MHF starts back-packing to 2012 London

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will embark into new territory when delegates attend a seminar, themed ‘Where We Are Heading’, at a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 15-16.
Organised for the first time in the history of the MHF, the chairmen of various committees like coaching, development and others, will present working papers on what they will be doing, or hope to achieve for the next two years.
“Our president (Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah) has asked for feedback from the various committees and the chairmen will present them at the two-day seminar,” said MHF secretary Hashim Yusoff.
“We will compile all the feed back, and the feasible ones will be endorsed by the council.”
Previously, the MHF ran on an ad hoc basis, where the chairmen of committees present their plans to the council, but many never take root due to poor implementation.
“Tengku Abdullah had also said that we should plan to make an impact by the 2012 (London Olympics), and after the chairmen have presented their plans, they will be monitored to make sure the paperwork is not left in a corner to collect dust,” added Hashim.
There are 15 committees in the MHF which include the newly formed Consultative and Wawasan Committees. Some of the of others are coaching, development, umpires, competition, selection, finance, discipline and welfare.
The finance committee will carry a heavy burden, as the MHF is currently in debt and with the Junior World Cup next year, it needs to get cracking right after the seminar.
Meanwhile, the first Asia indoor hockey tournament will be held at the Indra Mulia Stadium in Ipoh on Dec 10-15.
Named as the Azlan Shah Cup, the tournament will see Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, Iran and many other countries competing.
Also, the seven-team 18th Azlan Shah Cup will be held from April 23 to May 2 next year at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.
Malaysia will invite defending champions Argentina, Pakistan, India, Canada, Belgium and England. The reserves will be New Zealand, South Korea, China and South Africa.