SOJC 2017 Fixtures

SOJC 2017

Media Release

Malaysia will open its campaign in the 7th Sultan of Johor Cup against Great Britain.

The week long tournament to be held at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium will see the hosts taking on Great Britain, India, Australia, United States of America and Japan.

The Malaysian team, coached by Wallace Tan, will then play India ( Oct 23) followed by Japan ( Oct 25), USA ( Oct 26) and complete the preliminary matches against Australia ( Oct 28).

While USA are making their debut, the participation of India who are the reigning world junior champions will surely attract the fans.

" This year the matches will be played in four quarter format in line with the requirements of the International Hockey Federation," said Organising Secretary of the SOJC Dato Manjit Majid Abdullah.

" We plan to hold several seminars and courses in collaboration  with the AHF Academy as well as coaching clinics for school children as part of our commitment to promote the sport.

" We hope that fans will make it a point to be at the stadium not only to support our Malaysian team but to watch the future stars of world Hockey in action."

Great Britain will be the first team to arrive in Johor Baru on October 17 and are expected to play some matches against the Johor Razak Cup squad.

As for Malaysia, they have held several training camps with the present one starting on September 3 and ending on September 8.

Besides Wallace, the other coaches handling the team, comprising of 5 players that were in the Junior World Cup squad last year in India, are Mohd Amin Rahim, Nor Saiful Zaini , Madzli Ikmar and M. Nadarajah.

" I presently have a squad of 30 players and we have held several phases of training in preparation of the tournament," said Wallace.

" Looking at the teams it will be a tough tournament and the opening two matches will surely be a stern test for the team.

" We will assemble the team again in late September and plan to hold our final week of training in Johor a week before the tournament and hopefully get to play some friendly matches."

India will see Jude Felix coaching the squad and he had played in the Malaysian Hockey League in 1994, helping Yayasan Negri Sembilan to the league title that year.

Australia, who are the defending champions start of as favourites to retain the title.

New Blog Address

http://www.ssdhaliwal.com.my

  Subscribe to Malaysian Sports by Email

Potential FAM Sec Gen Candidates

While the focus of attention is on the battle for presidency of the Football Association Malaysia, this blog wants to divert attention to a more serious proposition - who will be the Secretary General of FAM after the elections on March 25.

The position of the Secretary General is the prerogative of the President who has the absolute power to appoint the Secretary General as provided for in the FAM Statutes.

For the purpose of discussion we shall assume that HRH Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and Tan Sri Annuar Musa will decide to opt out of the race leaving a two horse race between Khairy Jamaluddin and Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat.

With current Secretary General Dato Hamidin Mohd Amin going for the Deputy President , there will be an opening for the Secretary General post.

Below is a list of candidates for the position based on their ability, knowledge of Football and close affiliation to some of the candidates for President.

The list however is not based on preference by just in order of alphabet.

Ahmad Khawari Mat Isa

The current chief of staff at Astro Arena was a former media officer at FAM. He was also a journalist at Berita Harian and is currently the President of Sportswriters Association of Malaysia and Vice President of AIPS Asia. His vast knowledge in Football will be an asset for Football.

Dato Alex Soosay

The former Secretary General of Asian Football Confederation and served at the NSFA and has good insights on Malaysian Football.

Mohd Rizal Hashim

The host of the "infamous" talk show Dengan Izin. Served as media officer at FAM and was former Malay Nail sports journalist.

Muhammad Firmansyah Aang

The right hand confidante of KJ who was a key figure in the formation of NyTeam FC and the NFDP.

Safirul Abu Bakar

The CEO of the NFDP and had strong marketing skills. Shares a cordial relationship with government agencies.

OKS headed for QPR?

It is learnt that national Football coach Dato Ong Kum Swee will be attending an attachment stint with English Division One side Queens Park Rangers.

The month long attachment program was initially planned for last year but a busy calendar for the 47 year old Malacca born coach meant that it had to be put off to this year.

And the stint is expected to materialise next month.

QPR were a Premier League side and ate owned by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, once touted as a candidate for the Football Association of Malaysia presidency.

Prior to this several coaches have had brief attachment stints with overseas clubs, most notably Dato K. Rajagobal and B. Sathianathan.

Managed by Ian Holloway, QPR play at Loftus Road  and Kim Swee is said to have gained attachment to the first team.

 

Chong Wei takes a break.

Having played Badminton continuously for the past 17 years, with exception of his enforced rest due to a doping violation, Lee Chong Wei will skip all events until the All England this March.

The 34 year old world number 1 is not overly concerned about slipping down the rankings, rather feels that this rest period will not only allow him to work on his game and physical condition but at the same time give him the hunger and desire to do well in the World Championships in Glasgow this August.

Chong Wei did not discount the possibility of using the German Open as a warm up event before his assault for yet another All England crown.

" It is time I took a break from the sport but it's for competitions only as I will be on court undergoing training as usual," said Chang Wei when contacted by this blog.

" It is the World Chanps title that I am after and the planning is geared towards that tournament.

" At present the plan is to make a return to competitive Badminton at the All England and I may consider playing the German Open."

Chong Wei has yet to make an appearance in the MPL, a private Badminton league this season where he is donning the Colours of Petaling BC.

He is however expected to take to the court this Saturday, playing in the mixed doubles partnering Zhao Yunie against Ampang BC.

" I have yet to play in the MPL and it should be a entertaining match this Saturday," said Chong Wei.

" I have yet to decide if I will play in the knockout stage as it depends if we qualify and other factors as well.

"As I have said in the past I will be playing in selective tournaments and that is what my plan is right now."