Focus 1, 2, 3...

MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah met his players for the World League Semi-finals, and his advise to them was make the World Cup for the sake of the sport in the country.
    Refusing to dwell further into the controversy which had sidelined the players preparations for the past week, he only wanted a concerted focus from every quarter, to qualify for the Netherlands World Cup next year.
   “Today was supposed to be the day when i addressed all the issues which had cropped up over the month because I was really busy with other commitments.
    “Then the coach (Paul Revington) resigned and urgent meetings were held by every quarter and I thank them for bringing the episode to a quick end,” said Tengku Abdullah in his first comment on the controversy surrounding Revington’s drastic measure.
    A high tea was the order of the day, as Revington, assistant Arul Selvaraj, team manager George Koshy and National Sports Council director general Datuk Seri Zolkeples Embong had a chat with their players.
    “The focus should be on three matters now, with the controversy be left behind. No 1, the players must give their best on the pitch on tournament day and keep the winning momentum right till the day we qualify.
   “No 2, the players must be focused to eat and sleep right in this crucial weeks as we need every ounce of help to reach the goal.
   “No 3 is that once you guys reach the goal and qualify for the World Cup, a big bonus as well as bigger sponsors await -- that’s a pledge. But if you guys fail, the future of hockey in this country will take another beating,” said Tengku Abdullah.
    And the meeting Revington again reiterated that he will stay on till the World League from June 29-July 7: “And think about the future with Malaysia at a later date.”
     Malaysia must finish top-three in Johor Baru to cement their spot in the World Cup.