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.

Saujana and KDU start pioneer studies

SAUJANA Golf and Country Club yesterday signed a Mem orandum of Understanding with KDU College to develop an educational and practical training programme in Golf Course Management.
A first in the country, the six-month certificate course is expected to ‘tee-off’ by the middle of next year.
“We will start with a certificate programme, and expand it to a degree course soon. This is a pioneer programme, and with help from Saujana, which has an excellent background and experience in golf, hospitality and the tourism business, we are confident the course will receive a good response from students in the country, and also abroad,” said KDU CEO Dr Chia Chee Fen.
Saujana Resorts (M) Bhd, which owns and runs the country’s premier golf course, also signed on La Trobe University of Australia to train professionals for the more than 200 golf courses in Malaysia.
“The increasing interest in the sport has created tremen dous opportunities in the golf, hospitality and tourism in dustry. This has pushed the demand for qualified pro fessionals, and with help from KDU and La Trobe, we aim to have a bigger pool of professionals in the near future,” said Saujana Resorts General Manager John Eu.

Pretty girls with beautiful hearts

They're hitting the catwalks at Parkside Collegiate Institute on Wednesday.

But it's all for a good cause as the Parkside field hockey team presents its seventh annual fashion show.

Kicking off at 7 p.m., more than 25 models -- including 15 girls from the field hockey team and eight teaches, among others -- will take to a runway set up in the school's centre court. There, in a two-hour show, they'll show off the latest fashions from Durkee's in Aylmer.

"It's an annual thing we do and it's a lot of fun. We hope that people will come out and support us," said Sarah Hiepleh, one of the team's captains. She noted every year, the squad teams up with different shops in the St. Thomas-Elgin area for fashions.

On top of a series of formal dresses, Hiepleh explained, they'll have casual wear and other outfits.

But they've got other supporters as well.

"We have moms coming in to do our hair, so we have formal up-dos and more casual things. We also have little brothers and sisters come in to help us. And men teachers come in to participate as well."

Besides supporting the team, money is also destined for a local charity.

"We've supported Big Brothers and Big Sisters (of St. Thomas-Elgin). This time we're (supporting) Christmas Care."

Hiepleh estimated $1,500 was raised last year. This time around, the squad is hoping to raise $2,000.

Tickets for the show are available from team members, at the door or by contacting the PCI office at 519-633-0090.