Time and again we hear that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation wants to revamp this and that. And it always ends up as mere talk. It has come to the stage where a song from the past, do not know if some of the readers are old enough, the recycle song that was famous in the 1990's. Sorry to say that it could well become the official song of the MHC.
Revamping competitions, revamping the administration, revamping the states and so forth is what MHC is all about as it ends up as just talk, letting people forget what was said and promised in the past but never implemented.
We often hear that the 1MAS is a success, and I was informed that there are some 19 centres in operation. To me that is a failure as we have close to 45 artificial pitches in the country so we ought to have a minimum 45 centres so to speak. But when personalities are not focussed and facts not readily available, this is what happens - the truth is twisted.
Below is what has been said, as we have to revist the past to know the current and plan for the future. Read on, enjoy the clarifications in red. The MHC Council has been sent the proposals to revamp the competitions from the past, and as of now, some three hours after the email was sent, only one state has responded. There you go, they do not care, as the truth hurts...
This was from the text of the speech by the MHC President during the MHC Council Meeting held in February 2012.
"Therefore, I have suggested that we need to organize a Seminar in
Kuantan, Pahang after the Olympic Qualifiers in-conjunction with the MHC
Governing Council Meeting to brainstorm again on the Strategic Planning
in which we intend to include the facets of women hockey plus the
targets and journey of the Malaysian Women Hockey Team so that we could
realign the shortcomings and achievements in every two years.
During the Seminar, I intend to bring few personalities from FIFA
and AFC to share with us on their experience on how they manage world
class events and administration aspects of managing an Association.
Whatever happened to this so-called Seminar? We have seen a new Secretary General in place yet no seminar is being held? Mike did not have time to see this through but really is 6 months not enough to organise such a seminar?
Following this, we cannot forget another support area and that is the
Secretariat. This is the “heart center” of MHC. If this structure
is weak it can create “bottlenecks” along the way and affect most of the
facets related to hockey.
Currently, we have about 7 to 8 staff on full time basis to
escort the secretariat headed by Secretary General of MHC and
Treasurer of MHC who has constitutional duties. However, it is a
small organization compare to the task in hand to oversee the whole
MHC as a governing body of hockey in this country.
Therefore, I intend to strengthen the current Secretariat by establishing a well- balanced secretariat with detail job description and accountability. As for the 13 MHC Sub-Committees’, I intend to create 4 division or business unit with a full time “Working Secretary or Program Director” who will be put to task to handle the facets and accountable for the respective Division.
Therefore, I intend to strengthen the current Secretariat by establishing a well- balanced secretariat with detail job description and accountability. As for the 13 MHC Sub-Committees’, I intend to create 4 division or business unit with a full time “Working Secretary or Program Director” who will be put to task to handle the facets and accountable for the respective Division.
The current MHC administration is weak, as emphasised by the President during his speech in Kuantan. Yet all that has been done so far is just talk, nothing more. Why the delay in advertising the positions? was MHC really serious nad the other office bearers just nodding their heads in agreement? Perhaps we might end up like India, having no faith in locals and employ a foreignor to run hockey in the country.
Communication is an essential cog in the operations of MHC and the key ingredient here is dissemination of information to Affiliates, Officials and the public. For a better understanding what takes place in MHC and its Affiliates, I am proposing to discuss during the Seminar on how to devise a system where all parties shall be given regularly platform to highlight the status of activities including strength and weaknesses at the MHC Meetings.
Communication is an essential cog in the operations of MHC and the key ingredient here is dissemination of information to Affiliates, Officials and the public. For a better understanding what takes place in MHC and its Affiliates, I am proposing to discuss during the Seminar on how to devise a system where all parties shall be given regularly platform to highlight the status of activities including strength and weaknesses at the MHC Meetings.
Just one look at the MHC website will provide you an answer to this. Social media is the in thing or are we still groping in the dark about it. The 1MAS website is a joke, RM12,500 paid to set it up and monthly payments done for a website not updated. And before I forget the 1MAS people claim they have an updated website- that is a free Wordpress Blog, not a website. A kid can do that.
The principle
idea is to ensure that we all could work as a team and help one
another to achieve each other objectives at National and State
levels.
However, the detail structure and mechanism on the above ideas will be discussed during the MHC Seminar and the final approval will be tabled at the next MHC Executive Board Meeting before implementing the new administrative structure for MHC.
However, the detail structure and mechanism on the above ideas will be discussed during the MHC Seminar and the final approval will be tabled at the next MHC Executive Board Meeting before implementing the new administrative structure for MHC.
Now talking about revamping competitions, steps were taken to do just that but it is enforcing the changes where MHC has failed big time. A day long workshop was held last year in July and attended by State HA Secretaries/Competition Chairman from States as well as representatives from the MHL teams. Discussions, heated at times, were held but a consensus was reached and forwarded to the MHC. It was approved at the MHF ( then it was not merged) and endorsed at the MHF ouncil Meeting in August 2011. Why are those decsions not followed? Was is just a sham? And to refresh all here are the findings/recommendation from the Workshop as presented to the MHF Council.
SUBMISSION ON WORKSHOP NATIONAL COMPETITIONS MALAYSIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION 17TH JULY 2011, OLYMPIC HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR
Preamble
The one-day workshop,
organized by the Competitions Committee of the Malaysian Hockey Federation was
held to deliberate, discuss and come to a common understanding with regards to
domestic competitions in Malaysia.
The purpose of the workshop
was to determine the suitability, planning as well as decide on key areas such
as regulations, suitable dates, justification of competitions in addition to
coming together to provide a solution towards avoiding unnecessary conflicts in
the domestic calendar that have affected the administration of MHF for the past
few years.
Thus the participants,
comprising of key stakeholders of the MHF, ranging from several members from
the affiliates to office bearers and staff of MHF, were divided into several
groups and tasked with providing options to be discussed in order to come up
with a workable formula that will be accepted by all.
During the course of the
workshop, all participants had their say with regards to various issues that
were raised with the morning session limited to inter state competitions only.
The afternoon session saw
the participation of several stakeholders from the clubs participating in the
MHL and two of the clubs that were unable to attend the workshop- KLHC and Nur
Insafi, provided their views via emails that were read out to the participants.
Below is the summary of the
decisions taken at the workshop for the deliberation and approval of the MHF
Management Committee or Council.
NATIONAL UNDER 14 TOURNAMENT
Date: To be held in either
February/March
Mode of Competition: Two
groups
States hosting must have
minimum two pitches (lighted)
Registration of players: 18
Subsidy: RM3,000 per
affiliate + 22 Transnational bus tickets reimbursable
Hosting Fee: RM35,000
Prize Money: Not cash but in
terms of equipment
Coaches of top two teams to
be attached to National U16 team
NATIONAL UNDER 16 TOURNAMENT
Date: To be held in either
March/April
Mode of Competition: Two
groups
States hosting must have
minimum two pitches (lighted)
Registration of players: 18
Subsidy: RM3,000 per
affiliate + 22 Transnational bus tickets reimbursable
Hosting Fee: RM35,000
Prize Money: Not cash but in
terms of equipment
Coaches of top two teams to
be attached to National Juniors team
NATIONAL UNDER 16 INDOOR TOURNAMENT
Date: To be held in November
Mode of Competition: Two
groups
Venue: NSC Complex Bukit
Jalil
Subsidy: Fully subsidized by
NSC/MHF
Hosting Fee: Not applicable
as hosted by MHF
Prize Money: Not cash but in
terms of equipment
NATIONAL INDOOR TOURNAMENT
Date: To be held in
conjunction with annual Azlan Shah Cup
Mode of Competition: Two
groups
Venue: Ipoh Indoor Stadium
Organised by MHF Indoor
Committee
Subsidy:
Teams to be provided with accommodation and internal transportation
Players
involved in Azlan Shah barred from playing
To
be played over three days on the opening weekend of Azlan Shah Cup
NATIONAL UNDER 21 TOURNAMENT
To
change the tournament to Under 23
Too
many age group tournaments at junior level hence require a different age group
tournament (refer to decision on MJHL)
Tournament
Dates: May/June
Alternates
with Sukan Malaysia every two years
Registration:
Only 5 national players at maximum, Must register 4 Under 16 players
Prize
Money Structure: Champions : RM7,000, Runner Up:RM5,000, Third: RM3,000,
Fourth: RM2,000
Subsidy
to host: Below 8 teams competing: RM25,000, Between 8-12 teams : RM30,000, More
then 13 teams : RM40,000
NATIONAL VETERANS TOURNAMENT
To
be held in December each year
League
format with knockout to be played
Subsidy:
For teams: RM1,000, Host State: RM7,000
Each
team to provide one qualified Umpire (minimum Grade Two)
Prize
Money: Champion RM5,000, Runner Up RM3,000, Third RM2,000
The
prize money will go towards providing equipment for nominated school in the
state and no cash will be provided.
CHAMPION SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT
States
must organize separate competition to determine champion. Will be provided
RM2,000 subsidy if 5 or more teams participate at state level tournament to
determine qualifier
To
be hosted by MHF
Subsidies
to remain as they are
RAZAK CUP
Zonal
System to be scrapped
Revert
back to Two Division Format – to use ranking based on this years tournament in
Malacca
Tournament
to be hosted by MHF in Kuala Lumpur
Tournament
Dates: June each year
Each
team must register 4 Under 21 players with two to play at each time
Player
Eligibility: Maximum of 5 current national players
Players
must have minimum 1 year employment at state they represent
Or
must be residing for 5 years in that state
Players
released can only play for states they were born in
MHF
to provide accommodation for teams in KL, limited to 18 players and 4 officials
– 11 twin sharing rooms
MJHL
Age
eligibility to be changed from Under 19 to Under 21
With
tournaments at U14,U16, U18 MSSM, too may tournaments at age group thus no new
players utilized.
To
commence early January, simultaneously for all zones.
Mode
of Competition: Zonal – Four Zones
North
Zone: Perlis, Penang, Kedah
Central:
Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur
South:
Johor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca
East:
Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang
Limited
to 10 teams per zone
Sabah/Sarawak
to field a team at the final rounds or be involved in play-offs
Top
two teams in each zone move to final round to be played in KL
Eight
teams will be involved in knockout stage
Subsidy:
RM2,000 per team
Prize
Money Structure:
Zonal
: Champion RM500 x Number of teams, Runner Up RM300 x Number of Teams, Third
RM100 x Number of teams
Final
Round Prize Money: Champion RM30,000, Runner Up RM20,000, Third RM15,000,
Fourth RM7,000
Trophies
to be provided at Zonal Level as well
Other
Recommendations:
Coaches
must have minimum Level 2
Coaching
Committee to organize Level 2 course in December
Open
Draw system in place for knock out stage
Tournament
at Zonal level to be completed by end February
All
players must have group insurance
Final
Round: MHF to provide accommodation – no subsidy
MHL
Several options were
discussed and put forward at the workshop, taking into account the views of the
National Coach via email that stated:
- that the MHL be postponed
- that players not be released for MHL as it will affect training and
preparation of national team
- that players might be injured during the course of the MHL.
Taking into account the
views of the coach as well as views presented by KLHC and Nur Insafi, the
participants were of the view that the MHL must be held as scheduled die to the
following:
- that it was vital for continuity
- that clubs face the risk of withdrawal of support from their management
should the MHL
be postponed
- that MHF will lose out financially
- that some 400 players and 40 coaches will lose income should the MHL be
postponed
- that clubs were supportive of the national coach and hence were
prepared to play without
the national players
Having taken those views
into consideration, several options were discussed and among them were as follows:
- that the MHL be run on a five week schedule from September to October
without the
National Players
- that the MHL be run on a five week schedule from September to October
with the National
Players who have to be released for matches commencing
Thursday evening and report to
camp on Sunday night. Clubs and players who do
not comply will face sanctions
- that the MHL be played in a single division from September to December
without the
national players.
Having deliberated the
suggestions, those present agreed that in the interest of the nation, national
players – in agreement with the views of the national coach – be barred from
playing in the MHL.
And that the MHL be run from
September to December, with all 16 teams playing in a single league. However it
shall revert to a two division league next season without affecting the
standings of the clubs who opt out of the MHL for this year.
It was also agreed that the
prize money be increased as following:
League
Champion:
RM80,000
Runner
Up: RM60,000
Third:
RM40,000
Overall
Champion:
RM60,000
Runner
Up: RM40,000
Third:
RM30,000
This was taken from Bernama:
Time To Review Razak Cup Format - Tengku Abdullah
KUANTAN, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC)
wants to review the format for the Razak Cup competition that is
approaching its 50th anniversary.
MHC President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said based on the quality and performance of a number of teams competing in the Razak Cup, it is quite apparent that there is a huge gap between well prepared and the not so well prepared teams.
"Teams that suffered huge losses to Kuala Lumpur, like the 6-1 drubbing of Perak yesterday, shows that some teams are not well prepared. So, I hope the oldest hockey tournament in the country can be given serious attention by teams," he told reporters here today.
MHC President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said based on the quality and performance of a number of teams competing in the Razak Cup, it is quite apparent that there is a huge gap between well prepared and the not so well prepared teams.
"Teams that suffered huge losses to Kuala Lumpur, like the 6-1 drubbing of Perak yesterday, shows that some teams are not well prepared. So, I hope the oldest hockey tournament in the country can be given serious attention by teams," he told reporters here today.
The reason is obvious, how do you expect teams to train when the MHL finished on October 10 and the national team chose to be together for 2 days after that. With eligibility of players a joke, and with a state dominating the bulk of national players, how do we improve. Imagine Perak had only 13 players available for match against KL while Malacca only registered 15 players when the registration is 18?
Tengku Abdullah urged teams competing in the Razak Cup to raise their level of play to achieve a satisfactory level.
He added that there were also weaknesses in the tournament, especially the fixtures, since too many matches are played on match days.
What would you expect when there are 3 pitches and not utilised. Playing matches at 7.30pm is a joke as its prayer time. And why play matches at 5.00pm when fans are at work? MHC had the chance to change things before tournament started by why was it not done? Perhaps because it was this blog that pointed out the shortcomings.
Tengku Abdullah said to overcome the weaknesses, a new format may be adopted for the tournament in the future.
Tengku Abdullah said to overcome the weaknesses, a new format may be adopted for the tournament in the future.
It was just two years ago that a NEW format was introduced by the states threw it out of the window after a year. Yes it was not a perfect change but it was a start. So why call for change when obviously the mind changes as the wind blows.
In the 50th edition that started yesterday, 15 teams will vie for honours over a nine-day period at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.
Division One is divided into two groups with Group A headed by defending champion Kuala Lumpur, Armed Forces, Perak and Negeri Sembilan and Group B features host Pahang, Terengganu, Penang and Johor.
Division two has Melaka, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Sabah, Kelantan and Police.
