Big battle for deputy president's post

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy pres ident’s post will see a keen four-corner fight on Nov 1, as there were no withdrawals when the deadline ended yes terday.
In fact, two deputy president nominees pulled out their vice-president’s nominations to concentrate on the number two position.
Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar, the incumbent deputy president, will be challenged by three-term vice-president Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema, two-term vice-president Nur Azmi Ahmad and newcomer Ken Pereira.
Azmi and Ken Pereira, however, will be going for broke as they withdrew their veep nominations, while Dr Cheema still holds his veep card.
Former international Poon Fook Loke also pulled out of the veep race, which will now see eight candidates battling for four positions.
“Although the deadline for withdrawing from elections is today (yesterday), candidates can still pull out on the day of the elections,” said MHF secretary Hashim Yusoff, who was also not challenged for another term.
Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah became the new MHF president when nominations closed on Nov 25, and incumbent Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor withdrew, leaving no challengers for the No 1 post.
Penang HA secretary Ranjit Singh chipped in with advise for the delegates when casting their votes on Nov 1.
“I hope the delegates will select the best available, and keep in mind that some incumbent made many promises before the last elections but delivered nothing.
“Keep in mind the funds promised, sponsorship of hockey sticks, RM5,000 to each state, and subsidies if elected which were used as carrot to win votes, but in the end, nothing was delivered and the MHF is in worse state than before,” reminded Ranjit.
The MHF have only RM20,000 in their coffers and are in debt to a tune of RM1.1 million. The hockey team is also a lowly ranked 15th in the world, and those elected for the next term have their work cut out right after they are declared winners on Nov 1.
Then there is the 2009 Junior World Cup which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host, which is still at an infant stage of planning.
NOMINATIONS -- President: Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ah mad (13).
Deputy President: Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar (incum bent, 5), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (1), Nur Azmi Ahmad (6), Ken Pereira (1).
Vice-Presidents: Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh (incumbent, 12), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (incumbent, 7), Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff (incumbent, 10), Datuk Salamon Selamat (3), M. Gobinathan (5), Johari Abdul Aziz (1), DSP Mohinder Singh (1), Majid Manjit Abdullah (2).
Automatic Vice-presidents: Sabah -- Datuk Ramilee Mara haban; Sarawak: Datuk Bustari Yusof.
Secretary: Hashim Yusoff (12).
Treasurer: S. Sanjilatheeban (incumbent, 11), Abdul Rah man Shariff (1).