MHF BGM

Results

Deputy : Nur Azmi

VP - Dato Che Khalib, Dato Rahim, Gobi, Manjit Majid

Keep following the site for updates on the MHF Election.

1130- Meeting commences

1135- Speech by Tengku Mahkota, President of MHF as below.

Admin - have always kept an eye and provided advice to improve administration. We have only five staff and not easy for such an organization and understrength.

13 management meetings and seven council meetings, met often enough. We were rated and 63 percent by OCM, and were rated A by the Sports Comm Office.

We have weakness with regards to the performance of national team, sadly we did not perform well but not that bad either. We are stagnant and need to do something.

Look in depth and give national team a chance. Am trying the best to beef up team and on learning curve. Have some ideas to improve team but need constructive ideas from affiliates.

With regards to the constitution that we need to improvise with obsolete clauses. I welcome views towards improving our constitution towards the betterment of the sport. Secretary and Treasurer appointed to avoid any conflict and avoid politics. The reason for the increase of term to four years is to meet key performance index, so we need to give this a try and see how it works.

Elections, many are keen and was surprised I was not challenged. Democracy is still alive within MHF.

We have to respect the views of writers and bloggers as they too have a view.

I want all the candidates to work together and do not want a split MHF as I can always exit if I find continued split within MHF.

Moving forward, on development we have the 1MAS program and hope it works well. Do not want it to be mere program and it should not fail. Will go to visit personally. The PM will launch it on December 13. This if done well we will get more corporate sponsors and we even are looking to outsource it.

Thank the PM and every ringgit spent is accountable and wisely spent on players and not officials. Thank Dato Zolkples the NSC DG for monitoring the program.

National team at Commonwealth did not do well. We approved the request by coaches to send full team. But against India it showed we can perform but after that we just went down. We need to improve and result was not acceptable and it's China we target now towards the road to Olympics. If we fail at Asian Games then we have to look at the qualifiers.

Not only are we looking at Nat Team, but I feel we should have two national teams and two junior teams. We lack a big base.

We have Nat Team, a 2013 team and another a 2017 team. We are short of quality players.

All other countries depend on younger players and Pakistan even had a 15 year old in New Delhi. Therefore 1 MAS must deliver.

The 2013 team have performed well and behave well as well.

As for 2017, we need to give them time and will provide exposure and will appoint a consultant for this. We will have a database and will be launched next year.

States will have to play a major role and not compete but complement the efforts of the national body.

Also wish to thank the Competition Committee for a job well done to carry out the various tournaments over the period in office.

We should target the title for the Azlan Shah Cup as it's the 20th edition.

As for finance, we will increase the prize money by 30 per cent in the next MHL so as to make it more prestigious.

We also increased the organizational cost for states playing hosts from RM25,000 to RM30,000. We are sensitive to needs of states.

An incentive scheme to organize the Under 18 league, we will provide RM3,000 to RM15,000 as a grant to encourage youth program to help develop more players.

We have until June 2010 paid off all our debtors totaling RM1.4 million and thank all those who have helped me.

We have a surplus at the moment if RM3.2 million including the RM2 million from the federal government, and maybe even NSC do not know.

The PM has set us a target to be in the top 10 and I have set that as our goal.

Personally I hope we will continue to improve.

Wish to thank the PM and all those who sponsored MHF and we pray they continue to do so in the coming years.

12.15- speech of President ends

12.20- minutes of last AGM, annual report, accounts are approved.

12.25- election of office bearers commences.

Tengku Abdullah opts not to vote in the elections so there will only be 36 votes to decide positions.

1245- Voting for Deputy Presidents position completed and Vice Presidents votes are being cast.

In 40 rests the fate of Malaysian hockey

Time and again, Malaysian sport has been betrayed by the very men entrusted with the task of keeping the flame of the game burning bright.

It is a sacred duty these men are sworn implicitly to perform the moment they offer themselves for office.

But that is rarely the case in this country where self-interest and bigotry outweigh all other moral considerations.

The fate of Malaysian hockey once again rests in the hands of the 40 delegates from the states and affiliates who will, together with the outgoing council members entitled to vote, elect those who will govern the sport for the next term.

The 40 have a heavy responsibility as it is their choice of officials which will ultimately determine whether the rot continues or if hockey has even a chance of making a recovery.

As it is, they have a rather poor record in their choice of candidates as the decrepit state of the game clearly shows.

Because their decisions have often been dictated by sentiment and prejudice rather than good sense, the men they picked have often lacked the quality and
ability to do the job.

To put it bluntly, they have been duds - jesters and eunuchs who put hockey to the sword through their incompetence and indifference.

For far too long have the delegates failed in their moral obligation to ensure that only the qualified lead the association.

For far too long has the game suffered at the hands of mediocrity and less.

That has been a gross dereliction of responsibility on the part of the delegates. An injustice to the game. A betrayal of the trust of the fans, the people, the state and the nation.

Of course these delegates don't see it that way. Not when the prevailing culture and thinking is warped by the politics of greed, venality, hate and spite.

It is time to change all that. The decisions we make determine our futures. The onus is on the delegates to take responsibility for their vote and elect the right men.

Perhaps then hockey will have a chance. Perhaps then the sport will draw genuine talent, men and women of true calibre who will be encouraged by the knowledge that there will always be fairplay in the MHF.

It is time for the delegates to search their souls, do the honorable thing and commit their votes to the future of the sport. Or, forever be damned for making the wrong choices - again.

Malaysians will know just who to blame if the game continues to suffer at the hands of the incompetent.

It will be the 40 who chose to put them in charge... or not.

Save the game: Give the cheats and the dolts the stick

That there are those of influence trying to profit from the MHF elections is not only a crying shame but a blight on the game.

The allegation that a contender for a senior position is offering to prejudice the outcome of the voting in return for gratification needs immediate action.

For far too long has the MHF, like other sports associations in the country, been allowed to be run by a cohort of unscrupulous men who are only in it for personal gain. Not the sport, not the players, not the nation.

The MHF has, in recent years, become a byword for such blatant misconduct, incompetence and inefficiency. These are just some examples of that:

VOTE BUYING: The said powerbroker is determined to place people of his choice, or those who are willing to pay for it, in the council. This is probably not the first time this is happening in the MHF of course. That the delegates are willing to sell their honour and votes for a song is the greater tragedy.

THE SURJIT MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT IN JALANDHAR: Despite knowing about the tourney months in advance, MHF did nothing to prepare for the trip. When the National Sports Council rejected funding as MHF had exceeded their budget, there was a last minute scramble and MHF ended up with Air Asia as the sponsors despite having to pay for the tickets, albeit at a discount.

MISSING MONEY: RM25,000 "disappeared" some two years ago but only now has MHF realised it. So much for keeping proper accounts and accountability. How are we to know that this is not the first time monies have been unaccounted for in the MHF?

IGNORANCE: The national team was put in an embarrassing position at the Delhi Commonwealth Games because of yet another screwup by ignorant officials. The regulations in multi-sports events are quite clear on no advertising being allowed on jerseys. Because an official was ignorant, or simply failed to understand the rules, the team had to cover the sponsors name on the jerseys before taking to the field.

There are many more such instances of imbecility which have made Malaysian hockey a laughing stock at home and abroad. So why we continue to suffer fools who give the game a bad name is anybody's guess.

The delegates have to realise that they are culpable for voting in these people in the first place. Like it or not, they are accomplices after the fact for all the misdeeds and blunders for endorsing the corrupt and the incompetent. This is what happens when they sell their votes or are driven by petty peeves rather than voting for the best candidate.

Where prejudices, bias and bigotry triumph over reason, merit and true capability. That is what the MHF is today - a sordid hotbed of hypocrisy and duplicity, never mind the game.

The delegates must realise that they are morally obliged to vote for the best candidate. That a major hockey revival will profit all concerned. That hockey need not go begging bowl in hand for funds if it were a success. That sponsors would be falling over each other to be part of the sport if it regained its preeminence.

For that to happen the president needs men of calibre around him. Men who can help reshape and remake Malaysian hockey and relaunch it into the stratosphere. They must be able to take a purely commercial approach to make hockey both viable and appealing to the masses again.

  

MHF must become Malaysian Hockey Inc, answerable to the primary stakeholders - the Malaysian people. That can only happen if the delegates put all differences aside and vote for the greater glory of the sport. That means giving the venal manipulators and the incompetent the stick.

If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal

More than anything else, the Malaysian Hockey Federation is in dire need of a change IN men rather than just a change OF men.

Malaysian hockey is crying for new inspiration and motivation which can only be provided by fresh faces with the moral fibre and strength of character to force the necessary changes. The revolution has to be in the new ideas and commitment these men bring, not returning to office or voting in those who promise more of the same indifference and ineptiude. 

There is no need to belabour the plight hockey is in. It is there for all, except the blinkered men who run MHF, to see.  The humiliation in New Delhi will be repeated in Guangzhou next month and we will be fed the usual ration of bull by the MHF fat cats.

How much longer must Malaysians put up with this nonsense as the country slips further into obscurity. The current state of hockey is an insult to former MHF leaders like Tun Abdul Razak, Sultan Azlan Shah and others. It is an insult to former greats like A. Francis, Yang Siow Meng, Razak Leman, Poon Fook Loke, M. Mahendran, C. Paramalingam, the late Ho Koh Chye and Dato Yoges, who took the national team to such great heights. 

Most of all, it is an insult to all Malaysians.

But do the present MHF officials care? Do they share the same humiliation? Do they even have a sense of shame or responsibilty? Or are they so secure in their hide-bound exo-skeletons that they simply don't care? After all, their positions, won by whatever artifice possible, are secure.

Their indifference is nothing short of scandalous. Their ignorance even more so. It is the nation's pride at stake for heaven's sake.

But then again you only sow what you reap and the fault very much lies with those who voted these men into office, time and again, in the first place. Unkept pledges, promoting their henchmen, making decisions that will further damage the sport seem to be the key performance indicator as votes are being sought by dubious means.

Truth be told, like everything else in the country, politics has taken precedence over good governance. Every single day is spent backstabbing and maligning and sabotaging the efforts of rivals to the extent that the sport takes a backseat.

If only they expanded all that energy running the sport as they are supposed to. But then again, do they even know what needs to be done?

Allegations of vote-buying, threats, poison text messages, missing money from the coffers of MHF, seeking positions in companies as a trade off for support,  and other dirty tricks are rife as election day nears. You would think these candidates were vying for seats in the state assembly or parliament. It is downright unhealthy and revolting the lengths these people will go to. That alone should disqualify them from office.

That is why it is imperative that the delegates forget petty rivalries and vote for the most capable candidates this Sunday. Some of the officials have been around in hockey for so long that they have virtually become part of the furniture and just as inanimate.

But it takes courage to change and that is one commodity that Malaysian sport lacks.

Cronyism and patronage override all other considerations and the sport suffers. The quality of the national teams and the results are a damning indictment of the incumbents' bungling attempts at running MHF, yet they remain in office, hanging on to the President, even claiming that Tengku Abdullah's state by virtue of nominating them means an endorsement of their candidancy by the President himself.

More than the driftwood and deadwood, hockey needs men capable of doing the job. It is good that some former internationals have decided to join the fray. One or two of them should be given a chance to serve as MHF badly needs an infusion of fresh blood and ideas.

Most of the incumbents have had more than their share of chances and have been found wanting. Give the new candidates the opportunity to revive the sport. That is how things work in a fair and just society where failed officials are voted out for the greater good.

As elected guardians of hockey, the delegates are dutybound to put the sport above self and vote for the right candidates. They must remember that the sport's failure is their failure.

The hardest thing about any election campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.

Let us hope they don't let their states and the nation down again.

MHFGATE

A candidate for the post of Deputy President for the forthcoming Malaysian Hockey Federation elections is making deals for himself while intimidating candidates for the vice presidents positions.

Not only did he try to talk one candidate for vice president to withdraw from the race, he promised the other that he will be one of the four candidates that will be voted in provided he was given a directorship in one of the candidates companies.

Talk is rife thar RM5,000 for the votes is being offered and it's high time the MHF President takes a long hard look at the quality and ethics of the candidates.

CHANGE, MHF MUST

If the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) were a business entity it would have been declared bankrupt and the officials unceremoniously sacked a long time ago.

But because this is Malaysia, where accountability is meaningless, failed officials continue to thrive under the patronage of the very people entrusted with the responsibilty of producing results.

Never mind that it is public funds being squandered. Never mind that the sport is being suffocated by all levels of incompetence and mismanagement. Never mind that this is tantamount to criminal abuse. 

Never mind that these officials have reduced once proud Malaysian hockey to destitution. After all, failure and ineptitude are well rewarded in this fair land.

Incompetence is as pernicious a disease as diabetes and just as easy to ignore until it is too late. The sweet-toothed MHF has been in decay for decades simply because the leadership preferred to appoint yesmen and sycophants ahead of competent, result-oriented men of character and thrift.

These flunkies have defiled and destroyed the very fabric of hockey in the country as they are driven only by self-interest and gorging on freebies. 

Like virulent parasites that feed on a bloated carcass, these men have had neither the inclination nor the desire or wherewithal to resuscitate and revitalise the sport.

Typical of all bootlickers they simply don't have a clue.

So who is to blame for the comatose state of Malaysian hockey? Is it these bunch of turkeys posing as officials or is the president to blame for his feckless leadership in allowing himself to be surrounded by such effete minions?

It is tragic that we have to hark back 35 years, to that 1975 World Cup in KL, for a nostalgic whiff of what could have been. Like Malaysian football, hockey has seen better days and has been languishing in the doldrums for about the same period of time.

There are many similarities symtomatic of the debilitating disease afflicting both sports. A once thriving industry which produced quality players is now a desolate landscape of drought and despair. 

The schools and local leagues are in shambles and the once premier Razak Cup tournament is a travesty of the tournament which once drew the attention of the entire nation.

So who do you blame for this clear dereliction of duty? The bunch of goons posing as officials or is the president to blame for turning a blind eye to the abuses?

But then the bane of Malaysian sport has always been the blame game, which if it were an Olympic event Malaysia would be prime contenders for gold. For far too long have incompetence and failure allowed to flourish unchallenged in this country. It is time for results and accountability.

It is incumbent upon the president to deliver the goods and he can only do this by getting the right team to do the job. 

Like it or now, as tax payers the public are shareholders in MHF and have the right to demand answers for non-performance and poor results. 

The president and his men are dutybound to make profitable returns by way of a viable national team and ensuring that the sport returns to a vibrant state of health.

This means being prepared to work with people who know what it takes to get the job done. Men and women who are prepared to go down to the boilers and toil and get dirty in the process if necessary. 

What MHF no longer needs is useless officials in stuffy suits who think only of their own comforts or the next junket.

BETTER LATE THEN NEVER

It's been said many times before that the only way to fail is to quit.  While this is true, some times we need to take a step back and ask ourselves if our efforts are really worth it. But when it is the right time to give up?

The only thing sadder than a tainted official not knowing when to call it quits is a metaphysical being not knowing when to say when. This is a dilemma that is not only unique to those holding office in the Malaysian Hockey Federation but it is something that all sports officials here do, they just do not know when to bid goodbye, even though the writing is on the wall.

The unfortunate thing about not knowing to call it quits will eventually lead to their careers ending in undignified fashion. Many of those seeking election, re-election and making a comeback, have been in the sport for a good 15 to 20 years and in reality this is all they have known since their teenage years.

Therefore, emotionally it is gut wrenching and difficult to wake up one day and just leave everything behind, but the reality of the situation is some of them just should not have been there in the first place.

Besides the glamour thing, like rubbing shoulders with royalty, there are intangible things that are to be missed, the money making, the talking cock banter and the feeling they go through as they look down upon others.

That is why some of these officials want to squeeze every last drop out of their careers.

Generally, ego is a dominant factor, but oftentimes it is pure revenge that drives these officials to stay beyond their welcome. Ego leads the official to the conclusion that the deterioration of the institution is someone else's fault. 

The coaches are the one who always screw up, the malcontents in the office, the civil servants who never get anything right, are all a convenient rationale for justifying a prolonged stay.

Some officials have tunnel vision and don't seem to realize that the failures of those around them are rooted in their own failures as officials of the association.

Others however, exist on revenge, that everyone is out to get them and they'll be damned if they will leave on any but their own terms.

These are the type of officials who create the biggest problems for their successors.

Experience is something that has no substitute but there comes a point when the negatives outweigh that.

So when is the right time to call it quits? One has to take a look at the following questions and situations and come to a conclusion.

When you don't enjoy your work; When everything that goes wrong is someone else's fault; When being out of the office at an inane conference is an occasion that can't be missed; When you think that everyone is out to get you; When you spend more time on your cell phone than your desk phone; When the words "due process" for the first time really mean something; When you think your evaluation has been "cooked.” When your superiors have more meetings without you than with you ; When one of your inferiors is consulted more than you ; When you spend more time with people you used to dislike than time with people you admire.

If all the above is happening, then you know that the writing is on the wall and its time to look elsewhere.

There are no iron clad signs but some are telltale indications that a change of scenery would be "a good thing." For the grass may look greener elsewhere.

THE CANDIDATES FOR MHF

Apology to some though as I do not have your pictures, so I guess we have to make do without your faces for the time being. And one more thing, just because their faces are here it does not mean they are my preferred candidates.

Incumbent Deputy President Nur Azmi Ahmad

Former Deputy President Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar Shah

Incumbent VP vying for Deputy Position Dato Dr. SS Cheema

Incumbent Vice President M.Gobinathan

VP challenger Ow Soon Kooi

MHF ELECTIONS

Having watched, read and gathered information about the forthcoming MHF elections, this blog will from today expose certain fake personalities playing double games, alleged vote buying, unkept promises, money swindling allegedly and also how nominations were done by a state without calling for a council meeting.

Suffice to say that some of those nominated to key positions are using these elections to build a war chest, promising things they failed to deliver over the past two years. Even the 1 MAS program is having some issues as states yet to be paid for September.

Watch this space, beginning today, the run up to the MHF elections...

He who has learned how to steal, must learn how to hang.

Malaysian sports is today in a poor state of organization. Its super-structure is top heavy, some of its foundations are built on shifting sands. The entire edifice has been corroded with jealousies and prejudices, provincialism and communalism, anomalies and stupidities.

A rash of medals at the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games may have given the impression that we have become a sports power. Not so soon. The champagne must stay on ice.

The Sports Minister, and his able deputies, have contributed nothing towards sports in the time they have been in office, save for turning up to take pictures and pose with athletes that have won medals, and that too limited to the likes of top world class performers in the likes of Lee Chong Wei.

Mind you that read this, the Minister has done wonders in promoting tennis in the country, with close to RM40 million being spent on three events, but where was he when the Malaysian Hockey Federation had to virtually sell their rights of the Project 2013 team to Air Asia as they could ill afford the flight tickets to participate in tournaments in India this month. What’s a mere RM20, 000 opposed to the RM40 million?

And while we are at this subject Mr. Minister, how come none of the main stream media nor some vocal bloggers, who virtually started a war with KBS and its then minister about the football extravagant event that cost RM17 million gone silent on you spending RM40 million on a sport that has never given us gold even at SEA Games level?

And what about the Sports Industry Secretariat that occupies the first floor of Casa 1 holds meetings and eats food from the NSC cafeteria daily, the expenditure, which comes from the beleaguered NSC that has been accused of not paying its debtors, but in reality, has to pay for feeding a committee that, is run to your whims and fancies?

So the crux of the matter is that players are merely pawns in the skirmishes for power, the stepping- stones by which social climbers and careerists find their way into presidential and committee chairs.

The three stakeholders in defining the success of an athlete are, the athlete himself, the administrators and the public at large.

In reality the greatest thrust for excellence has to come from the athlete, but for so many years, the athletes have shown themselves to be satisfied with the perks of participation, rather than the rewards of performance.

For the last few decades, our participation in multi sports events has been not targeted for wins, but to improve on their personal best. What more with the Malaysian Hockey Federation treating the games as ax exposure trip, declaring openly their intentions. So why did the Olympic Council of Malaysia not declare the hockey team as a Category B participant?

It will be easy to blame the athletes. But they are part of a system that rewards mediocrity, a system that is geared towards producing gracious losers, not aggressive winners.

No football, hockey, badminton or squash association can take credit for the successes of athletes like the Bakar brothers Namat and Isa, Kavandan brothers Keevan and Logan, Lee Chong Wei, the Sidek brothers, Misbun, Razif,Jailani, Rashid or Nicol Ann David. These athletes emerged from the strong, unbiased, focused organizations that have not been given enough credit, their families.

Most of these champions have had problems with their respective sports associations, including the Ministry of Youth & Sports, which are being run or were run by politicians. And not forgetting time observers who want to take credit for every success, but are experts in pointing fingers at others when things go wrong.

When such champions continue to be harassed by officialdom, which functions in a heavy-handed bureaucratic manner in the likes of some zealous officials within the National Sports Council, what chance do those in the lower rungs of the ladder have.

Part Two will follow on the War Series…

WAR IT SHALL BE

Seems that there is an instruction sort of from some bigwigs of KBS and NSC who upon the advice of some journalists and bloggers, not to give me any work to do for sports bodies. Well good for the Minister and his henchmen. If it's war you want then it's a war u will have. See you in hell gentlemen.

TWO DEFEATS FOR AIR ASIA

The Air Asia team, which is in actual fact the national Project 2013 team, lost both their pool matches thus far in the 27th Indian Oil Servo Surjit Hockey Tournament being held in Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

Placed in Pool C, the Air Asia team as it's listed on the official tournament website, lost their opening match 1-2 ion 17th October against Army XI Delhi.

Army opened scoring in the 25th minute via a penalty corner converted by Rajesh Lakra and doubled their lead two minutes later via a field goal scored by Arumugam.

Air Asia reduced the deficit with a penalty corner converted by Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim in the 38th minute.

In their second match played yesterday, Air India Mumbai defeated Air Asia Malaysia 7-2.

Air Asia however took the lead in the 6th minute with a goal scored by Amir Farid.

But Air India Mumbai went 6-1 ahead thanks to goals by VS Vinay (8th minute), Sandeep Michel (11th minute), M. Amir Khan ( 19th minute), Joga Singh ( 24th minute), VS Vinay (34th minute) and Dhanraj Pillay ( 50th minute).

Air Asia reduced the deficit through Faiz in the 51st minute but Lalit Upadhayay scored in the 56th minute.

Now can someone from MHF explain why the team representing is using the name Air Asia?

It is a tough tournament mind you as YNS played there as well and credit to the players for their ability, but why did MHF not name it Air Asia - Project 2013?

MONDAY D-DAY FOR STEPHEN

National coach Stephen van Huizen will ony know next Monday if he can travel with the team for the Asian Games.

Stephen suffered a spinal injury after a fall he suffered towards the end of the 7/8th placing match against Canada during the Commonwealth Games. The fall resulted him in suffering on L1-L3 of his spine that could have resulted in temporary paralysis.

"We are going to refer him to a spinal specialist in a day or two and shall be able to determine if he is fit to carry out his responsibilities with the team for the Asian Games, " said National Sports Institute Director General Dato Dr. Ramlan Abdul Aziz.

"He was given the due care in New Delhi and from the results thus far, it may not be that serious. But we will not take any risks.

"There are two options open to us, either Stephen travels with the team but his role maybe limited to certain aspects, or he is replaced by another coach.

"I will provide the medical opinion for the consideration of MHF and its up to them to make the necessary decisions. But suffice to say we cannot risks further damage to his spine and hence ISN has given him medical leave.

"He should refrain from coaching until we can determine the extent of the injury as there are complications that can arise if proper care is not given. On the hindsight though, he seems to be coping well and is mentally strong, other then the discomfort and pain, Stephen is responding well to treatment.

"But since its a case of the spine, we need to consult a spinal specialist and await the report."

When contacted, Stephen said that he has informed MHF with regards to his medical condition and is awaiting an appointment with the spinal specialist.

"It was an accident as I missed some steps when making my way to the changing room after the match," recalled Stephen.

"The pain was unbearable after the team talk and I was taken to hospital where a scan and MRI was conducted. It was there that the doctors told me of the extent of my injury. And te recovery period was set between 4 to 6 weeks.

"I feel discomfort when moving around but will do all I can to help the team in training in the next few days with Beng Hai and Nor Saiful carrying out the coaching duties.

"As for the Asian Games, I will await the completion of the tests conducted by the spinal specialist and take it from there."

In a related development, it has been reported in the Pakistan media that Pakistan and Malaysia will play two Test matches after Deepavali (on November 5) in preparation for the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Malaysia will host the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from the 5th to 15th May and the teams conformed thus far are England, South Korea, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, either Spain or Australia plus hosts Malaysia.

In addition, Malaysia will play in the Champions Challenge II, that will be held in Lille, France from the 19th to 25th of June. The countries competing are Austria, Czechoslovakia, China, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Scotland and France.

MURRAY BOWS OUT WITH A GOLD

For Frank Murray, there were no tears of joy, but only a sense of immense satisfaction at ending his coaching career with a gold medal in the women's hockey competition of the Commonwealth Games here Wednesday. 

'For sure, it was an emotional moment for all of us today. For me, it is not so much as a gold medal as the people who matter most.

'Hopefully, I have left behind some thoughts for the group to reflect on and they will do better in the future. I will be there in London for the Olympics in two years' time cheering the girls.

'I am very satisfied, but may be tonight or tomorrow, I will reflect on the achievement.

'I think, this team now needs a new voice, fresh ideas and direction. So, it is time for someone else to take over.

'As for me, I will take some rest and catch up on sleep. May be some golf, but I would like to remain linked to sports if not hockey,' said Murray, who had announced his retirement from coaching at the start of the tournament.

It was a fitting send-off for Murray and skipper Madonna Blyth said the gold medal that Australia won beating New Zealand on penalties in the final was indicative of a team that was on its way up.

Blyth said: 'We have been through some difficult times in the recent past, and the gold medal today showed that we are on our way up.

'Of course, there is still a lot of hard work ahead of us and hopefully, we will do better in London (Olympics), for that is our target.'

Looking back on the past few years when the Aussies went through a trough, Murray said it all boiled down to a couple of matches.

Australia had finished second behind the Netherlands at the 2006 World Cup, but were fifth at the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World Cup, inviting a lot of criticism with Murray giving a dressing down to the players.

'Actually, it all came down to a couple of matches. In Beijing, we drew with China and missed the semi-finals on goal-difference. At the World Cup, we lost to Germany by one goal and that knocked us out.

'But this is a good bunch and has some talented youngsters who will grow with experience and be ready for London Olympics,' said Murray.

Reflecting on the final, Blyth said when the Kiwis scored in the last minute to make it 2-2, it was difficult to keep focus and confidence levels up.

'But we had to remain composed and be positive. I think, all credit to the girls for keeping their nerves. Both teams had chances in extra-time, but could not convert,' she said.

On her missing a penalty stroke in the tie-breaker, Blyth said: 'It was tough, but you always have the players to go back to and I am happy that eventually we got through.'

The New Zealand team declined to hold a post-match press conference.

HAVE FAITH IN US, SAYS STEVE

The 28 days in between the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games will be used by the national team to fine tune set pieces as well as recover from the strain of playing in New Delhi.

With Faisal Saari suspended, there was tremendous physical pressure on the team as they only had 13 players available as golkeeper S. Kumar returned to Malaysia to attend his father's funeral.

The 7-0 defeat at the hands of Australia today was demoralising but Stephen van Huizen was unperturbed with the result as well as what critics might say.

"We have to accept the fact that Australia are the world champs and there is bound to be a gap between the two teams," conceded Stephen.

"So instead of pointing fingers, we will take stock of the defeat and improve on the weak areas for the Asian Games.

"Australia hit us with early goals and we never recovered from that. But it showed us what is needed to get Malaysian hockey back on track."

Deprived of quality matches intheir build up to the Commonwealth Games, Stephen said that they had no intention of playing any matches prior to the Asiad.

"We need to work on the mental strength and the conditioning of the team. The players have to start believing in their ability," said Stephen.

On the point that Malaysia were not utilising their penalty corners well, Stephen said that they used only direct attempts as their Asian Games opponents were collcting information on their opponents.

"I have always said that I was using the Commonwealth to gauge our players and try our certain things. Judge us not by these results as its the Asian Games that matter."

CONDOLENCES TO KUMAR

Malaysian goalkeeper S.Kumar's father Subramaniam passed away last night after he suffered an heart attack. He was 52 years old.

He suffered chest pains after the Malaysia v Scotland match and was rushed to hospital but passed away.

It was only a week before the Commonwealth Games that I met Mr. Subramaniam in a coffee shop in Tampin and one could see he proud he was of his son from the way he spoke about Kumar. Though his son was an international star, Subramaniam was modest and hoped that one day Kumar will play at the Olympics.

Kumar will leave Delhi and attend to the last rites of his father with the funeral to be held in Tampin tomorrow.

My heart goes out to Kumar in his hour of grief and I am sure the hockey fraternity will offer prayers that the late Subramaniam's soul rests in peace.

CONDOLENCES TO KUMAR

Malaysian goalkeeper S.Kumar's father Subramaniam passed away last night after he suffered an heart attack. He was 55 years old.

It was only a week before the Commonwealth Games that I met Mr. Subramaniam in a coffee shop in Tampin and one could see he proud he was of his son from the way he spoke about Kumar. Though his son was an international star, Subramaniam was modest and hoped that one day Kumar will play at the Olympics.

Kumar will leave Delhi and attend to the last rites of his father with the funeral to be held in Tampin tomorrow.

My heart goes out to Kumar in his hour of grief and I am sure the hockey fraternity will offer prayers that the late Subramaniam's soul rests in peace.

FAISAL SUSPENDED

Malaysian men's hockey team player Faizal Saari has been suspended for two matches following an incident in their game Friday against Scotland at the Commonwealth Games here.

The release from technical delegate David Collier did not ascribe reasons for the suspension, but Saari was held guilty of striking Scotland goalkeeper Alister McGregor on the back of the thigh in the second half of the match that Malaysia won 2-0.


The two on-pitch umpires Richmond Attipoe (Ghana) and Albert Marcano (Trinidad) seemed to have not noticed the incident that was replayed in slow motion on both the two big screens in the stands.


Malaysian team coach Stephen van Huizen told IANS: 'We accept the suspension. Saari is only 19 and inexperienced. He was merely retaliating, but anyway, we have to put this behind us and focus on our next match (against Australia Sunday).'

FAISAL SAARI IN TROUBLE

Malaysia's Faisal Saari could well be suspended for the match against Australia following a complaint lodged against him for hitting the Scottish goalkeeper during Malaysia's 2-0 win over Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.

The incident will be reviewed by the Technical Committee via video and a decision is expected later tonite.

Malaysia defeated Scotland 2-0, goals via Azlan Misron in the 34th minute and Hafifihafiz Hanafi in the 52nd minute.

LEARNING FROM DEFEATS

Not being able to utilise their chances is the best way to sum up Malaysia's two performances thus far in the Commonwealth Games as Malaysia went down 1-4 to Pakistan today.

After the defeat against India on Tuesday, much was expected from Malaysia, but the punishing pace of the Indians took their toll as Pakistan turned on the power to score three goals in the second half, after the two teams were tied 1-1 going into the breather.

However the Malaysian team ought to look at these two defeats as a learning process towards the Asian Games as Malaysia could well meet either India or Pakistan in the semi final stage at the Asian Games next month.

And that 70 minutes against either of these two teams will determine if Malaysia will then get wuithin another 70 minutes of a place in the 2012 London Olympics.

Coach Stephen van Huizen was neitther happy with the performance nor with the result as he tries to whip up a decent team, capable of Making Olympics on the merit, as he did in Japan in 1999 where they made the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"We matched Pakistan in the first 35 minutes but conceded an early goal in the second half and that somewhat eroded the confidence of the players," said Stephen.

"After that Pakistan knew we had to attack to get a positive result and they duly punished us for our mistakes in defence.

"There are several aspects of our game that I am not too happy about and this is something that we must address within the next month to have arealistic chance going into the Asian Games.

"Finishing off chances has been a problem and we need to be sharper in the semi circle. We have two more matches here and the players know that they have to perform as not all are assured of a place in the Asian Games squad."

NUMBERS GAME

That is the question Stephen van Huizen would have kept asking himself last night after the national team lost 3-2 to India in their opening match of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games at the Dayan Chand Hockey Stadium.

Not because that Malaysia led twice, nor for the fact that Malaysia lost the game in the closing stages of the match, which has become a pain since the last two decades, but more so if registering two goalkeepers for a tournament was a good choice.

For the record Malaysia has S. Kumar and Roslan Jamaluddin in the 16 players listed for the Commonwealth Games, but India and Australia have only listed one goalkeeper in their team.

A calculated risk? Well it paid dividends for India as so far as the match last night was concerned, a matter that was not at all overlooked by Stephen in assesing his teams performance in the match.

India had four players that could be used as substitutes, while Malaysia had three and the telling pace of the match eventually got to the Malaysians as they wilted under the humid conditions and the fanatical support for the Indians.

"I am happy with the performance but not the result. A draw would have been a fairer result but when we cannot hold a lead, not once but twice, then we have to pay a price. And tonight it was a heavy price though as really we created enough chanches to win." said Stephen.

"I have been thinking of this one goalkeeper thing and really it is something we ought to start considering but the risks are great.

"Maybe it is time FIH come out with a ruling, that teams can replace a goalkeeper should the registered keeper suffer from an injury that is certified. And it will be a one way process, that the first keeper cannot be brought back into the team.

"It is food for though as the pace of hockey has increased and an additional player will help the team."

Not withstanding that though, Stephen admitted that Malaysia lacked depth on the bench as opposed to their opponents.

"We have options such as Kelvinder and Jivan back home but they must put an effort and get fit in order to be considered."

To be fair, Malaysia played well and there was pin drop silence when they scored twice. But India pulled of an escape act and all their three goals could have been avoided had there been better concentration on the part of the Malaysians.

WHAT A JOKE

The pressure is beginning to bear on Games supremo Suresh Kalmadi, who surely made the biggest faux pas of all at a press conference called to brief reporters about ongoing problems. Princess Diana died in a car crash in 1997, but no-one told Kalmadi as he thanked her for being at the opening ceremony.

PAKISTAN DEFEAT SCOTS

Pakistan came through a tough opening pool A match against Scotland 3-0 to pick up three points in men’s hockey in the Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday.

Veterans Shakeel Abbasi (20th) and Rehan Butt (25th) put Pakistan ahead in the first-half. Muhammad Imran rounded off the tally with a penalty corner conversion in the 43rd minute.

But it was not as if the Scots were blown away.

“It was a tough game for us. Starting a tournament is always the hardest. There were zero goals against us, and I am happy at our performance,” said Pakistan head coach Michel van den Heuchel.

Pakistan skipper Zeeshan Ashraf warned there would be no easy matches in the competition.

“Our finishing was not up to the mark today and all the matches will be tough, but we will do our best. In 2006, we came away with a silver medal and hopefully this time too we will be on the podium,” said Ashraf.

Scotland captain and goalkeeper Alister McGregor said: “We are not used to playing in this heat and we gave away the ball far too many times.”

A STUNNER FROM PAK YAH'S GIRLS

Against all odds, Malaysia defeated Canada 3-2 in their opening match at the 2010 Conmmonwealth Games in New Delhi today.

The Malaysian women team, not given much of a mention in the build up for the Games, no thanks to poor PR from their association, did the nation proud by winning the match against their much fancied opponents.

Norbaini Hashim scored a brace with Norfaraha Hashim netting the other.

Let the show begin

Will be at Delhi fir the next two weeks but will not update blog regularly as some journalists just lift stories from here, even the quotes, without the decency of asking permission, with exception of The Star and NST.

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