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Editor's Note: It will be wise for Tai Beng Hai to request for a blue turf at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, shift from green to blue on tournament day could play havoc if we qualify for Olympics.The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today announced that the hockey pitches to be used at the Hockey Centre at the Olympic Park will be blue. Over 600,000 spectators will be cheering on as the world’s top Hockey players battle it out on blue pitches for the first time ever at an Olympic Games.
Debbie Jevans, LOCOG Director of Sport, said: ‘As we look to be innovative as well as providing first class facilities, we are pleased to be working with the International Hockey Federation and installing blue hockey pitches in 2012. We have carried out research with athletes and broadcasters and are looking forward to world class hockey being played at a bespoke venue on a blue pitch. The colour blue will define Hockey in 2012.’
Kelly Fairweather, Chief Executive Officer of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), commented that ‘the playing performance and quality of a pitch are our primary concern and we’re happy that LOCOG has researched this thoroughly. In addition though, we’re keen to innovate in the presentation of hockey to ensure, among other things, that spectators either in the stadium or on television get a good view of the exciting field action. The pitch will blend very well with the look of the London 2012 Games as well as enhancing the visual impact of hockey at the Games.’
GB hockey international Alex Danson said: ‘Having been involved in the colour test, the London Blue pitch is great. It provides a really strong contrast for players against the white ball and white lines and I quickly adapted to the change. I really like the pink surround as well! It’s another great example of hockey’s willingness to lead the way and try new things. It will certainly make hockey stand out in 2012.’
Jeff Keas, Principal of Populous, said: ‘The Hockey Centre represents a very important temporary venue for the London 2012 Games. We see this venue as one of the four cornerstones of the Olympic Park and have designed a venue that takes advantage of this opportunity. The design is unique in that it allows the atmosphere and action on the blue pitch to be enhanced by allowing views in from the Park as well as views out to the Park and the backdrop of this city.’
This will be the first Olympic and FIH World Level event to be played on a different colour to the traditional green. Historically, hockey was always played on natural grass and when the move was made to synthetic turf pitches in the 1970s green was adopted to replicate the traditional playing environment. But the days of top level international hockey being played on grass pitches are gone. The game is now high paced, dynamic and demands incredible levels of fitness and skill, particularly as this will also be the first Olympic Games since the introduction of the “Self Pass” rule, which has only served to make the game even quicker. These developments have been made possible with the introduction of synthetic turf pitches which in turn enables the introduction of other colours.
The move to blue pitches will provide high levels of contrast with the white ball and white lines for players, officials, spectators, photographers and broadcasters. The pitch run off areas will be pink providing a striking and dynamic look to the Hockey Centre. The Hockey Centre is the only full outdoor venue on the Olympic Park so the two pitches are likely to be a prominent landmark to complement the architecture of the permanent surrounding venues.
Hockey will have over 380 competitors at 2012 in 24 teams competing at the London Games in the men’s and women’s competitions. It will take place at the Hockey Centre in the Olympic Park, Stratford, east London. The Hockey Centre is a temporary stadium based at the northern end of the Olympic Park. The complex includes two pitches, one for competition and one for warm up. The main pitch will stage all of the 76 matches which will be spread over 14 days of competition from 29 July to 11 August. Applications for Olympic Hockey tickets can now be made at www.tickets.london2012.com. There will be seating for 16,000 spectators who will not only enjoy the hockey but also stunning views south across the Olympic Park and the Olympic Stadium.
The Hockey Centre will be built in the spring of 2012, and it will also be used to host both the 5 and 7-a-side Paralympic Football Competitions. The warm up pitch at the Hockey Centre will host the 5-a-side competition. 64 blind and partially sighted athletes will take part in 2012 with 21 matches played across five match days. The main pitch will host the 7-a-side competition where 96 athletes with cerebral palsy will play 21 matches across the alternate 5 days.
The two pitches to be installed in the summer of 2011 at the Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in Essex, which is the Hockey Games Time Training Venue, will also mirror the same blue and pink colour combination.LOCOG media release
BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were far from impressive when they edged Ipoh Juniors 2-0 In Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the MInistry of Education Stadium yesterday.
The match was scrappy, and Ipoh were equally guilty of not utilising their midfield, but relying heavily on overhead balls.
“Not good, but still better than our opening match against Petaling Jaya (City Council, which they won 2-1) as my boys kept up the pace even though the match was played under scorching weather,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
Prakash felt that playing at 4.30pm is not a good idea, and he will make a request to the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) to play at a later time.
“The weather was fine last week, but just when the JHL started it turned hot in the evenings and playing at 4.30pm is not a good idea.
“I will make a request to MHF and hopefully, they amend the fixtures,” said Prakash.
Almost all the JHL matches have been slated to play at 4.30pm, because the lighting system at some of the stadiums are not up to the mark.
The BJSS goals were scored by Ahmed Iqwan (fifth) and
Haziq Samsul (49th).
Meanwhile, in another Division One match, Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) hammered Petaling Jaya CC 5-1 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
The BPSS goals were scored by hat-trick hero Firhan Ashaari (21st, 40th, 51st), Shahrusahadan Basri (12th) and Shahril Saabah (50th).
The PJCC scorer was Fata Mutalib (25th).
In a another Division one match at the Terengganu pitch, Kelantan held Anderson 3-3.
The Kelantan goals were scored by Cik Rosmadi Rasol (sixth), Hanif Ropi (37th) and Faiz Haiqal (50th). While the Anderson scorers were Ashran Hamsani (eigtht), Husaini Husin (13th), Ashran Hamsani (64th).
RESULTS: Division One -- BPSS 5 Petaling Jaya CC 1, BJSS 2 Ipoh Juniors 0, UniKL 6 BJSS Juniors 0, Kelantan 3 Anderson 3, Pahang 1 BPSS Juniors 3.
Division Two: Group A -- Matri 0 Datuk Taha 1; Group B: Olak-PKT 1 Perlis 1.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
BPSS 2 2 0 0 9 1 6
UniKL 2 2 0 0 9 2 6BPSS Juniors 2 2 0 0 7 2 6
BJSS 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 6 5 4
Kelantan 2 0 1 1 4 7 1
Pahang 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
Ipoh Juniors 2 0 0 2 2 5 0
BJSS Juniors 2 0 0 2 0 10 0
PJCC 2 0 0 2 2 7 0
DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Datuk Taha 2 1 1 0 2 1 4
Malacca High 1 1 0 0 5 0 3
Politeknik KPT 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Penang 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Matri 2 0 0 2 1 5 0
BPSS-WHPC 1 0 0 1 0 5 0
Sheikh Ahmad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
OLAK-PKT 2 0 2 0 2 2 2
Padang Midin 2 0 2 0 1 1 2
MSSWP-KLHC 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Perlis 2 0 1 1 2 4 1
TBSS Tampin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Penang Frees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
A LETHARGIC Anderson School edged Pahang 3-2 in the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League Division One match at the Kuantan Stadium yesterday.
Anderson coach Mokhtar Baharuddin, accredited which shaping the future of many national players, blamed the slow start to the long journey to Kuantan.
“We had a slow start in our first JHL match because we only arrived late last night (Friday night) in Kuantan and many of the boys looked tired during the match.
“However, we won and that is what matters most,” said Mokhtar.
Perak has two teams in the JHL, with the other being Ipoh Juniors who impressed in their first match even though they lost 3-2 to favourites UniKL.
“Ipoh Juniors are made up or former Anderson players while we are fielding Form Four and Five boys. We did play against them in the Perak League and the match ended in a draw (2-2).”
Anderson were champions in the Perak League, and will play their home-talent on April 3.
“Our target this year is to play in the semi-finals, and to do that, we will not only have to beat Ipoh, but also do well against the big names like UniKL, and sports schools Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar,” said Mokhtar.
Soffian Kamaruddin (32nd, 57th) and Akmal Tajuddin (69th) delivered for Anderson, while the Pahang goals were scored by Rahimi Rasib (48th, 62nd).
In another Division One match, Bandar Penawar Juniors beat Kelantan 4-1 with goals from Najmi Farizal (eighth), Sufi Ismat (12th), Khairol Shafik (13th) and Danial Asyraf 58th)
The Kelantan goal was scored by Hanif Ropi in the 66th minute.
RESULTS: Division One -- Pahang 2 Anderson 3, Kelantan 1 BPSS Juniors 4.
Division Two: Group A -- Malacca High 5 BPSS-WHPC 0; Group B: MSSWP-KLHC 0 Padang Midin 0, Penang 1 Datuk Taha 1.
TODAY: Division One -- BPSS v Petaling Jaya CC (Taman Daya, 4.30pm), BJSS V Ipoh Juniors (Ministry of Education, 5.30pm), UniKL v BJSS juniors (Ministry of Education, 6.30pm), Kelantan v Anderson (Terengganu, 4.30pm), Pa hang v BPSS Juniors (Kuantan, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Datuk Taha (Alor star, 4.30pm); Group B: Olak-PKT v Perlis (Tun Razak Stadium, 4.30pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
BPSS 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
BPSS Juniors 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
UniKL 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
Anderson 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
BJSS 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Ipoh Juniors 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
Pahang 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
PJCC 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
Kelantan 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
BJSS Juniors 1 0 0 1 0 4 0
DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Malacca High 1 1 0 0 5 0 3
Politeknik KPT 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Penang 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Datuk Taha 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Matri 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
BPSS-WHPC 1 0 0 1 0 5 0
Sheikh Ahmad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
Padang Midin 2 0 2 0 1 1 2OLAK-PKT 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
MSSWP-KLHC 1 0 1 0 0 0 1Perlis 1 0 0 1 1 3 0
TBSS Tampin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Penang Frees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FAVOURITES UniKL acted to a Bollywood movie script when they took a punch before beating a gritty Ipoh Juniors 3-2 in the curtain raiser of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday.
Virtually parading their Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) side, UniKL were shocked in the ninth minute when Rasyid Hazar scored off a penalty corner attempt..
However, the early setback was overcome with efforts from Zulhairi Hashim (19th, 31st) and Nor Aqmal Ghaffer (43rd). The other Ipoh goal was scored by Azrul Fazrin in the 62nd minute.
“We expected Ipoh to defend in the early stages, but they shocked my players by playing an attacking game and scoring the first goal instead.
“I salute their grit, and the match turned difficult after that as my players struggled to settle down, but the end result was in favour of us,” said UniKL manager Amir Azhar.
Bukit Jalil Sports School, whose players also just com pleted the MHL fixtures, were also a disappointing lot when they let in a goal, before edging Petaling Jaya City Council 2- 1 at the Ministry of Education pitch.
PJCC took the lead off Syamil Zulkifli off a ninth minute penalty corner, but BJSS sealed the three points with goals from Faridzul Afiq (12th) and Haziq Samsul (20th).
“I am shocked with the level of play today (yesterday) as we missed many sitters and were in the receiving end for no reason.
“We had practiced many set-pieces but my players just failed to execute them, so instead of winning comfortably, we started our campaign on a shaky note,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash whose players will next meet Ipoh Juniors tomorrow (Sunday).
In Division Two, Old Las Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) also took the lead off Hakim Azarha’s field attempt in the 27th minute, but shared points on a 1-1 score when Luqman Hakim scored for Padang Midin in the 43rd minute.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bandar Penawar SS 4 Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 0, Bukit Jalil SS 2 Petaling Jaya CC 1, Ipoh City Hall Juniors 2 UniKL 3.
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah 4 Matri Perlis 1; Group B: OLAK-PKT 1 Padang Midin 1, Johor 3 Perlis 1.
TODAY: Division One -- Pahang v Anderson (Kuantan, 4.30pm), Kelantan v BPSS Juniors (Terengganu, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Malacca High v BPSS-WHPC (Malacca, 4.30pm); Group B: MSSWP-KLHC v Padang Midin (KLHA, 4.30pm).
TOMORROW: Division One -- BPSS v Petaling Jaya CC (Tamapn Daya, 4.30pm), BJSS V Ipoh Juniors (Ministry of Education, 5.30pm), UniKL v BJSS juniors (Ministry of Education, 6.30pm), Kelantan v Anderson (Terengganu, 4.30pm), Pahang v BPSS Juniors (Kuantan, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Datuk Taha (Alor star, 4.30pm); Group B: Olak-PKT v Perlis (Tun Razak Stadium, 4.30pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
BPSS 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
UniKL 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
BJSS 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
BJSS Juniors 1 0 0 1 0 4 0
PJCC 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
Ipoh Juniors 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
BPSS Juniors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kelantan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Anderson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pahang 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Politeknik KPT 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Matri 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
Penang 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sheikh Ahmad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPSS-MWHA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Malacca High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Datuk Taha 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
Perlis 1 0 0 1 1 3 0
OLAK-PKT 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Padang Midin 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
TBSS Tampin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Penang Frees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MSSWP-KLHC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TEN teams will battle for honour in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL) from today, with UniKL the front-runners for a clean sweep of titles.
IN Division Two, which has 14 teams in two groups, there are no clear favourites.
Last season, UniKL finished second behind Bandar Pe nawar Sports School in Division One, but lifted the Overall title when they beat BPSS in the final.
Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were the disappointment of last season, as after winning 12 titles since 2003, they finished third in Division One and also third in the Overall battle.
BJSS, who made their debut 1995, were double champions five times in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and Division One winners twice in 2003 and 2006.
Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), who only missed last season since making their debut in 1995, are back after sorting out their financial problems.
“We hold the distinction of having won the Division One title in 1997 and were double champions in 1998 and 1999. We also won the overall title in 2000, but could not compete last season due to financial constraints and will now play in Division Two,” said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd’s managing director Datuk Michael B.Y. Tio chipped in with RM50,000 in cash and kind to help the team make a return.
Coached by Paul Raj, Olak are determined to claw back into Division One this year.
Olak also hold the distinction of being the home of current National No 1 penalty corner flicker Amin Rahim to kick- start his career in the sport.
This season, they will rely on Section 11 Secondary School in Shah Alam, which is a project school for hockey, for players while four players from other states have also been roped in to strengthen the side.
DIVISION ONE -- Bukit Jalil Sports School, Bandar Pe nawar SS-Thunderbolt, UniKL, Petaling Jaya City Council, BJSS Juniors, BPSS Juniors, Kelantan, Anderson, Ipoh City Hall Juniors and Pahang.
DIVISION TWO: Group A -- Penang, Politeknik KPT (Kedah), Datuk Sheikh Ahmad (Perlis), BPSS-MWHA, Malac ca High School, Matri Perlis and Datuk Taha.
Group A: Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), Tunku Besar Tampin, Penang Free School-MI Juniors, MSSWP- KLHC, Padang Midin (Terengganu), Johor and Perlis.
TODAY: Division One -- Bandar Penawar SS v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Taman Daya, 4.30pm), Bukit Jalil SS v Petaling Jaya CC (Ministry of Education, 4.30pm), Ipoh City Hall Juniors v UniKL (Azlan Shah, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah v Matri Perlis (Alor Star, 4.30pm).
Group B: Plak v Padang Midin (Tun Razak, 4.30pm), Johor v Perlis (Taman Daya Pitch II, 4.30pm).
Editor's Note: It will be wise for Tai Beng Hai to request for a blue turf at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, shift from green to blue on tournament day could play havoc if we qualify for Olympics.
