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ARULSELVARAJ THANKS FORMER TEACHER PERPINDER FOR HIS HOCKEY CAREER

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KUALA LUMPUR, 14 July – Former international A. Arulselvaraj is back in the fold in the national hockey coaching setup and is a prime candidate for the hot seat as the national head coach when incumbent Roelant Oltman’s job comes under review once the Dutchman’s contract expires at the end of the year.
However, it all depends on Oltman’s key performance index (KPI) at the Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka, Bangladesh in November.
On Monday, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) sprang a surprise and named Arul as the chief assistant coach. The other assistant coaches in the national men’s team are Amin Rahim and Nasihin Nubli.
Arul, who hails from Segamat, Johor, is not new to the national team. He was the head coach for the 2010 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, and also handled the National Junior team.
His last assignment with the juniors was the 2015 Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan, Pahang.
The former left-back comes with a wealth of experience and had coaching stints with the South Africa and Ireland national teams.
He also ran his own AA Hockey Academy and was the Techincal Director of the YMCA Hockey Club, both in Dublin.
Arul took the first flight out of Dublin on June 15 when the borders were opened to visit his parents.
There were only 12 passengers on the Qatar Airways flight from Dublin to Dubai. From Dubai to KL there were 60 passengers.
Arul, who was quarantined for two weeks due to the coronavirus (Covid-19), added that while he was here, he got a call from MHC president, Datuk Seri Subahan (Kamal) for chit chat over a cup of tea and he asked if I was keen to be in the national coaching set-up. The rest is history.
“I took up the offer as it is an honor to be part of the coaching set-up and help my country,” said Arul who has been given a two-year contract as the chief assistant coach.
In the same breath, Arul said, if there is one person who he would like to thank and has not forgotten is his hockey teacher, Perpinder Singh at Segamat High School.
Perpinder was a former Johor player and was well known for playing the game barefooted and was nicknamed ”kaki-ayam” for that.
“Perpinder was my school hockey coach. He was also the discipline master and he was also the one who forced me to be a school prefect. I owe him for what I am today,” said Arul who leaves for Dublin at 2.30 am on Wednesday.”
Arul will report duty at MHC on Aug 15.

MHC SPRING SURPRISES – ARUL COMES ON BOARD

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KUALA LUMPUR, 13 July – The new national women’s hockey coach remains a mystery as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) failed to name the candidate after giving broad hints that Monday is the D-Day.
MHC, however, had some surprises though that he will be picked from a shortlist of four candidates – two locals and two foreigners. He reports for duty no later than September 1, said MHC president, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
Subahan also announced that the MHC will have a new Technical Director who will supervise the women team and also the men’s youth team. He too comes in on September 1.
The technical director will work closely with the MHC Development Committee which is headed by deputy president Prof Datuk Dr. S. Shamala that will focus on the National Hockey Development Programme.
Arulselvaraj is no newcomer to the Malaysian hockey scene. The former international, vastly experienced is a former national coach and also coached the national junior team, apart from coaching stints with the Irish hockey team. starts work on August 15.
Meanwhile, the contact of current national head coach Roeland Oltmans who hails from Holland is until the end of the year.
Whether the Dutchman’s contract is renewed and stays will depend on how Malaysia fares in the Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka in November.

HOKI: JURULATIH SKUAD WANITA TERUS JADI TANDA TANYA

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KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Julai – Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (KHM) masih belum menemui kata putus berkenaan siapa yang layak untuk dilantik menjadi ketua jurulatih skuad hoki wanita negara.

Meskipun sudah ada empat calon yang telah disenarai pendek, tetapi KHM masih memerlukan sedikit masa untuk memuktamadkan pilihan mereka agar ia menepati ciri-ciri yang diinginkan.

Jawatan tersebut masih belum diisi selepas peletakan jawatan jurulatih terdahulu,  Dharmaraj Abdullah penghujung tahun lalu.

Pada sidang media KHM hari ini, presidennya, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal menjelaskan bahawa empat calon yang telah disenarai pendek itu akan melalui proses temuduga kedua pada tarikh yang akan ditetapkan kelak.

Temuduga kedua itu nanti akan dikendalikan oleh satu jawatankuasa khas terdiri daripada presiden serta dua timbalan presiden KHM, ahli jawatankuasa kejurulatihan KHM, Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara, Datuk Ahmad Sapawi Ismail, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Institut Sukan Negara, Ahmad Faezal Md Ramli serta Ketua Bahagian Sukan Kokurikulum dan Kesenian Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, Zainal Abas.

Difahamkan bahawa calon-calon yang telah disenarai pendek itu diberi masa selama tiga minggu untuk menyediakan pembentangan masing-masing, bersesuaian dengan matlamat serta hala tuju KHM bagi memastikan skuad wanita negara berada di ranking pertama Asia berjaya direalisasikan.

Selepas segala pertimbangan dibuat oleh panel temuduga itu nanti, individu yang bakal dilantik menjawat jawatan tersebut akan diumumkan selewat-lewatnya pada 1 September 2020.

“KHM tidak mahu membuat keputusan tergesa-gesa kerana individu yang dipilih nanti mempunyai tugas besar untuk meletakkan skuad hoki wanita negara berada di satu tahap yang tertinggi dalam tempoh enam tahun akan datang,” jelas Subahan.

Empat calon tersebut terdiri daripada dua warga tempatan dan dua lagi adalah jurulatih asing.

Pada sidang media tersebut, KHM juga mengumumkan penstrukturan semula buat skuad senior wanita negara yang bakal menyaksikan mereka digabungkan dengan skuad remaja untuk berada di bawah satu projek khas – Sukan Asia 2026.

Di bawah projek tersebut, 80 peratus daripada pemainnya terdiri daripada mereka yang berusia bawah 21 tahun manakala 20 peratus lagi merupakan pemain melebihi usia 21 tahun.

Dalam perkembangan lain, KHM juga mengumumkan pelantikan Arulselvaraj (gambar kecil) sebagai Ketua Pembantu Jurulatih skuad hoki lelaki negara dan dia akan memulakan tugasnya secara rasmi pada 15 Ogos depan.

Dengan pelantikan itu, Arul akan bekerjasama dengan Ketua Jurulatih Kebangsaan, Roelant Oltmas serta dua penolong jurulatih sedia ada, Muhammad Amin Rahim serta Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim yang bertindak sebagai jurulatih penjaga gol.

Selain itu, KHM juga bakal mewujudkan satu jawatan baharu iaitu Pengarah Teknikal Projek Khas 2026 dan individu itu nanti akan memainkan peranan untuk memantau perkembangan Projek Khas melibatkan skuad lelaki dan wanita.

Dia juga akan bekerjasama dengan Jawatankuasa Pembangunan KHM yang dipengerusiakan oleh Prof. Datuk Dr. S. Shamala.

Menurut Subahan, langkah tersebut adalah untuk mempastikan agar semua program pembangunan di peringkat akar umbi dapat dijalankan dengan sebaiknya.

Jawatan baharu itu bakal diisi oleh calon berkelayakan selewat-lewatnya 1 September nanti.

 

 

CUB PRIX BUKA GELANGGANG DI SEPANG 17-18 JULAI

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KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Julai – Selepas Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) memberi kelulusan untuk penganjuran pertandingan bagi sukan tanpa sentuhan (non-contact sports) minggu lalu, kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia  akan menjadi acara pertama yang bakal menghiasi agenda sukan negara minggu ini.

Ia menjadi acara pertandingan pertama di negara ini selepas semua aktiviti sukan diberhentikan sejak awal Mac lalu ekoran Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) akibat penularan wabak Covid-19.

Masalah tersebut bukan sahaja berlaku di Malaysia, malah di seluruh dunia.

Kini, ketika negara berada dalam fasa Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan (PKPP), MKN telah memberi kelonggaran untuk penganjuran pertandingan bagi acara sukan tanpa sentuhan dan salah satu daripadanya adalah sukan permotoran.

Kejuaraan sukan permotoran terunggul di Malaysia itu, dijadualkan membuka gelanggang di Litar Sepang (Utara) pada 17 dan 18 Julai ini, namun ia akan dilangsungkan secara tertutup.

Langkah tersebut adalah untuk mematuhi Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) yang telah ditetapkan oleh pihak MKN.

Pihak penganjur kejuaraan hari ini, telah mengumumkan bahawa perlumbaan bagi musim 2020 hanya akan dilangsungkan sebanyak 8 pusingan sahaja berbanding 10 kebiasaannya, dan kesemuanya akan diadakan di negeri-negeri yang mempunyai litar kekal.

Berdasarkan kalendar kejuaraan bagi musim 2020 ini, Litar Sepang akan menjadi tuan rumah untuk empat pusingan iaitu Pusingan 1 (17-18 Julai) diikuti Pusingan 3 (2-3 September), Pusingan 6 (31 Okt-1 Nov) dan Pusingan 7 pada tarikh yang akan ditetapkan kemudian.

Litar Lumba Tangkak di Johor pula akan menjadi hos untuk tiga pusingan iaitu Pusingan 2 pada 22-23 Ogos, Pusingan 5 (10-11 Okt) dan Pusingan 8 pada 12-13 Disember.

Kuala Terengganu pula akan menjadi tuan rumah untuk Pusingan 4 yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 18-19 September nanti.

Buat masa ini, kejuaraan Cub Prix tidak dapat dilangsungkan di litar jalanan/kawasan terbuka kerana ia boleh mengundang kepada situasi yang tidak dibenarkan dalam SOP yang telah ditetapkan oleh MKN.

Jika dilangsungkan di litar kekal, ia akan memudahkan pihak bertanggungjawab untuk mengawal situasi dan atas alasan itu, maka hanya negeri-negeri yang mempunyai litar kekal sahaja dipilih untuk menjadi tuan rumah kejuaraan berprestij ini.

Begitupun, semua pasukan serta staf terlibat dalam kejuaraan ini, WAJIB mematuhi SOP yang telah ditetapkan, selain membiasakan diri menjalaninya dengan norma baharu.

Sebaik pengumuman kalendar baharu itu diumumkan, kumpulan paling gembira sudah pastinya para pelumba.

Kegembiraan mereka sukar untuk digambarkan setelah hampir empat bulan menunggu penuh kesabaran.

Meskipun tanpa sebarang aktiviti sepanjang PKP, tetapi mereka tetap melakukan latihan bagi mengekalkan tahap kecergasan masing-masing.

Musim ini, bakal menyaksikan perlumbaan bagi kategori baharu iaitu CP125 bagi menggantikan kelas CP115. Kategori lain termasuk CP150, Wira, Pro Am serta beberapa perlumbaan sokongan ‘one-make race’ yang lain.

Sekali lagi DITEGASKAN bahawa kejuaraan tahun ini (atas arahan MKN), akan dijalankan secara TERTUTUP.

Apa kata pelumba selepas pengumuman kalendar kejuaraan hari ini:

“Saya rasa gembira dan teruja sebab dah berbulan tak berlumba. Fizikal dan mental saya buat masa ini berada dalam keadaan yang baik. Saya sudah bersedia sepenuhnya untuk menghadapi perlumbaan.” – AKID AZIZ (Pelumba pasukan Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor).

“Bagi saya, saya sudah bersedia sepenuhnya untuk menghadapi perlumbaan minggu hadapan. Saya sangat gembira kerana dalam tempoh menunggu, macam-macam perkara yang telah saya buat bagi memantapkan riding skill serta fitnes sebagai persediaan menghadapi perlumbaan nanti.” – ALIFF DANIAL (Pelumba pasukan Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor).

“Perasaan saya sangat gembira kerana dapat kembali ke litar untuk berlumba walaupun kalendar kejuaraan musim ini hanya ada 8 pusingan. Alhamdulillah, saya kini sudah bersedia sepenuhnya dari  segi mental dan fizikal. Saya bertekad untuk mencuba yang terbaik tahun ini.” – MD ADIB ROSLEY (Pelumba pasukan iPhone Yamaha YYPang Racing Team).

 

 

 

SUKMA 2020: JOHOR READY TO PLAY HOST, SAYS MB HASNI

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JOHOR BAHRU, 12 July – With 97 percent of the venues and facilities completed, Johor gave the thumbs up to play host for the Sukma (Malaysia Games) 2020 even much earlier than the proposed dates in March next year.
Johor Chief Minister, Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohamad who visited several venues in Johor Bahru on Sunday proudly said the biennial Malaysia Games will be the best ever in the series and nothing has been left out in providing world facilities for the athletes.
This is the second time that Johor is hosting the Sukma.
The first was in 1992. Sukma Johor 2020 was originally slated from July 11-19 2020 but had to be postponed to next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has brought all sporting activities worldwide to a virtual standstill.
Hasni sings a confident tune that the Southern State is ready ‘to deliver the games’ even if it was brought forward to March next year.
The Sukma Supreme Council is expected to meet in August instead of October as hinted by Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican after he visited the venues last week.
The Ministery of Health and the National Security Council will have the final say in deciding on the dates and give the green light for Sukma Johor 2020.
”Everything is in place. The progress is now 97 percent completed and we are ready to host and welcome everyone for the games,” said Hasni at a press conference on Sunday at the Johor Sports Complex in on the outskirts of the city.
Also present were Johor State Executive Councillor for Tourism, Youth and Sports, and Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ).
KPRJ is building new facilities at various venues for Sukma Johor 2020.
“The facilities are world-class. Johor will give the best for the athletes and we have not cut corners as we want to be the best ever Sukma host,” added Hasni.
The new Johor Sports Complex in Mount Austin will have a track and field stadium, a rugby field, and a shooting range.
Johor Bahru will host 28 sports while Muar will host three and Kota Tinggi two.

SIVA BERPISAH DENGAN HOKI SARAWAK

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KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Julai – Selepas 14 tahun menabur bakti dengan skuad hoki Sarawak, akhirnya ketua jurulatih, C. Sivasubramaniam membuat keputusan untuk ‘berpisah’ dengan pasukan dari bumi Kenyalang itu.

Siva, 69 tahun telah mebuat keputusan untuk tidak memperbaharui kontraknya dengan  Persatuan Hoki Sarawak (SHA) yang berakhir pada 30 Jun lalu.

Alasannya adalah untuk berehat seketika daripada sukan tersebut bagi memberi tumpuan kepada keluarganya.

Begitupun, dia tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk kembali aktif suatu hari nanti.

Sepanjang 14 tahun khidmatnya dengan SHA, jurulatih yang berasal dari Kedah itu pernah cuba dilamar oleh beberapa negeri lain, tetapi dia tetap setia membimbing pasukan dari bumi Kenyalang itu.

“Sedih juga untuk meninggalkan Sarawak, tetapi saya terpaksa melakukannya bagi memberi komitmen kepada keluarga buat masa ini,” katanya yang pernah membawa skuad hoki wanita Sarawak meraih pingat emas pada temasya Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) 2006 di Kedah.

Prestasi Siva bukan setakat membawa Sarawak meraih emas pada temasya di Kedah, malah sepanjang khidmatnya, dia telah berjaya melahirkan beberapa pemain berkualiti untuk diserapkan dalam skuad kebangsaan.

Antaranya adalah Fazilla Sylvester Silin yang merupakan tonggak skuad wanita negara suatu ketika dulu.

Siva memulakan karier hokinya bersama pasukan Kedah pada tahun 1969. Meskipun memiliki gaya permainan yang menarik, namun beliau gagal untuk merebut tempat dalam skuad kebangsaan.

Selepas persaraannya, dia lebih cenderung melibatkan diri dalam bidang kejurulatihan dan pernah membimbing dua pasukan peringkat umur di Selangor sebelum mengendalikan skuad Perak yang muncul juara Sukma pada 1994.

Dia juga pernah membimbing  skuad wanita negara pada temasya Sukan SEA 1993 dan 1995 serta beberapa kejohanan antarabangsa yang lain.

Atas sumbangan besarnya terhadap sukan hoki di Sarawak, seluruh peminat sukan tersebut di negeri bumi Kenyalang itu merasakan satu kehilangan lebih-lebih lagi dengan usahanya memperkenalkan sukan hoki kepada murid-murid sekolah di kawasan luar bandar.

 

JOHOR’S WORLD CLASS FACILITIES FOR 20TH SUKMA

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JOHOR BAHRU, 12 July – The coronavirus (Covid-19) might have thrown a spanner in the works but Johor – hosting only its second Sukma, (Malaysia Games), will offer world-class facilities for the 20th edition of the games.
Postponed to next year from its earlier dates (July 11-19 2020), the biennial games are now scheduled to be held from 6-14 March 2021.
On Sunday (July 12), Johor Chief Minister, Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohamad visited some of the venues in Johor Bahru – the main venue for Sukma – a week after Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican’s made a similar visit.
“Based on what I saw, I am very satisfied with the progress made at all the venues. The facilities are world-class – both the new and those that are being upgraded and refurbished,” said Hasni when met at the new athletics stadium in Mount Austin today.
The cost is of building new facilities and upgrading the existing, is closing to half billion ringgit to provide the best for the games which Johor last hosted in 1992.
The Johor State Government’s budget towards the cost for the 20th edition is RM325.9 million while the Federal Government through the Youth and Sports Ministry has given RM142 million.
The budget will be well spent as Johor has never wavered to host a world-class event.
In fact, Johor Bahru was the venue for the final of the 2009 Junior World Cup Hockey Finals jointly hosted with Singapore.
For the record, the final was played in Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru.
Taman Daya Hockey Stadium was never a white elephant. The Junior World Cup Finals also saw the birth of the six-nation Sultan of Johor Cup Under-Invitational Tournament which was inaugurated in 2011.
It is the only Under-21 tournament that is held annually. The Junior World Cup Finals are held every four years.
Unfortunately, this year’s Sultan of Johor Cup, which is the 10th edition and scheduled to be held in October has been postponed to next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With all the facilities at their disposal, Johor has a vision of its own – to be a sports powerhouse in the country.
Hasni thanked the Federal Government for extending financial allocation for Sukma Johor 2020.
Meanwhile, another happy personality linked to Sukma Johor 2020 is Datuk Noorazam Osman who is the Chief Executive Officer of Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ). KPRJ handled the building of new facilities and upgrading the existing ones.
”It gives me pride that all agencies under KPRJ delivered,” said Noorazam.

LTdL 2020: PRIZE MONEY TO WINNING TEAMS AND RIDERS SETTLED

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KUALA LUMPUR, 12 July – Payment to winners of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2020 which include professional teams and riders have been resolved, race organiser Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd said today.

A total of RM823,450 have been paid out to winning teams and riders of this year’s race.

“All transaction and payment to teams and riders have been completed and were made early this month,” said LTdL Chief Operating Officer, Shahaizereen A Hamid today.

The transfer of the money was done through UCI Cycling Prize Management System (UCPMS).

The final payment was to be made via the UCI system within 90 days after the race ended but the process was held back due to Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia.

According to Shahaizereen, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the sports governing body Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) have been duly informed on the payment.

“The issue of unsettled payment due to the complication faced during the MCO period has been resolved following our fruitful meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican recently.

“On behalf of the organisers, I wish to especially thank Datuk Seri Reezal for his advise which had helped us to quickly resolve the issue. My thanks also to all parties involved for their understanding, patience and cooperation with regards to the matter,” said Shahazereen.

Human Voyage, according to Shahaizereen, looks forward to the organisation of next year’s 26th edition of the race despite the uncertainties caused by the current Covid-19 pandemic and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) imposed by the government for international sporting events.

“We remained committed to delivering the 2021 race but it all depends on the government’s directive and SOPs,” he said.

This year’s 25th edition of the race was held under the new UCI Pro Series status.

HADIAH WANG KEMENANGAN LTdL 2020 SUDAH SELESAI

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KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Julai – Penganjur jelajah berbasikal Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2020, Human Voyage mengesahkan pembayaran hadiah wang kemenangan kepada para pemenang melibatkan pelumba dan pasukan telah pun diselesaikan.

Hadiah wang kemenangan keseluruhan berjumlah RM823,450 telah dibayar kepada pasukan dan pelumba yang terlibat pada edisi tahun ini.

“Transaksi pembayaran kepada pasukan dan pelumba telah pun dibuat dan selesai pada awal bulan ini,” jelas Ketua Pegawai Operasi LTdL, Shahaizereen A Hamid.

Proses pembayaran dibuat melalui Cycling Prize Management System (UCPMS) Kesatuan Berbasikal Dunia (UCI).

Pembayaran akhir sepatutnya dilakukan menerusi system UCI tersebut dalam tempoh 90 hari selepas tamat perlumbaan, namun tertunda susulan pandemik Covid-19 dan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) yang dilaksanakan di Malaysia.

Tambah Shahaizereen, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) serta badan induk berbasikal Malaysia, Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) telah pun dimaklumkan berhubung perkara ini.

“Isu kelewatan pembayaran disebabkan kekangan yang terpaksa dihadapi ketika PKP, telah dilunaskan selepas perjumpaan dengan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican baru-baru ini.

“Bagi pihak penganjur, saya mengucapkan terima kasih terutama kepada Datuk Seri Reezal atas keprihatinan yang diberikan, sekali gus membantu kami menyelesaikan isu ini.

“Terima kasih juga kepada semua pihak yang memahami, bersabar dan memberikan kerjasama yang baik berhubung perkara ini,” kata Shahaizereen lagi.

Beliau juga memaklumkan bahawa Human Voyage bersedia untuk menganjurkan perlumbaan edisi ke-26 meski pun terdapat ketidakpastian susulan Covid-19 dan Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) yang diumumkan oleh kerajaan bagi acara sukan antarabangsa.

“Walaupun keadaan semasa yang tidak menentu ketika ini, kami tetap komited untuk menganjurkan perlumbaan pada 2021 nanti tetapi semuanya bergantung dengan arahan kerajaan,” katanya lagi.

Perlumbaan edisi ke-25 tahun ini adalah berstatus Pro Series dibawah peraturan baharu UCI.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY COACH – THE WAIT CONTINUES

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KUALA LUMPUR, 11 July – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation has once again deferred naming their new women’s hockey coach and will now be probably named on Monday.
MHC deputy president, Prof Dato Dr. S. Shamala said, the new coach is expected to be named after the MHC executive board meeting.
Malaysia’s former national goalkeeper, Nasihin Nubli is one of the four candidates shortlisted for the job left vacant following the departure of Dharmaraj Abdullah at the end of last year when his contract expired.
The other three candidates shortlisted are foreigners.
This is not the first time MHC has deferred naming the new national women’s hockey coach.
The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has been blamed for the delay.

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