JOM TURUN PADANG

Lebih 30 badan korporat akan menyertai jutaan rakyat Malaysia dalam meraikan sambutan sulung Hari Sukan Negara.

Hari Sukan Negara bertujuan menyemai gaya hidup sihat di kalangan rakyat Malaysia daripada semua lapisan masyarakat dengan menganjurkan pelbagai acara sukan yang akan diraikan pada 10 Oktober di seluruh negara.

Ianya telah dilancarkan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada 24 Mac, 2015 dengan anggaran tiga juta rakyat Malaysia dijangka mengambil bahagian dalam sambutan di seluruh negara.

Kerajaan juga telah mewartakan Sabtu kedua pada Oktober setiap tahun sebagai Hari Sukan Negara.

Hari Sukan Negara adalah satu inisiatif yang dipacu oleh Kementerian Belia dan Sukan sebagai langkah proaktif dalam mentransformasikan Malaysia menjadi sebuah negara sukan. Oleh itu, Hari Sukan Negara telah dijadikan sebagai agenda nasional selaras aspirasi negara menuju Wawasan 2020.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin, berkata secara umumnya diakui bahawa sukan memainkan peranan penting dalam pembangunan negara dan Hari Sukan Negara melibatkan penyertaan besar-besaran rakyat Malaysia dalam memupuk gaya hidup sihat.

“Selain itu ia turut menceritakan kisah-kisah peribadi atlet yang telahpun berjaya dan menjadi contoh kepada generasi muda kita. Pengamalan aktiviti senaman secara berterusan dan tabiat pemakanan yang sihat akan turut menjauhkan penyakit-penyakit kronik,” kata Khairy.

Beliau bercakap pada sidang media hari ini, mengumumkan antara rakan korporat yang akan terlibat untuk acara pada 10 Oktober.

Konsep meraikan Hari Sukan Negara diamalkan secara meluas di beberapa negara lain. Di India, Hari Sukan Negara menandakan hari lahir lagenda hoki, mendiang Major Dhyan Chand, yang menjadi tunjang dalam membantu India memenangi pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik, manakala di Jepun dan Qatar, ianya diadakan untuk menggalakkan gaya hidup sihat.

Di Malaysia, kerjasama di antara sektor awam, sektor swasta dan masyarakat umum ini akan memastikan bahawa aktiviti sukan dan kecergasan akan dapat dijalankan dengan lancar dengan kadar penyertaan yang tinggi pada hari tersebut.

Tambah Khairy, Hari Sukan Negara bertujuan meningkatkan kesihatan masyarakat umum, mengenalpasti bakat sukan, meningkatkan produktiviti, menjana kesejahteraan komprehensif, meningkatkan kesihatan mental dan memupuk semangat perpaduan dalam negara.

“Ini adalah penting dalam usaha kerajaan untuk menggalakkan orang ramai mengamalkan gaya hidup sihat dan aktif memandangkan peratusan masyarakat aktif di dalam sukan adalah dianggarkan sekitar 40 peratus berbanding 50 ke 60 peratus di negara-negara maju,” tambahnya.

Budaya sukan melalui amalan gaya hidup sihat dan aktif juga dapat mengurangkan kadar pertumbuhan penyakit-penyakit kronik di kalangan rakyat Malaysia.

Sejumlah 4,435 (setakat hari ini) program kecergasan dan kesukanan dijadual diadakan sempena Hari Sukan Negara di seluruh semenanjung, Sarawak dan Sabah dengan kerjasama dan penglibatan yang baik dari Jabatan Belia dan Sukan dan kerajaan negeri masing-masing di semua peringkat di kampung, daerah dan kawasan parlimen.

Antara acara sukan yang dirancang adalah sepak raga, futsal, bola keranjang, Zumba (tarian senaman fizikal), cari harta karun, bola jaring dan cabaran Muay Thai untuk semua. Acara ikonik anjuran sektor korporat pula termasuk Spartan Race, The Music Run, Triathlon Antarabangsa PD, Score Fitmob, ekspo sukan dan lumba basikal nasional.

Hari Sukan Negara adalah hari yang penting untuk menggalakkan penambahan berterusan peluang buat setiap rakyat Malaysia terlibat dalam mana-mana aktiviti sukan dan menjalani kehidupan yang aktif secara fizikal.

MHC name three juniors in seniors training squad

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has named 35 players for the senior men’s national training squad that will begin training on Oct 5 under national head coach Stephen Van Huizen and assisted by Lim Chiow Chuan.

However, only 21 players will report for camp on the first day of training on Monday while the rest will join at a later date as they have personal obligations to attend.

Of the selected 35, three players are currently with the National Junior squad in preparation for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup which will be held from Nov 12-22 in Kuantan, Pahang while another three are on attachment with clubs overseas.

The juniors are midfielder Meor Muhammad Azuan Hasan and forwards Muhammad Sharil Saabah and Muhammad Haziq Samsul. Defender Baljit Singh is playing his trade in the Spanish League while both Faiz Helmi and Rashid Baharom are playing for their respective clubs in the German League.

MHC Chief Executive Officer, Logan Raj, said: “The coaches are constantly in communication with the three players to ensure they adhere to specific programmes drawn out. This will allow them to be of the required physiological standards when they resume training in Malaysia.”

“All the players selected have accepted their invitation to join the training programme albeit several others not able to join on Monday for various reasons.”

However, Van Huizen added that they have excluded goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, defender Azlan Misron and forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin from the training squad for multiple reasons.

“For Roslan, MHC has to make a decision. We have been keeping Roslan and S. Kumar for some time and they are nearing 36 and 37 years of age already. If we keep Roslan in the squad for another six months or one year and then we have to make a very tough decision after that when he wants to carry on,” added Van Huizen.

He lamented that at this point of time MHC is in the process of a transition period of rebuilding the team and has to make crucial decisions which will benefit Malaysian hockey in the long term.

Kumar, who has played in the World Cup, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games has indicated his commitment to go through the programme until 2018 and does not want to end it this way.

“We felt that by keeping Kumar is a natural choice for us as he can guide the junior goalkeepers. I also had a talk with Roslan and he has indicated he would like to retire soon,” said Van Huizen at a press conference today to announce the training squad which was also attended by MHC Technical Director, Terry Walsh and ChiowChuan.

Azlan, who has more than 300 international caps, has also indicated his desire to retire after the World Cup qualifiers.

“He is already 34 now and is fully aware the physical strength of playing in international tournaments is very demanding. Looking two years down the road it is the right time,” said Van Huizen. “By the time we reach Round 2 or Round 3 of the qualifiers we need to carry on the challenges with players who capable of making great inroads.”

As for Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, the forward is nursing a shoulder injury at this point of time.

“We cannot drop all the senior players and this transition period is important for us to move on. They have contributed a lot to Malaysian hockey but we have to move on for the future,” said Van Huizen, adding that the national team will be built around several core players together with the youngsters.

He cited Kumar, drag-flick specialist Razie Rahim, SukriMutalib, Nabil Fiqri and FaizalSaari as several seniors around to guide the younger players and this is also a chance for the youngsters to grow.

There are no major tournaments for the senior team in the near future except for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in April 2016 and the Asian Champions Trophy in November.

“This is best six months we have for the players to build on their physical condition and we have a very good comprehensive programme for them to make an impact. It is a crucial time for us,” said Van Huizen.

The Training Squad - 

Goalkeepers: S.Kumar (TNB), Mohammad Hairi Abdul Rahman (Sapura), Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman (THT), MohamadHazrulFaiz (THT).

Defenders: Razie Rahim (KLHC), Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim (KLHC), Sukri Abdul Mutalib (KLHC), AzlamHanafiah (Maybank), IzadHakimi (Sapura), Harmesh Singh (Sapura), Harmeet Singh (Sapura), Shahrun Nabil (THT), ShahzrilIrwan (TNB), Baljit Singh (UniKL).

Midfielders: Nabil Fiqri (KLHC), Muhammad Azri Hassan (KLHC), Harvinder Singh (KLHC), Joel Samuel Van Huizen (Sapura), FaizHelmi (Sapura), MarhanJalil (Sapura), FitriSaari (THT), Ramadan Rosli (TNB), NorhizzatSumantri (TNB), MeorMuhamadAzuanHasan (UniKL).

Strikers: Rashid Baharom (KLHC), Mohd SyaminYusof (KLHC), DediAriyadi (KLHC), Muhammad Hafiz Zainol (Maybank), FaridzulAfiq (Sapura), Dangerous Lee (Sapura), FaizalSaari (THT), FirhanAshari (THT), ShahrilSaabah (TNB), HaziqSamsul (UniKL), IzwanFirdaus Ahmad Tajuddin (UniKL).

SSTMI Thunderbolts and PKS-KPM storm into final

Tunku Mahkota Sports School Thunderbolts (SSTMI) from Johor delivered a stunning blow to defending champions Armed Forces Pernama by carving a 4-1 win in the semi-finals of the TNBMHL 2015 Women’s League at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thrusday.

A brace from Liyana Aquilah Mohd Sepawi (20th and 45th), Khairun Najwa Khairuddin (42nd) and Nur Adriana Mohd Nawawi (48th) sealed STTMI a spot in Saturday’s final against Ministry of Education Centre for Sports Excellence (PKS-KPM).

ATM Pernama, who sorely missed the services of national captain Siti Noor Amarina Ruhaini who is recuperating from an appendicitis surgery, replied through Izzuin Ismail in the 32nd minute from a field goal.

“Congratulations to my players for giving 100 per cent commitment against ATM. They played with the right attitude for this victory,” said SSTMI Thunderbolts coach, Azlizam Abdul Shukor.

“PKS-KPM is a very talented side and I hope my players will learn from this experience and do their best in the final,” he added.

Group B champions PKS-KPM, who had amassed 30 points from eight matches going into the last four stages, demolished Penang Juniors 8-0 in the other semi-final.

Goals from Mawaddah Abu Bakar (7th, PC, 44th PC), FatinNaimahZaki (17th, FG, 51st, PC), RabiatulAdawiyah Mohamed (8th, FG), Nor AiniTajuddin (14th, FG), Noor Hasliza Mohd Ali (30th, FG) and Nuraini Abdul Rashid (33rd, FG) closed a painful chapter for Penang Juniors in the league.

PKS-KPM head coach, Izzwan Mohamed, said: “We played to our game plan as we did in the group matches and I must congratulate the players for this big victory.”

“I was quite surprised to learn that ATM lost as they have five to six national players. This tells us that we have to play our best game against STTMI in the final and take our chances well,” he added.

INDIA AND PHILIPPINES ADD SPICE WITH GRAND ENTRANCE

India and Philippines will join a host of elite nations in the ISTAF SuperSeries Finals 2014/15 THAILAND from Oct 20-23 at the Nakhom Pathom Municipal Gymnasium near Bangkok.

Two-time overall champions Thailand will lead the challenge in the eight-team men’s division tournament which will decide the overall champion. Hot on the heels of the formidable Thais will be Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Myanmar, Japan and newcomers, Philippines and India.

 The Malaysians won silver medals in the 2011/12 and 2013/14 SuperSeries Finals while Korea and Japan picked bronze medals respectively.

India and Philippines are replacements for Indonesia and China which featured prominently in the last three circuits of ISTAF SuperSeries 2014/15 held in the cities of Nay Pi Taw (Myanmar), Malacca (Malaysia) and Wolmyeong Arena in Gunsan City (South Korea).

India’s most dominant performance was as host of ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 INDIA at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi where they came back from the brink of despair to defeat Singapore 3-2 in what was undoubtedly one of the most explosive matches in SuperSeries history.

In the men’s division draw for ISTAF SuperSeries 2014/15 Finals THAILAND conducted in Bangkok today, Asian and world champions Thailand are seeded No 1 and drawn into Group A with Philippines, India and Myanmar while the Malaysians, seeded No 2, are in Group B with Japan, Singapore and Korea.

The Singaporeans produced a scintillating performance in the preliminary round of ISTAF SuperSeries KOREA in April following a resounding 2-0 win over the Malaysians. It was Singapore’s first ever victory over Malaysia in 20 years and with the two nations drawn in the same group, fans can expect another round of excitement.

In the six-team women’s category, Vietnam, Japan and Korea are in Group A. Defending champions Thailand are in Group B with Malaysia and Myanmar.

The draw was jointly conducted by ISTAF Secretary-General Dato’ Abdul Halim Kader, Takraw Association of Thailand (TSA) Secretary-General TanawatPrasongcharoen, TSA Treasurer BoonchaiLorhpipat, and Asia Sports Ventures (ASV) General Manager and Head of Business, NishantSehgal.

The formation of the ISTAF SuperSeries was mooted by the Singapore-based ASV, the official commercial and developmental partner of the International Sepaktakraw Federation.

Dato’ Abdul Halim Kader said: “At the beginning of the season, it was ISTAF’s pipeline to invite India to compete in ISTAF SuperSeries 2014/15 tournaments. Due to China's potential for growth, ISTAF has given the team ample opportunities for international exposure in the earlier legs of the ISTAF SuperSeries 2014/15 tournaments.”

“Now it is time for India to step up into the international limelight for ISTAF SuperSeries Finals 2014/15 THAILAND. Given their recent accomplishment of finishing second behind champions Malaysia at the French Open, we can expect an explosive rivalry between the teams in the Finals in the province of NakhonPathom,” added Dato’ Abdul Halim.

He confirmed that the Indonesians have requested to take a back seat citing a domestic tournament which the national team will be participating in during the dates set for the final showdown.

Takraw Association of Thailand’s Lorhpipat, who is also the deputy president of the international body, said: “I wish to express our gratitude to International Sepaktakraw Federation for giving us the honour in hosting ISTAF SuperSeries 2014/2015 THAILAND.”

“We truly hope this series will set the benchmark for future host countries to emulate. With all the participating nations roaring to compete, we promise to facilitate and ensure a remarkable experience for fans and players to remember,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sehgal added that the SuperSeries is a welcome step in ASV and ISTAF’s continued efforts to further enhance and develop the sport of sepaktakraw internationally.

“The SuperSeries platform is progressing on all fronts, from one year to another and from one tournament to another,” said Sehgal. “The new format of introducing the ISTAF SuperSeries has yielded great success. This was merely created due to the demand from fans around the world clamouring to witness matches with evenly contested and equally-skilled teams.”

THE DRAW – 

Men’s 

Group A: Thailand, Philippines, India and Myanmar.
Group B – Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Korea.

Women’s 

Group A – Vietnam, Japan and Korea.
Group B – Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar.

MHC sign MoU with Australia with eye towards Tokyo Olympics

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation unveiled a grand four-year blue print that includes a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hockey Australia aimed at Malaysia’s qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

 The MoU with Hockey Australia is said to contain the most comprehensive partnership between any two hockey playing nations. It covers a range of topics and devised towards reciprocal arrangement from grassroots development, umpires, officials, administrative staff, coaches and player exchange.

Malaysia will continue to invite Australia to the annual Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Sultan of Johor Cup tournaments while Australia will extend an invitation to our men and women national teams to their marquee events in 2016 and 2018. 

Malaysian Hockey Confederation Chief Executive Officer, Logan Raj, signed the MoU on behalf of the national governing body while Hockey Australia was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Cam Vale. The event was witnessed by MHC President, Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal and other high ranking NSC and MHC officials.

Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal also disclosed that the MoU’s specific focus will be on the licensing and advocacy of Hookin2Hockey.

“This is a great opportunity for Malaysia to progress. We have much to learn from Australia and it is a fact we must acknowledge. Australia has been the perennial powerhouse of world hockey,” said Dato’ Sri Subahan, who took over the helm of MHC from His Royal Highness Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in May this year.

“The fact that we have come to a common agreement speaks volume of our talent pool. We must use this opportunity to grow,” he said, adding that ‘Hookin2Hockey’ programme will be implemented into the MHC Coaching Education Programme.

Hookin2Hockey is a widely successful development programme in Australia targeted for children below the age of 12.

“It is by far the most elaborate Memorandum of Understanding signed and we are extremely excited that Malaysia is on the same page,” said Vale.

The appointment of Australian Terry Walsh as the Technical Director of MHC is the first step towards MHC’s aspiration in changing Malaysian hockey fortunes under the leadership of Dato’ Sri Subahan and his coaching team of experienced former national players.

It is a known fact that youth development and high performance hockey in the country will receive a big boost from Australia, who has shown the world their brand of total hockey with encouraging results in the World Cup and Olympics.

The blue print, added Dato’ SriSubahan, is primarily geared towards four key areas: National teams and development of hockey competitions awareness to build exciting competitions, developing marketability and awareness, and ensuring proper governance.

Although qualification into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics takes precedence in the five-year blue print, it is also aimed at engaging long term development programmes with other top playing nations, engaging commercial partnership and also reducing MHC debts.

“Gradually we will reduce our debts. As of now we have reduced it from RM2.8 million to RM1.7 million and our aim is to be debt free with an owing aging of below 30 days,” said Dato’ SriSubahan.

Cicileo guides THT to double in dramatic penalty shootout

Argentinean Nicolas Cicileo brought cheers to the hundreds of Terengganu Hockey Team fans as the east coast giants won the TNB Cup 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on sunday.

For the second consecutive year THT won both the League and TNB Cup watched by an estimated 4,000 fans. However, the total prize money of RM120,000 (RM70,000 for the champion and RM50,000 for the runners-up) was shared equally by both teams after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.

It will be a day to remember for the high drama and near misses that enveloped the night as the two top teams were embroiled in a battle which forced the tie to go into penalty shootout.

And in the penalty shootout, THT and KLHC were once again leveled at 3-3. Sibblings- Faizal and FitriSaari, and Cicileoscored for THT while Nabil Fiqri, Mohd SyamimYusof and Pakistan’s Ali Shan were on target for KLHC to take the match into sudden death.

Faizal, however, gave THT hope by scoring first and Ali Shan equalisedfor KLHC. Fitridampened THT’s hopes by blowing away his chance and all KLHC’s Nabil Fiqri had to do this time was place the ball between the posts but saw his reverse stick shot hit the crossbar.

And in the next move, Cicileo plastered THT’s hopes by beating goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin while KLHC coach K.Dharmaraj and their fans were left dumbfounded when Mohd SyamimYusof failed in his attempt – giving THT victory 5-4 and the coveted trophy.

THT not only had the full force support of an estimated 1,500 fans but top of their VIP list included MenteriBesar, Dato’ Seri Haji Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, former MenteriBesarDatuk Seri Ahmad Said, State Exco chairman for Youth and Sports, Dato’ RoziMamat and President of Terengganu HA, Dato’ Wan Ahmad Nizam Abdul Hamid.

It was five-time champions KLHC who started the momentum going two minutes into the game via a penalty corner but Razie Rahim’spowerful flick struck the cross bar and rebounded into play with no further finishing.

Faizal, however,gave the visiting fans much to cheer three minutes after KLHC’s failure by scoring a field goal but this was duly cancelled by video umpire IskandarRashdan after KLHC called for a referral as the ball had touched Faizal’s body in his attempt to stop it with his stickbefore side-stepping goalkeeper Roslan.

But THT saved their bestin the third quarter. Mohamed FirhanAshari made a flourishing run down the left flank in the 36th minute only to be denied of a shot at goal by a defender and in the ensuing penalty corner Faizalpacked the ball past Roslan to give THT the lead – his 18th goal in the TNBMHL 2015 season.

Both teams had their fair share of ball possession with a display of cohesive and assertive hockey but KLHC were on fire as they earned another penalty corner in the 38th minute and this time Razie was on target to draw level 1-1. It was his 12th goal in the league.

Not to be outdone and out run, THT mounted attacks through several more penalty corners only to be denied by the experience of the 36-year-old Roslan whose quick reflexes left THT in deep frustration.

The final saw tempers flaring 10 seconds before the end with KLHC’s Pakistan import Muhamad Umar Bhutta and Faizal involved in an altercation. Both players were subsequently sent to the bin. On resumption, neither teamcould score the winning goal forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

Meanwhile, a deeply motivated Sapura Hockey Club battered weary Maybank 6-0and walked away with RM40,000 as incentive for finishing third in the one-sided encounter whileMaybank took home RM30,000.

It was by far the worst performance from Maybankwho took to the field without the injured Pakistan duo of Muhammad Irfan andMuhammad Waqas, and forward Riduan Mohamed Nasiragainst an opponent that beat them 2-1 and 3-2 respectively in the two-leg TNBMHL 2015 Premier Division.

Pakistani Abdul Haseem Khan scored a brace (34th and 50th) while Dangerous Lee (39th), MuhamadMarhanJalil(45th) and Faridzul, Afiq(47th) demolished Maybankwith a precision attacking machinery.

“To start with I am surprise by this 6-0 victory. I did not expect for us to win with so many goals,” said Sapura head coach Tai BengHai in a post-match press conference.“I guess we were far motivated to end the season on a winning note.”

A dejected Maybank coach, S. Vellapan, said it was all a matter of desire but cracks in their defence found the going tough for his side after Sapura took a 3-0 lead.

“I am disappointed with this defeat. We gave away too many goals but when you don’t have three of your better players it did not matter much as the others are capable of playing well,” said Vellapan.

“It was just not our day. We did try and had our chances but could not score,” he added.

Sallehin brings joy toTNB Thunderbolt

TNB Thunderbolt emerged champions of the TNBMHL 2015 Division One President’s Cup once again following a 2-1 victory over UniversitiTeknologi MARA (UiTM) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil saturday.

Mohamed Sallehin Abdul Ghani was the toast of TNB Thunderboltfor turning the match around in favour of the 2013 champions with a 66th minute penalty corner strike after both teams were tied 1-1 with the looming threat of the match going into penalty shootout.

TNB, who finished third in the Division One League behind eventual champions UiTM and ATM Airod, went into the lead with a 23th minute penalty corner goal through Muhammad HanafiAzemibut Abdul Rauf Mohd Nazriequalised for UiTM in the 38th minute from a penalty corner.

UiTM, however, replaced goalkeeper MuhamadFitriJasni with Mohd Rafiuddin Mohd Dahario who played the role of ‘kicking back’ four minutes into the final whistle.

TNB Thunderbolt went home with RM30,000 as champions while UiTM – the Division One champions, received RM20,000.

The third-fourth placing playoff match between Ipoh City Council and ATM Airod turned into goals galore as an estimated 400 fans witnessed a total of 15 goals scored, the highest ever in a single match throughout the TNBMHL 2015 season.

Ipoh City Council eventually emerged winners 9-6 and took home RM10,000while ATM Airod received RM5,000.

ArshadRepikhaliwas the toast of Ipoh City Council by netting five goals (7th, 36th, 46th, 52nd and 68th) to take his personal tally to 18 in the tournamentand was aptly picked for the top scorer award which comes with a RM1,000 reward.

The others came through SofianKamaruddin (58th), Mohd Najme Ahmad Hayazi (59th), HairulNizamAb Rani (65th) and ShahrusahadanBasri (70th).

ATM Airodreplied through a hat-trick from Razali Mohd Hazemi(14th, 19th and 38th) and assisted by AbdGhafar Mohd Nordin (20th, 53rd) and Mohamed IzuanMismanin the 35th minute.

Meanwhile, an official of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Technical Committee clarified thatthe two-match suspension served on UiTM players Taufik Abdul Hamid and RazaleeYahya an hour before the second-leg semifinals on Friday was within the rules.

Both players were hauled up for arguing and pushing umpire Mohd Rahizan Mohamed Ramli in Wednesday’s first-leg semi-final match against Ipoh City Council.

“We received the match report immediately from the umpire after the game but could not take action against the duo as the Technical Committee received the video clip of the match on Thursday. Having seen the video it was unanimously agreed there was a serious breach of conduct by the players,” he said.

“Hence we called up the players on Friday at 3.0pm but they arrived late. A decision was arrived after hearing what they (players) had to say,” he added.