SSTMI OFF TO A WINNING START

 

Bukit Jalil Sports School have not beaten Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail since 2009 in the MHC-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League. And they hope that the four year jinx will finally come to an end when thay take on the defending champions at the Ministry of Education pitch on Friday.

 

Read more...www.mjhl.com.my

 

MJHL-THE PREVIEW

PREVIEW OF 2013 SEASON

The MHC-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League gets underway on Thursday with a record number of 27 teams playing in two divisions. All states in the peninsular are represented but sadly teams from east Malaysia continue to stay out due to logistical issues. Though Sabah did submit their entry, they cried off at the 11th hour due to problems relating to the education of the players.

The MJHL was initiated in 1995, a joint effort by the NSC,Nestle and MHF then with key personalities in the likes of Dato Wira Mazlan Ahmad, Dato Dina Rizal and the late S. Satgunam coming up with the initiative to have a league for the juniors. And thanks to the foresight of these gentlemen, the league has grown from strength to strength over the years.

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FAISAL: WANT TO MAKE MALAYSIA PROUD

An off the cuff remark by his sister acted turning point in this contemporary Malaysian star’s hockey career. 

“Here everyone can play football. Not many can play Hockey. You should play Hockey!”

That is when this diminutive forward, who is a thorn in the flesh of rival defence, decided to take up hockey -- and the rest is refreshing history.

Faisal Saari is one of the two picks from the vast pool of Malaysian talent – the other being goalkeeper Kumar Subramaniam -- for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL). He was sold for USD 26000. This may sound not so huge to many, but when translates into Malaysia Ringgit, it becomes big, RM 78,000. 

“That is huge money in Malaysia,” says the young 21-year old with a child like enthusiasm.

Faisal debuted for the Malaysia team back in 2009 and has been a regular since but he is also Malaysia’s best bet in the Under-21 category. 

And only when travel back in time to May 2012, and observe that the top-scorer in the Junior Asia Cup, Malacca, was none other than Faisal Saari, you realize why Ric Charlesworth picked this young dashing forward for the Mumbai Marines team.

“May be because I am fast, I can score field goals or may be because I can drag flick too,” guesses the humble Electrician in Malaysia, with a proud smile on his face. 

“I want to make Malaysia proud in India and make a mark in India with this league. I am very excited to play under Ric Charlesworth. I am waiting to see the likes of Jamie Dwyer, Taeke Taekema in action,” shares the 2010 Asian Games Silver Medalist (where India has to console themselves with a Bronze medal) 

So, is the league all about money?

“Well, it’s 50-50 for money and hockey. More than that, it will be a learning experience for me, tactically, culturally and attitude-wise,” tells this player-to-be-watched-out-for in the upcoming Hockey India League.

And even at this young age, this short player has a vision about hockey and its prospects in Malaysia.

“There are very few players in Malaysia who have jobs like the one I have. I wish there are more players from Malaysia who get similar chances and opportunities like the Hockey India League,” says the prolific Malaysian flicker.

And, the time has really come for Faisal to take his sister’s to another level. 

Lifted with permission from www.stick2.hockey.com

MJHL: FOCUS ON STAR

Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ipoh are making their debut in the MHC-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League. And gaining experience as well as improving their overall performance is the benchmark the team has set themselves for.

 

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LEAVING DANGEROUSLY

His name is Dangerous Lee but in reality there is nothing dangerous in him but the fact that he is living in a fantasy world, where he feels that life is a bed of roses, that glory comes without hard work, blood, sweat and tears.

Sarawak's Dangerous Lee pulled out of the National Juniors squad via a SMS to his coach K.Dharmaraj on Sunday evening.

He was the only East Malaysia player to have made an impression over the past two decades to warrant a place in a national set up as so far as hockey is concerned.

But he chickened out, so unlike the spirit of a Sarawakian that holds dear to the saying " agi idup agi ngelaban" .( still alive still fight )

Over the past 24 hours this blogger managed to speak to him and try get him to return to training, something Dharmaraj was keen on as he saw the potential of the player.

But despite a phone call where Dangerous Lee was in tears as he tried to justify his withdrawal which was centered around his lack of confidence, he stuck to his decision and sent in an SMS just minutes ago.

An attempt was made via MHC Vice President Jeniffer Williams to try talk to the player and his family but calls and SMS went unanswered.

No effort was spared to convince him but he just would not budge.

It may be a lost cause to some but efforts should be made by the other 11 Vice Presidents to talk sense into this boy. The team management and coaches can only do so much but it's the system that has failed us.

Take a step back into August last year when this player was in the centre of a battle of playing in the Premier Division or the First Division of the MHL.

Some archaic regulations were enforced by the Bukit Jalil Sports School to force this player and two others to represent the school in the MHL

And it must have been a tremendous boost to the boys confidence. Infact national coach Paul Revington was impressed by the display of Kavin Karthik in the Sultan Johor Cup and was left wondering how he missed the exploits of the player in the MHL. Simple as he played in the lower division.

So really it's pointless blaming the players when it's crumbs we are after when in reality these are unpolished gems that should be given a proper development system.

Sports Schools are neither boon or name for hockey but its the pencil pushers that are to be blamed for killing the careers of youngsters.

Over to you Mr. President of MHC to resolve this.

This now brings me back to one question, will the player be left of the hook for turning his back on the nation?

Flashback to 2001 and ismail Abu was banned from the MJHL cos he wanted to play for his club. So what's stopping MHC from shutting the door on Dangerous for the MHL?

SABAH JUNIORS PULLOUT

Just three days before the commencement of the MHC-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League 2013, the tournament which saw a record number of 28 entries  has been hit by the withdrawal of the Sabah Juniors team.

 

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NEVER A DAY GOES BY....

Never a day goes by that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation makes mistakes that is highlighted in this blog.

While it is newsworthy, some of the decisions or rather actions taken are really mind boggling to say the least.

All we expect those in positions to do is to ensure hockey in the country is run without fear or favour and above all with sincerity.

But just when you thought it was a Sunday without much to write on since the MJHL fiasco, there pops up another piece of news that never should have surfaced in the first place.

Well the National Team Management Committee is holding a meeting this coming Tuesday, There is nothing wrong in them holding a meeting I must admit, for many committees with MHC are just there for namesake, some aleady covered with cobwebs.

The issue here is that this committee discusses the affairs of the various national teams, including the senior team. But the two coaches, Paul Revington and Arul Selvaraj are not in town as both will be arriving from Cape Town and Dublin on January 9 ( Wednesday) respectively.

Though in mitigation one could say that the team manager, George Koshy, could preset their proposals, it is still mind boggling as to why the meeting cannot be held upon their return.

Revington had made it clear that he has some plans in store for the national team, and could not divulge much information on it until the meeting with MHC and NSC. But while he respected authority, one wonders what is so important that this meeting is being rushed.

For starters does the Chairman, in this case Dato Nur Azmi Ahmad not know that the duo are cuttrentky away and will not be present?

Or did the MHC Secretary, who outsourced the preparation of the MJHL fixtures which became the laughing stock at the team managers meeting, not inform the Chairman that the two are unabkle to come on the said day.

Maybe it is because the Committee wants to discuss the issue of the 800 Euro per day coach that was with the team at the Champions Challenge in Argentina next month. This has become the talking point in the corridors of MHC, but its a whisper campaign at the moment, likelky to blow up real soon.