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THE Malaysian (MHF) and Asian Hockey Federations (AHF) are professionals in launching programmes, with pomp-and-pageantry, after which, they don’t give two hoots about maintenance.
There are too many projects, blueprints and whatnots that were launched by AHF and MHF over the years with no follow-ups to chronicle in this column, so the topic will be confined to websites.
The MHF website www.malaysiahockey.com.my was launched in the run-up to the Johor-Singapore Junior World Cup in June, but has been in a slumber state since.
There is no update at all, not even on the Junior World Cup, and it died after reporting that Malaysia beat England 1-0 in the first match.
Accountability, it seems, is missing from the MHF dic tionary as they waste money in creating a website which they never had any intention of updating.
It is a pity, as all they needed to do was pick up stories from the Malaysian media and paste it, even that seems to be a tedious chore for those who were paid to register the domain.
Now, news on Malaysian hockey is placed on individual blogs in the country and around the world, while the MHF don’t even bother to inform the public on the dozens of tournaments and friendly matches that the national players at different age groups have competed in this year.
There is not even an effort to promote the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) which will begin on December 4, even though plans are afoot to telecast some of the matches live on television.
And it looks like the MHF need to pay royalty to the AHF for stealing their ‘launch and forget’ blockbuster script.
The AHF launched its www.ahfhockey.com during the Azlan Shah Cup in April and one would have thought that it would at least last for the duration of the tournament.
AHF president Sultan Azlan Shah made the announce ment, and launched the website during the tournament, but it never even lived to see the final results or stories posted.
The Asian body has hosted the Asia Cup in Kuantan, the Women’s Asia Cup in Thailand and the Under-18 Asia Cup in Myanmar since, but if one is looking for results for these tournaments, forget the AHF website, as it has been silent since its launch.
The Myanmar boys qualifier for the Youth Olympics in Singapore next year was a nightmare for journalists looking for results, as the AHF officials kept the scores a big secret close to their chests, and even the Myanmar Hockey Fed eration joined in as an unholy trinity as their website never bothered to offer information on the tournament, except to mention that thy will be hosting the tournament and that the stadium is ready.
The Internet provides a means for the Malaysian and Asian Hockey Federations to reach the masses. And there are millions of schoolchildren in this region to tap, introduce and interest in the sport, like it is being professionally done in Europe.
Hockey training programmes and tactical videos are avail able online there, but in Asia, we have yet to even reach the reporting stage on the information highway, and are still stuck firmly on the launch-pad.
Under-18 Asia Cup in Myanmar.
FINAL: Malaysia 3 Pakistan 4.
THIRD-FOURTH: Korea 4 Japan 2.
MALAYSIA lost 4-3 to Pakistan in the Under-18 Asia Cup final in Yangon, Myanmar yesterday.
It was the second silver medal for Malaysia in consecutive Sundays, after the senior side lost 2-1 to New Zealand in the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill.
In the bronze playoff, South Korea beat Japan 4-2.
Malaysia also lost by a similar margin to Pakistan in the Group A match.
However, the boys deserve credit as they beat the bigwigs in Asia, India 3-2 and South Korea 3-2, on their route to the final.
Coach K. Dharmaraj blamed himself for the defeat: “We had a total of 11 penalty corners and only scord two goals, while Pakistan had two penalty corners only and scored one.
“I tried out the direct flick, in all the penalty corners, and failed. I should have opted for set-pieces, but did not. That is why I blame myself for the defeat,” said Dharmaraj.
Malaysia took the lead with a 10th minute strike from Sabri Mohamed but in a five minute blitz, Pakistan not only won the equaliser but took a 3-1 lead going into the breather.
And just after re-start, Pakistan scored their fourth.
“Sabri scored his second and Firhan (Ashari) made it 3-4, but time was not with us to clinch the equaliser.
“The goalkeeper (Hazrul Faiz) took us into the final as he was in terrific form, but in the final, Pakistan only had four clear shots at goal, and all went in.
“It was my goalkeepers off day, and we missed a chance to play in the Youth Olympics in Singapore next year,” said Dharmaraj.
SELANGOR were crowned as the inaugural champions of the National Sports Council Director General’s Under-16 Indoor Hockey Tournament when they beat Perak 2-0 yes terday.
The third place went to Pahang, who beat Penang 1-0.
The two-day tournament at the NSC indoor pitch saw a total of 15 teams battling for the trophy.
RESULTS: Group A -- Johor 0 Penang 5, Kuala Lumpur 0 Malacca 1, Perak 2 Sarawak 2, Kedah 1 Kelantan 1, Negri 2 Selangor 1, Pahang 2 Police 2, Terengganu 2 Perlis 1, Johor 0 Malacca 3, Penang 1 Sarawak 4,
Group B: Kedah 4 Negri 2, Kelantan 0 Terengganu 1, Pahang 2 Selangor 0, Perlis 0 Police 0, Kedah 3 Pahang 2, Kelantan 0 Negri 2, Perlis 1 Selangor 2, Police 1 Terengganu 1.
Semi-finals: Penang 1 Selangor 4, Pahang 2 Perak 3.
Final: Selangor 2 Perak 0; Third-Fourth: Penang 0 Pahang 1.
MALAYSIA are expected to face a tough time against Pakistan in the final of the Under-18 Asia Cup in Myanmar, but coach K. Dharmaraj is ready with a few tricks to claim the gold medal.
Dharmaraj said his players are eager to bury the 4-3 defeat to Pakistan in a Group A match: “Pakistan players are taller and more matured than the Malaysian boys, and for the first time, I am seeing a robust approach from them.
“But the defeat in the group match cannot be taken as a yardstick, as I rested many key players, including my goal keeper then,” said Dharmaraj.
And with Faizal Shaari, who scored three goals in the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill, spearheading the attack, it is expected to be an explosive final.
“Fizal arrived in time to play Pakistan and scored three goals in our 4-3 defeat. But then, he did not have his shoes and hockey stick which just arrived last night (Saturday).
“With his gear back, and all my players fired-up for a re- match with Pakistan, I expect the boys to claim the ticket to the Youth Olympics in Singapore next year,” said Dhar maraj.
Malaysia, according to Dharmaraj, were shell-shocked when Pakistan players played a robust game and had every man behind the ball in the earlier encounter.
“This is a new look Pakistan, and looked more like a European side. However, I have analysed the match, and there are a few loopholes which can lead to goals,” said Dharmaraj.
In the route to the final, Malaysia beat India 3-2 and then South Korea 3-2 in the semi-finals.
Indian Hockey Federation, for the first time, had conducted wrist tests on all their players to determine their age before selecting them for the Asia Cup.
THE First National Under-16 Indoor hockey tournament saw a surprise package in Sarawak upstaging established hokey playing states at the National Sports Council indoor pitch.
Sarawak held Kuala Lumpur 0-0, beat Johor 3-0, beat Sabah 3-0, and their only set-back is a 2-0 defeat to Malacca.
The tournament, which offers the NSC Director General’s Challenge Trophy, saw the participation of all states and will continue with the pool matches today, before the semi- finalists are decided.
And Sarawak will be up against Perak, and Penang and look good for a semis slot.
RESULTS: Group A -- Kuala Lumpur 0 Sarawak 0, Malacca 0 Sabah 1, Penang 2 Perak 1, Johor 0 Sarawak 3, Kuala Lumpur 1 Sabah 0, Malacca 0 Perak 1, Johor 0 Sabah 0, Kuala Lumpur 1 Perak 3, Malacca 0 Penang 5, Johor 1 Perak 4, Kuala Lumpur 0 Penang 2, Sabah 0 Sarawak 3, Johor 0 Kuala Lumpur 3, Malacca 2 Sarawak 0, Penang 1 Sabah 0.
Group B: Kedah 2 Terengganu 2, Kelantan 0 Selangor 2, Negri Sembilan 2 Plice 1, Pahang 2 Perlis 0, Kedah 0 Selangor 2, Kelantan 1 Police 1, Negri 3 Perlis 0, Pahang 3 Terengganu 2, Kedah 0 Police 0, Kelantan 2 Perlis 1, Negri 1 Pahang 2, Selangor 2 Terengganu 0, Kedah 0 Perlis 0, Kelantan 0 Pahang 3, Negri 3 Terengganu 2, Police 1 Selangor 3, Kedah 4 Negri 2, Kelantan 0 Terengganu 1.
THE Malaysian (MHF) and Asian Hockey Federations (AHF) are professionals in launching programmes, with pomp-and-pageantry, after which, they don’t give two hoots about maintenance.
