Tengku Abdullah new MHF president

TENGKU Abdullah Sultan Ahmad (pic) became the new Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president unopposed, as no challenger surfaced when nominations closed yes terday.
And his smooth transition into the hot seat was was greased with the 11th-hour withdrawal of incumbent Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor. Tengku Abdullah received 13 nominations, indicating a strong tide of belief from states and incumbents.
While it was all rosy at the top, the incumbent deputy president Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar, who received five nominations, will face three challengers in incumbent vice- presidents Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema and Nur Azmi Ahmad; and Ken Pereira.
“Since the states have nominated me for the deputy president’s post again, I will stand for elections, and there is no question of pulling out from the race,” said Tunku Majid.
The MHF elections will be held on Nov 1, and candidates have until Oct 29 to withdraw from the race. There are 10 incumbent, and 32 affiliate votes.
Incumbent sectary Hashim Yusoff was the other candidate who has returned unopposed, and he received 12 nom inations.
The vice-president’s post will see a keen contest, as 11 names have been submitted including that of the four incumbents, while the treasurer’s seat warmed by incum bent S. Sanjilatheeban, who received 11 nominations, saw only one challenger in Abdul Rahman Shariff who only had one nomination.
Sabah and Sarawak, who have a constitutional right to name their vice-presidents, picked Datuk Ramilee Mara haban and Datuk Bustari Yusof.
The nominations were released by Hashim one hour after the noon dead-line.
Tengku Abdullah, who held a dialogue session with in cumbents and MHF affiliates last week, will be going in with his eyes wide open, as he has been briefed on the sorry state of the national team, and the empty coffers.
Some of those who have been nominated are expected to throw in the towel by Oct 29, bringing more changes into the MHF. Outgoing president Anwar could not be reached for comments.
NOMINATIONS -- President: Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ah mad (13).
Deputy President: Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar (incum bent, 5), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (1), Nur Azmi Ahmad (6), Ken Pereira (1).
Vice-Presidents: Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh (incumbent, 12), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (incumbent, 7), Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff (incumbent, 10), Datuk Poon Fook Loke (1), Datuk Salamon Selamat (3), Nur Azmi Ahmad (1), M. Gobinathan (5), Johari Abdul Aziz (1), Ken Pereira (2), DSP Mohinder Singh (1), Majid Manjit Abdullah (2).
Automatic Vice-presidents: Sabah -- Datuk Ramilee Mara haban; Sarawak: Datuk Bustari Yusof.
Secretary: Hashim Yusoff (12).
Treasurer: S. Sanjilatheeban (incumbent, 11), Abdul Rah man Shariff (1).

Tengku Abdullah looks good

AT high noon today, a strong wind of change is expected to sweep away Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor and his deputy Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar when nominations close for the Nov 1 elections.
Police HA, Penang HA, Pahang HA Malacca HA and many more states have held their council meetings, and their unanimous choice to helm MHF is Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad.
“We held our council meeting on Thursday, and have nominated Tengku Abdullah for the president’s post, while Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema for the deputy president’s.
“We believe there is a need for chance at the top to revive hockey and we hope our sentiments are shared by other states,” said Police HA president DSP Mohinder Singh, a former national skipper.
And it is strongly believed that Tengku Abdullah’s home state Pahang, have also received instructions to nominate him for president.
In Penang, the state HA also confirmed that they have nominated Tengku Abdullah.
Penang HA secretary, Ranjit Singh, said: “We are confident that with Tengku Abdullah’s vast experience in sports ad ministration, the Pahang Prince is the most capable person for the top post.
Penang, however, have nominated Malacca HA deputy president and two-term MHF vice president Nur Azmi Ah mad for the deputy president’s post.
“We see a good team in Tengku Abdullah and Nur Azmi to steer hockey out of its present state.
“This decision was arrived at after a through discussion and also taking the present scenario into consideration,” said Ranjit.
And Nur Azmi also confirmed that Malacca HA have nominated Tengku Abdullah.
“We believe Tengku Abdullah is the best person, and hockey needs to be saved, as it is now or never,” said Nur Azmi.
And at an early count, the states favour incumbent vice- president’s Dr Cheema, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh and Datuk Abdul Rahim Ariff.
Some of the other names for veep that have cropped up are Ken Pereira, former international Poon Fook Loke and Negri HA vice president M. Gopinathan.
As for the secretary and treasurer, the tide still favours incumbents Sgt Hashim Yusoff and S. Sanjilatheeban.
At noon today, the full list of nominations will be released by the MHF.

Nominate with head, not heart: Fook Loke

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) biennial election nominations close this Saturday, but until yesterday there has only been a trickle of entries.
It is common knowledge, that the states are still holding their favourite candidates close to their chests, and some will only fax in the nomination papers at the 11th-hour.
“Nominations close at noon on Saturday, after which we will release it to the press,” said MHF secretary Sgt Hashim Yusoff.
States are still confused with the signal sent out by their presidential hopeful Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad, as he has yet to confirm nor deny that he is interested to become the next president.
Incumbent president Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor and his deputy Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar have also been non-committal, with both agreeing that the man which gets the highest number of nominations will helm MHF for another term.
However, many including Datuk Poon Fook Loke, believe that states should select someone who is willing to work, as there is not much money left in the MHF coffers, while the team is ranked a miserable 15th in the world.
“States have to select candidates who have a passion for hockey, and only then can some repair be done to the Federation as well as the hockey team.
“Only two more days are left for them to decide on their candidates, and my advise to them is to think carefully, as hockey is in a bad state today, and work is cut out for those who are elected on Nov 1,” said Fook Loke.
When Fook Loke was playing hockey on grass, Malaysia ended fourth in the 1975 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, and he is has been on the MHF selection committee since 1997, and has held many other posts in the Federation.
“When we started planning for the 2005 (Rotterdam) Junior World Cup, it was an uphill task as there were not many promising juniors then. But the 2005 team has now matured and played in many other international tour naments, but the problem is still the same, as we do not have capable juniors anymore.
“Only those committed to hockey should be elected, and even then, it will be many years more of hard work before we can see results,” said Fook Loke.

Juniors yet to show promise

THE National Juniors have been far from impressive in their Malaysia Hockey League Division One debut, and a pale shadow of themselves compared to how they performed in the Razak Cup.
Malaysia and Singapore will co-host the Junior World Cup on June 7-21 next year which leaves coach K. Rajan with only nine months to whip the team into shape.
“Yes, there is a drastic drop in form in the two matches they have played, but there is nothing to worry because I do not have the best (players) with me,” said Rajan. “Eight of my better players are with other MHL teams, and I am giving everyone in my team a chance to play so that I can have a good picture at the end of the MHL.
“Fitness, overall, is still not at best but I am confident they will be ready when we host the World Cup.”
In their opening encounter, the Juniors lost 3-1 to Tenaga Nasional in a match they should have wrapped up if not for blowing a handful of open chances.
Against Maybank, the Juniors were at their worst and looked lost when presented with opportunities, and not surprisingly, lost 3-2.
Rajan has more than 30 players in training but will trim the squad after the MHL.
“After giving all of them a fair chance in the MHL, I will drop those who consistently under-perform and by Jan, I will have the best with me and will then start whipping them into shape,” Rajan added.
The MHL is only two matches old but already it looks like in Division One, only Sapura and Tenaga Nasional have enough firepower to stop League champions Ernst & Young from claiming their maiden MHL double.
Fixtures — Oct 31 — Division One: Sapura v Tenaga Nasional (KLHA Stadium, 7pm), Maybank v Ernst & Young (Seremban II Stadium, 5pm), National Juniors v Nur Insafi (National Stadium Pitch I, 7pm).
Division Two: Alam Shah School v Bandar Penawar SS (National Stadium Pitch II, 7pm), UiTM v Border Forces Club (Pandamaran Stadium, 5pm), Royal Malay Regiment v UNIMAP (Tun Razak Stadium, 7pm), JLJD v Dolphins (Tun Razak Stadium, 9pm).

Ernst & Young edge Sapura

LEAGUE champions Ernst & Young struggled before col lecting three points in their 2-1 win against Sapura in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League yesterday.
Ernst & Young, who hammered Nur Insafi 10-0 in their MHL curtain raiser on Friday, failed to live up to ex pectations, especially in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Baljit Singh gave Ernst & Young, who are virtually the national team, some breathing space when he converted a 35th minute penalty corner.
But after the hooter, the seasoned players in Sapura dominated, and snatched an equaliser in the 55th minute off their South Korean import Kim Jung Chul.
Ernst & Young were under tremendous pressure after that, but Kelvinder Singh snatched the winner with a 63rd minute deflection.
In another Division One match, TNB Cup champions Tenaga Nasional edged Nur Insafi 3-1.
Tenaga got their goals off Fazreen Ekhsan ( 12th), Tajol Rosli (34th) and Amin Rahim (65th). Mamunur Rahman (32nd) and Prem Kumar (69th), both India imports, scored for Nur Insafi.
Ernst & Young team manager George Koshy was a relieved man: “It was a close game because the heavy rain made the pitch heavy, and it did not suit my players who are fast with the ball.
“But then, the three points took us closer to defending our League title, so no complaints,” said George.
Former international K. Embaraj, said his team played in patches.
“I was a good and entertaining hockey match, with the firsthalf dominated by E&Y but we came back strongly after the breather. I believe we will get better as the League progresses,” said Embaraj.
RESULTS -- Division One: Tenaga Nasional 3 Nur Insafi 2, National Juniors 2 Maybank 3, Ernst & Young 2 Sapura 1.
Division Two: Bandar Panawar SS 5 UNIMAP 0, Dolphins 1 Bukit Jalil SS 1, JLJD 2 Alam Shah School 3, Border Forces Club 1 Royal Malay Regiment 4.


STANDINGS


DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
Ernst & Young 2 2 0 0 12 1 6
Tenaga 2 2 0 0 6 3 6
Maybank 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Sapura 2 1 0 1 2 4 3
National Juniors 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
Nur Insafi 2 0 0 2 2 13 0



DIVISION TWO


P W D L F A Pts
Bandar Penawar 2 2 0 0 10 3 6
Alam Shah 2 2 0 0 9 4 6
Malay Regiment 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Bukit Jalil 2 1 1 0 4 1 3
Dolphins 2 0 2 0 4 4 2
UiTM 1 0 1 0 3 3 1
JLJD 2 0 0 2 5 8 0
Border Forces 2 0 0 2 3 10 0
UNIMAP 1 0 0 1 0 5 0