By Saiful Affendy Sapran
saifulaffendy@nstp.com.my
SEPANG: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will make an appeal the the International Hockey Federation (FIH) requesting for the men's team to receive an automatic ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
This was said by MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal Monday.
Malaysia drew 6-6 with Japan in the Asian Games final, and then lost 3-1 on shoot-out and missed the Olympic ticket.
Subahan said he had already made this stand to FIH CEO Thierry Weil before the Malaysia-Japan final started.
"In my meeting with the CEO of FIH I already informed him that if Japan becomes champion, if can, the runners-up should also be allowed an automatic qualification to Tokyo.
"He agreed with my opinion, and said that, that should be the right thing to happen.
"Now we need to take the matter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and after that need to get an approval from the FIH congress which will be held in November," said Subahan.
Subahan said not only Malaysia are in this situation, the India women's hockey team which lost to Japan in the final are also facing the same situation.
"Japan have qualified on merit as hosts, so the Olympic slot should be given to the runner-up.
"I will make an appeal to the FIH as soon as possible," said Subahan.
Subahan agrees that there will be quarters who will dispute MHC's stand.
"But this is the chance we have and we must not let it go," he said.
According the FIH format, if Japan becomes champion at the Asian Games, the second placed nation does not subsequently qualify and the quota place will be allocated to the Olympic Qualification event.
