GAME OVER FOR 1MAS PROGRAMME

Director Beng Hai to plan new module for state-level development

THE 1Mas Hockey Development programme, that has produced players for the men and women’s national teams, will be discontinued. Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said funds for the programme has dried up.

The 1Mas programme was started by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) in 2010 with an aim to widen the base of quality juniors in the country.

While it did not work out in some states, the others are still actively involved with the grassroots initiative.

“The funding for 1Mas has dried up and we will stop the programme,” said Subahan.

“However, 1Mas development director Tai Beng Hai has been entrusted to come up with a new module on how to continue development at state level, under a new name, of course,” said Subahan.

The programme, which focuses on the 13 and under age-group, has produced many players who have made the nation proud in international assignments.

“The 1Mas did help to strengthen the base and above all, provided quality players for our various national teams but we have to discontinue it,” he added.

Beng Hai has been given a month to come up with a new plan and present it to MHC.

The decision to stop the programme could affect development in the states.

At the recent National Under16 Championships, 1Mas coach S. Velappan noted that players were of better quality in the tournament thanks to the development initiative.

“Some boys, who were under IMas, had very good basics and were skillful compared to players in the previous editions,” said Valappan.