Talented Players Identified for 1Mas Programme

Sixty players (30 boys and 30 girls) will be identified for the 1Mas Development Programme after nine days of action in the MHC-1Mas-Milo-KPM National Under-14 hockey tournament which begins tomorrow until Nov 27 in Kuala Lumpur. 

1Mas Development Programme director, Tai Beng Hai, said players identified will be selected for various national camp trainings as they are expected to play bigger roles in representing not only their states in future age-group tournaments but also the country in international tournaments such as the Boys and Girls Under-18 AHF Cup.

“In terms of development we are looking at talented players as at this age group level they are not physically strong. There will be national camp trainings under 1Mas Programme and we have compiled a data base of all players since three years ago,” said Beng Hai at a press conference announcing the MHC-1Mas-Milo-KPM National Under-14 hockey tournament today.

The event was also graced by Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Chief Executive Officer, Logan Raj, Nestle Malaysia Assistant Manager Sports Marketing (Milo Business Unit) Lim Kerwin, MHC Competitions manager Brian Fernandez and MHC-1Mas-Milo-KPM National Under-14 Tournament Director, Bal Rao.

Logan also extended his appreciation to Milo for the support over the years in ensuring MHC’s Junior Development Programmes, particularly the 1Mas National Under-14 tournament, which has been a success.

“We are looking forward to seeing more talented players identified in this tournament. In the last two to three years we are seeing an estimated 60 per cent of 1Mas Development Programme players representing their respective states in the Malaysia Games. This is a total change from before where states would take players from sports schools,” said Logan.

“The 1Mas coaches have been doing a great job and we congratulate them for this good work. But all this will not be possible either without the support of Milo who has come forward to continue their sponsorship in these difficult economic times in the development of junior hockey. MHC would like to take this opportunity once again in thanking Milo for being with us,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lim disclosed that Milo’s sponsoring the MHC-1Mas-Milo-KPM National Under-14 hockey tournament is to the tune of RM100,000 which also includes trophies and medals.

“Milo is obligated in seeing the development of sports in our country including hockey. It is a great investment as this tournament has produced a lot of talented players and we are proud of it,” said Lim, adding that apart from hockey the health beverage company has been major sponsors of 23 other sports in the country.

The battle for supremacy in the MHC-1Mas-Milo-KPM National Under-14 tournament gets off Saturday with Sabah, the 2015 champions, taking on Perlis in the boys division while girls defending champions Kuala Lumpur play Perak.

Fifteen teams will battle for the boys’ title and 12 in the girls division. Matches will be played at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) and Ministry of Education Hockey stadiums on Jalan Pantai in Bangsar.

In the Boys category, Sabah has for company in Group A Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perlis and Kelantan. Group B comprises 2014 champions Pahang, Perak, Sarawak, Kedah and Penang while Malacca, Johor, Singapore, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu are in Group C.

In the Girls division, defending champions Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Malacca and Perak are in Group A, Selangor Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Penang make up Group B while Singapore, Sarawak, Kelantan and Johor are drawn in Group C respectively.

The top two teams from each group after the round-robin league matches qualify for the second round of the boys and girls competitions. They will be drawn into Group X and Y with three teams in each group. The winners of the respective groups will play in the Nov 27 final.

Fixtures - 19 Nov, 2016 (Saturday):

Boys Group A: Sabah v Perlis (KPM Pitch, 4.45pm); Selangor v Kuala Lumpur (KLHA Stadium, 4.45pm).

Group B: Perak v Kedah (KPM Pitch, 6.0pm); Pahang v Sarawak (KLHA Stadium, 6.0pm).

Group C: Johor v Terengganu (KPM, 7.15pm); Malacca v Singapore (KLHA Stadium, 7.15pm).

Girls Group C - Singapore v Johor (7.30am, KPM Pitch); Sarawak v Kelantan (KLHA Stadium, 7.30am).

Group A: Kuala Lumpur v Perak (KPM Pitch, 8.45am); Kedah v Malacca (KLHA, 8.45am)

adidas Reveals a Football Original Re-Imagined with COPA 17 Red Limit

adidas has today launched COPA 17 Red Limit, a football original re-imagined in a modern colourway. With on-pitch, cage and street versions, COPA 17 Red Limit is the latest release from the Limited Collection, a range of exclusive footwear designed to show the latest in footwear innovation.   

--> The COPA 17 Red Limit range features a premium KANGAROO LEATHER UPPER to deliver unrivalled ball control, while a COMPRESSION TONGUE and ORTHOLITE SOCKLINER provide improved fit and optimal comfort. A lightweight SPRINTFRAME OUTSOLE offers stability with round stud tips for smooth pitch penetration. The COPA 17 Red Limit cage version also features added suede material around the toe area to avoid abrasion, creating a more durable product for cage players. The COPA 17 Red Limit street version has a blend of modern and classic elements to make it more suitable for off-pitch wear. It features a lightweight, EVA-injected midsole to provide the best balance while maintaining the cupsole aesthetic. 

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‘Believe in yourselves, Tigress’

The greatest psychological barrier faced by Malaysia Tigress over the years is slowly but surely chipping away and now chief coach K. Dharmaraj wants his players to start believing in themselves in the face of bigger challenges ahead. 

Dharmaraj wants his charges to step into forward mode beginning with the five-match test series between the world No 21 Malaysia Tigress and Olympic bronze medallist and world No 5 New Zealand from Dec 12-18 in Stratford, located in north island, with the same kind of passion produced in the 4^th Women Asian Champions Trophy in Singapore two weeks ago. 

“Believe in yourselves. That’s what we have been telling the players all along and we can sense changes taking place slowly. They have the potential to play good hockey and it’s only a matter of giving them opportunities against top teams like New Zealand,” said Dharmaraj. 

Keeping an eagle eye view as the players pushed through an absorbing physical training programme at the National Sports Council gymnasium, Dharmaraj confessed that the ACT in Singapore was the turning point. 

“In the past we have always feared playing against top Asian teams like China, Japan, Korea and India. We were so contented within our ‘comfort zone’ of beating teams like Cambodia 36-0. So the ACT was indeed an eye opener when we played good and hard hockey. This momentum has to carry on against New Zealand. The scoreline, big or small, does not matter. Building their confidence level is far more important.” he added. 

In the WACT, the Tigress lost 2-5 to world No 9 Korea who scored three quick goals within six minutes into the game and held world No 9 China to a 1-1 draw for a good 56 minutes only to allow the Chinese to score two penalty corner goals minutes before the final hooter. 

They lost to India 0-2 and defeated world No 10 Japan, 2-0 subsequently. It was Malaysia’s first victory over Sakura Japan in 30 years. All four of the Asian top ranked teams had competed in the Rio Olympics in August.

With the New Zealand series taking a big chunk of the team’s training structure, Dharmaraj believes the experience in Stratford will come good when the Tigress stroll into the World League Round 2 in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 14-22. Malaysia will be up against ranked teams Italy (world No 15) and Ireland (16) as well as Thailand (31), Wales (32), Kazakhstan (33), Singapore (43) and Fiji (46). 

“Honestly, it was the first time we played Asian top teams in the ACT and against Korea in the first match the team froze in the early stage and then got back. They overcame this fear mentality as results against China, India and Japan proven. New Zealand is world No 5 and when they go into the World League, they won’t fear nor care less about ranked teams as they have had the experience of playing top teams already,” said Dharmaraj. 

However, with less than a month for the New Zealand tour, Dharmaraj is hoping for Asia’s No 1 goalkeeper Farah Ayuni Yahya and defender Nor Hasliza Ali to join the tour. Both players are in their final phase of trainee inspectors’ course with the Royal Malaysian Police. 

“We have written to the Royal Malaysian Police requesting for their release and hope to receive a favourable reply. Both saw action in the WACT and the New Zealand tour is also crucial in our preparation for the World League,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Tigress captain Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani said the ACT experience has lifted the team’s confidence.

“We have learned two things. First is to be physically fit in high level matches as in the ACT and secondly be mentally strong even when the odds are against us. But we did well to come back,” said the 29-year-old Amarina who has 96 international caps. 

“The most important things are we should not look too much into rankings of our opponents and do what needs to be done on the field. If we focus too much on rankings we will lose our momentum and also unnecessarily create an atmosphere of fear. This has to end,” she added.

Stepping up the gear in Melbourne

The Four-Nation International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne from Nov 23-27 will provide an opportunity for several players to step up the gear against formidable oppositions.

Malaysia Tigers head coach, Stephen van Huizen, disclosed this today after watching the players go through the paces during an-hour long physical training at the National Sports Council gymnasium in Bukit Jalil.

“The Four-Nation in Melbourne will certainly witness several players stepping in for the larger experience in our preparation for the Hockey World League Round 2 in Trinidad & Tobago next March,” said Van Huizen.

“The Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan recently was very important and equal emphasis is given to the Four-Nation in Melbourne. We have a major task ahead and every player in the national team will be involved in match experience,” he added.

As of now Malaysia Tigers will be devoid of penalty corner specialist Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim and midfielder Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor who are undergoing inspector training course at the Police Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur since May. The duo was granted permission by their employers – The Royal Malaysian Police – to feature in the QNET 4th Asian Champions Trophy at the Wisma Belia Stadium in Kuantan from Oct 20-30.

Midfielder Fitri Saari and defender Faiz Helmi Jali will also not join the 18-member Malaysia Tigers who leave for Melbourne this Saturday as they are currently pursuing their studies at University Malaya.

The Four-Nation International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne involves QNET 4^th Asian Champions Trophy winners India, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The Indians will also play two test series against the Kookaburras on Nov 29 and 30.

Malaysia Tigers will play New Zealand in the opening match on Nov 23 followed by the Australia-India encounter. Van Huizen’s boys take on India on Nov 24 and Australia on Nov 26 (Saturday).

Meanwhile, after India’s successful campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy where they beat rivals Pakistan in the final, the Indian hockey team will head Down Under captained by the experienced drag-flick specialist VR Raghunath in the absence of PR Sreejesh who is carrying a knee injury.

The responsibilities of his deputy will be shouldered by defender and penalty corner specialist Rupinder Pal Singh who showcased splendid form and was adjudged top scorer at the Kuantan Asian Champions Trophy.

Akash Chikte who came up with outstanding performance in the final of ACT will be India’s custodian in Melbourne.