Pakistan pull out of Johor Cup...

Pakistan have pulled out from the 2nd edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup on Nov 11-18 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
    Johor Hockey Association Deputy President and Malaysian Hockey Confederation Vice President Manjit Majid Abdullah said that efforts were underway to find a replacement team.
    “We have been informed of Pakistan’s withdrawal and have tried to get a team to replace them but it is proving to be difficult with such short notice. Efforts are still undergoing but we may just have a five team tournament instead if we are unable to get the sixth,” said manjit.
   It is indeed a shame that Pakistan opted to wait so late to decline the invite in a tournament that will see Australia, New Zealand, India, Germany and Malaysia..
    While it is not confirmed, it is believed that Pakistan may be hosting another tournament during the same period for their junior team.
    However checks with the FIH revealed that no sanction had been sought. However if the teams are only from Asia, then sanction is only required from the Asian Hockey Federation.

Kelvinder scores in studies as well...

STRIKER Kelvinder Singh yesterday scored the most important goal of his life when he received his Sports Science degree from University Malaya.
  And now he is looking forward to another goal -- to rejoin the national team after more than a year sidelined due to a knee injury.
   The 26-year-old, whose father Makbul Singh died in a road accident in 1999, had his mother Narenjit Kaur to thank for the latest achievement in his life.
   “My achievement today would not have been possible if not for the sacrifices of my mother who encouraged me to study even though I was  really tired after national training or playing matches.
   “It took me six years to complete my studies while actively playing hockey, so I would also like to thank my coaches and team-mates who were very supportive of my desire to study,” said Kelvinder Singh.
    Today, Kelvinder will change his robe to Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) jersey to play in the second leg of the TNB Cup semi-finals at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
     “We have a six-goal advantage over Maybank but still, I will play all-out as I want to re-join the national side after sitting out for more than a year due to a knee-cap injury,” said Kelvinder.
   The prolific striker, who was awarded as the Most Promising Player in the 2005 Rotterdam Junior World Cup even though Malaysia finished 10th, said national coach Paul Revington has spoken to him.
    “The new coach did tell me that I have a good chance to receive a call-up for training on Monday, and I hope I have impressed him enough in the Malaysia Hockey League to warrant a re-call.
   “I picked up the injury at the Champions Challenge I in Dublin and due to slow recovery, was not selected for the Commonwealth as well as the Asian Games. But I have recovered fully now, and can’t wait to play for the country again,” said Kelvinder.
   While Kelvinder and his mated would have an easy time against Maybank, Sapura and Tenaga Nasional would be in full battle gear as they drew 1-1 in the first leg of the TNB Cup.
    TODAY: TNB Cup Semi-finals (second leg) -- Maybank (0) v KLHC (6) (National Stadium Pitch II, 6pm), Sapura (1) v Tenaga Nasional (1) (National Stadium Pitch II, 8pm).
  President’s Cup Semi-finals -- Bukit Jalil (2) v Armed Forces (3) (National Stadium Pitch I, 6pm), Johor HA (2) v Thunderbolts (1) (National Stadium Pitch I, 8pm).
   Note: First Leg scores in parenthesis.