Women aim to defend title

THE Malaysian women’s team will head for Bangkok, Thailand, today to defend their Asian Indoor Hockey title.
Last year, Malaysia beat Uzbekistan in the final in Ipoh, and the ladies are primed to repeat the feat again.
And if they win, the title comes with a ticket to Poland next year to play in the World Indoor tournament.
“We have selected a few young players and ex-inter nationals for this assignment as the national players are in training for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
“But still, we should be able to defend out title going by the girls’ current form,” said Malaysian Women’s Hockey As sociation secretary S. Shamala.
Iran withdrew at the eleventh hour and have been replaced with Thailand B. The other teams in the tournament are Thailand A, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia.
“The matches against Thailand B will not count for points, as they have been included just to make up the numbers,” said Shamala.
On the national team, Shamala said two stalwarts will not be able to play in the Commonwealth and Asian Games as they are carrying injuries.
A. Chitra Devi will undergo a knee operation, while Siti Sara’s injury will also take time to heal.
“The team will miss both the players but we have no choice but to rest them.” The national team will go on a tour of China at the end of August to play eight friendlies in preparation for the Com monwealth Games.
In New Delhi, the women are in Group B with England, New Zealand, Canada, and Wales. In Group A are defending champions Australia, South Africa, India, Trinidad & Tobago and Scotland.

India to host men's 2011 Champions Trophy

The Executive Board of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has allocated the FIH Champions Trophies for 2011. The Men’s FIH Champions Trophy will be played in India, while the women’s FIH Champions Trophy has been awarded to Netherlands.

After the success of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in March this year, the FIH has decided to return to India in 2011. The men’s FIH Champions Trophy is scheduled for December 2011 and it will be the third time in hockey history that India will host FIH flagship event after Chennai in 2005 and Madras in 1996.

Think carefully before amending constitution

PENANG HA vice-president Ranjit Singh cautioned Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council members to tread carefully when they deliberate to change the post of their secretary from elected to a paid staff.
The MHF council will meet next Tuesday and among the agenda is a motion to amend their constitution to enable the president to select his secretary, instead of the states by ballot.
“Penang are still 50-50 on this issue, as we feel that council members need to debate intelligently before calling for an EOGM (Extra Ordinary General Meeting).
“And from what I gather, right now, many states oppose the idea because it is open to abuse and could lead to many problems in the long run if we have a paid sectary instead of an elected official,” said Ranjit.
He feels that the system has been tried in the FA of Malaysia, and it was not a success.
“Right now we have a hard-working president in Tengku Abdullah (Sultan Ahmad Shah). He has injected many fresh ideas into the sport, and also made MHF financially sound.
“However, when there is a change in leadership in future, the new president might not be of the same caliber and then the problems will start as he will hold the reigns on the secretary.
“And once the constitution is amended, it is not easy to get back to the old ways.
“State delegates need to voice out their feelings on this matter in the council meeting and not just keep quiet and then vote against the idea in the EOGM, as this will be seen as a waste of time and effort,” said Ranjit.
According to Ranjit, the Sports Commissioner’s office was keen to promote a paid secretary and treasurer in associations, but the plan backfired when an association almost went bankrupt when both the paid staff got together and started siphoning funds on the quiet.
“And now, the Commissioner’s office does not make it mandatory to have paid secretary and treasurer after this bitter episode. I believe a healthy debate at the council meeting will solve many matters and that is what the delegates should do.”
The MHF council are also expected to suggest a few other amendments to to tighten some areas in their constitution, which has been abused by certain quarters to their benefit.

National Press Club 5km Run

THE National Press Club (NPC) will be organising a 1Malaysia NPC Media Run on Aug 1 (Sunday).
The flag-off is at 8am from the vicinity of the NPC clubhouse at 84, Jalan Tangsi, Kuala Lumpur. The event is aimed at fostering camaraderie and promoting a healthy lifestyle among members of the media and public.
The 5km run is open to all members of NPC, media and also open to public.
The run will be divided into two main events - comprising four open and four media categories.
The Open category will be divided into Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men and Women’s Veteran (age 40 and above) while the Media category will comprise men's women's Open and men's and women's veteran (age 40 and above).
Entrance fee is RM10 per person. Participants will each receive a T-shirt and a souvenir medal. They will also be able to take part in the lucky draw.
Forms can be collected from the NPC clubhouse at 84, Jalan Tangsi, KL or call Aftar Singh at 016-245 3839, Muharyani Othman at 012-285 9647 or Norul Huzanna at 017-3110187
The closing date for entries is July 30, 2010.

Malaysia win one, lose one Down Under

THE Malaysian senior side lost one and won their second match in Perth, Australia.
The seniors are in Australia to play a few friendlies in preparation for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Malaysia lost to Australian club champions West Aus tralian Thunder Stick 4-1 in the first match with Amin Rahim scoring the solitary goal.
However, in the second match against the same team, Malaysia won 3-1 with the goals coming from Izwan Firdaus, Nabil Fiqri and Razie Rahim.
After the Australian Tour, the team will head for Europe to play a few friendlies and also a Four-Nation from Aug 24-29 involving France, Ireland, Poland and Scotland.