It was heartbreak for New Zealand's Blair Hilton as he was ruled out
of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament after undergoing surgery for
appendicitis at a private hospital in Ipoh on Wednesday night, a day
before the tournament gets underway.
The enchanting aura of the annual Azlan Shah tournament permeates
across the continent and beyond. Its history provides a fascinating
insight into the ebb and flow of a competition that has enriched the
ethos of hockey. No major force on the contemporary scene has ever
failed to savour its moment of delight in Malaysia.
Seven players who
represented Malaysia in the victorious Asia Junior Cup were given the
nod for inclusion in the squad for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
In what coach Tai Beng Hai
states is a team for the future, the fusion of yoingsters and
experienced players will carry the Malaysian challenge in a tournament
that sees the participation of Great Britain, Argentina, New Zealand,
South Korea, Pakistan and India.
