UniKL players receive windfall for winning TNB Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) were duly rewarded for winning their first-ever title in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

They received a windfall of RM100,000 yesterday, in addition to the RM80,000 prize money for winning the TNB Cup last Saturday.

UniKL, who made their debut in the MHL in 2011, edged KL Hockey Club (KLHC) 4-3 on sudden-death penalty shootout in the final after both teams failed to break a 1-1 deadlock in regulation time.

UniKL Chancellor Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the total reward of RM180,000 would be equally distributed among the players and officials.

“I congratulate the management and team. They defied the odds to become champions despite the underdog tag.

“UniKL should continue to develop young talents including those developed by the Pahang Hockey Academy in Seberang Temerloh,” said Tengku Abdullah.

The club’s journey started in 2009, thanks to the vision and initiative by Tengku Abdullah, who was also the former Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president.

The team went on to make their debut in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) in 2009 and won the Under-19 MJHL overall title in 2010. They won the league title the following year.

UniKL also built the Tengku Abdullah Stadium in Bangi, which will be operational in April.