Learn from UniKL

COMMENT by Jugjet Singh

UNIKL, only in their second Junior Hockey League (JHL) season, has turned into a micro role model on how hockey should be developed in the country.
They won the Overall title and finished second in the League last year, and on Sunday won the League title are are looking good for a double.
Their only nemesis are Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), who were the League champions last year and second on Sunday.
Another sports school, Bukit Jalil, were double champions for six consecutive times from 2003 to 2009, but have been relegated to third after they started to field 16 and 17 year-olds.
UniKL’s success can be traced back to their chancellor, who is Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, strong funding, good ad ministration, a good coaching set-up and exposure in the Malaysia Hockey League which they joined only in 2009.
The University side must have spent close to RM750,000 in both the MHL and JHL this season, and it was money well spent as the exposure in the senior league has turned some of the boys into men.
Fifteen of their players are in the Project 2013 squad, while BPSS have 11 Project players -- making both the teams into a hot-bed for training future national players.
That is why the progress of these two teams are being closely followed by an army of national coaches, as they have some budding players like Manraj Singh, the son of former national skipper Sarjit Singh, and Joel Samuel, the son of current national team coordinator Stephen van Huizen.
Both the players are lanky, and only 19-years-old, but are a chip off the old-block.
The administration, led by team manager Amir Azhar, have played a great role in promoting the team by having live match updates via twitter, and an impressive fan-base among the UniKL students who show up at stadiums on match days as well as 2,658 followers on Facebook.
They also took the trouble to hire a kiwi coach Darren Smith for the MHL, while another Malaysian-born living in New Zealand Matthew Ling and experienced Malaysian coach S. Vellapan, as well as former international S. Sel varaju are among the coaches for the JHL.
The clubside has many of the qualities which are just being ingrained into the MHF after decades in existence.
So, maybe the parent body should pick up a few pointers from their cub on how to make winners from whiners, and also make sure that the talent that comes through this JHL season does not disappear into the red-tape and political differences void.

India, Pakistan send diluted teams..

2010: India-Korea joint champs.

THE last two consecutive Azlan Shah Cup champion India and Asian Games gold medallists Pakistan will send diluted teams for the tournament which will be held in Ipoh on May 5-15.
India said they are sending their best available, as Tushar Khandekar and the former skipper Rajpal Singh are injured, while Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh. were disqualified because they did not attend training camp in Delhi, but played in Belgium instead.
As for Pakistan, three players who are in the training camp for the Azlan Shah have been issued show-cause letters because they are said to have signed deals with the planned World Series of Hockey in India.
The World Series of Hockey is not sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation, who have warned their affiliates not to allow their players to compete in the tour nament.
“The PHF executive council took a very clear decision recently that since the WSH is not sanctioned by the In ternational Hockey Federation or its affiliated units it will not be recognized by us.
“As per the council's decision we have asked Butt, Wasim and Abbasi to explain if they have any contracts with the WSH and if so are they willing to break this association with the organizers of the unsanctioned event,” said PHF secretary, Asif Bajwa to The Times of India.
Bajwa, himself a former Olympian, made it clear that if the three top players didn’t clarify their positions they would not be selected for the Azlan Shah tournament, the squad for which will be announced on April 28th.
Butt, Wasim and Abbasi were members of the Pakistan team that won the Asian Games gold medal for the first time in 20 years last year in China.
Bajwa also said that if any player was found having ties with the unsanctioned World Hockey Series he would have nothing more to do with Pakistan hockey.
Bajwa said they also have reports about some other players having entered into agreements with the WHS organisers including Pakistan’s Asian games captain Zeeshan Ashraf and former Olympian Mohammad Saqlain.
Zeeshan pulled out of the Azlan Shah Cup on personal grounds and is not attending the training camp.
India beat Malaysia to the gold in 2009, while they were declared as joint champions with South Korea in the 2010 edition, which was rained-off.
The other teams in the tournament are Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and South Korea.

UniKL champions

UNIKL lifted their maiden MHF-NSC-Milo Division One title when they held Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) 1-1 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium last night.
UniKL were crowned champions on a four-goal average, as both the teams were tied on 25 points after completing their League fixtures.
UniKL pocketed RM10,000 while BPSS RM5,000 for finishing second in Division One.
The title match was entertaining with high-quality hockey played by both teams, but it was BPSS who settled down early while UniKL were shaky in the opening minutes.
And BPSS took the lead off their first penalty corner itself in the 21st minute when Shahril Saabah's low push beat goalkeeper Shahrul Azaddin. However, UniKL came back into the picture by winning six penalty corners and finally scored their equalsier in the sixth attempt.
Nor Aqmal Gaffar finally made it count in the 31st minute, and even though BPSS earned three consecutive penalty corners in the 35th minute, the store stood at 1-1 into the breather. The second half was also an entertaining affair, but both the teams failed to break the deadlock, even though UniKL were presented with many opportunities to score.
"It was a good show from my players and now that we have the League title, we will plan for a double this season," said UniKL coach S.Velappan.
BPSS won the League title last season, also on goals difference over UniKL, but then lost the Overall title to UniKL.
"We had the first half sealed, but could not convert many sitters in the second half and paid the price for it.
"However, I am not dissapointed with the players, and now we will plan to deny UniKL the Overall title," said BPSS coach Wan Roslan.
Meanwhile, in a Division Two Group A match, Matri failed to show up for their match against BPSS-WHPC and could find their entire fixtures made nul-and-void.
Even the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) officials were in the dark as to why Matri did not show up at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
RESULTS -- DIVISION ONE: BJSS 3 BPSS Juniors 3, UniKL 1 BPSS 1.
DIVISION TWO (Group A): BPSS-WHPC v Matri (Matri failed to show up); Group B: MSSP-Juniors 1 Padang Midin 3, Tunku Besar SS 4 MSSWP-KLHC 0.

DIVISION ONE

P W D L F A Pts
UniKL 9 8 1 0 47 5 25
BPSS 9 8 1 0 46 8 25
BJSS 8 5 1 2 21 11 16
BPSS Juniors 8 3 3 2 20 20 12
BJSS Juniors 7 3 1 3 13 22 10
Anderson 8 3 1 4 15 30 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 15 21 9
Ipoh Juniors 6 1 1 4 11 15 4
Kelantan 7 0 1 6 11 35 1
Pahang 7 0 0 7 5 29 0

DIVISION TWO

Group A
P W D L F A Pts
MSSPP-USM 5 3 2 0 19 4 11
Politeknik KPT 5 3 1 1 14 4 10
Malacca High 5 3 0 2 10 7 9
Datuk Taha 5 2 2 1 8 3 8
Matri 4 1 1 2 4 7 4
BPSS-WHPC 4 1 0 3 1 18 3
Sheikh Ahmad 4 0 0 4 1 14 0

Group B

P W D L F A Pts

Johor 6 5 0 1 17 6 15
TBSS Tampin 5 4 0 1 27 6 12
OLAK-PKT 6 2 2 2 10 19 8
Padang Midin 6 1 3 2 8 13 6
Perlis 4 1 2 1 6 7 5
MSSWP-KLHC 5 1 1 3 4 10 4
MSSPP-Jnrs 4 0 0 4 3 15 0

High-stakes at KLHA

THE battle-lines have drawn, but there are no favourites when defending League champion Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) plays Overall champion UniKL in Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior League today.
Playing at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, the stakes are high as the winner will be crowned as the League champion in the final League fixture for both the teams.
UniKL, playing only in their second JHL season, have shown consistency in all their matches, while BPSS, who were crowned as League champions for the first time last year, are known for playing as a unit.
Bukit Jalil Sports School, six-time consecutive double champions since 2003, have been sent to the shadows after both BPSS and UniKL came into the picture.
“This is the most challenging match this season for us, and unfortunately it is also our last League fixture and that means we can’t afford a slip-up.
“The team has been progressing well towards this crucial match, and I believe we will wrest the title which we lost to BPSS last season on goal-difference,” said UniKL coach S. Velappan.
BPSS coach Wan Roslan has formulated a sound plan, and hopes his charges will executive it today.
“We have our plans to defend our title, and if the players execute it, victory is ours for sure,” said Roslan.
Meanwhile, in the only Division One match yesterday, BJSS Juniors beat Kelantan 6-3 with goals from Hafif Elkan (second, 57th), Rafizul Ezry (12th), Zizi Azwan (33rd), Syazwi Rani (40th), Zulhaziq Hashim (59th).
The Kelantan goals were scored by Hanif Ropi (26th) and Nur Badruzzaman (50th, 62nd).
RESULTS: DIVISION ONE -- BJSS Juniors 6 Kelantan 3.
DIVISION TWO (Group A): MSSP-USM 5 Sheikh Ahmad 0, , Datuk Taha 1 Malacca High School 2.
DIVISION TWO (Group B): MSSWP-KLHC 1 OLAK 2.
TODAY -- DIVISION ONE: BJSS v BPSS Juniors (Education Ministry, 4.30pm), UniKL v BPSS (KLHA, 6.30pm).
DIVISION TWO (Group A): BPSS-WHPC v Matri (Taman Daya, 4.30pm); Group B: MSSP-Juniors v Sheikh Amad (USM, 4.30pm), Tunku Besar SS v MSSWP-KLHC (Tunku Besar, 4.30pm).


DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
UniKL 8 8 0 0 46 4 24
BPSS 8 8 0 0 45 7 24
BJSS 7 5 0 2 18 8 15
BPSS Juniors 7 3 2 2 17 17 11
BJSS Juniors 7 3 1 3 13 22 10
Anderson 8 3 1 4 15 30 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 15 21 9
Ipoh Juniors 6 1 1 4 11 15 4
Kelantan 7 0 1 6 11 35 1
Pahang 7 0 0 7 5 29 0

DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
MSSPP-USM 5 3 2 0 19 4 11
Politeknik KPT 5 3 1 1 14 4 10
Malacca High 5 3 0 2 10 7 9
Datuk Taha 5 2 2 1 8 3 8
Matri 4 1 1 2 4 7 4
BPSS-WHPC 4 1 0 3 1 18 3
Sheikh Ahmad 4 0 0 4 1 14 0

Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 6 5 0 1 17 6 15
TBSS Tampin 4 3 0 1 23 6 9
OLAK-PKT 6 2 2 2 10 19 8
Perlis 4 1 2 1 6 7 5
MSSWP-KLHC 4 1 1 2 4 5 4
Padang Midin 5 0 3 2 5 12 3
MSSPP-Jnrs 3 0 0 3 2 12 0

BPSS closer to defending title

BANDAR Penawar Sports School (BPSS) slammed Ipoh Juniors 9-1 to set up a mouth-watering MHF-NSC-Milo Division One title clash against UniKL on Sunday.
UniKL top the standings on a better goal difference, and only need a draw, while BPSS need an outright win to claim their second consecutive League title.
Yesterday, playing at the Azlan Shah Stadium, BPSS needed 12 goals to be onpar with UniKL, but stopped short of achieveing their target.
"There was a 30 minute delay because of rain, and then the pitch became a little heavy, but my players still managed to win comfortably and now we have to beat UniKL to defend our title," said BPSS coach Wan Roslan.
The win has primed them for the title chase: "It was a good boost for my players as they managed to score many goals even though we did not have out top-scorer on the pitch," said Roslan.
For the record, UniKL played their first JHL match against Ipoh Juniors, and struggled to beat them 3-2.
While BPSS played without their 11-goal scorer Firhan Ashaari, who was benched because of two-yellow cards. However, he will be eligible to play against UniKL.
The BPSS goals were scored by Shahrusahadan Basri (4th, 64th), Faiz Helmi Jali (40th), Fariq Saadon (47th), Shahzril Irwan (50th), Hafiz Seleman (52nd), Fitri Saari (56th), Shahril Saabah (58th, 68th).
While the Ipoh goal was scored by Harris Fadila in the 54th minute.
RESULTS: DIVISION ONE -- BPSS Juniors 2 BJSS Juniors 2, PJCC 2 Kelantan 1, Ipoh Juniors 1 BPSS 9, Anderson 1 BJSS 4.
DIVISION TWO (Group A): Johor 4 Tunku Besar SS 2; Group B: Sheikh Ahmad 1 Politeknik-KPT 3.
TODAY: DIVISION ONE -- BJSS Juniors v Kelantan (Education Ministry, 4.30pm).
DIVISION TWO(Group A): MSSP-USM v Sheikh Ahmad (USM, 4.30pm).
DIVISION TWO (Group B): MSSWP-KLHC v OLAK (KLHA Stadium, 4.30pm), Datuk Taha v Malacca High School x (TBSS, 4.30pm).
SUNDAY -- DIVISION ONE: BJSS v BPSS Juniors (Education Ministry, 4.30pm), UniKL v BPSS (KLHA, 4.30pm).
DIVISION TWO (Group A): BPSS-WHPC v Matri (Taman Daya, 4.30pm); Group B: MSSP-Juniors v Sheikh Amad (USM, 4.30pm), Tunku Besar SS v MSSWP-KLHC (Tunku Besar, 4.30pm).


DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
UniKL 8 8 0 0 46 4 24
BPSS 8 8 0 0 45 7 24
BJSS 7 5 0 2 18 8 15
BPSS Juniors 7 3 2 2 17 17 11
Anderson 8 3 1 4 15 30 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 15 21 9
BJSS Juniors 6 2 1 3 7 19 7
Ipoh Juniors 6 1 1 4 11 15 4
Kelantan 6 0 1 5 8 29 1
Pahang 7 0 0 7 5 29 0

DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Politeknik KPT 5 3 1 1 14 4 10
MSSPP-USM 4 2 2 0 14 4 8
Datuk Taha 4 2 2 0 7 1 8
Malacca High 4 2 0 2 8 6 6
Matri 4 1 1 2 4 7 4
BPSS-WHPC 4 1 0 3 1 18 3
Sheikh Ahmad 3 0 0 3 1 9 0

Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 6 5 0 1 17 6 15
TBSS Tampin 4 3 0 1 23 6 9
Perlis 4 1 2 1 6 7 5
OLAK-PKT 5 1 2 2 8 18 5
MSSWP-KLHC 3 1 1 1 3 3 4
Padang Midin 5 0 3 2 5 12 3
MSSPP-Jnrs 3 0 0 3 2 12 0