EXCLUSIVE
While the men's section of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation continue to blow trumpets about getting players to play in foreign leagues, the women's section have been going about carrying out the task without much fanfare.
And the result is obvious as they have secured places for four players to play in the Spanish League in the coming season with the players scheduled to depart for a 8 month long participation after the World Hockey Series League matches in Kuantan in September.
"We have managed to secure places for four players in two clubs in Spain and the exposure will be invaluable," said MHC Deputy President Dr. S. Shamala.
"It is indeed a boost for womens hockey as its not easy to secure places and I hope to work out more such attachments so as to further improve our players."
It is an open secret that the President of MHC, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is keen to send Malaysian players to play in foreign leagues abroad and much has been said, claimed and written about the prospects of the players.
However no inroads were made, with the exception of Faisal Saari who received offers to play in the Australian and Spanish leagues. However his commitment to his employers Tenaga Nasional Berhad has somewhat dented those aspirations.
The four women players will play for CH Alcala (Division de Honor) and CH Castelldefells (Primera Division) and are expected to be in Spain by end of September.
Prior to this, women players had trained with Korean clubs in 2008 and played in the Australian league in 2009.
The names of the players will only be released after August 16 as discussions are taking place with the National Sports Council.
