Big Boost for 1Mas Project

PRIME Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak yesterday officially launched the
1Mas Hockey Project and injected fresh hope into the sport by increasing
its grant by another RM1 million.
The Prime Minister's department had earlier handed out RM2 million per
-year for the 1Mas Project, but upped it with another million at at the
official launch at the Tun Razak Stadium.
And there was more good news, as the Prime Minister had no objection
to the Malaysian Hockey Federation's (MHF) request to utilise the Tun
Razak Stadium free of charge.
The 1Mas programme had started at the middle of the year, and its
objective is to strengthen the base of hockey at state level. Fourteen states
were represented, with their young players, at the launch yesterday.
"Hockey is a sport which is close to the hearts of Malaysians as we have
played at world cups and Olympics. I remember very well the year 1975,
when I just returned from overseas and was a youth with much more hair,
the nation was hosting the World Cup and we were in the semi-finals.
"My late father was the then MHF president and the joy on his face was
obvious when we qualified for the last four. The whole country was in a
celebration mood, and I hope with this 1Mas programme, the sport will
slowly climb up the ladder again," said Najib.
The national players, who won silver in the Asian Games, were also
present at the function.
MHF president Tengku Abdulah Sultan Ahmad Shah then requested the
Prime Minister's support to secure a home base for the Federation: "I have
no problem with the request, work with the Sports Ministry to achieve the
goal," was the reply from Najib.
"This stadium was opened in 1982 by my father, who was the King then,
and he named it the Tun Razak Stadium. It is very close to my heart, and
since the Prime Minister has given his support, we will work with the
relevant agencies to secure it as a home base for MHF and training venue
for the national teams (junior and senior).
"The MHF do not want to own it, because the cost to maintain the
stadium is out of our league. All we will request, is to use it for free, as we
are currently paying a hefty sum to rent the national stadium (at Bukit
Jalil)," said Tengku Abdullah.
The 1Mas Project started in July with 840 players in 14 states from the
ages of 13-18. Next year, the programme will include under-12 players, and
the targeted number of players to undergo the programme is 2,100 by
2015.
There is a standard nationwide training curriculum: "The RM3 million
pledge is for the next three years, with an option for review. The system
should strengthen the base, like a pyramid, and then, the nation can be
assured of quality players to represent the country at major international
events," said the Prime Minister.

Malacca the inaugural champions

Hosts Malacca emerged as champions for the inaugural Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Under-21 Tournament held at the Bukit Serindit Hockey Stadium in Malacca on Saturday.

In the final, Malacca almost blew their chances as they led twice in regulation time but ended up drawing 2-2 and in the ensuing penalty stroke competition, Major Inderjit Singh (pic) scored the decisive flick in sudden death to give Malacca a 6-5 win. Singapore Khalsa finished third in the four team event as Seremban failed to show up. -- By S.S. Dhaliwal

Fun-filled day with Jojo Struys

JOJO: Played to raise funds for children.

THE fun-filled CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis event saw captains of the industry and celebrities rubbing shoulders, and the idea was well liked by Unites States Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones.
Jones was sworn in three months ago, and said the event gave him an opportunity to mingle around with the who-is who in Malaysia.
“I am not a serious tennis player but took up the offer to get to know more people in Malaysia as I have only been in the country for three months.
“This is a very good idea, and I enjoyed myself on and off the court,” said Jones.
Among the celebrities, Jojo Struys was a chirpy was when she is on air.
“Wonderful day today. I enjoy competing in this event as it is casual and you get to know some very interesting captains of the industry.
“My tennis is a little rusty, but I enjoyed myself so much that I am going to start training from tomorrow itself for the next event!,” said the celebrity, who had acted in the Chicken Rice War.
The other TV presenters who attended the event were Azura Zainal, Tengku Firhad, Adriana Aris, Abbas Saad, Angeline Chong and Seelan Paul.
Corporate bigwig Yvonne Chia, the Hong Leong Bank Group managing director, was the best women finisher on 19 points and said she makes it a point to attend the event.
“This is my second time playing in this event as I make it a point to play when I am in town. I enjoy the company, and the stress-free environment is among its draw-cards,” said Yvonne.

Cardiologist with a good heart

CONSULTANT Cardiologist Datuk Dr Devan Pilay (pic) was the runaway winner in the CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis event at the National Tennis Complex in Jalan Duta yes terday.
The event, organised to garner funds to help children in need of medical care, saw 44 entries and in the end, collected a total of RM61,160 for the worthy cause.
Ling Hee Kiat, director of SHH Resources, and Paul Poh Yang Hong, the Managing Director of Corporate and Private Equity Group Investment, ended tied for the second spot on 22 points.
The third spot also saw Television personality Soo Kui Jien and Chief Operating Officer of GO Communications Peter de Kretser sharing the honours on 21 points.
The tournament ran on a different format, as each player played in five doubles matches where they changed partners after each match.
The top five winners received a trophy each while every participant received a framed caricature of themselves in tennis attire.
“The event is getting bigger each year and every par ticipant that I spoke to today only had good things to say about it. They had fun in the sun, and at the same time, contributed for a good cause.
“Our target was to collect RM60,000 to help children in need of medical care and we achieved it. The biggest contribution came from Bursa Malaysia, who chipped in RM20,000,” said New Straits Times Press Chief Executive Officer Datuk Anthony Bujang.
Datuk Devan keeps himself fit by playing tennis twice a week, but his first love was badminton.
“I used to play badminton in Victoria Institution and was the doubles partner to Razif (Sidek) in the national juniors those days.
“I loved the sport but my father told me to forget about it and concentrate on my studies. So, instead of becoming a national sportsman, I turned into a cardiologist,” said De van.
But he picked up tennis and actively keeps himself fit: “I have played in all three editions of this tournament, and you could say that I am third-time lucky,” quipped Devan.
And among the celebrities former Malaysian Idol host Soo Kui Jien was the only one who ended up with a trophy when he finished joint third.
Jien, who got his big break when he became a host on the Disney Channel in 1997, was the Emcee yesterday and kept the event lively.
RESULTS: 1 Datuk Dr Devan Pillay (25 points), 2 Ling Hee Kiat (22 pts), 3 Paul Poh Yang Hong (22 pts), 4 Soo Kui Jien (21 pts), 5 Peter de Kretser (21 pts).

And ..Rehan Butt for Sapura

SAPURA coach I. Vickneswaran, a former international, predicts a revival in the Malaysia Hockey League this season, based on the early effort pumped in by Premier Division teams.
The Premier Division Starts on Dec 17, and the nine teams competing are Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club, Armed Forces- Airod, Maybank, Nur Insafi, Sapura, Tenaga, UiTM, UniKL and Yayasan Negri Sembilan.
“I am amazed with the effort put in by many teams to prepare strong sides for the Premier challenge. I feel this season is going to see a revival of the MHL, back to what it used to be like in the 80s,” said Vickneswaran.
The MHL had taken a beating in the last 10 years, as it turned into a mediocre tournament where teams were just competing to complete the fixtures.
“That is no longer the situation, as many talented foreign players have been roped in to make it more exciting, and the standard will surely be higher than last year.”
As for Sapura: “We have signed three foreign players in Pakistan’s Rehan Butt (who scored the second goal against Malaysian in the Asian Games final), Welsh goalkeeper David James Kettle and Korean Junior World Cup player Lim Woo Geun.
“Rehan is still not here, and Jiwa Mohan is also still in Australia. We have played some friendlies, but not with the full side yet,” said Vickneswaran.
Vickneswaran, who coached UniKL last season, also feels the University side will impress this season.
“UniKL have signed some impressive foreign players, and with their local young talent, I believe they will also be a team to watch this year.”
Sapura, who lost the Overall title to Tenaga Nasional after a penalty shoot-out, will be looking to end their barren run this season.
SAPURA: Rodzhanizam Radzi, Noor Khairul Azrain, M. Vizayan, Marhan Jalil, Ahmad Kazamirul, Lim Woo Geun (GP), Redzuan Ponirin, Jiwa Mohan, Rehan Butt (GP), Nasihin Nubli (GK), Faisal Kamarudin, Izwan Firdaus, Joel Samuel Van Huizen, Razi Ismail, Jivan Mohan, Azreen Rizal, David James Kettle (GK, GP), Faizal Daud, Norhanfpe Omar, Izzat Rahim, Craig Joseph Fernandez, S. Kuhan.
Team Manager: Abdullah Yunus
Coach: I. Vikneswaran
Asst Coach: K. Balakrishnan