FILE PIC: Anwar with Annabel.SINGAPORE and Malaysia pledged yesterday that facilities to host the Junior World Cup on June June 7-21 next year will be ready on time.
Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF) president Annabel Dillon and deputy president Kuldip Singh were down for a meeting with members of the Malaysian Hockey Confed eration (MHC) yesterday, and among the matters agreed upon was to register a joint-venture company to run the world cup.
“Initially, there were apprehensions from both sides re garding venues, but the problems have been solved, and we are now working to have the best Junior World Cup ever,” said Annabel.
Singapore will host 10 teams at Sengkang West and the venue should be ready by early next year. The sports centre comes with two swimming pools and water slides, as well as a sports hall and hockey field.
Johor will host the other 10, including the finals.
“Singapore will host the opening ceremony, while Malaysia the closing ceremony,” said MHC president Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Now.
Anwar also said a representative from the the Inter national Hockey Federation (FIH) will inspect both the venues on Oct 8.
“Singapore and Malaysia will make do with temporary stands, and not build mammoth stadiums, because even the FIH feels it is a waste of resources to do so.
“And there will be follow-up meetings soon, and after ironing out some company law and tax issues, a joint venture company will be formed and it will be all-systems go from now,” said Anwar.
A total of 88 matches involving 20 teams will be played in the first co-sanctioned Junior World Cup, and both the hosts have pledged to make it a memorable one.
