The 6th edition of the MHC-MILO-NSC-MOE National Under 14 gets underway at the Seremban 2 Hockey Stadium tomorrow (Friday).
A total of 13 states have confirmed participation, the exception being Sarawak.
Group A comprises of five times champions Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor, Perlis and selangor.
While Group B will see seven teams, last year's losing finalists Terengganu, Perak, Kedah, Sabah, Malacca, Penang and hosts Negeri Sembilan.
Kuala Lumpur has been winning the tournament since its inception in 2007 and are odds on favourites to win the title yet again.
And they are coached by former international Mohd Madzli Ikmar who is making his debut as a coach.
Having retired from international hockey after the Olympic Qualifier in Dublin, Madzli is looking forward to a winning debut as coach.
"I am honoured to be given an opportunity to coach the city side and look forward towards continuing the winning run this year," said Madzli who played for TNB in the Malaysian Hockey league.
"The team has been training under me for the last two years and I see a lot of potential in the players.
"One
advantage KL has over the other states is that they keep the team
together since they are Under 12 and this augurs well for the players as
they are familiar with each others style of play."
Madzli said that he intends to pursue coaching seriously and hopes to be given a chance to caoch the TNB side for next year's MHF-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League.
"I also want to help my home state Negri Sembilan and offered my services to them but they have been training since early this year," said Madzli who hails from Kuala Pilah.
"I see NS as one of the main contenders as their decision to hold a year long training and participate in the MJHL augurs well for their chances."
Meanwhile Johor too are loking at creating a history of sorts in the tournament.
They have never made it to the last four and look towards breaking the jinx this time around.
"We have a good side and have set a top four target for the team. We intend to start planning for long term and investing in the youth is the right strategy," said Johor HA Secretary Shahabuddin Royani.
