KLHA 1MAS mess cleared...

Pic: Tai Beng Hai

THE Kuala Lumpur 1MAS programme is in a big mess, because of miss-information among parents, KL officials and director Tai Beng Hai.
  Kuala Lumpur HA suspended their 1MAS Boys' programe in February without informing Beng Hai, and it has since spiralled in an all-out 'war' among the stake holders -- namely parents who are anxious to know if their children can play in the Under-13 tournament on May 7.
  "This issue has been blown out of proportion because of misunderstanding, and for starters, KLHA stopped the boys programme without informing 1MAS," said Beng Hai.
  KLHA's have their own reason, and according to their secretary V. Rajamanickam not more than nine boys attend training at any one of their sessions.
  "We had to suspend the boys 1MAS programme because of lack of attendance. At ony one time, only about nine under-13 boys turn up for the training under coaches K. Embaraj, S. Selvaraju and S. Bubalan.
  "So, we decided to suspend the programme, and are in the midst of trying to re-vamp it. The girls section has no problems because they attract a large number of trainees," said Rajamanickam.
  Beng Hai met with KLHA development chairman Datuk N. Sri Shanmuganathan yesterday to clear the air, and it looks like the KL boys will not be victims of misunderstanding.
  "I had a meeting with Sri Shan today (yesterday) and he is in the midst of getting new coaches to revamp their 1MAS programme because some of the previous coaches like K. Rajan and Selvaraju left because of other commitments.
  "In the end, to clear the mess of misinformation, I would like to assure parents that their children can still play in the 1MAS under-13 tournament and all we need is a list of players from KLHA so that we can buy insurance, and they will be allowed to play in the tournament.
  "The 1MAS programme is to develop grassroots, and rest assured, players will not be victimised because of misinformation, or any other external issues.
  "As long as the states send us a list of their players, we will accommodate them in tournaments and other zonal programmes," said Beng Hai.
  Beng Hai is expected to meet Rajamanickam on Monday to clear the air further.

Sanction saga: All is well say AHF

THE ASIAN Hockey Federation (AHF) are in negotiations with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) regarding the stiff sanction fee to host the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) at the end of the year.

  Initially, the AHF had asked for a whopping RM155,000 (US40,000) sanction fee from the MHF, but the figure is still under discussion.

  AHF CEO Tayyab Ikram said yesterday that since the matter is still under discussion he can't divulge much information.

  "Suffice to say that the matter is being discussed and we are in a good discussion. I must say very positive discussions, so its not wise for me to comment on any statements made by others," said Ikram.

  An official of the MHC had said that AHF wanted higher hosting fees than the previous editions because of broadcasting rights as well as video-umpiring coming into the picture.

  The AHF event made its debut in 2011 in Ordos, China, followed by Doha, Oatar, in 2012 and Kakamigahara, Japan, in 2013. 

  India won the inaugural title in Ordos, while Pakistan were champions in Doha and Kakamigahara. Malaysia finished third in all three editions.

  The tournament is not a qualifier and neither does it provide any International Hockey Federation (FIH) ranking points.

  The late AHF president Sultan Azlan Shah and secretary Tan Sri P. Alagendra were among those who strongly proposed to hold an Asian tournament in 2007.

  Alagandra was quoted at the sidelines of the 2007 Asia Cup in Chennai: "The idea mooted by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) chief K.P.S Gill has been accepted by AHF. It will fill the void of quality tourneys in the Asian continent."

  India were supposed to host the first three editions but they failed to organise the event. Ordos, Inner Mongolia, started the ball rolling with a minimal sanction fee.

  "Initially, we never had full broadcasting and there was no video umpiring (in the last three editions), but for the next ACT, we have made full arrangements for both (which doubled the cost)," said Ikram.

  If the sanction issue is resolved, Kuantan is expected to host the Fourth Edition which will involve the top-six Asian Games teams.

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