MHF welcomes input

By Ajitpal Singh

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will open its doors to relevant parties, including former national players to give ideas and feedback on measures needed to revitalise the game.
MHF secretary Hashim Mohd Yusoff said those who want to help hockey should submit their proposals to the federation."We will accept all proposals and discuss them.
"However, we are disappointed with the 102 former internationals for not speaking to us first," said Hashim at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"We would have taken them seriously and considered their proposals.
"However, we are not holding any grudges as what's done is done and we must now look ahead.
"We are aware that several parties have received copies of the petition but as for now, we are prepared to work with these players, regardless what comes next.
"I heard they are interested to contribute through the grassroots and we welcome their ideas.
"The petition, signed by 102 former players, has already got immediate attention as Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob has ordered National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong to meet the former players.
Today, former MHF president, Sultan Azlan Shah will meet representatives of the 102 players while Sports Advisory chairman Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad, has scheduled a meeting with them on Monday.
Hashim said the MHF has not received any instructions from the Sports Ministry nor the NSC.
"I can't comment on the players' meeting with Sultan Azlan Shah and Mazlan. We will just wait and see," he said.
According to him, the MHF is already taking several pro-active measures to revive hockey, including the setting up of a three-man panel, headed by Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan, to review the senior and junior teams performance since 2006 and also to give fresh ideas.
"All reports regarding the coaches' and players' performance and also documents on the country's coaching system since 2006 have been given to Jegathesan to review," he said.
Yang Siow Meng, a former MHF coaching committee chairman, is also on the panel while Jegathesan will decide on the third member soon.
Hashim said the panel's proposals will be tabled at the Aug 16 council meeting.Hashim also defended MHF's move to hand over the age group tournaments to the Malaysian Schools Sports Council
"What we are doing is collaborating with the MSSM. The idea is good as teachers will be more involved in coaching and umpiring.
"The former players said the situation was even more alarming as not only are the senior team struggling but also the age-group sides.
Meanwhile, Hashim confirmed that the police have not closed investigations on alleged match-fixing involving national players.
"The matter is now being investigated by Bukit Aman. We will assist the police but we have not heard from them yet."I believe several people associated with the case will be called up for questioning."