Malaysia bid for Olympic Qualifier

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) took early pre cautions to bid for the Olympic Qualifier, even before their men played their first match in the Asian Games in China.
The Asian Games offers one ticket to the Olympics, and it would be tough for Malaysia to snatch it from the jaws of South Korea, India and Pakistan.
Only Japan, who hosted the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers, are the other bidder and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will decide on the host today.
Malaysia have never hosted an Olympic Qualifier.
And that is why, the MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad and general manager Maninderjit Singh are in Switzerland to lobby for the bid.
The FIH will also be announcing the host countries for the Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cups, which will take place in 2014.
The FIH has received two bids for the showpiece events, with England and The Netherlands both giving a clear commitment to stage the tournaments.
“Both the president and manager are in Switzerland and the early indications are that Malaysia have an added edge because we have never hosted the event, while Japan hosted in in 2008,” said an MHF official who declined to be named as the council have yet to appoint some key positions after its Biennial General Meeting on Oct 31.
In the Asian Games, Malaysia have a relatively easy passage into the semi-finals as they should beat Singapore and Oman, and then afford a defeat against South Korea.
Their final match is against China, and it is expected to decided on the second semi-finalists from Group A.
Pakistan and India are the strong contenders for the semi- finals from Group B which also has Japan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong.

Only one change in MHF

Deputy president: Nur Azmi Ahmad (pic).
Vice presidents: Datuk Sri Che Khalib Noh, Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff, M. Gobinathan, Majid Manjid Abdullah.

NUR Azmi Ahmad (pic) retained his deputy president’s post by three votes at the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) elections in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He received 14 votes, while his challengers Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar got 11, Datuk Dr S.S. Chema 10 and Abdul Hadi 1.
In the vice-presidents’ race, three incumbents retained their seats with Datuk Seri Che Khalib Noh receiving 29 votes, Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff 26, and M. Gobinathan 25. The newcomer is Majid Manjit Abdullah who received 18 votes.
The total number of votes should have been 42, but Perlis HA (two votes) did not attend as it has been deregistered, while the secretary and treasurer were also not allowed to vote as their posts are now appointed and not elected.
That left 38 votes, but Sabah vice-president Ramlee Marahaban did not turn up, while MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah abstained, leaving the ballot with only 36 votes.
“I hope everyone accepts the outcome of today’s (yesterday’s) voting and we close ranks because there is much work to be done over the next four years,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“And I would like to warn the affiliates and those who have just been voted in that if there is disharmony in MHF after this, I can always use my exit option and leave.”
Tengku Abdullah then touched on the 1Mas Hoki Programme and said that the prime minister has given MHF RM2 million and he wants to see accountability.
“Every Ringgit must be spent on developing players and buying equipment, nothing must be wasted,” he said.
“The prime minister will launch the 1Mas Hoki Programme, which took off in the middle of the year, on Dec 13 and he had said that he wants to see the project become a success and not die off prematurely,” added Tengku Abdullah.
“And since the PM and also the TM (Tengku Mahkota) are involved to make it a success, I want full commitment from the states so that in future we can have a bigger pool of talent to select from.”
Nur Azmi was elated with the win, but said there should not be a split in MHF after today.
“Voting is a democratic process and everyone should accept its outcome. In the end, all of us are working for the betterment of hockey, and should remain as friends and work towards a common goal,” said Nur Azmi.
And the immediate goal, said Tengku Abdullah, is to break into the world’s top 10 and this can be achieved if Malaysia qualify for the next World Cup.