Fadillah calls for more tourneys to lift hockey

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Fadillah (sixth right, standing), Haidel (fifth right, standing) and others posing with players of Sukma Shadow.

Fadillah (sixth right, standing), Haidel (fifth right, standing) and others posing with players of Sukma Shadow.

KUCHING: Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has called for more hockey tournaments to be organised in Sarawak to revive the sport.

Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP, said Sarawak would require more tournaments to groom young players to don state colours for next year’s Sukma XVII (Sukan Malaysia).

“Sarawak is going to need more tournaments as we gear up for Sukma 2016 for which Sarawak is the host. Without any tournaments, our players will not gain much exposure,” he said when closing the Sarawak Hockey League 2015 at the state Hockey Stadium at Jalan Padungan here Thursday night.

Fadillah gathered that at least RM50,000 would be required for the state hockey team to take part in peninsular tournaments, while it could be handy money for organising tournaments at home to engage more young players as well as students.

“We will need a lot more of our young players to be exposed because at the moment, Sarawak has fallen very much behind their counterparts in peninsular Malaysia.”

He hence lauded the initiatives of Sarawak Former Hockey Players Association for organising the league.

He believed with concerted efforts from all parties concerned, the standard of hockey of the state team would be elevated.

Meanwhile, president of the association Haidel Heli said his members were prepared to develop the sport by carrying out various activities at the grassroots level.

He added that future efforts would include organising clinic and courses in schools besides organising more hockey tournaments throughout Sarawak.

“We will organise a Hockey League Championship Invitation in October this year, where matches can be expected every weekend.”

Sukma Shadow emerged champion in the Sarawak Hockey League 2015 after defeating Warrior HC 5-4 on penalties (2-2 at fulltime).

The champion team walked away with cash RM3,000 while the first runner-up was awarded RM1,500 and the second runner-up Gertaq HC was given RM800.

All winning teams received trophies and medals from Fadillah.

Nine clubs took part in the tournament held from Aug 1 to 6.