MHC president hopes hockey can make it to Podium Programme

SEPANG: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) hope men’s hockey would be listed in the Podium Programme following the team’s success in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in India.

MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said men’s hockey had failed to make the cut when the Podium Programme was first launched by the Youth and Sports Ministry early last year.

“If the National squad is roped into the Podium Programme...I can assure that the players will not disappoint the Youth and Sports Minister (Khairy Jamaluddin),” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), here after welcoming the players who arrived from London yesterday.

Malaysia booked a ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, after making it to the semifinals of the men’s World Hockey League in London by defeating India 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

The squad however, ended their campaign in London in fourth spot after losing 1-4 to host England in the semi-finals.

The Podium Programme is a long term initiative to prepare National athletes for the desired results on the regional and world stage, including the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Subahan said being listed in the Podium Programme would ease the cost of the MHC as well as give better exposure to the players through the various competitions they would be able to participate because though MHC has a number of sponsors, the funds received would not be sufficient to cover the expenses involved, including the salary of staff, coaches, referees, venue, training cost, allowance for players and overseas competition.