Early trouble for Sapura

REGULARS Sapura have been hit by coach resignation, and two players who might be banned from the Malaysia Hockey League which starts on Sept 1.
   Sapura coach I. Vickneswaran, a former international, resigned in a huff on May 1, citing personal reasons for being unable to honour his contract.
    Two of Sapura's players from last season -- Rodhanizam Mat Razie and Robert Alcantara -- face a Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) disciplinary board hearing for playing in the unsanctioned World Series in India in March without a release letter.
    "Yes, I have left Sapura before my contract expired in August, as I want to concentrate on my sports equipment business," said Vickneswaran.
    "I coached the senior as well as junior Sapura teams and it was a pleasure as the top management of the club are very interested in promoting hockey," said Vickneswaran.
    Under Vickneswaran, Sapura finished second in the Premier Division and were bronze medallists in the TNB Cup.
    Sapura hockey coordinator S. Kuhan said: "We have accepted Vickneswaran's resignation and are looking for a chief coach for this season."
    As for the two players, the MHC has sent a report to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and it looks like they will not be able to play for club nor state this year.
   The Premier Division will only have six teams this season, as Yayasan Negri Sembilan will not be fielding a side, while UiTM and Armed Forces opted to play in the less challenging Division One.