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THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHF) administration was thrown into turmoil, when its secretary general Maninderjit Singh (right) sent in a shock resignation letter.
The former international wrote in officially to the MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on Friday, detailing the reasons for his sudden and unexpected resignation.
When asked, Tengku Abdullah confirmed it in an e-mail reply: "Yes, he did send in a letter of resignation, and it came as a surprise. But if you want to know the reason(s), maybe you should ask him."
Attempts to contact Maninderjit Singh were futile, as he did not answer his phone, sms or e-mail.
This is a first for Malaysian hockey, as never before a secretary had resigned before his term ended.
Maninderjit Singh, who last played for the country in the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, was appointed as General Manager of the Malaysian Hockey Federation in July 2009 and assumed the position of Secretary of MHF in October 2010, simultaneously taking over the MHC secretary's post as well.
Malaysia, who failed to qualify for the Olympics after finishing third in the Dublin Qualifier, will host the Junior Asia Cup on May 3-13 in Malacca and then the Azlan Shah Cup in May 24-June 3 in Ipoh.
The MHC are said to have accepted Maninderjit Singh's resignation, and a new office bearer will be appointed soon.
In the recent Selangor Hockey Association’s Bi-Annual General Meeting held at Kelab Shah Alam, Dato Salamon Selamat, President for 12 years stepped down and Dato Sri Subahan Kamal, the Incumbent Deputy President was unanimously elected as President to lead the association with his team for the coming term.
Dato Sri Subahan, who was the Deputy President of Selangor Hockey Association (SHA) since 2009, has brought forth many changes positive changes and, as Competition Committee Chairman, Dato Sri Subahan personally saw to the revival of the Selangor hockey league with the introduction of more tournaments and competitions for various age groups as well as aggressive sponsorship procurement.
SHA also saw an improvement in the administration side of the Association with the introduction of the SHA Official Webpage (www.sha.com.my) and the building of the SHA Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/groups/112764502113148/)
Dato Sri Subahan in his acceptance speech, thanked the Association for having the full confidence in him and his team to lead for the next term. He also thanked Dato Salamon for the 15 years in total he has contributed towards Selangor hockey. Dato Sri Subahan said there are many challenges facing hockey in Selangor but he is prepared to take them head on to bring back the former glory days of Selangor Hockey Association.
Full BGM Results
President YB Dato’ Sri Subahan Bin Kamal - unopposed
Deputy President Dato S.Sivasundaram - unopposed
Vice President (4)
1. Maj. Rtd V.Manisegaran
2. Mr. Noor Azman B. Surudh Ali
3. Mr. Jadadish Chandra
4. Mr. Brian G. Fernandez
Hon. Secretary
Mr. Kuganeson Poologasingam - unopposed
Hon. Treasurer
Mr. N. Ganeswaran - unopposed
Independent Member
Mr. P.Balamuraly - unopposed
TOTAL OVERHAUL: Disappointed MHC president now dreams of 2016 OlympicsBitterly disappointed at the national team finishing third at the Olympic Qualifier in Dublin last week, MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is looking into replacing the existing coaching staff, introduce new players, restructure the domestic league and send players on attachment to clubs overseas.
By K.N. Alagesh
THE national team's failure to qualify for the London Olympics could trigger a major overhaul by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) in its search for a squad to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bitterly disappointed at the national team finishing third at the Olympic Qualifier in Dublin last week, MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is looking into replacing the existing coaching staff, introduce new players, restructure the domestic league and send players on attachment to clubs overseas.
"There is a possibility of hiring a foreign coach but we are looking at other options. I am also planning to introduce a new breed of players and provide them with exposure in foreign leagues," said Tengku Abdullah whose dream is to see the national team play in the 2016 Olympic Games.
"Our domestic league might have to undergo a revamp. The MHC will also scout for young talent and introduce more youth-based programmes."
Tengku Abdullah confirmed he will be meeting with MHC officials in the next few days to discuss the future of the national team.
Speaking on the Dublin disappointment, Tengku Abdullah said he was especially upset when the team drew 1-1 with Ireland as he was hoping the team would make the final. Malaysia needed a win to make the final with South Korea but the draw against the hosts ended their dream. South Korea beat Ireland 3-2 to secure a berth in the Olympics.
Although the national team's Olympic hopes have been dashed, Tengku Abdullah sees light at the end of the tunnel with the presence of several young players who performed well in Dublin.
"They might be new but they blended well with the senior players and showed good determination. This is a positive sign as they will form the core of the team in the near future," he said.
Tengku Abdullah also disclosed that MHC is considering recruiting senior players, who wish to retire, as part time coaches to help nurture new talent.
PIC: K. Dharmaraj
MALAYSIA should cruise into the semi-finals of the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca on May 3-13, judging from the groupings released by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
The hosts are in Group A with South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Iran while in Group B are India, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.
And Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj said his charges should have no problem playing in the semi-finals.
“We only have to beat Japan, Sri Lanka and Iran and should be in the semi-finals with a match to spare against South Korea,” said Dharmaraj who has set his mind on winning the gold medal in Malacca.
Defending champions India have qualified as hosts of the Junior World Cup next year, and they have traditional rivals Pakistan for company.
The AHF have yet to get the green light from the In ternational Hockey Federation (FIH) on how many teams from the Junior Asia Cup will be given berths in the World Cup.
“I will be in Barcelona this weekend to attend an FIH meeting and should get a confirmation from the parent body on how many teams from the Asia Cup will make a direct entry into the World Cup.
“And because India are automatic qualifiers, AHF will propose to the FIH to give our tournament three tickets to the World Cup,” said AHF secretary general Tan Sri P. Ala gendra.
Dharmaraj’s boys will play a series of matches against Pakistan and South Korea starting from April 5, and their last tune-up will be against an Australian club side.
“There is no use in targeting anything lower than the gold medal as we must make the World Cup at all cost. The Korean and Pakistan teams will be down for friendlies and I will use all 35 players I have with me in training to give every player a chance to prove himself before naming the final squad,” said Dharmaraj.
The Junior Asia Cup was supposed to be a 10-team tournament but Thailand withdrew due to domestic rea sons.
For the record, Malaysia have never won the Junior Asia Cup since its inception in Karachi in 1987, with their best being runner in 1992 in Ipoh.
The opening ceremony will be a spectacle to watch on May 2, as plans are afoot for the teams to sail along the Malacca River, past the VIP stands.
PROJECT 2013 won a refreshing gold in the Sultan of Johor Cup but their true test will come in the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca on May 3-13.
Coach K. Dharmaraj's charges finally landed the elusive international gold medal, immaterial whether at senior or junior level, when they beat Australia 3-2 in extra-time in the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup.
For the record, Malaysia's other hockey gold medals were all won at the Sea Games.
And for the Junior Asia Cup, which also doubles up as a Junior World Cup Qualifier, the target is to finish in the top two and make the grade.
Defending champions India, as hosts of the Junior World Cup, snatched a spot while nine other teams -- Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Thailand and Malaysia -- will make up the rest.
The top three finishers in Malacca qualify for the World Cup, but Dharmaraj wants the gold medal. "We must not only play in the final in Malacca but also win the gold medal because it is becoming increasingly difficult to play in the World Cup and Olympics as the standard among teams around the world is fast improving," he said.
His confidence stems from the fact that his players made short work out of Australia, South Korea, India, Pakistan and New Zealand to lay their hands on the Sultan of Johor Cup.
"I was fortunate to see for myself lower ranked teams like Ukraine, Chile and Russia play in the Dublin Olympic Qualifier and was shocked at how much they have improved," said Dharmaraj.
"They have strong basics and good dribbling skills, The only area they are lacking is penalty corner executions and also PC defence.
"They lost out in that two areas, but I believe in a few years it will be difficult to make the World Cup and Olympic grades if our juniors do not start having the winning attitude in them."
And that is why even if his charges need only to finish among the top three in Malacca, Dharmaraj wants the gold medal badly.
With the inclusion of brothers Faizal and Fitri Saari into the Project squad, the coach's target is not far fetched.
"Both will be of great help as they showed maturity in their touches in Dublin," said Dharmaraj.
THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHF) administration was thrown into turmoil, when its secretary general Maninderjit Singh (right) sent in a shock resignation letter.
