Friday, October 28, 2011

PENNY WISE POUND FOOLISH

That will be the correct phrase to describe the antics of national hockkey coach Tai beng hai and his merry men in the coaching and administrative set up.

For his decision not to let Faisal saari and Firhan Ashaari play for the Project 2013 side in the forthcoming inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup is downright silly and aimed at protecting his own interest rather then the nation.

Let us just flashback to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last year. The coach then was Stephen van Huizen ( who is current the National Team Coaching Co-ordinator). Almost the first team was sent to compete at the Commonwealth Games and some two weeks later left to play in the Asian Games where they finished with a silver medal.

And forward to the situation today that Beng Hai is in. He contends that the players will not be prepared to play in the Champions Challenge in South Africa that commences on November 26. And for the record the national team leaves on November 20 for Johannesburg and will play two friendly matches against South Africa and India leading up to the tournament.

So the argument of conditioning and state of preparedness Mr. Tai is thrown out of the window.

In a meeting held on September 26 at the NSC, the Project 2013 squads request to have Faisal play at least three matches in the tournament was flatly denied by Beng Hai. And the situation is getting abd as now Firhan is also denied a release to play.

Now while Beng Hai has been given a top 5 target, the Project 2013 squad have been given a top two target by the MHF or rather MHC President.

But does the President or was he made to be aware that the best players will not be at Johor Baru representing the juniors? So how is it that you set a top four finish at the Asian Champions Trophy when we were ranked second at the Asian Games but now chose to set a much higher target for a team taht is being handicapped by none other then Beng Hai?

Are the two teams supposed to work alongside and not sabotage the attempts of the other? Is that not what it is supposed to be.
On top of that some have claimed that they "Found", "discovered" Faisal Saari. But records show otherwise.


KIWIS OPT FOR YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE

NZ: YOUTH PLUS EXPERIENCE

(Alex Shaw)
New Zealand will be sending a team of experience and youth for the inaugural Sultan Johor cup Six Nation Tournament that gets underway on the 5th of November at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.

In sharing his thoughts about the team with this website, Darren Smith, the assistant coach of the New Zealand senior side, who was the coach of the UniKL side in the 2010 MHL, paid tribute to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation for their foresight in hosting such an event.
 

Monday, October 24, 2011

SEA CUP

While there have been media reports on the participation of the Project 2013 Squad for the SEA Cup in Myanmar this December, MHF Deputy President Dato Nur Azmi Ahmad seems to be perplexed as to who made that decision.

This is because Azmi , who chairs the National Team Management Committee, said they have never discussed anything pertaining to the participation of the Project 2013 Squad for the Sea Cup.

" Who decided on this? I do not remember it being discussed at the National Team Management Committee nor at the MHF Management Committee or Council," said Azmi.

" Really I am in no position to answer anything on the Sea Cup as it was never brought up for discussion."

With that curt reply, it gives rise to who actually makes decisions in MHF as the participation of a team for international tournaments is no laughing matter.

The Project 2013 Squad will be participating in the Sultan Johor Cup Six Nation Invitational from November 5 to 12 and have had their fair share of tournaments and exposure this year with playing tours of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Spain and England as well as a 4 Nation Tournament in Russia.

And MHF ought to form a B team and send them for the SEA Cup rather then just utilize the Project Squad as a stop gap measure as the team has an important task - the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca next May that serves as a qualifier for the Junior World Cup in India in 2013.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

KLHC ARE CHAMPS

KLHC FIGHTBACK TO LIFT TROPHY


It lived up to the billing of an epic final as KL Hockey Club cameback from the dead to defeat Tenaga Nasional Berhad 3-2 in a titanic clash at the National Hockey Stadium.

It looked as if KLHC were dead and buried after being down 0-2 in the opening ten minutes but it was the last ten minutes turned the tide for the defending champions.
 

SAPURA FINISH THIRD

SAPURA TAKE THIRD SPOT


Sapura finished third in the TNB Cup when they defeated Maybank 3-0 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The win not only gave them third spot but also RM30,000 in prize money while Maybank pocketed RM20,000.
 

Friday, October 21, 2011

KLHC,TNB FINAL

KLHC, TNB FINAL


Defending champions KL Hockey Club will take on Tenaga Nasional Berhad in the TNB Cup final this Sunday at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

While KLHC defeated Maybank 5-2 for an overall aggregate win of 11-3, TNB edged Sapura 4-3 in the second leg for a 9-6 aggregate win. Sapura and Maybank will square off against each other in the match to decide 3rd placing.
 

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

KLHC, TNB HOLD THE EDGE

TNB HOLD THE EDGE


Tenaga Nasional Berhad defeated Sapura 5-3 in the first leg semi final of the TNB Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. And they really should have sewn up the tie after having taken a 4-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of the match.
 

KLHC HAVE ONE FOOT IN THE FINAL


Defending champions KL Hockey Club virtually have one foot in the final of the TNB Cup when they defeated Maybank 6-1 in the first leg of the semifinals at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil this evening.

It was a commanding performance by KLHC who scored two goals in the first half before unleashing their fury by finding the back of the net four times in the second half.
 

Monday, October 17, 2011

WHO WILL PAY?

The merger between the Malaysian Hockey Feedeartion and the Malaysian Women Hockey Association results in the formation of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.

But even before the so called merger took place, there were issues as to how the fairer sex run their show, as evident with the invoice from the FIH which is displayed below.
Now who will pay the penalty? The MHF, MWHA or MHC? over to you gentlemen who sold out hockey on October 8.

MHL SEMI FINALS PREVIEWS

PERFECT GIFT


It was six years ago on October 16 that love blossomed for former national skipper Azlan Misron and Fairuz Aini Ibrahim. And two days ago the duo went through the "akad nikah" ceremony.

With the "bersanding" ceremony at Fairuz Aini's place scheduled for this Saturday at Putrajaya, Azlan wants to win the semifinals of the TNB Cup to provide his bride with the perfect wedding gift.
 

SEMI FINALS PREVIEW


If there were lopsided matches right from the league stage until the last eight battle, expect things to change in the semifinals of the TNB Cup that get underway this Wednesday at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

For the usual suspects of the TNBMHL will be battling it out to earn the coveted spot in the final which will be contested this coming Sunday (October 23) at the same venue.
 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

SAPURA SNEAK INTO SEMIS


Sapura sneaked into the semifinals of the TNB Cup when they defeated Nur Insafi Penang 2-0 in the second leg quarterfinal clash at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
 

Friday, October 14, 2011

HIT FOR A DOZEN

KLHC HIT SSTMI FOR A DOZEN


KL Hockey Club slammed a dozen goals past SSTMI to register an emphatic 19-0 aggregate win in the quarterfinal of the TNBMHL knock out stage for the TNB Cup.
 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

SAPURA STUNNED AS KLHC,TNB,MAYBANK REGISTER BIG WINS

TNB ZAP YNS


TNB took a giant step to book a spot in the semi finals of the TNB Malaysian Hockey League when they defeated Yayasan Negeri Sembilan 5-1 in the first leg at the National Hockey Stadium tonight.
 

SAPURA STUNNED AS KLHC CONTINUE THEIR WINNING STREAK


Sapura were shocked by Nur Insafi Penang in the first leg of the TNB Malaysian Hockey League at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. And to make matters worse, skipper S. Kuhan was sent off and will miss the second leg on Saturday.

And at the KLHA Stadium in Pantai, KL Hockey Club hammered SSTMI 7-0 to virtually book their semis spot.
 

MAYBANK IN DRIVERS SEAT



Maybank to a giant step towards a place in the semi finals of the TNB Malaysian Hockey League when they comprehensively defeated UniKL 5-0 in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

But the match was marred by two incidents late in the first half that swung the pendulum in Maybank's way.
 

Monday, October 10, 2011

WATCH THIS SPACE

Well as I had revealed earlier, do not expect much from the MHF affiliates as they just talk and when the time comes the wag the tail, with exception of Penang and Armed Forces.

One state secretary even sent an email out pointing out the flaws in the MHC Constitution but when the opportunity presented itself, he went silent.

Anyway the EGM was not the interesting story but there is something about chandeliers that is of profound interest to me.

Watch this space

Sunday, October 9, 2011

KLHC - TNBMHL LEAGUE CHAMPS

HAIL KLHC- THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS


KL Hockey Club completed their league fixtures in grand style when they defeated Sapura 5-1 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil and in the process were crowned the TNBMHL League Champions in style.

Not only did they retain their league title, but KLHC finished the league fixtures without dropping a single point, having won all their eight, scoring 45 goals in the process and conceding 12. Along with the title and bragging rights, KLHC won RM60,000 as prize money.
 

Saturday, October 8, 2011

THE CON JOB

Well today marks a new era for Malaysian Hockey.

That will most likely be the tune of MHF and MWHA at the end of the EGM of Malaysian Hockey Confederation this evening.

Well if you media guys are wondering that EGM and where, it's the one that you have not been invited for, simple.

This is largely due to the fact that some quarters in MHF are keeping it so quiet as they have much to hide.

Frankly the state affiliates are no better for all they do is bitch around and not take proper action when the opportunity presents itself.

So while the charade at MHF continues as one portrays himself as having the holier than thou altitude, nothing will progress in hockey, do not silver and bronze medals lull you into complacency.

The fact of the matter is MHF, MHC and MWHA are just tools being used by some for personal gain.

If one is to decry that suggestion then why are there 14 elected positions in the first place?

And why was there such a fight to have the Secretary and Treasurer appointed?

The states have longed argued about making a mistake with regards to a 4 year term. Well today when they agree with the amendments, they will repeat it again.

And frankly to the affiliates, you are wasting your time or simply put after you agree with the charade today, you will be a waste of time.

32 council members and 22 elected and appointed members is what you get after MHC is formed, maybe the Prime Minister might follow suit for the cabinet.

After all the term often used " The Way Forward" was taken from my initial suggestion for the Cabinet Committee in Sports and that too has been hijacked by people in MHF who claim it as their own.

Will I go for the EFM? Well I have better things to do like saying a final farewell to a orang kampung rather then be there to watch the rot continue.

Friday, October 7, 2011

MAYBANK DENY TNB OF RUNNERUP SPOT

MAYBANK DENY TNB OF SECOND SPOT FINISH

Maybank created one of the shocks of the TNBMHL when they came from behind to defeat the much fancied Tenaga Nasional Berhad 2-1 at the National Hockey Stadium.
The defeat put paid to the hopes of TNB finishing in the second spot and Sapura will end up as runners-up if they fail to defeat KLHC by seven goals in the final league match on Sunday.

KLHC GUNNING FOR RECORD

KLHC CRUISE AS SAPURA STRUGGLE

Defending champions KL Hockey Club cruised to a 5-2 win over Nur Insafi Penang while Sapura were made to struggle before overcoming Yayasan Negeri Sembilan 3-1 in the TNB Malaysian Hockey League at the National Hockey Stadium.

The win gives KLHC 21 points from seven matches and they are just one win away from equaling the record of YNS in the 1996 season when they won all their preliminary round matches, without dropping a single point.
 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

KLHC CHAMPIONS ELECT

SAPURA BEATEN, KLHC CHAMPIONS ELECT

Tenaga Nasional Berhad put a spanner in the title aspirations of Sapura with a 2-0 win at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. And Yayasan Negri Sembilan enhanced their chances of making the last eight with a 4-1 win over Armed Forces Airod.
While the win moved TNB to the second position in the standings, it effectively hands the league title to KL Hockey Club, who can seal it with a win over Nur Insafi Penang this Friday.

KLHC WINNING STREAK CONTINUES AS MAYBANK HAMMER UITM


Defending champions KL Hockey Club defeated a resilient UniKL side 6-1 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil to consolidate their position as table toppers of the TNB Malaysian Hockey League.
And on the adjacent pitch, Maybank registered their second win when they defeated Uitm 5-0 and moved up to the fourth spot of the standings with seven points, pipping UniKL on goal difference.

RECIPE FOR DISASTER

www.mmail.com.my

Too many cooks spoil the chutney in hockey confederation

HARESH DEOL


Twelve vice presidents to sit in the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC)?

Add the president, deputy-president, four independent members, secretary-general, assistant secretary-general, treasurer and assistant treasurer and you now have a full team of 22 to compete in the ongoing Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

In fact, they could field two teams and compete with each other!

Baffling as this may sound, the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has one president, one general-secretary, one chief executive officer and 14 members — five of which represent the Continental Federations and one that serves as the athletes' representative. That's 17 officials for a world body.

The fiasco brewing in MHC is no better than the Bollywood dramas on Zee TV.

The MHC extraordinary general meeting is scheduled on Saturday. The agenda of the meeting, as stated in a letter dated Sept 22 to the delegates, is to approve and adopt the amendments of the constitution.

Articles 8.2.2 and 8.2.3 of the earlier constitution stated MHC will have one deputy president and four vice presidents respectively. The new constitution reads there will be one deputy president, two senior vice presidents and 10 vice presidents per Article 10.

But that's where the drama begins.

The MHC was formed on July 16, 2005. It was in line with FIH's requirement to merge the men's and women's federations at the national level under one umbrella.

Only 10 representatives from each body (men's and women's) were invited to MHC then.

But the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has 16 affiliates while the Malaysian Women's Hockey Association has 11 members.

Some states have separate associations representing each gender while KL has a single body governing both sexes.

But why didn't MHC work towards merging all state bodies since 2005? Wouldn't that have solved half if not most of the grouses?

Is it true that MHC's annual general meetings have only been attended by a selected few and not by all the representatives?

And now the drama escalates.

If MHC had sorted out this mess earlier, they would realise there is no hockey association in Perlis.

The Sports Commissioner's Office confirmed there is no "Perlis HA" while the Perlis Women's Hockey Association was dissolved in 2004.

MHF is well aware of this as they had, in a meeting last year, restricted Perlis' participation to age-group tournaments only.

So can someone explain why Perlis HA was acknowledged by UniMap's vice chancellor Brig. Jen Datuk Prof Dr Kamarudin Hussin in his closing ceremony speech of the UniMAP Vice Chancellor Trophy Invitational tournament on May 25 last year, and how UniMAP are allowed to play in the ongoing MHL? Isn't UniMAP an affiliate of a non-existing HA?

It is mind boggling to see the need to rush the MHC constitution when FIH extended the due date to December. Perhaps MHC could learn from its counterparts in the FA of Malaysia who went through the same process and incorporated the women's department into the national body in 2006.

MHC had all the time in the world to get it right. Yet, they failed to do so.

Now they are eager to have 22 people running the show — with no guarantee any one of them could play it right.

Could this be a case of too many cooks spoil the chutney?

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

MERGER ?

 UPDATED 4.50PM - OCT 3

News has it that the Malaysian Hockey Federation and Malaysian Women's Hockey Federation will officially merge this October 8 with the calling of an EGM via email. But were they not already merged in 2006 forming the MHC?

So the meeting this Saturday is about formalizing MHC or just a charade to pull wool over the eyes of FIH?

Just take a look at this scenario before we go further questioning the validity of the EGM and the sincerity of those involved as they protect their positions.

It is claimed that MWHA and MHF have 16 affiliates each and going by the MHC Constitution only 10 from each side are invited for the EGM.

Let's put aside the politicking of inviting the 10 aligned to the current office bearers or that the fact that they are merely yes men.

Now MWHA does not have 16 affiliates simply because four are single bodies - namely KL, Penang, Armed Forces and Sabah. 

To be honest there never has 16 affiliates but only 10. And the 10 are namely - Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Selangor, NS, Malacca, Pahang, Sabah, Terengganu and Sarawak.

And mind you that we have information many of one affiliate of MWHA that has run foul of the Sports Commissioners Office and has since been de-registered.

And with regards to MHF, the position of Perlis, who were barred from the MHF AGM last year but have been allowed to compete in competitions, has never been cleared by the MHF.

So really who are we hoodwinking here as we do not want to end up like India, thus creating more problems in the future.

Why do these personalities from MWHA and MHF try their best to keep their positions- imagine MHC has 10 vice presidents!

So care to elaborate? But do not believe everything you read in the main stream media please.

Monday, October 3, 2011

LIE TO ME

For those who have time on their hands, please make it a point to catch the TV series titled Lie To Me.

It is about a person who will be able to tell if you are lying by analyzing your features or facial expressions as you speak.

But that is not what this posting is about. Rather, as the reader would have guessed, it's about the doping issue.

My concern solely was about who leaked the story as I have made it crystal clear that the story in The Star is factually correct and never disputed that.

Having checked, it is now becoming clear that Maninderjit Singh did not say what he was quoted to have said. This him being the source of the leak is unfounded.

So who was the real culprit then? And what were his motives? One thing is certain, the person who leaked it wanted to discredit the club concerned.

So let's look at the facts once again. There was notification to the club on the provisional suspension but not to the Technical Official on duty for the match.

So how did the paper know which were the two players affected? And that they were not fielded.

And since only a select few knew those players were suspended, it will not take a genius to figure out things right.

Now this person has been going around saying that I am using this issue to get at Maninderjit. But that is what I expect from a person of shallow thinking.

Suffice to say that you are not within my pay bracket.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

THE TRUTH

So what is the truth with regards to the alleged doping story that was carried by The Star newspaper today.

The story is true and there is no denying it, no matter how many clarifications or statements are made.

It's a question of just who is telling the truth? Did the journalist conjure a statement as the MHF Secretary has since gone on record to deny making such a statement to the said media.

Having known the writer for more than 25 years, I have no doubt that he wrote what he wrote based on what was told to him.

Now coming back to the procedural issue of the entire doping test, it can come under question simply because the Secretary of the Medical Committee has vested interest, for he is the assistant coach of one of the teams competing.

Now he is the officer in charge of doping control in the country and based on his involvement with a team, his impartiality comes under question.

And another issue here is were the tests truly random or targeted?

For three players from a team were hauled up for testing while only one player from the opposing team. And was the manager informed prior to that match that the players will undergo doping?

It is best if MHF comes out clear as to what transpired as I firmly believe that it was an MHF official that leaked the story.

Doping, either recreational or performance enhancing should not be condoned but usage of recreational drugs has affected sportsmen of late.

It's a social issue that needs to be handled well and not swept under the carpet. Kudos to The Star for highlighting it but really what is the truth?

HOCKEY UPDATES

YNS STUN MAYBANK


Yayasan Negeri Sembilan pulled off a surprise 2-1 win over Maybank at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil this evening.
 

DRAW SPECIALISTS UNIKL DO IT AGAIN


Draw specialists UniKL have done it again as they played to their fourth draw of the season, this time drawing 3-3 against Nur Insafi of Penang at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
 

SAPURA HIT UITM FOR FIVE


Sapura moved level on points with leaders KL Hockey Club when they defeated Uitm 5-2 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The win, the fifth consecutive one for Sapura and they have 15 points but an inferior goal difference to KLHC.
 

PRESS STATEMENT FROM MHF

As MHF Secretary, I would like to reiterate my and MHF position that I/we did not communicate nor provided any of the facts as stated in The STAR newspaper today - http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/10/2/sports/9617781&sec=sports
 
At this stage of the matter, I would not or could not provide any statements because the athletes  concerned had sought for the Sample B to be tested to reconfirm the results and in which could lead to prejudice to the matter.
 

ANNOUNCEMENT

In light of the decision of the Malaysian Hockey Federation Secretary Maninderjit Singh not to keep the official website abreast with news pertaining to matters in the TNB Malaysian Hockey League, and having consulted our legal officer, we are unable to provide services with regards to updating this website until the matter is given proper attention by the MHF.
 

MHF LEAKS

It is now clear that MHF leaks and should be held responsible with regards to news of two UniKL players being found using a banned substance in the MHL.

This blog is aware of the selective persecution of UniKL as three of their players were picked for a dope test after their first match against Uitm on September 18.

Though it was to be a random doping procedure, two of the three players hardly played in that match, thus making it clear that it was a targeted test.

The results came in on Wednesday and the MHF Secretary was the only one who had the details.

Though the team was informed, it was merely for them to get the players to exercise their option of testing the B Sample, and that was duly done.

So with only one person knowing the details, how was it leaked to the media?

It is now clear that the whole matter was planned by unscrupulous personalities that have no regards towards promoting the sport and will stoop so low for self interests.

Over to you President of MHF or MHC as you are the Chancellor of UniKL. The actions of some in MHF has now undermined the efforts of your university.

Let's just shut UniKL hockey Tuanku as these people look at them with distrust.

And why has the MHF not tested it's own Project 2013 squad.

By the way it was not a performance enhancing drug but a recreational drug, a social issue that youth in this age group are undergoing, not cheats as those who leaked out the story in the first place.