just before the Asia Cup
Kicks off in September.
"The Technical and Development Committee will meet this Sunday to iron
out the finer details of the camp, but it has been agreed that we bring
down the 40 players selected during the MSSM tournament in Kuantan to
watch the Asia Cup as well as undergo a training camp," said Dr Cheema.
The committee will also bring down all the schools coaches involved
during the MSSM to give them a refresher course.
"We also decided to bring down all the coaches involved with the MSSM
because they too need to be briefed on how to handle the selected boys
once they return to their respective States," said Dr Cheema.
The National Sports Council did not approve funding to set up an academy
at the Tun Razak Stadium because they felt that it will clash with the
Bandar Penawar and Bukit Jalil Sports Schools programmes.
"Since the academy did not get off the blueprint stage, it would be a
waste to let the 40 players, all handpicked by expert eyes, to get lost in
the abyss.
"That is why we will bring them down for the Asia Cup. By keeping in
touch with them, hockey in the country will benefit in the long run," said
Dr Cheema.
Some of the boys, who are in Form One to Three, will be sent to the
Bandar Penawar Sports School if they manage to catch the eyes of the
selectors.
The MHF, in its efforts to have a constant supply of talented players
for the national junior and senior squads, have also come up with an
ambitious development programme which will be in full bloom in three
years' time.
And the camp in September will be the starting point for the MHF dream
to have a national team for each of the Under-13, Under-14 and Under-16
age groups by 2006.
(END)
Six more under Lissek
07/08/2003
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) Coaching Committee yesterday named
six more coaches to be attached under German Paul Lissek.
The six are Lim Chiow Chuan, K. Rajan, K. Dharmaraj, S. Sivabalan,
Mokhtar Baharuddin and Roslan Mohamed. They will be officially informed of
their attachment soon.
"We (Coaching Committee) held a special meeting on Monday and decided
that it was time to have a bigger pool of coaches for the country and the
names that cropped up were of those who are actively coaching teams, and
of successful schools coaches," said MHF Coaching Committee chairman Datuk
R. Yogeswaran yesterday.
Rajan is fast becoming a household name as his stints with the Tenaga
Nasional juniors and seniors have made the utility giants into a feared
side.
Dharmaraj is currently coaching Ernst & Young in the Malaysia Hockey
League (MHL) while Sivabalan is coaching the Royal Malaysian Customs in
the MHL.
Former international Lim was selected to undergo the first attachment
programme, where Sarjit Singh, Arul Selvaraj and Tai Beng Hai moved up the
ranks, but he could not make it because of work commitment.
"We have selected six for the second attachment programme and, more
coaches will be named for the next batch of training under Lissek. This
ongoing programme will benefit the country in the long run, as the style
of coaching will be standardised and when players report for national
training, it will be very easy to whip up a team," said Yogeswaran.
Mokhtar is the most successful schools coach, as under him, Anderson
School in Ipoh has produced numerous national players. Anderson are also
the eight-time defending champions of the Champions School tournament.
Roslan, of Datuk Taha Secondary School in Gemencheh, has turned the
rural sleepy hollow into a hockey hub with his untiring effort over the
past 10 years.
"The six will be attached to Lissek before the Asia Cup (on Sept 21) and
will also be involved as observers during the FIH Coaching Course during
the same period," said Yogeswaran.
Two coaches will undergo the FIH course in Kuala Lumpur and they are
Beng Hai and Dr Balbir Singh.
"The FIH have alloted two coaches per-country for the coaching course
and we have nominated Beng Hai because he did not attend the course in
South Africa during the Champions Challenge. Dr Balbir, the Coaching
Committee secretary, will also attend because we need him to master the
development part before he can impart his knowledge to others," said
Yogeswaran.
The Coaching Committee are planning for the long term, and when they
have enough qualified coaches in the country, there are plans to only
allow those with paper qualification to handle teams in the MHL and the
Junior Hockey League.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) Coaching Committee yesterday named
six more coaches to be attached under German Paul Lissek.
The six are Lim Chiow Chuan, K. Rajan, K. Dharmaraj, S. Sivabalan,
Mokhtar Baharuddin and Roslan Mohamed. They will be officially informed of
their attachment soon.
"We (Coaching Committee) held a special meeting on Monday and decided
that it was time to have a bigger pool of coaches for the country and the
names that cropped up were of those who are actively coaching teams, and
of successful schools coaches," said MHF Coaching Committee chairman Datuk
R. Yogeswaran yesterday.
Rajan is fast becoming a household name as his stints with the Tenaga
Nasional juniors and seniors have made the utility giants into a feared
side.
Dharmaraj is currently coaching Ernst & Young in the Malaysia Hockey
League (MHL) while Sivabalan is coaching the Royal Malaysian Customs in
the MHL.
Former international Lim was selected to undergo the first attachment
programme, where Sarjit Singh, Arul Selvaraj and Tai Beng Hai moved up the
ranks, but he could not make it because of work commitment.
"We have selected six for the second attachment programme and, more
coaches will be named for the next batch of training under Lissek. This
ongoing programme will benefit the country in the long run, as the style
of coaching will be standardised and when players report for national
training, it will be very easy to whip up a team," said Yogeswaran.
Mokhtar is the most successful schools coach, as under him, Anderson
School in Ipoh has produced numerous national players. Anderson are also
the eight-time defending champions of the Champions School tournament.
Roslan, of Datuk Taha Secondary School in Gemencheh, has turned the
rural sleepy hollow into a hockey hub with his untiring effort over the
past 10 years.
"The six will be attached to Lissek before the Asia Cup (on Sept 21) and
will also be involved as observers during the FIH Coaching Course during
the same period," said Yogeswaran.
Two coaches will undergo the FIH course in Kuala Lumpur and they are
Beng Hai and Dr Balbir Singh.
"The FIH have alloted two coaches per-country for the coaching course
and we have nominated Beng Hai because he did not attend the course in
South Africa during the Champions Challenge. Dr Balbir, the Coaching
Committee secretary, will also attend because we need him to master the
development part before he can impart his knowledge to others," said
Yogeswaran.
The Coaching Committee are planning for the long term, and when they
have enough qualified coaches in the country, there are plans to only
allow those with paper qualification to handle teams in the MHL and the
Junior Hockey League.
(END)
Korea the team to beat
06/08/2003
MALAYSIA will open their Asia Cup campaign against South Korea on Sept 21,
and the prospect of winning the Cup is almost out of the question.
The Koreans have beaten Malaysia twice this year and on both occasions
they did not have their full squad.
The first was in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March where Malaysia lost
2-0 and in the just concluded Champions Challenge in South Africa, the
Koreans improved their performance with a clinical 5-2 win.
And the Koreans, who used both the tournaments to expose nine
youngsters, will parade their full squad for the Asia Cup, as their aim
this year is to lift the Cup and qualify for the 2006 World Cup in
Germany.
Korean coach Jeon Jay Hong is optimistic they will achieve their target.
"The Azlan Shah Cup and the Champions Challenge were warm-up matches to
give a chance to several youngsters, but the Asia Cup is our main target.
We will have the best players available for the tournament in Malaysia as
we aim to qualify early for the World Cup," said Jeon.
South Korea are the strongest opponents in Malaysia's group, and the
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) made sure that the hosts get the maximum
benefit of playing the Koreans first before meeting Japan and Hong Kong.
South Korea, by lifting the Asian Games gold medal in Busan, have
qualified for the Athens Olympics, and the early indications are that only
two teams will be able to stop them from qualifying for the World Cup -
Pakistan and India.
Both the Indian continent teams are in Group B, and will clash for the
second time this year. The first will be in the Champions Trophy this
month.
Although Malaysia only have a very slim chance of lifting the Asia Cup
title, they still look good to finish fourth and qualify for the World Cup
Qualifiers.
The four sure bets for the semi-finals in the Asia Cup are Malaysia,
South Korea from Group A and India and Pakistan from Group B.
Group A: South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong
Group B: India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh.
(END)
MALAYSIA will open their Asia Cup campaign against South Korea on Sept 21,
and the prospect of winning the Cup is almost out of the question.
The Koreans have beaten Malaysia twice this year and on both occasions
they did not have their full squad.
The first was in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March where Malaysia lost
2-0 and in the just concluded Champions Challenge in South Africa, the
Koreans improved their performance with a clinical 5-2 win.
And the Koreans, who used both the tournaments to expose nine
youngsters, will parade their full squad for the Asia Cup, as their aim
this year is to lift the Cup and qualify for the 2006 World Cup in
Germany.
Korean coach Jeon Jay Hong is optimistic they will achieve their target.
"The Azlan Shah Cup and the Champions Challenge were warm-up matches to
give a chance to several youngsters, but the Asia Cup is our main target.
We will have the best players available for the tournament in Malaysia as
we aim to qualify early for the World Cup," said Jeon.
South Korea are the strongest opponents in Malaysia's group, and the
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) made sure that the hosts get the maximum
benefit of playing the Koreans first before meeting Japan and Hong Kong.
South Korea, by lifting the Asian Games gold medal in Busan, have
qualified for the Athens Olympics, and the early indications are that only
two teams will be able to stop them from qualifying for the World Cup -
Pakistan and India.
Both the Indian continent teams are in Group B, and will clash for the
second time this year. The first will be in the Champions Trophy this
month.
Although Malaysia only have a very slim chance of lifting the Asia Cup
title, they still look good to finish fourth and qualify for the World Cup
Qualifiers.
The four sure bets for the semi-finals in the Asia Cup are Malaysia,
South Korea from Group A and India and Pakistan from Group B.
Group A: South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong
Group B: India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh.
(END)
Tenaga Must Buck up
05/08/2003
TENAGA Nasional have one hand on the Malaysia Hockey League title but they
cannot afford to play like they did against Pahang Sports Council on
Sunday if they hope to clinch it.
It was Tenaga's worst outing in the MHL to date, and even the normally
cool K. Rajan was sweating bullets despite the cool evening till the
klaxon sounded ending the match.
"I am so relieved the match is over. Even though we only scored one
goal, the three points are what we need right now," said the Tenaga coach,
wiping the sweat off his brows.
Tenaga know that goals will not help them to re-claim the League title,
as they are 14 goals behind leaders Sapura, but Tenaga have a match in
hand and look the better bet.
"All we need to do is to win both matches this weekend, and the title
will be ours. The goal tally will not matter then," said Rajan.
Tenaga have easy opponents in Ipoh City Hall on Saturday, but will have
a fight on their hands when they host Maybank at the Kuala Lumpur HA
Stadium on Monday.
Maybank are the other team with a clear shot at the title. They have an
easy match against Navy Dolphins on Friday, and then square-off against
Tenaga in what may be the title decider.
"The match against Pahang was our worst in the MHL maybe because the
players were tired after giving their all a day earlier in the hard-fought
(3-2) win over Bank Simpanan Nasional.
"Also my strikers Tajol (Rosli) and Azlan (Misron), who have just return
from the Champions Challenge in South Africa, have yet to re-adjust their
biological clocks and were lost in the Pahang match," said Rajan.
The MHL will go down to the wire this weekend, as leaders Sapura will
take on Ernst & Young on Saturday and one team will drop points and slide
down the table.
Every indication points to either Tenaga or Maybank lifting the title.
In the fight for the last eight, it looks like six teams are already
confirmed while Royal Malay Regiment made a late surge by beating Ipoh
City Hall 5-0 on Sunday.
The last ticket into the quarter-final will be fought out between Ipoh
and the bottom four.
(END)
TENAGA Nasional have one hand on the Malaysia Hockey League title but they
cannot afford to play like they did against Pahang Sports Council on
Sunday if they hope to clinch it.
It was Tenaga's worst outing in the MHL to date, and even the normally
cool K. Rajan was sweating bullets despite the cool evening till the
klaxon sounded ending the match.
"I am so relieved the match is over. Even though we only scored one
goal, the three points are what we need right now," said the Tenaga coach,
wiping the sweat off his brows.
Tenaga know that goals will not help them to re-claim the League title,
as they are 14 goals behind leaders Sapura, but Tenaga have a match in
hand and look the better bet.
"All we need to do is to win both matches this weekend, and the title
will be ours. The goal tally will not matter then," said Rajan.
Tenaga have easy opponents in Ipoh City Hall on Saturday, but will have
a fight on their hands when they host Maybank at the Kuala Lumpur HA
Stadium on Monday.
Maybank are the other team with a clear shot at the title. They have an
easy match against Navy Dolphins on Friday, and then square-off against
Tenaga in what may be the title decider.
"The match against Pahang was our worst in the MHL maybe because the
players were tired after giving their all a day earlier in the hard-fought
(3-2) win over Bank Simpanan Nasional.
"Also my strikers Tajol (Rosli) and Azlan (Misron), who have just return
from the Champions Challenge in South Africa, have yet to re-adjust their
biological clocks and were lost in the Pahang match," said Rajan.
The MHL will go down to the wire this weekend, as leaders Sapura will
take on Ernst & Young on Saturday and one team will drop points and slide
down the table.
Every indication points to either Tenaga or Maybank lifting the title.
In the fight for the last eight, it looks like six teams are already
confirmed while Royal Malay Regiment made a late surge by beating Ipoh
City Hall 5-0 on Sunday.
The last ticket into the quarter-final will be fought out between Ipoh
and the bottom four.
(END)
MHF shortlist 18 for Poznan
05/08/2003
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation will select 18 juniors for the FIH Youth
Carnival in Poznan, Poland, on Aug 14.
Malaysia, the defending champions, have left no stone unturned in their
preparations as they expect a tougher time defending the gold they won by
beating Germany 3-1 in the final of the last edition.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said yesterday, they have selected 27 players
for training which will begin on Aug 11.
"Most of the players are involved with the Malaysia Hockey League right
now, so they will only attend centralised training on August 11. The MHF
have also selected Sarjit Singh as head coach, while his assistant will be
Arul Selvaraj. The team manager for Poznan will be Poon Fook Loke," said
Satgunam.
Four players eligible for the Youth Festival were left out as they are
playing in the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur next month.
"P. Prabahkaran, Riduan Nasir, Ismail Abu and Azlan Misron have been
left out of the Poznan list because they might be included in the Asia Cup
training squad.
"Otherwise, we have selected the best juniors in the country to defend
our gold medal," said Sarjit.
Engku Abdul Malik is expected to lead the team once again.
Among the players with experience and played in Poznan last year are
Mohamed Fairuz Hamsani and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, who was named the
`Player-of-the-Tournament' and goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli Razali, who was
voted as the tournament's `Best Goalkeeper'.
Abbas Nekmat, who featured in the team last year, has opted out because
of studies.
Training squad: Mohamed Firdaus, Hanafi Hassan, Ahmad Bazli, Wan Mohamed
Asyrizal, Engku Abdul Malik, S. Bubalan, Baljit Singh Charun Singh,
Mohamed Mawardi, Razie Rahim, P. Mahendran, Sufian Mohamed, S. Selvaraju,
Fauzi Rahim, Radzi Ismail, Mohamed Fakhrulrazi, Kelvinder Singh, Shahrun
Nabil, Fairus Hamsani, Izwan Hassan, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Fazreen Ehsan
Kulub, Hafifi Hafiz, Jiva Mohan, Sallehin Ghani, Redza Maadun, Azli
Misron, Megat Azrafiq.
(END)
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation will select 18 juniors for the FIH Youth
Carnival in Poznan, Poland, on Aug 14.
Malaysia, the defending champions, have left no stone unturned in their
preparations as they expect a tougher time defending the gold they won by
beating Germany 3-1 in the final of the last edition.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said yesterday, they have selected 27 players
for training which will begin on Aug 11.
"Most of the players are involved with the Malaysia Hockey League right
now, so they will only attend centralised training on August 11. The MHF
have also selected Sarjit Singh as head coach, while his assistant will be
Arul Selvaraj. The team manager for Poznan will be Poon Fook Loke," said
Satgunam.
Four players eligible for the Youth Festival were left out as they are
playing in the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur next month.
"P. Prabahkaran, Riduan Nasir, Ismail Abu and Azlan Misron have been
left out of the Poznan list because they might be included in the Asia Cup
training squad.
"Otherwise, we have selected the best juniors in the country to defend
our gold medal," said Sarjit.
Engku Abdul Malik is expected to lead the team once again.
Among the players with experience and played in Poznan last year are
Mohamed Fairuz Hamsani and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, who was named the
`Player-of-the-Tournament' and goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli Razali, who was
voted as the tournament's `Best Goalkeeper'.
Abbas Nekmat, who featured in the team last year, has opted out because
of studies.
Training squad: Mohamed Firdaus, Hanafi Hassan, Ahmad Bazli, Wan Mohamed
Asyrizal, Engku Abdul Malik, S. Bubalan, Baljit Singh Charun Singh,
Mohamed Mawardi, Razie Rahim, P. Mahendran, Sufian Mohamed, S. Selvaraju,
Fauzi Rahim, Radzi Ismail, Mohamed Fakhrulrazi, Kelvinder Singh, Shahrun
Nabil, Fairus Hamsani, Izwan Hassan, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Fazreen Ehsan
Kulub, Hafifi Hafiz, Jiva Mohan, Sallehin Ghani, Redza Maadun, Azli
Misron, Megat Azrafiq.
(END)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
