Podium Programme inclusion will be massive boost
THE impending inclusion of hockey into the Podium Programme will ensure better support and exposure for the national team ahead of next year’s assignments.
The review committee for Podium Programme will look into sports that have made progress for possible inclusion after the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games on Aug 19-30.
Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has requested that Podium Programme considers hockey when they do the review following the team’s qualification to next year’s World Cup.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal hopes the ministry will sincerely support hockey for inclusion.
“Being in the programme will ensure better benefits and exposure. It will also help in reducing MHC’s expenses,” said Subahan after welcoming the national team at KLIA, Sepang yesterday.
“We have sponsors but it is just enough to cover the current expenses. It will help our hockey team improve in all aspects if we are in the programme.
“We will make sure that we make the country proud in the World Cup and other priority assignments next year.”
“Our hockey team have proven that they are on the rise following their impressive performance in London, where we qualified on merit for the World Cup.”
Subahan also said MHC have promised a clean sweep of four gold medals (two each in field and indoors hockey) in the Sea Games.
“Although the pressure in the Sea Games is not high, we will name our best available players for the competition.
“I will leave it to coach Stephen Van Huizen to select players from his training squad,” Subahan added.