Pretty girls with beautiful hearts

They're hitting the catwalks at Parkside Collegiate Institute on Wednesday.

But it's all for a good cause as the Parkside field hockey team presents its seventh annual fashion show.

Kicking off at 7 p.m., more than 25 models -- including 15 girls from the field hockey team and eight teaches, among others -- will take to a runway set up in the school's centre court. There, in a two-hour show, they'll show off the latest fashions from Durkee's in Aylmer.

"It's an annual thing we do and it's a lot of fun. We hope that people will come out and support us," said Sarah Hiepleh, one of the team's captains. She noted every year, the squad teams up with different shops in the St. Thomas-Elgin area for fashions.

On top of a series of formal dresses, Hiepleh explained, they'll have casual wear and other outfits.

But they've got other supporters as well.

"We have moms coming in to do our hair, so we have formal up-dos and more casual things. We also have little brothers and sisters come in to help us. And men teachers come in to participate as well."

Besides supporting the team, money is also destined for a local charity.

"We've supported Big Brothers and Big Sisters (of St. Thomas-Elgin). This time we're (supporting) Christmas Care."

Hiepleh estimated $1,500 was raised last year. This time around, the squad is hoping to raise $2,000.

Tickets for the show are available from team members, at the door or by contacting the PCI office at 519-633-0090.

Azmi seconds Koshy suggestion

MALAYSIAN Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad welcomes Ernst & Young team manager George Koshy’s stand on helping new clubs, instead of established ones, to widen the base in Malaysia.
MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had said that at least five Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) teams will be in for a windfall, as plans are afoot to give them money, clubhouses complete with artificial pitches, and in return they are supposed to start grassroots development.
But Ernst & Young, a strong supporter of hockey, and recently crowned as the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) League champions, feel that clubs with strong backing should be left out of the proposal.
Koshy had said that it would be too time consuming, and costly to build clubhouses and lay artificial pitches, so instead, the MHF should help clubs like Kelab Aman, Royal Selangor Club and other clubs who already have the fa cilities.
“I am also of the same opinion, as some clubs in the Klang Valley and also in other states, not only have existing facilities, but also many ex-internationals as their mem bers.
“So, I will bring it up with the council, as I also strongly feel that it will be easier to start with clubs that already have a home-ground, than start from scratch,” said Azmi.
Azmi, who had played in the MHL in the mid-80s, would like to see the tournament regain its glory days.
“Back when I was playing in the MHL, there were at least 10 quality teams who could challenge for the title, including the Royal Malay Regiment (RMR).
“But sadly, today, RMR are playing in Division Two, while Ernst & Young were hardly challenged to the League title.
“And I believe, if we start helping new clubs, the MHL can be saved and turned into a thriving league again,” said Azmi.

Spaniard Negre topples Els

SPANIARD Leandro Negre (pic) was elected as the new President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after he beat incumbent Els van Breda Vriesman of the Netherlands during the FIH Congress in Los Angeles, USA on Saturday.
Negre will helm the world body for four years, after he received the mandate from a total 89 National Associations who were present at the FIH Congress.
Negre, who is also the President of the European Hockey Federation, was delighted with the result: “I am very happy to be elected and I would like to thank the National Associations for voting for me. And I would also like to appoint Els as the Honorary President of the FIH, as she has been actively promoting the sport since 2001.”
During the Congress, FIH also welcomed five new National Associations: Mongolia, Qatar, Togo, Vanuatu and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Now, the number of FIH Member Countries stands at 127.

National Press Club Gala Dinner

Pic: Having her fortune told by a Bird!

The National Press Club of Malaysia, of which this blogger is the Secretary General, had some fun with sponsors on 28/11/08 at the Petaling Jaya Hilton. The pictures below speak for themselves, even Elvis the Pelvis attended!

The New Straits Times Futsal champions, walked way with RM3,000 cash!
National Press Club vice-president Joe Fernando, also fondly known as JoeKuda.
VVIP's at the main table, waiting for Godot!
National Press Club president Mokhtar Hussin.
With amber liquids in their stomachs, this group had great fun.
Journalists and guests having their Palm-lines read. Good or bad, got to work tomorrow...
Futsal champions planning to play in the World Cup next.
Pretty! Pretty! But pity they are guys!
Big sponsors in small talk.
Energetic like men!
Wanna share the joke?
Elvis showed up, and the crowd went wild....
Ranch-hands rode in on their horses, right to the doorsteps of the Hilton.
Elvis is alive! Elvis is Alive!
NST Journalists with National Press Club manager Stephen Francis (right).
Here is more proof Elvis is alive...
Dog-gone-it, he just refuses to fade away....
The New Straits Times men and women's Futsal champions high in spirits....
Welcome, guests mingling before the function.

Rajan will leave sentiments at home

AFTER 10 years of siting on the Tenaga Nasional bench, National Juniors coach K. Rajan is now plotting for their downfall in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) which starts on Dec 5.
And he will not allow sentiments to get the better of him.
“There is no question of sentiments creeping in, as I will be planning for a win, and it is not impossible judging from our League encounters,” said Rajan.
In the League, National Juniors lost 3-1, and drew 2-2 in the return leg.
“Tenaga have a solid defence, but their forward line has been severely hit after Selva (S. Selvaraju) pulled a ham string.
“However, it will not be an easy encounter as Tenaga, even with retired internationals, have always proven to be deadly in the knock-out stages,” said Rajan.
Rajan knows the Tenaga players like the back of his hands, and Tenaga proved their mettle last season when they limped into the final, but beat Ernst & Young on penalty strokes in the final.
“It will be experience (Tenaga) versus fitness, and since we will be playing in a two-leg format, we will have to go all out in the first match, as Tenaga are masters of upset in the return leg,” said Rajan.
The National Juniors are preparing for the Junior World Cup next year, and the MHL is a selection of sorts, as Rajan plans to trim his squad of 30 by January.
“The boys know the score, those who do not perform in the MHL will be axed by January, so they better give their best in the knock-out stages.”
QUARTER-FINALS -- Dec 5: Ernst & Young v Royal Malay Regiment (National Stadium), National Juniors v Tenaga Nasional (National Stadium), JLJ v Sapura (Tun Razak Stadium); Dec 10: Nur Insafi v Maybank (Penang).
RETURN LEG -- Dec 7: Royal Malay Regiment v Ernst & Young (Tun Razak), Tenaga Nasional v National Juniors (KLHA), Sapura v JLJ (KLHA); Dec 13: Maybank v Nur Isnafi (Seremban II).