1Mas could float, or sink like rest

By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my

COMMENT

THE ground work, workshops, and briefings are over and done with, and starting from tomorrow, hockey in the country will finally see systematical development to groom players for the next decade.
Armed with RM2 million from the Prime Minister’s department, the privately run 1Mas Hoki programme will see 14 states concentrating on 60 players each for four major assignments.
1Mas will cater for different age groups to prepare players fort the 2013 and 2017 Junior World Cups, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea.
This will be the first time that a systematic long-term plan has gotten off the blueprint stage, and will be run as a private entity, and salaried staff.
Their only link to the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is reports received through Development Committee Chairman Ken Pereira, and there is supposed to be no other meddling.
And Lim Chiow Chuan, a former Malaysian international, has quit his job as coach of the Singapore national team after helping the Republic to qualify for the China Asian Games, and will now be the Development Director of 1Mas.
There will also be a nine-member watch-dog committee to monitor its progress, and it is made up with the likes of National Sports Council director general Datuk Zolkeples Embong, National Sports Institute Director General Datuk Ramlan Aziz, former coach and team manager Datuk R. Yogeswaran and former international Datuk Poon Fook Loke.
The above paragraphs have been a mouthful and dry to a certain degree because that is what a blueprint is supposed to sound like.
In its actual implementation, the commitment from states and response from parents, and how much the kids enjoy it, will eventually decide if it turns into a success story or goes bust after 12 months.
Ambitious as it may sound, many on the ground are optimistic of its success because the plan caters to have a strong pool of players for targeted tournaments.
The idea is to train the players for two hours, three times a week at their own states, and then have a tournament to cater for this group.
To top it up, the MHF have also dangled up to RM15,000 for a state which runs an under-18 league successfully with 18 teams or above. The minimum is RM3,000 for a six-team league.
There are many ideas being thrown around, and money is also not a problem to develop players for the next seven years.
The Prime Minister is also expected to launch the 1Mas Hoki programme in the middle of September, and one can’t think of anything else Malaysian hockey would need to battle with the growing dominance from Europe and Oceania.
On a parting note to cheer up those who have a football World Cup hang-over, I reproduce an e-mail I received:
God, and the devil were each having a holiday in hyper-space. The topic of conversation turned to who has the best football team. Much to the God’s surprise the devil proposed a match to settle their dispute.
As God was leaving he said to the devil, “Don’t you realise that all the ‘good’ players go to heaven?”
The devil, smiling, responded: “Yeah, but we’ve got all the refs!”

Malaysia collapse against China

Ramesh, Harmeert, Ugentheran, Joel Samuel Van Huizen. The Project 2013 boys are on a European Tour.

PROJECT 2013 DAY OFF at the Nou Camp:Ramesh, Zulhairi Hashim, Joel Samuel Van Huizen .

MALAYSIA lost 2-1 to China in the final of the Four-Nation in Dalian, China yesterday.
The Chinese took a 2-0 lead after scoring off a penalty stroke and a field attempt, while Tajol Rosli narrowed the gap for Malaysia in the second half.
Malaysia had beaten Russia 3-2 and Pakistan 3-0 to reach the final.
“The penalty stroke came about after a China penalty corner attempt was saved with a hockey stick, but the umpire felt it hit a players leg.
“After that goal, Malaysia pushed forward and China countered with a field attempt to make it 2-0. Our players had bombed many sitters after narrowing the gap, and lost grip of the match,” said team manager George Koshy.
The national team are preparing for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi where they are in Group A with Australia, Pakistan, India and Scotland.
In Group B are England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
In the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Malaysia won the bronze medal.

God's Football Team -v- Devil's Team

God, and the devil were each having a holiday in hyper-space. The topic of conversation turned to who could turn out the best football team. Much to the God's surprise the devil proposed a football match to settle their dispute.

As God was leaving he said to the devil, 'Don't you realise that all the 'good' players go to heaven?"

The devil, smiling, responded "Yeah, but we've got all the refs!"

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What do you call a malaysian player in the first round of the World Cup?
The Referee.

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My computer's been infected by the Robert Green virus. Now I can't save anything.

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Osama Bin laden has just appeared in a new T.V. message proving he is still alive. He said, 'The English football team were s*** again'. British intelligence have dismissed it, saying it could have been recorded at any time in the last 44 years.

Project high on Scot win, seniors see double in China

MALAYSIA will play China in the final of the Four-Nation in Dahlian, China today.
Yesterday, Malaysia and China played their final pool match but the match was called off in the second half after heavy rain made the pitch waterlogged. The score was 2-1 in favour of China and the tournament director insisted that Malaysia complete their match at 7am today, and then play China again in the final at 4pm the same day.
Meanwhile, the Project 2013 beat Scotland Under-21 3-2 in a friendly in Barcelona yesterday.
Project had earlier lost to Spain 3-2 and then drew their second match against Spain 2-2. The squad is on a training-cum tour of Europe to prepare for the 2013 Junior World Cup.
Project took the lead in the 20th minute when Firhan Ashaari, running from the left flank, beat three defenders before tucking in the ball from close range.
And just before the breather, Amir Farid’s solo run won Project their third Penalty corner, and skipper Mohamed Nor Faez scored to consolidate the lead.
The Scots were more aggressive in the second half, and reduced the deficit in the 39th minute through a field goal, and then drew level in the 53rd minute via a penalty corner set-piece.
Project woke up from their slumber and after muffing a few chances, they won a penalty stroke in the 60th minute and Firhan cooly converted.
“The personal team target for matches in Spain was to win at least one game considering the age and experience factor of opponents. And the boys not only won one, but also pulled off a draw against an experienced Spain side,” said team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
The squad will leave for Poland today to play more friendlies.

First SMK Kepong Baru Indoor

PIC: The SMK Kepong Baru Indoor pitch.

THE First SMK Kepong Baru Indoor Hockey Tournament will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010.
The tournament will start at 8.00am at the indoor pitch at SMK Kepong Baru.
GROUP A: 1 Lebah, 2 Beeliners, 3 Chota, 4 Stingers, 5 Honey Bees, 6 Bumble Bees.
GROUP B: 1 Tawon, 2 Kolavi, 3 Wasps, 4 Buzzers, 5 Hornets, 6 Killer Bees.
BASIC RULES:
1. There will be five to a team but only four to play at any one time. Substitution allowed only for injuries. No rolling substitution allowed.
2. No GK. Smaller goalposts will be arranged.
3. Players will be picked by draw. Four groups of players -before 87, 1987, after 87, and current schoolboys.
4. This will be a proper tournament. 10 mins per game for group matches. 15 mins per half for semifinals and final. No halftime.
Sixty players have entered the tournament. The ages range from 13 to 25.