MHF to conduct inquiry

21/08/2003

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has instructed Champions Challenge
team manager Zulkifli Abbas to submit a report on the alleged misconduct
by two players during the tournament in Randburg, South Africa on July 19-
27.
The move comes about after Johnson Fernandez of the Malay Mail alleged
in his Game All column on Aug 17 that two Malaysian players "with long
hair" had women in their rooms the night before Malaysia lost the fifth-
sixth classification match to England.
"We (MHF) have nothing to hide, in fact, we were taken aback by the
article because when chief coach Paul Lissek briefed us on the performance
of the team in South Africa, there was not a single mention about
discipline problems, or women being brought into the rooms of players
before the match against England.
"However, since the allegations have surfaced, we have directed team
manager Zulkifli to submit a new report which the standing committee will
deliberate on," said S. Satgunam.
The MHF also feel that there is no need for them to set up an
independent body to probe the allegations.
"We have our own mechanism to deal with such matters. The MHF
Disciplinary Board, chaired by Datuk Mohamed Anwar, is very independent
because none of the members, other than the chairman, hold any positions
in the MHF.
"We will hold an internal inquiry to find out the truth. If our findings
are that the two players have been victimised, we might take action
against those who have tarnished the name of the sport," said Satgunam.
Zulkifli, who was at the MHF office in Bukit Jalil yesterday to submit
his report, said: "On the night of the alleged misconduct, the team had a
video session until 11pm, and we got up early the next morning because the
classification match against England was at 10am."
Zulkifli also said that the players had very little time on their own in
South Africa, as they attended training in the mornings and evenings when
there was a rest day.
"We had two rest days, and the organisers provided us with a bus to go
sight seeing but Lissek refused both the offers because he wanted the boys
to train two sessions a day.
"I will not comment on the alleged misconduct because I have to submit a
report to the MHF standing committee and they can announce it after their
own investigations."
(END)