Perak’s double mission

DATELINE: PERAK’S teams will be on a mission to revive the state’s fortunes in the National Under-16 tournament starting in Kuala Lumpur today.

Perak used to be a feeder for the various national teams but have fallen behind the other states in recent times.

The girls’ team will be represented by 15 players from the Gunung Rapat Sports School which has an artificial turf, while the bulk of the boys will come from the once famous Anderson School.

Yesterday, Perak HA flagged off their players with a mandate.

“The Gunung Rapat Sports School girls will be playing in their first national age-group tournament and we hope they will revive the state’s hockey fortunes. They have an artificial pitch at the school, and should have an edge over players from other states.

“As for the boys, we hope some of them will catch the eyes of the national selectors, as Perak have contributed many national players before but due to more emphasis on studies, the Perak pool dried up in recent times,” said Perak HA secretary M. Selvakumaran.

The boys’ defending champions are Terengganu, while the girls’ winners last year were Selangor.

Perak boys and girls finished eighth and 10th respectively last year.

Terengganu v Negri (KPM, 3.30pm), Johor v Penang (KLHA, 3.30pm); Group B: Selangor v Perlis (KPM, 5.30pm), Malacca v Perak (KLHA, 5.30pm); Group C: Sabah v Kelantan (KPM, 7.30pm), Pahang v Kuala Lumpur (KLHA, 7.30pm).

Selangor v Kelantan (KPM, 7.30am), Kedah v Sabah (KLHA, 7.30am); Group C: Kuala Lumpur v Perak (KPM, 9.15am), Malacca v Johor (KLHA, 9.15am) — Matches at Jalan Pantai, Kuala Lumpur. Jugjet Singh