RIP DATIN RAJALETCHMY

Rajaletchmy, the wife of longtime former Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) secretary Datuk G. Vijayanathan, passed away in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday.
   
Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Home contact No: 03-77820721.

MHL WEBSITE

In order to make the unofficial MHL website attractive and appealing, we hope that teams in the Division One and Premier Division will be kind enough to email us their logo and any information of their teams or events they want covered to mjhl2010@gmail.com

The website will be up and running by Friday, December 3 but a word of caution though, it has nothing to do with MHF nor their sponsors. Hence the views and reports published are in no way reflective if MHF or the title sponsors or any sponsor of the MHL.

HASHIM AND SANJILATEEBAN OUT?

Indications are that current Malaysian Hockey Federation Hon.Secretary Hashim Yusof and Hon.Treasurer S.Sanjilateeban will be replaced when the Management Committee meets today in Kuala Lumpur.

The two positions, which were changed from elected to appointees, were not filled at the first MHF Council meeting held after the BGM on October 31, as the President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wanted more time to consider candidates.

It is believed that at least two candidates were approached for the Secretary position but the position is likely to go to current General Manager Maninderjit Singh, who is expected to hold on to his GM position as well.

There will also be keen interest on who is appointed as the Independant Members as those appointed into the last Council obviously were failures as they hardly attended meetings? Hence Tengku Abdullah will have to be more selective but it's learnt that Dato Dr SS Cheema is one of those who is set to be appointed.

SILVER, BUT A GOOD EFFORT

GUANGZHOU, China (AP): Pakistan has beaten Malaysia 2-0 to regain the Asian Games field hockey gold medal after 20 years and secure a spot at the 2012 London Olympics.

Drag flicker Sohail Abbas and experienced forward Rehan Butt scored on either side of halftime Thursday to hand Malaysia its first defeat at Guangzhou.

Pakistan's last Asian Games gold came in 1990 at Beijing. The win here was Pakistan's first major title since winning the World Cup in 1994.

India clinched the bronze, defeating South Korea 1-0 via Tushar Khandker's field goal in the 39th minute.

CONGRATS KUMAR

A month ago his father passed away while Kumar was in between the posts for Malaysia against Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

This time around while Kumar was on the pitch, doing his nation proud by keeping at bay the Induan attack in the semis of the Asian Games, his wife went into labour and delivered their baby boy.

Indeed Kumar has put nation over self during times his family needed him. A true example of a sportsman, the best we have known in recent times.

Congrats Kumar and to the team we salute you , let's win this for the 1 Nalaysia spirit

STATS FAVOUR INDIA

A formidable challenge awaits India from the in-form Malaysia in the semifinal of the Asian Games men's hockey competition on Tuesday. Neither team was in the penultimate round in the last edition at Doha; but much water has flowed down the river since then.

It will be impudent to relate the track record of Malaysia in its matches against India. True, it serves a statistical perspective but nothing beyond.

That India has won all its 10 matches played in the Asian Games is an interesting piece of information as also the overall record of 95 matches and 68 victories, 16 drawn games and 11 defeats. Even the fact that Malaysia was beaten 3-2 in the recent Commonwealth Games is just a figure.

The Malaysians in Guangzhou are keen to come out with a new script, if not a chapter. And they have worked hard for that under Stephen van Huizen, a sincere coach without any pretensions. The results accomplished by the Malaysians must be recognised and applauded too. They had shared points with the powerhouse in Asia — South Korea, the holder of the gold — and overpowered a strong Chinese squad on ome turf to snatch a place in the last four.

This time the players have amalgamated the essence of aggression, speed and perfect finish as symbolised by the goals by Hanifi, Rahim Amin and Azlan Misron.

All these are elaborated only to project the intensity of the challenge to be expected. True, India finished without dropping a point in a comparatively easy pool, despite being stretched a bit by Japan in the last pool match.

WORRISOME FACTOR

Thus far, the team has relied on the penalty corner strikes of Sandeep Singh, the effective role of Sardar in the back zone, and the constructive work of mid-fielder Arjun Halappa. After a poor start, Gurbaj Singh has regained his touch but the worrisome factor is Prabbodh Tirkey's inconsistency in the mid-field.

What coach Brasa needs is to ensure the team elevates itself to a different plane to smother the challenge. Team work is the sine qua non for this. The attack requires greater sharpness than what has been so far.

A lot rests on the skipper Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandekar and Shivendra Singh, apart from Dharamvir Singh and Sarvanjit, to put a greater punch in the attack and finish. Only this can deter the Malaysian defenders, and the usually energetic goalkeeper Kumar.

ABSORBING FARE

The other semifinal between South Korea and Pakistan is likely to produce an absorbing fare. Though Korea enjoys the statistical advantage of having won 26 of the 49 meetings losing only 13, the teams have shared three victories each in the Asian Games in which they met last in 1998. Any prediction for Tuesday is hazardous.

Notwithstanding Shakeel Abbassi's scoring skills, the team looks unsettled. The Dutch coach van Heuvel has not succeeded so far in fashioning a winning unit. How far Sohail's magic can carry forward the team is to be watched with interest.

One admirable facet of Korea's approach is the ability to raise the pace and precision to a different level in a trice. With sharp-shooters like Jang Jong and Nam Hyunwoo and strikers Seo Jongho in good form, Pakistan can ill-afford to let its guard down.

MALAYSIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

Having purchased the URL www.tnbmhl.com.my after being told to look into having a website similar to the Azlan Shah Cup tournament, there has been no word nor confirmation on the subject matter.

Nonetheless work was done on the website with a counterpart from overseas who shares similar passion for hockey.

So there was a question mark, do we still go ahead with the website or dump the whole project?

We will proceed with the website, though it will be the UNOFFICIAL website hence no reference to the sponsors will be made. Funding to keep the website going will be sourced from various sectors.

However we will not carry the results nor report on the matches the same day they are played as it will be left to the official website.

But the unofficial website will strive provide a comprehensive information as you will be able to read views on the matches, plus get information on the teams.

We hope that there will be an official site for on our part we are opening options to teams  participating to use this website so that their exploits will be given good coverage for the benefit of their own sponsors.

INDIA RECORD HATTRICK WIN OVER PAKISTAN

India topped the Group B match after thrashing archrivals Pakistan in the quarterfinal of the 16th Asian Games 2010.

 

India stormed into the semifinal with 3-2 victory.

 

With this victory, India will avoid the South Korea till final.

 

India scored first goal off a penalty corner but Pakistan’s Rehan Butt scored equalizer soon.

 

However, in form Sandeep scored second goal and his seventh goal in the tournament to take his side 2-1. Dharamvir scored third goal for India to finish the match 3-2.

 

The match was crucial for India to top the group and avoid South Korea till final.

 

The India’s journey in the Aisan Games 2010 has been excellent so far. India thrashed Hong Kong 7-0 and Bangladesh 9-0 in its last two matches. Indian attacker Sandeep has scored six goals in the tournament.

 

As far as two past encounters between India and Pakistan were concerned, India was triumphant in both the occasion. India thrashed Pakistan in World Cup 2010 and Commonwealth Games semifinals.

 

The Pakistan Hockey has been going through a poor phase at this time and India has a great chance to inch close towards a medal.

KAZAK CHEATS

Three Kazakhstan players have been thrown out of the Asian Games women's field hockey tournament after they admitted representing Belarus in a World Cup qualifier.

Asian Games organisers have awarded four of the matches to Kazakhstan's opponents with a score of 5-0 while retaining South Korea's scoreline because of a bigger victory margin.

Technical delegate Mathavas Deavadas said in a statement Saturday that Alessya Pyotukh, Yulliya Mikheichik and Anastassiya Chsherbakova "admitted they represented Belarus" at the Russian city of Kazan in April.

Kazakhstan won 3-0 against Thailand, but lost to South Korea (10-3), Japan (4-1), China (3-0) and Malaysia (4-2).

Kazakhstan plays its last preliminary round match against India on Saturday.

THE SAGA OF THE MISSING MONEY

Investigations have commenced to get to the bottom of the saga with regards to some money missing from the coffers of the Malaysian Hockey Federation.

The story surfaced in September with regards to unaccounted money after the National Juniors returned from an overseas tour. The amount also varies and a police report on this issue was lodged in the days leading up to the MHF elections on October 31.

A three man panel was appointed by the MHF Management Committee after the BGM and next Monday, four people, three staff of MHF plus an office bearer will face the panel to answer questions. The investigations by the police are also said to be going on.

In another unrelated matter, one of the staff of the 1 MAS program has quit, said to be due to unwarranted pressure from another official. More on this later though.

HACKED

There was an attempt to hack into my blogs last night, hence readers could not gain access to the blogs. However they are up and running now. Will update them later today.

WHAT LOAD OF RUBBISH FIH

It's high time countries from Asia tell FIH to go fly kites.

The money for hockey is in Asia with Pakistan and India the cash cows in terms of TV rights.

Yet the FIH pay scant respect to Asia as evident in the quota system released for the 2012 London Olympics.

Out of 12 places available, one goes to the host country, five to the continental champions and three to ranking of FIH.

So if Great Britain wins the Euro Championships, mind you they play as England there, then there will be another three places for Europe.

And here is where it gets more ridiculous , the champion of Oceania and the runnerup are given places in London. Just how many teams from Oceania are in the top 20 world rankings.

For the Asians, who have South Korea, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China and Japan in the top 20 of the world rankings, we are given only one spot automatically and the next five have to play with another 13 countries to vie for three spots remaining.

Utter rubbish FIH and this is discrimination against Asia, period.

So AHF should just tell FIH where to go as far as the Olympics is concerned, and forget about the Premier Series.

For once stand up and be counted Asia as for far too long have you been taken to the cleaners by these so called wise men of FIH.

They want our money but not our teams.

Read the FIH Quota System below:

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released the qualification quotas for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The five continental championships, to be played from November 2010 until the end of 2011, will determine direct qualification for nine men's and nine women's teams.

In addition, to determine the final three men's and three women's Olympic participants, the FIH will hold four Olympic Qualification tournaments in the first part of 2012 at which the winner of each tournament will qualify. The men’s and women’s Olympic Hockey competitions will take place from 29 July to 11 August 2012.

Qualification system for the 2012 Olympic Games Men’s Hockey Tournament

Automatic qualifiers

Host nation – Great Britain
Africa - Champion at Africa Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament
America - Champion at 16th Pan American Games (men’s hockey competition)
Asia - Champion at 16th Asian Games (men’s hockey competition)
Europe - Champion at 13th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Men
Oceania - Champion at 7th Men’s Oceania Cup
Extra quota places

In addition, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, three extra quotas are allocated to different continents for direct qualification. For the 2012 Olympic Games men’s hockey competition, the three extra quotas are allocated as follows:

Europe: 2 extra quotas. Therefore, the next two highest placed teams (other than the Champion and the nominated National Association for Great Britain) of the 13th European Nations Championship qualify directly for the 2012 Olympics Games.
Oceania: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the next highest placed team at the 7th Men’s Oceania Cup qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympics Games, together with the Oceania Champion.
However, if the nominated National Association for Great Britain wins the final of the 13th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Men, a fourth extra quota becomes available, and, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, this will be allocated to Europe. In this event, together with the nominated National Association for Great Britain, the silver and bronze medalist as well as the 4th placed team of the 13th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Men will qualify directly for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Qualifying tournaments

The last three spots for the 2012 Olympic Games men’s hockey competition will be determined in three Olympic Qualification tournaments in 2012. Of these qualifying tournaments, one will be held in India in February 2012 (exact dates TBC), the second in Japan from 25 April - 6 May, while dates and location for the third tournament still need to be confirmed.

The eighteen (18) qualification places for the respective tournaments are allocated to the continents are based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings at the completion of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup Men 2010, and are as follows:

Africa - 1 quota place
Asia - 5 quota places
Europe - 8 quota places
Oceania - 0 quota places
Pan America - 4 quota places

Qualification system for the 2012 Olympic Games Women’s Hockey Tournament

Automatic qualifiers

Host nation – Great Britain
Africa - Champion at Africa Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament
America - Champion at 16th Pan American Games (women’s hockey competition)
Asia - Champion at 16th Asian Games (women’s hockey competition)
Europe - Champion at 10th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Women
Oceania - Champion at 7th Women’s Oceania Cup
Extra quota places

In addition, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, three extra quotas are allocated to different continents for direct qualification. For the 2012 Olympic Games women’s hockey competition, the three extra quotas are allocated as follows:

Europe: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the next highest placed team (other than the Champion and nominated National Association for Great Britain) at the 10th Women’s European Nations Championship qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympics Games, together with the European Champion and the nominated National Association for Great Britain for Great Britain.
Oceania: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the runner-up at the 7th Women’s Oceania Cup qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympic Games, together with the Oceania Champion.
Asia: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the runner-up at the 16th Asian Games qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympic Games, together with the Asian Champion.
However, if the nominated National Association for Great Britain wins the final of the 10th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Women, a fourth extra quota becomes available and, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, this will be allocated to Europe. In this event, the bronze medalist of the 10th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Women will qualify directly for the 2012 Olympic Games, together with the European Champion and runner-up.

Qualifying tournaments

The last three spots for the 2012 Olympic Games women’s hockey competition will be determined during three Olympic Qualification tournaments. Of these qualifying tournaments, one will be held in India in February 2012 (exact dates TBC), the second in Japan from 25 April - 6 May, and the third in Azerbaijan, with dates to be confirmed.

The eighteen (18) qualification places for the respective tournaments are allocated to the continents based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings at the completion of the BDO FIH World Cup Women 2010, and are as follows:

Africa - 0 quota places
Asia - 4 quota places
Europe - 8 quota places
Oceania - 0 quota places
Pan America - 6 quota places

MALAYSIA LOSE OUT ON HOST jOB TO JAPAN AND INDIA

MHF had high expectations that they will be given the chance to host the 2012 London Olympics Qualifiers but lost the bid as FIH awarded the host job to Japan and India with the third venue yet to be decided.

18 teams will play in 3 qualifiers and Malaysia could get an opportunity to play host should India win gold at the Asian Games next week.

However if India fails, then there is a possibility that Malaysia could well be playing in the third qualifier that may well be held in an European country or even in South America.

Meanwhile The Netherlands will be the host nation for the Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cups in 2014.

The decision was confirmed by the Executive Board and announced on Thursday evening at a special ceremony at the FIH Congress and Forum in Montreux, Switzerland.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to make”, said FIH President Leandro Negre shortly after revealing the winner.

“The bids from The KNHB and England Hockey were both outstanding, two of the best that we have ever seen. It was a very close decision, but we offer our congratulations to The Netherlands, who we are sure will stage an unforgettable double World Cup event.

England Hockey's bid has reinforced their importance as a partner for future FIH events, and we are keen to maximise the use of London 2012's legacy facility.”

The Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cup will take place in The Hague between 2 – 15 June 2014.

The FIH revealed the tournament cycle for the next four years. The following tournament allocations are proposed, subject to finalizing the contractual arrangements.


Tournaments 2011-2014.

2011

FIH Indoor World Cup – Poland, 8-13 February.

FIH Women’s Champions Trophy, The Netherlands, 25 June-3 July

FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – India, 26th November-4th December.

FIH Women’s Champions Challenge 1 – Ireland, 18/19 – 25/26 June

FIH Men’s Champions Challenge 1 – South Africa, Dates TBC

FIH Women’s Champions Challenge 2 – Austria, 8-14 May

FIH Men’s Champions Challenge 2 – France, 3-9 July

2012

FIH Olympic Qualifiers: Azerbaijan (W) TBC / Japan (M&W) – 25 April – 6 May / India (M&W) – February / Final Men’s Qualifier location and date TBD.

World Series Rounds 1 & 2 – TBC

FIH Women’s Champions Trophy – Argentina, February

FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – Australia, June

Olympic Test Event – London, 2-6 May

London 2012 Olympic Games – 27 July – 12 August

2013

World Series Round 3: Pakistan (M) – February / Germany (M) – June / Netherlands (W) – June / China (W) – June

World Series Round 4: India (M) – 8-15 September / Argentina (W) – December

Junior World Cup (M&W) - India, 2-17 November 2013

2014

World Series Round 1 – Details TBC

FIH Men’s Champions Trophy – Argentina, February

FIH Women’s Champions Trophy – India, February

FIH Champions Challenge 1 – TBC

FIH Champions Challenge 2 – TBC

FIH Men’s & Women’s World Cup – The Netherlands, 2-15 June

World Series Round 2 – TBC

Youth Olympic Games – China, 16-28 August 2014.

2015

FIH Indoor World Cup – Germany, 3-8 February

LONDON OLYMPICS QUALIFYING SYSTEM

Likely qualification system: 
 

• Host nation automatically qualifies        

• Eight teams qualify through the continental championships including winners from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and America.

• Three further teams according to the above results taken from world rankings Three further tournaments are arranged and in the last Olympic cycle took play in the nine months running up to the start. Eighteen nations play and they are selected fom the world rankings order.

IS MHF AWARE?

A row is brewing over a qualifying system for the London Olympics which critics claim is biased towards the sport's traditional power base.

Leading non-European nations, including Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada, have become aware of a loophole in the Olympic qualifying system which will allow Europe to claim an extra quota place in both men's and women's competition at the 2012 Games, at the expense of the other regions.

The flaw in the criteria, which applied for the Beijing Olympics, has emerged because England (Britain at the Olympics) qualifies automatically as the host nation, but can also earn a quota place for Europe as one of the top nations on the rankings.

Hockey Australia has expressed its concern to the International Hockey Federation, while the Australian Olympic Committee has contacted the International Olympic Committee to bring the anomaly to its attention.

"We are asking the FIH to consider the continental rules and whether inequities do exist there," HA executive director Mark Anderson said.

AOC sports director Fiona de Jong said Australia had "engaged the support of other countries" to push for the rules to be amended.

"It's not just in the context of London. Any other country could be affected by the host nation status. Next time Europe could miss out, so they should fix it for the right reasons," de Jong said.

"The qualification system is supposed to be fair. You shouldn't be able to double-dip from Europe or anywhere else. It will [have an] impact on the quality of the Olympic tournament because you will not have the best nations there."

The current system, used for the Beijing Olympics, allocates the 12 places (each for men's and women's competition) along the following lines:

The host nation receives one place, eight places are allocated through the five continental championships (one place each, plus three extra quota places allocated according to the world rankings), and three places go to the winners of three Olympic qualification tournaments.

If the same system is in place for the London Olympics, England will qualify as host nation but the European federation will also use its high ranking (fourth in the men's, fifth in the women's) to claim an extra quota place for its continental championship. 

That would see Europe receive four quota places at the continental championships -- based on world rankings of second (Germany) third (The Netherlands), fourth (England) and fifth (Spain) -- leaving the other continents with one place each.

TIME TO DELIVER

Since Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had in his speech during the MHF BGM last Sunday requested for fresh impetus and ideas towards improving hockey, and due to lack of access to HRH, this blog will attempt to put forward suggestions and hopefully someone within Tuanku's office or MHF will print this out for him to read.

HRH Prince Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah
President
Malaysian Hockey Federation.

Ampun Tengku,

I write this as a concerned Malaysian who sincerely believes that while the sport can prosper under your stewardship it needs dedicated soldiers to carry out your dream of seeing it regain its past glory.
   

The problem with MHF is the lack new ideas and the will to surmount the obvious obstacles which have impeded the development of the sport. We languish behind other nations simply because we have not kept up with the changes in the way the game has to be administered.
   

We capitulate too easily in the face of adversity instead of meeting the challanges head on. And challenges there are aplenty.
   

MHF can no longer be run on an ad-hoc basis with no long term planning or a proper Road Map of what needs to be done for the future. We not only need to be planning for the next 10 years but looking at ways to make hockey a premier sport again. One which has appeals to the masses and the sponsors.
   

Funding is a critical part of that blue print for we realistically cannot achieve our targets without the money to implement the plans. Simply put, we cannot have the one - development - without the other - funds.
   

HRH Tengku has managed to stem the decline and restored some semblance of order but moving forward will continue to be an issue unless we have a proper five-10-year plan for all stages of the game. From junior to senior to national level.
   

Like you said, the game apears to be stagnant. That is mainly because we have not mounted a proper business-like approach administering the sport. The only way to succeed is to lauch a major campaign to ensure that all levels of the game are in proper working order and in sync with your targets.
   

While the fortunes of the national team are a measure of success, we cannot neglect development or we will forever be looking at the past and not the present or the future.
  

The 1Mas programme may be good for the long term but immediate results are needed to ensure hockey remains relevant. Success breeds success and the game is in dire need of that to regain credibility.
  

It is insidious, but the fact is that the game has suffered because of its failures. The resulting drop in its appeal is only too apparent in the diminishing coverage given to hockey by the local media. 

 

Where the Razak Cup used to hog the back page, it is now a sad afterthought lacking the indepth coverge needed to stimulate the interest of the public.

 

Tuanku would have seen the lack of a media presence at the BGM which is a sad indictment of how much the game has fallen in their opinion. It is so sad to see the EPL taking precedence over local sports but that is the reality. 

 

Any planning for the future must seek to address this issue as well. For without the prime news coverage, hockey will never entice the sponsors part with their money.
   

So any road map for reviving hockey will have to take into account all these considerations which are all mutually inclusive. The catalyst is making the sport exciting again at all levels. Do that and everything will fall into place. You will rekindle interest in the sport  and spark a lasting revival.
 

SOME POINTS TO PONDER:
 

The impetus has to be multi-pronged - revive interest in the game in the schools and the states while national team delivers.
  

As for high performance and meeting the target of playing in the 2012 London Olympics, after a lapse of 12 years, we have to plan for the qualifiers right now.
  

One way would be to send players on attachment programmes next year. This was done with success in 1997 for the 1998 Commonwealth Games where five players - S. Kuhan, Nor Azlan Bakar, Chairil, Anwar Abdul Aziz, R Shankar and Karpal Singh - played in the German league.
   

In terms of tournaments, we should revive the Tun Hussein Onn cup, last played in 1986, top four states from Razak Cup with top clubs in Asia. But priority must be given to adding that crucial element of excitement to these tournaments which have, over the years, become  lacklustre and unimaginative.
  

The MHF administration needs to be perked up. It is clearly lacking as evident from the annual report where some sub committee's reports were from the last AGM with the majority  still talking about 2009. Even results of the 2010 competitions were left out.
  

Need to keep up with the information revolution. This means setting up a viable website as soon as possible. This will help raise the game's profile which has been losing out to even some minor sports, which in turn has had negative impact on sponsorship.
  

In revamping the administration, we can use the tried and tested FAM system with proper departments to take care of competitions and national teams, given that development is a full time imperative.
  

MHF also need to improve their image internationally in terms of communications and or with other countries, especially FIH. MHF need someone with stature to be heard internationally.
  

Revive MHF's Flick magazine to keep everybody informed. The quarterly can be distributed to schools to uplift the image of the sport and help rekindle interest amongst young in the country.
  

These are just some of my thoughts on what can be done to revitalise hockey under your leadership. I know that I am seen as a blunt and abrasive critic but that is only because I, like many other fans, am frustrated at the direction our game has taken.
   

Changes by way of new concepts and inspiration are needed to move forward. The problem is not so much in the officials as the lack of fresh ideas. The same old tired and failed ways are the reason why there is a lack of progress. 

 

We need dynamic and progressive planning and implementation. There is so much you can do alone. Best of luck and it will be hockey's loss and football's gain should you decided to walk away from MHF someday.

Thank you. Ampun Tuanku

DARREN HOPES TO DELIVER

It was 15 years ago that UniKL coach Darren Smith made his debut for New Zealand. And ironically it was at the Tun Razak Stadium where he gained his first cap, against Spain in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Darren was 21 at that time and now it is here in Malaysia that he  techincally makes he debut as a coach of a men's team outside New Zealand. For Darren had coached the Belgium U16 girls team earlier this decade before being appointed as the assistant coach to Shane Mcleod.

"Malaysia is a country that I have pleasant memories as I have played some 60 international matches during my 15 visits here as a player," said Darren when met at the KLHA Stadium prior to putting the UniKL players through their paces in his second training stint after arriving last Friday.

"It is a new challenge for me and from what I have gathered, it is the likes of TNB, Sapura and KLHC that are the early favourites.

"It is an exciting proposition for me to be able to coach UniKL as I appreciate their confidence in me. And I aim to impart my knowledge to these players."

Darren said that the UniKL team had alredy secured the services of a German player and the New  Zealand keeper.

"We are in the midst of negotiating with two more players from New Zealand but there are several factors that need to be considered, like the positions we require players for<' said Darren.

Although Darren has quit his job as the High Performance Director for Midlands, he is still listed as their coach and has been given leave from his role as the asistant coach of the BlackSticks.

"I am grateful to the NZ Hockey Association for their understanding and will return to the national team once my term here ends," conceded Darren.

Darren takes over from I. Vikneswaran as coach and UniKL have retained former national fullback, K.Embaraj as the assistant coach.

Darren retired as the third highest capped player ever with 212 internationals, behind Simon Towns (217 games) and Umesh Parag (214). 

  

He rated the 7-1 win over Pakistan at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, playing at the Athens Olympics and the recent Changzhou qualifying tournament win as the highlights of his playing career.

However UniKL were dealt with a severe blow as their recent signing C.Baljit Singh made a U-turn and returned to his former club Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

And TNB did a number on UniKL by pinching the MHF-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League top scorer Mohd Sabri.

REHAN TO PLAY IN MHL

Pakistan hockey player Rehan Butt has been offered to play in this year’s Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) granting him permission given that his schedule did not clash with his national duties.

“I was offered to play for one of the clubs in Malaysia,” Rehan toldThe Express Tribune. “But currently I’m in negotiations with the club and, in the meantime, I’ve discussed the offer with the federation as well and they did not object to it.”

MHL, a top league competition for field hockey, allows a maximum of three foreign players. But all the foreign players must obtain International Transfer Certificates (ITC) from their respective countries or clubs before signing up. Syed Imran Ali Warsi, Ali Raza, Mohammad Sarwar, Abdul Asim Khan, Yasir Islam and Sohail Abbas have played for various clubs in the MHL since 2005.

“The federation has allowed me to play in the league and I will certainly complete the rest of the formalities after competing in the Asian Games for Pakistan,” added Rehan. “Currently I don’t want to muddle myself up with any other commitment because my focus is on the Asian Games.”