Team and venue both in shambles

THE 2004 Rotterdam Junior World Cup venue. Malaysia, who finished 10th in Rotterdam, have yet to get their act together to host the 2009 edition.

WITH only 10 months to the Junior World Cup, hosts Malaysia are still groping in the dark, on and off the pitch.
Johor will co-host the tournament with Singapore on June 7-21 next year, but up till today, Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) affiliates are still in the dark about preparations to host it.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) had promised the International Hockey Federation (FIH) two new pitches, as Johor will host 10 teams, while Singapore another 10 for the World Cup.
But till today, MHF affiliates have yet to be briefed about the status of the stadiums, and efforts to raise at least RM2 million to cover organising costs.
The FIH awarded Malaysia as hosts on Nov 14 last year, with MHC deputy president Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar and Singapore Hockey
Federation president Annabell Dhillon appointed as co-chairmen of the
Junior World Cup organising committee.
“Penang came seeking answers during the last Council meting (on Aug 16) but our deputy president Tunku Majid was absent again, and we left with more questions than answers.
“It was the third Council meeting in a row which Tunku Majid failed to attend, and so the Council has instructed Johor to make a full presentation on the Junior World Cup in our next meeting on Sept 20,” said Penang HA secretary Ranjit Singh.
Ranjit hopes Johor will come with answers: “Right now, it looks like Malaysia are heading to what could turn out to be an embarrassing situation.
“We only have 10 months to build new stadiums, and source for at least RM2 million to cover organising costs.
“The MHF, at present, are still paying the RM1 million debt we went into after organising the Champions Trophy, and are in no position to fall again,” said Ranjit.
Singapore, on the other hand, are all set to host the tournament and the co-hosts are said to be as jittery as MHF affiliates, as Malaysia have not even reached the planning stage yet.
On the team, the juniors drew 2-2 with Singapore in the Junior Asia Cup, and the MHF have entrusted Tenaga Nasional coach K. Rajan to whip-up a respectable outfit, after V. Muraleedharan resigned.
The players were blooded in the Razak Cup, and will now play as an outfit in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League which starts on Oct 10.

Five years for slapping umpire

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) Disciplinary Board slapped Selangor Razak Cup player Rohizan Ramli with a five-year ban after finding him guilty of slapping an umpire.
The incident happened during the Division Two final of the Razak Cup on Aug 9, between Penang and Selangor, which Penang eventually won 3-2.
“The DB, chaired by Datuk G. Vijayanathan, felt that the player went overboard when he slapped an umpire, and then tried to hit him with a hockey stick. That is why he was slapped with a lengthy ban,” said MHF secretary Sgt Hashim Yusoff.
The incident happened in the last minute of regulation time, when Selangor’s Rohizan Ramli harassed umpire Syed Harun after he blew for a penalty corner.
Syed flashed a yellow card to Rohizan, who then slapped the umpire, and swung his stick which missed by inches.
The 46th Razak Cup also saw a record of sorts, as five red cards were flashed in nine days.
Among those who received the red card, was former International K. Gobinathan. Gobi, who turned out for Perak, verbally abused an umpire, and was immediately banned fot two matches.
The National Juniors also took part as an outfit in the Razak Cup, and there were moments of indiscipline which disrupted their matches.
“I have spoken to some of the players who argued with umpires during the Razak Cup, and told them that I will not tolerate it anymore.
“Indiscipline will not be tolerated during our preparations for the Junior World Cup next year. I will show the door to any player who feels he is bigger than the sport,” said National Juniors coach K. Rajan.

Rajan to lead 2009 World Cup team

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council recently endorsed K. Rajan as the new National Juniors coach following the resignation of V. Muraleedharan.
Rajan has been entrusted to whip up a team for the 2009 Junior World Cup, which Malaysia and Singapore will be co-hosting.
“I have selected eight new faces from the Razak Cup, including Negri Sembilan’s (G. Kavin Kartik) 16-year-old boy who played very well in the tournament,” said Rajan.
“We have started training, and I will continue even during the fasting month to build their fitness which was lacking during the Razak Cup.”
Rajan also plans to blood the juniors in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) which starts on Oct 10. “It will be good for the juniors to play in the tough MHL, I believe they will pick up some valuable pointers.”
The Junior World Cup will be held on June 7-21 with 20 teams competing in four groups.
Meanwhile, MHF secretary Sgt Hashim Yusoff confirmed yesterday that the parent body is still interested in hiring Korean Kim Sang Ryul as a consultant for the juniors and seniors.
“Kim is now free (after coaching China men’s team for the Beijing Olympics) and we have approached him to train our players on a consultant basis,” said Hashim.
“He has yet to reply, but we hope he can come and help (seniors coach) Sarjit Singh and Rajan as a consultant because both the sides have major assignments next year.” While the juniors will be involved in the World Cup, the seniors will play in the Asia Cup, which is a qualifier for the 2010 New Delhi World Cup.
THE MHF will hold its next council meeting on Sept 20 to submit its accounts and prepare for elections.
Nominations for the biennial elections open on Oct 3 and will close on Oct 25.

Supermen.....

Germany hockey players with the Beijing Olympic gold medal.
Spain hockey players with the Beijing Olympics silver. Come on guys, smile! You earned it.

Super Women ........

GERMAN Women celebrate their Beijing Olympics Gold Medal.
China finished second, but nothing to cry here, as they are the team to watch from now.