Hit them hard, says MHF

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) views Kelantan’s attempt to cheat at the Malaysian Sports Schools (MSSM) Girls Under-12 hockey tournament as an identity fraud, and feels stern action should be taken against those respon sible.
On Saturday, The Kelantan Under-12 girls team had beaten Kuala Lumpur 4-1 in the MSSM finals, but were then stripped of the title when they were found to have registered an overage player with documents of another girl.
MHF vice-president Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema said even though it is a schools tournament, but it is still sanctioned by the MHF and stern action should be take against those responsible.
“The organisers did the right thing by giving KL the title even though Kelantan had won because identity fraud is a big crime.
“I feel there should be a follow up from the ministry (of Education) to get to the root of the matter because the player could not have done it on her own, and officials or teachers who condoned the act be punished,” said Dr Cheema.
Dr Cheema said such an act must be nipped in the bud: “On the MHF part, we can stop the said teacher(s) or official(s) from officiating at any other future tournaments.
“However I feel the Education Ministry must come down hard on those involved in this embarrassing episode to send a strong warning to others.” It was reliably learnt that after receiving the protest from KL, MSSM officials had contacted the real owner of the doc uments, and her father had confirmed that his daughter did not compete in the tournament, but was on holiday with him.
KL dominated the MSSM meet when their Under-12 boys beat Terengganu 2-1, while in their Under-18 boys beat Perak 3-0.
The only title that slipped from KL’s grip was in the Girls Under-18, which Kedah won 2-1.