Johor to the rescue...

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman (second right) checking on the progress of work at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium on Jan 23. Pic: HAIRUL ANUAR ABD RAHIM

THE financial uncertainty surrounding the Junior World Cup is a thing of the past as the Johor state government has come in strongly, providing a total RM1 million in cash and kind.

Further good news for the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) is a promise by the state government to secure a title sponsor for the tournament, which Malaysia is co-hosting with Singapore.
Malaysia will host the June 7-21 tournament in Johor Baru.
The Taman Daya stadium and facilities, subject to much speculation, will be ready by March -- in time for a quadrangular on Mar 11-15 featuring the Malaysian Juniors, India, Pakistan and a yet-to-be-confirmed side.
"The Johor state government has been very accommodating, and has not only gotten the first stadium ready, but will also help with the lighting and other facilities which will cost about RM1 million.
"And our organisational cost has also become cheaper as the Johor government has agreed to provide buses for 10 teams who will play in Johor Baru," said MHC secretary Hashim Yusof.
"The government will also secure a title sponsor, which will further reduce our burden."
Hashim said national juniors coach K. Rajan will identify the fourth team for the quadrangular.
"We have Egypt, Singapore and Germany as the possible fourth team, and will let the coach have his pick," said Hashim.
"The players will face a tougher time in training after the Chinese New Year holidays, and by March, they should be able to put up a fight in the quadrangular," said Rajan.
Malaysia, in Group C of the Junior World Cup, will have Spain, United States, South Korea and England for company with the top two teams qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The fixtures, released by the International Hockey Federation, will pit Malaysia against European Junior Cup champions Spain in the curtain raiser.