Big boost for Razak Cup

RAZAK CUP received a big boost when 100Plus signed a three-year deal worth RM1.5 million with the Malaysian Hockey Federation at a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
100Plus will sponsor RM500,000 per year with RM300,000 in cash and RM200,000 in kind starting from next year.
MHF president Tengku Abdullan Sultan Ahmad Shah and James Teo, the managing director of F&N beverages marketing Sdn Bhd, witnessed the signing ceremony.
With money in the pocket, Razak Cup is also set to undergo a huge transformation from next year.
The new format will see teams playing at zonal qualifying rounds before competing for the title in a final round.
Teams will be divided into five zones of four each. The five zones are North, Central, South, East and West. The qualifying rounds will be held on a home-and-away basis.
The West Zone will be mad eup of Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Armed Forces.
Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and National Under-16 will feature in Central zone.
The teams in Southern Zone are Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Singapore while Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Police are in East zone.
Sabah, Sawarak, Labuan and Brunei will feature in Northern zone.
And at the end of the qualifying rounds, the top two teams from each group will feature in the Division One while the teams that finished third and fourth from each group will compete in Division Two.

COMMENT
by Jugjet Singh

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council mem bers will sail into uncharted territory without a compass and map when they deliberate on changes to their constitution at a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
Council members know that MHF president Tengku Ab dullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is keen to amend their con stitution and turn the post of secretary from elected to appointed, but as of yesterday, they have yet to receive a draft of the said amendment.
This has deprived them a chance to study and propose any changes, if necessary, before the matter is brought up at today’s council meeting.
A check with several council members yesterday revealed that they have not been given a draft on the said amendment to study, and so, they will be sailing blindly, and the proposal could end up as a wreck.
The proposal is simple, but it might need a strong hand to see it from a draft, to accepted by a 2/3 majority in an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Only then can the MHF implement it by the end of the year, when they hold their elections.
Tengku Abdullah is expected to have his hands full an swering questions from his council members, if they find their voice in his presence. As it stands right now, five states that were called by this scribe have nothing nice to say about the proposal.
The general feeling is that a salaried secretary will feel that he is only answerable to the president, and states might lose their voice on many matters.
Several council members also felt that if the secretary is appointed, there would no longer be a need to have a general manager.
Right now, the elected secretary is Hashim Yusoff, while former international Maninderjit Singh is the general man ager.
And even at present, there is a thin line of demarcation which separates their duties, and many feel having two salaried staff is one too many.
MHF council members have debated the pros and cons of this exercise energetically, when engaged in a conversation, and hopefully, they find their voice at the meeting today.
There have been many precedents where all those with a strong corridor opinion keep quiet when presented with a chance to speak, and it could be the same today.
There is also another matter, involving misappropriation of money, which has been making its rounds among the council members.
If there is proof, bring it up today, but if its only empty talk, quash it with a statement from the Council. If not, this alleged story will continue making its rounds, and eventually ruin the reputation of innocent officials.

Women win but no points

THE Malaysian women started their quest to reclaim the Asian Indoor crown in Bangkok, Thailand, with a 4-0 win against Thailand B yesterday.
However, the win does not carry any weight for defending champions Malaysia, as Thailand B were included as a sparring team when Iran pulled out at the 11th hour.
Malaysia meet Indonesia today, and a win is almost assured after Kazakhstan hammered Indonesia 18-0 yesterday.
A gold medal in Bangkok comes with a ticket to play in the World Indoor Tournament in Poland next year.
RESULTS: Malaysia 4 Thailand B 0, Kazakhstan 18 Indonesia 0, Uzbekistan x Thailand A x.
TODAY: Malaysia v Indonesia; Kazakhstan v Thailand A; Thailand B v Uzbekistan.
TOMORROW: Thailand B v Kazakhstan; Thailand A v Indonesia; Malaysia v Uzbekistan.

Project 2013 European Tour a huge success

PROJECT 2013 returned form their European Tour on Thursday with not only success on the pitch, but also a major breakthrough in mind-set of players, and respect from their opponents.
And offers are now pouring in from European clubs to sign in our young players for their leagues.
The Under-19 outfit played 13 matches in their Tour of Switzerland, Poland, Spain and Netherlands. The count was eight wins, two draws and three defeats.
And all their defeats were against the Under-21 sides of Spain, Belgium and Poland who were in the midst of prepar ing for the European Under-21 championships.
All three teams also had many players from the 2010 Junior World Cup hosted by Malaysia and Singapore.
But the Project boys still managed to hold the Spain and Poland sides in return matches after the initial defeat.
On mind-set, coach K. Dharmaraj feels the whirl-wind Tour has made his players more matured and confident, while their opponents are now more mindful of Malaysia.
“We had little respect when we started the Tour as Malaysia are no longer feared by European sides. But after our young side started winning matches with ease against established club sides, the outlook started to change,” said Dharmaraj.
At least 10 players have received offers to play in Europe: “Clubs from Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Netherlands want to sign up our players for their leagues but we could not make a commitment.
“I will write a report on the matter, and the MHF (Malaysian Hockey Federation) and NSC (National Sports Council) will have their final say on how many players can be released to play in Europe.
“I believe those who went on the Tour gained much because most of them were a timid lot, but after 13 matches and travelling and experiencing different cultures, they are now much more confident on and off the pitch,” said Dhar maraj.
Some of the players who shone exceptionally well are Firhan Ashaari, Mohamed Sabri and Izat Hakimi.
“The three showed tremendous potential, and among the ’newcomers’ who showed maturity were Joel Samuel, Syamim Yusof and Fitri Saari.
“Overall, it was an excellent Tour and now, I believe junior sides in Europe will no longer take Malaysia lightly, and the fact that they want the services of out players is testimony to that,” said Dharmaraj.
THE TOUR SQUAD: Shahrul Azaddin, Hafizuddin Othman, Mohamed Sabri, Mohamed Noor Faeez, Joel Samuel van Huizen, Faiz Helmi, Zulhairi Hashim, Harmeet Singh, Fathi Kamel, T. Ganeisha, Amir Farid, Syamim Yusof, Fariq Saadon, Eldon Lemery, Izad Hakimi, N. Ugentheren, Norhiz zat Sumantri, R. Ramesh, Rashid Baharom, Fitri Saari, Firhan Ashaari.

Women aim to defend title

THE Malaysian women’s team will head for Bangkok, Thailand, today to defend their Asian Indoor Hockey title.
Last year, Malaysia beat Uzbekistan in the final in Ipoh, and the ladies are primed to repeat the feat again.
And if they win, the title comes with a ticket to Poland next year to play in the World Indoor tournament.
“We have selected a few young players and ex-inter nationals for this assignment as the national players are in training for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
“But still, we should be able to defend out title going by the girls’ current form,” said Malaysian Women’s Hockey As sociation secretary S. Shamala.
Iran withdrew at the eleventh hour and have been replaced with Thailand B. The other teams in the tournament are Thailand A, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia.
“The matches against Thailand B will not count for points, as they have been included just to make up the numbers,” said Shamala.
On the national team, Shamala said two stalwarts will not be able to play in the Commonwealth and Asian Games as they are carrying injuries.
A. Chitra Devi will undergo a knee operation, while Siti Sara’s injury will also take time to heal.
“The team will miss both the players but we have no choice but to rest them.” The national team will go on a tour of China at the end of August to play eight friendlies in preparation for the Com monwealth Games.
In New Delhi, the women are in Group B with England, New Zealand, Canada, and Wales. In Group A are defending champions Australia, South Africa, India, Trinidad & Tobago and Scotland.