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.

India to host men's 2011 Champions Trophy

The Executive Board of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has allocated the FIH Champions Trophies for 2011. The Men’s FIH Champions Trophy will be played in India, while the women’s FIH Champions Trophy has been awarded to Netherlands.

After the success of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in March this year, the FIH has decided to return to India in 2011. The men’s FIH Champions Trophy is scheduled for December 2011 and it will be the third time in hockey history that India will host FIH flagship event after Chennai in 2005 and Madras in 1996.

Think carefully before amending constitution

PENANG HA vice-president Ranjit Singh cautioned Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council members to tread carefully when they deliberate to change the post of their secretary from elected to a paid staff.
The MHF council will meet next Tuesday and among the agenda is a motion to amend their constitution to enable the president to select his secretary, instead of the states by ballot.
“Penang are still 50-50 on this issue, as we feel that council members need to debate intelligently before calling for an EOGM (Extra Ordinary General Meeting).
“And from what I gather, right now, many states oppose the idea because it is open to abuse and could lead to many problems in the long run if we have a paid sectary instead of an elected official,” said Ranjit.
He feels that the system has been tried in the FA of Malaysia, and it was not a success.
“Right now we have a hard-working president in Tengku Abdullah (Sultan Ahmad Shah). He has injected many fresh ideas into the sport, and also made MHF financially sound.
“However, when there is a change in leadership in future, the new president might not be of the same caliber and then the problems will start as he will hold the reigns on the secretary.
“And once the constitution is amended, it is not easy to get back to the old ways.
“State delegates need to voice out their feelings on this matter in the council meeting and not just keep quiet and then vote against the idea in the EOGM, as this will be seen as a waste of time and effort,” said Ranjit.
According to Ranjit, the Sports Commissioner’s office was keen to promote a paid secretary and treasurer in associations, but the plan backfired when an association almost went bankrupt when both the paid staff got together and started siphoning funds on the quiet.
“And now, the Commissioner’s office does not make it mandatory to have paid secretary and treasurer after this bitter episode. I believe a healthy debate at the council meeting will solve many matters and that is what the delegates should do.”
The MHF council are also expected to suggest a few other amendments to to tighten some areas in their constitution, which has been abused by certain quarters to their benefit.