NO PLACE TO PARK THE PITCH
Artificial turf at MITEC needs to find a home for re-laying
THE indoor venue at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) was laid as a temporary measure to host the Sea Games, and now the concerned parties do not know what to do with the flooring.
Malaysia won the inaugural gold medal in the men’s tournament, and the bronze from the women in highly entertaining matches.
However, there are no more halls available to re-lay the pitch and play indoor hockey seriously.
Even National Sports Council director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail scratched his head when asked the question.
“This artificial pitch needs to be moved to another hall because MITEC was just a temporary venue. But I can’t think of any place that is available right now.
“All our (NSC) halls are fully utilised for other sports. We will have to think of something fast,” said Shapawi.
Malaysia are years behind Indonesia and Thailand in indoor hockey, but showed great promise to deliver the medals even though both the teams were only assembled six months ago, and the artificial pitch was laid a few days before the Games began.
There is no other international standard indoor hockey pitch in the country.
“We only had five months to train field hockey players into indoor players.
“Both the games are totally different, but with the right basics from field, our men and women adapted very fast and won medals.
“So, it would be a pity if the pitch is dismantled and kept in a store-room instead of being given a new home,” said men’s coach Amin Rahim.
Women’s coach K. Gobinathan was of the same opinion.
“My charges have the potential to shine at the Asian stage if they continue training and playing in competitions.
“And so, a new permanent venue for indoor hockey would be the solution.
“Also, I believe all budding field hockey players should start by playing indoor first to strengthen their basics before playing field hockey,” said Gobinathan.
The indoor hockey equipment is certain to be removed from MITEC soon, and hopefully the new venue is not a store room.