Cheema to challenge Nur Azmi

MALAYSIAN Hockey Federation (MHF) vice-president for four-terms Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema confirmed yesterday that he will be challenging incumbent Nur Azmi Ahmad for the deputy president’s post on Oct 31.
The closing date for nominations is Oct 15, while there is a two-week grace period for withdrawals before the Biennial General Meeting.
Cheema, who was also nominated for the Deputy’s post in the last elections, withdrew to concentrate on the veep challenge instead.
“I have been a veep for eight years and feel it is the right time to challenge for the deputy’s post. I have received a good backing from the states that I have approached so far, and the feeling is good,” said Dr Cheema.
When asked if he heard of any other challenges: “I only read in the newspapers that Nur Azmi will be defending his post, and there is no other news of challengers.”
Cheema feels hockey has its work cut out for the next four years, and he is eager to help achieve the president’s dreams.
“Tengku Abdullah (Sultan Ahmad Shah) has outlined many plans to take Malaysia into the top-10 bracket in the world and I am willing to help achieve his dreams,” said Cheema.
Malaysia are ranked 15th in the world, and their acid test to break into the higher bracket would be the Asian Games, which offers a ticket to the 2012 Olympics and a shot in moving into the top-10.
The President Tengku Abdullah is expected to be re-elected unopposed, while the latest amendments to the MHF con stitution will see the posts of secretary and treasurer not contested, but appointed.
That leaves the fight for the deputy’s post, and four vice- presidents as two veeps will be automatically chosen my Sabah and Sarawak.
Immediately after the elections, a council meeting will be held to nominate chairmen for their various committees who will have their hands full in the coming months.