TENGKU Abdullah Sultan Ahmad (pic) became the new Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president unopposed, as no challenger surfaced when nominations closed yes terday.And his smooth transition into the hot seat was was greased with the 11th-hour withdrawal of incumbent Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor. Tengku Abdullah received 13 nominations, indicating a strong tide of belief from states and incumbents.
While it was all rosy at the top, the incumbent deputy president Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar, who received five nominations, will face three challengers in incumbent vice- presidents Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema and Nur Azmi Ahmad; and Ken Pereira.
“Since the states have nominated me for the deputy president’s post again, I will stand for elections, and there is no question of pulling out from the race,” said Tunku Majid.
The MHF elections will be held on Nov 1, and candidates have until Oct 29 to withdraw from the race. There are 10 incumbent, and 32 affiliate votes.
Incumbent sectary Hashim Yusoff was the other candidate who has returned unopposed, and he received 12 nom inations.
The vice-president’s post will see a keen contest, as 11 names have been submitted including that of the four incumbents, while the treasurer’s seat warmed by incum bent S. Sanjilatheeban, who received 11 nominations, saw only one challenger in Abdul Rahman Shariff who only had one nomination.
Sabah and Sarawak, who have a constitutional right to name their vice-presidents, picked Datuk Ramilee Mara haban and Datuk Bustari Yusof.
The nominations were released by Hashim one hour after the noon dead-line.
Tengku Abdullah, who held a dialogue session with in cumbents and MHF affiliates last week, will be going in with his eyes wide open, as he has been briefed on the sorry state of the national team, and the empty coffers.
Some of those who have been nominated are expected to throw in the towel by Oct 29, bringing more changes into the MHF. Outgoing president Anwar could not be reached for comments.
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 Poon Fook Loke (1), Datuk Salamon Selamat (3), Nur Azmi Ahmad (1), M. Gobinathan (5), Johari Abdul Aziz (1), Ken Pereira (2), 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).
