N. SEMBILAN STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO BRINGING BACK HOCKEY GLORY

SEREMBAN, Oct 13 -- The Negeri Sembilan state government wants to bring back the glory days of hockey by producing more great players and forming a formidable team.

Its Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who is also the Negeri Sembilan Hockey Association president, said the association was actively nurturing young talents starting from primary school until secondary school, by organising hockey competitions and leagues.

"Since taking over the association last year, I have wanted to bring back the glory of hockey to the state. Next year, we will be participating in the National Hockey League, which will be the start of what we have planned.

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"Although the cost will be high, we will work towards this direction, to realise the hopes of the younger generation. Negeri Sembilan was formerly known as one of the states in the country that produced national players," he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Negeri Sembilan Hockey League, here today.

Also present was Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.

In the 60s and 70s era, Negeri Sembilan produced many great players representing the state and  country, such as Lawrence van Huizen, William Fidelis, Satwant Singh Dhaliwal, N. Palanisamy, Brian Sta Maria, Michael Yan, Kevin Nunis, C. Thavanayagam, M. Joseph and Peter van Huizen.

In fact, Negeri Sembilan was one of the most commendable squads in the country at the time.

Meanwhile, Gemencheh Hockey Club D won the men's category and took home a RM10,000 cash prize and a trophy, while Tampin Elite pocketed RM7,500 as the runner-up and Sekolah Menengah Dato Mohd Taha Senior (SMKDMT) settled for third place and received RM5,000 and medals.

In the women's category, KLIA Hockey Club claimed the title and took home RM5,000, while Kelab Hoki Rusa and the Negeri Sembilan Under-14 Project team settled for the second and third places respectively, receiving RM3,000 and RM2,000.

The league which began on July 21, saw the participation of 20 teams, comprising 15 in the men's category and five for the women's category.

-- BERNAMA