Tuesday, May 19, 2015

It's gold or nothing for junior hockey team for SEA Games


KUALA LUMPUR: The National Juniors have been told to bring back the SEA Games hockey gold medal at all costs.

Newly-elected Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal told the juniors of their mission after meeting them at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil Monday morning.

“Let’s face it – hockey is expected to deliver the gold at the Games in Singapore.
“I was briefed on the team’s progress and the team management are confident of delivering the gold. I’m pleased with the way the team is shaping up and I believe they know what needs to be done,” said Subahan.

With the senior team preparing for the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in Belgium from June 20-July 5, the MHC have entrusted the challenge at the Singapore Games from June 5-16 to the juniors.

The juniors is coached by A. Arulselvaraj and their other major assignment for this year is the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan from Nov 12-22. The tournament is a qualifier for the 2016 Junior World Cup Finals in India.

Subahan reiterated that the juniors would be given all the exposure needed before their assignments.
“The juniors are our future and we must ensure they’re well managed and given every help to succeed. My long term target is the 2020 Olympics and these players are the ones who will shoulder the burden when the time comes,” he added.

When asked whether the juniors would be fielded in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) in July, Subahan said: “This proposal is still very much in the pipeline. We’ll look at it at our next executive meeting on May 30 and then make a decision. We will ask the competitions committee to look into the proposal and see how to accommodate the team.”


by S. Ramaguru - The Star

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