SA hockey men’s big weekend in Johor

The world’s 12^th-ranked South Africa men’s hockey team embark on an ambitious plan to finish in the top four of the eight-team World League Semi-Final tournament in Johor, Malaysia when they take on world number four England in the first round of matches in Pool B Saturday.

 

Read more...http://www.malaysiahockey.com.my/wlr3johor/

JAPAN AIMS TO SHOCK

 

Japan goes into the World League Semifinals as the lowest ranked team amongst the eight that will be doing battle beginning tomorrow at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru. 

  Read more...http://www.malaysiahockey.com.my/wlr3johor/

COVERAGE OF WORLD LEAGUE

Please note that the micro website for the World Hockey League 

Round 3 Semi Finals Johor Baru can be found at 

http://www.malaysiahockey.com.my/wlr3johor 

while the twitter account is wlr3johor.

TOUGH BUT REVS IS OPTIMISTIC

Paul Revington had undergone a turmoiled period leading up to the World League Round 3 Semis as the Malaysian National Coach. But he has put the past behind as he takes his motely crew into a tournament where a World Cup place is at stake.

Revs was kind enough to spend time answering questions and below are his thoughts on Malaysian chances and their opening match against Pakistan this Saturday.

Question: Matches number 4 and 5 are the vital ones for teams here. And it will be the same for Malaysia. How will you approach the group matches?

Revs: Group matches are important to build confidence and a degree of momentum for all Teams. I cannot see any teams approaching the group games "casually" as the quarter final stage is hardly the environment to be trying to rectify problems or structural difficulties. 

Question: How much has the team been affected with the issues that have plagued you over the past week?

Revs: I don't think this past week has been the concern - it was the period between January and just prior to last week that definitely affected everyone involved in the National Squad. We managed to keep a lid on things through the SASC and produced some quality hockey as a Team and Squad. Immediately after the SASC the real issues set in. I am confident that we have managed to get control of the situation and there will be a further improvement from the SASC performance.

Question: In your mind, who are the front runners for the three places for the World Cup from Johor Bahru?

Revs: I think the obvious one is Germany. Outside of Germany - I think anyone can get themselves into the semi finals. 

Question: Having some young players in the team provides you with youth exuberance but at the same time they could freeze should Malaysia be on the verge of a World Cup place. Your opinion.

Revs: We have a lovely mix of youth and experience in this Squad and this Team. I also believe that the younger players are feeling a real part of this Team - which is important to ensure the mix of experience and youth is successful. 

Question: How are you handling expectations of a country that has missed two world cups?

Revs: I have not had too much time to even think of this to be honest! I have been flat out with other matters! 

Question: Your thoughts on the opening game?

Revs: Malaysia versus Pakistan has developed into a good rivalry over recent years. Pakistan are a very good side and we respect their ability. I think everyone in this event also knows that Malaysia have been improving year after year, month by month and have a group of players who can match any team in world hockey. This makes the opening game an exciting one.

MOVING ON

During the course of blogging in this blog, I had in March I authored and published the following articles in this blog entitled, “The Asshole from KLHA” dated 24.3.2013; “The Dogs” dated 24.3.2013; “A Tribute to the Three Stooges” dated 25.3.2013; and “Now You Know Who To Blame” dated 25.3.2013.

I acknowledge that in the blog postings I made references to a particular individual as an independent member, a businessman, a member of the Finance Committee and Mr. Businessman (“Mr. Businessman”).

I acknowledge that the postings were offending in nature, which were written by me, and the allegations made were baseless, frivolous, untrue and without any foundation altogether with regards to an individual to whom I referred to as mentioned above.

I have since clarified the matter with the said individual who was magnimonous enough to accept the fact that it was not done with mala fide and I could have been provided with information by unscrupolous individuals. I do hereby acknowledge that Mr. Businessman has always conducted his affairs in the corporate world with honesty and is a highly respected member of the society.

It was untrue and baseless for me to hint or suggest that there was anything untoward, underhand or improper in the conduct of the said Mr. Businessman and that it is wrong for me to allege in the blog postings that Mr. Businessman has done nothing in contributing to the development of Malaysian Hockey.

In restropect Mr. Businessman has contributed immensly to the sport and this was never publicised and his assistance in the various positions he has held in hockey has no doubt helped to uplift the standard of hockey which I hereby acknowledge.

I acknowledge that the above allegations may have caused serious damage and injury to the reputation of Mr. Businessman as a well-respected Independent Council Member of MHC, Deputy Chairman of the Finance Marketing and Sponsorship Committee and an honest businessman of the community.

I unreservedly and sincerely apologize to Mr. Businessman for the grief, distress and damage caused to him, his family and his acquaintances. I undertake, in future, not to publish any defamatory statements involving Mr. Businessman.

In addition, the blog postings have been removed upon the publication of this article.

SPONSORS SHOW SUPPORT

A total of RM640,000 was handed over by sponsors to the Johor Hockey Association and a simple yet meaningful ceremony that marks the countdown of an event where three more teams will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Holland.

 

Read more...http://www.malaysiahockey.com.my/wlr3johor/

END OF TAKE ONE

When national hockey coach paul Revington said that he had no control over the national team, many had doubted the statement.

But that is a fact and it was proven today at the Royale Chulan Hotel when the national players trickled in one after another for a scheduled meeting with the MHC President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

That goes on to show that even Team Manager George Koshy lacks control over the team.

When the MHC President arrived, flanked by two personalities who actually should take the blame for the whole issue blowing out of proportion,  there were only five players present.

At one stage at 3pm, half an hour after the scheduled time, only 17 out of the 26 had turned up. And the quorum was complete 15 mins later.

The MHC President reminded the players to remained focussed in the task at hand and at the press conference stated that qualifying for the World Cup was a team effort.

He even asked the Senior VP who had refused to comment to this blog the other day but went to town with his conspiracy theory to vacate the chair next to him so Revs could sit.

And when posed with a leading question as to any action against Manjit Majid Abdullah for his role in making public the whole sordid affair, the MHC President brushed it aside saying that it was in the past and it was time to move forward, that focusing on the task to make the World Cup was the priority.

Hiwever wuth Revington still playing with words at his own press conference after TM had left,  it was all the more clear that the actors had actually played their roles well and the bigger agenda had won the day.

Lers hope that Malaysia does not suffer the fate of India in Holland for the World League, promising so much but ending in a whimper.

As the countries in South East Asia fight the haze, Malaysian Hockey is still figjtinh bush fires, and yet we dream of qualifying for the World Cup.

Its a hazy dream at the moment,  no thanks to those who back stab in the name of the interest of hockey in the country.

Hockey is a joke and so are those running it, so much so if they put up an act they will put to shame the Royal London Circus that used to entertain the masses in our country till the late eighties.