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MHC to boost junior team’s international exposure with expected Sports Ministry funding | Scoop
MHC deputy president Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak has said plans would soon be developed to address the national hockey team’s requirements in collaboration with the coaching committee based on funds allocated by the Sports Ministry. – Scoop file pic, December 8, 2024
Sports

MHC to boost junior team’s international exposure with expected Sports Ministry funding

Deputy president says plans for this will be developed based on allocation given amid reports of a significant portion of ministry’s RM230 mil budget going into revitalising hockey

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
5:00 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is looking to increase its junior national hockey team’s international tours after they qualified for the Junior World Cup (JWC) for the 13th time in its history. 

Malaysia secured their spot in the tournament, scheduled to take place in India next year, after finishing fourth in the recently concluded Junior Asia Cup (JAC) in Muscat, Oman.  

However, MHC can only initiate this based on the funding allocated by the Youth and Sports Ministry.  

Speaking to Scoop, MHC deputy president Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak, who is also the national team manager, said plans would soon be developed to address the team’s requirements in collaboration with the coaching committee – based on the allocated funds.  

It was reported that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that a significant portion of the RM230 million allocated in the national budget would be directed towards revitalising Malaysian hockey. 

The minister emphasised ongoing partnerships between the ministry, the National Sports Council, and the Education Ministry to bolster hockey at the state level.

“Certainly, we will work on plans for the junior team using the allocation we are set to receive, ensuring a comprehensive strategy to meet the coaches’ needs. This may include sending the players for more international tours and matches.

“The team must maintain its current form, and preparations must begin now, even though the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has yet to announce the tournament dates for the JWC. Whether it commences early, mid, or late in the year, we must be ready.  

“We will discuss the plans for JWC with coach I. Vikneswaran,” Najmi said when contacted.

At the same time, Najmi stated that it is too early to set a KPI for Vikneswaran’s team for the JWC. 

“We are delighted that Vikneswaran has met the KPI set for the Asian Cup by reaching the semi-finals, and we are proud of the team for qualifying for the World Cup despite having recently assembled the squad.

“However, it is premature to establish a target for the JWC. A clearer objective can be set once we address the issue of finding replacement players for those ineligible to participate in the tournament,” Najmi added.  

Vikneswaran faces a minor rebuild, as six players will be ineligible for next year’s JWC. This includes goalkeepers Rafaizul Saini and Daish Afnan Kamarul Azlan, defenders Disairul Fazrien Nazrien and Zulhanif Safran, midfielder Danish Danial Abdul Wahab, and forward Che Nur Aqilrulah Che Khaiulzi Anwar.  

The coach has approximately a year to prepare the team. 

Ranked 11th in the junior world rankings, Malaysia secured victories over world number 48 China (5-2) and world number 33 Oman (9-1) but faced challenges in a 2-2 draw against world number 21 Bangladesh.  

The Under-21 side struggled against eventual finalists Pakistan (world number nine) and champions India (world number two), losing 4-1 and 3-1 in the group stage and semi-finals, respectively. 

In the third-place playoff, world number 18 Japan edged Malaysia 2-1.  

Malaysia finished 12th out of 16 teams in last year’s JWC held in Kuala Lumpur. – December 8, 2024

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