(as printed in the 2013 souvenir book)
IT was a routine discussion among ardent hockey lovers in 1982 which saw the birth of a tournament that is now considered as the world’s best invitational.
Turning page 22 into its 30th year of existence, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup planted its roots as a biennial tournament with five teams, which offered not only board and lodging but also flight tickets in its first four editions.
It started with Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Malaysia on its humble fixtures, and was called the Raja Tun Azlan Shah Cup. But it was renamed to his current title two years later.
Teams were clamoring then, and still are, to be part of the prestigious event which has seen Australia win a record six titles, while India are just one step behind on five.
“It was just a routine discussion with Tuanku back then, looking for answers on how to strengthen Malaysia’s standings at the world stage.
“Azlan Shah noted that Malaysia always lost out in the first five minutes itself when playing with European teams like Germany and Holland in the Olympics and World Cups because we never got a chance to play against them in other tournaments.
“And so, after a brainstorming session, it was decided that we organise an international invitational where we will assemble the best in the world, to not only give our players an opportunity to play and improve themselves, but also give the Malaysian hockey fans a chance to watch the best in the world at their own backyard,” said Alagendra.
And so the idea became reality, and into its Fifth Edition, it had made such an impact, that teams were no longer offered flight tickets, but only lodging and food -- but still the best teams like Germany, Netherlands and Australia always made it a point to come for the tournament if the dates did not clash with their commitments.
Back in 2003, the then Malaysian Hockey Federation secretary S. Satgunam had said: “The Azlan Shah Cup is a big boost for local hockey because we do not need to travel to five countries to play against top hockey teams. It saves traveling expenses and our umpires and officials gain from the experience at home.”
In the same article, written by this scribe, the then Malaysian chief coach Paul Lissek was also of the same opinion.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for Malaysia, who are in the Champions Challenge ranks, to play against Champions Trophy teams like Holland, Germany, Pakistan, India and Australia simply because they know that they will be wasting their time as the outcome is very predictable.
“That is why the Azlan Shah Cup should be seen in a positive manner because not only do we get to play against teams like Germany, but also, have the opportunity to play friendlies with them before the Azlan Shah Cup.”
The endorsements are volumes long, and one would find it very difficult to find a negative report in all the years that the tournament has offered sparring partners to improve the standard of Malaysian hockey.
Australia have won it six times and look good for their seventh title this year, while India has only missed one edition, and have five titles to show.
However, the hosts never got a chance to lay their hands on the coveted Azlan Shah Cup, and the closest they came was thrice second in 1985, 2007 and 2009.
The tournament became an annual event after 1998, and almost every top team in the world had figured in it at one point or the other, but consistency goes to Australia.
Ric Charlesworth led the Aussies to the First Edition gold medal, and he is still there today to coach them to a possible seventh title.
Sultan Azlan Shah, the former Malaysian Hockey Federation chief, and present Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president, has presented the trophy to captains from Australia, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Argentina and New Zealand.
But he never got a chance to hand it to his own players, and it would be a few more years before that dream can be realised.
Azlan Shah remained an active hockey player well into his sixties and an important event of his birthday used to be a hockey match in which he participated.
And at every edition, one would always see him seated at the stands watching all three matches on game day, and the former Malaysian King has truly turned hockey in the country into a King’s sport by igniting the fire 30 years ago.
