MHC stick to rules, three teams withdraw

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competition committee decided to stick to their Razak Cup rules, and accepted the withdrawals of three teams at the eleventh hour.

The Razak Cup begins today with a change in format as well as fixtures after Division One saw Negri Sembilan and Perlis pulling out, while Kedah withdrew from Division Two.

The new ruling by MHC only allows teams to register four guest players.

The teams withdrew as they were unhappy with it

They felt that even though many of their players had other states' identification cards, the players were developed by them over the years, so they had a right to field them.

"The three teams wrote to MHC about their decision to withdraw and we have accepted them.

“The men’s Division One and Two will now be a round robin affair with the top two teams qualifying for their respective title deciding matches," said Razak Cup tournament director P. Kuganesan.

According to Kuganesan, none of the other states raised issues at the managers’ meeting yesterday.

Perak will lead the charge in Division One, also comprising Terengganu, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.

Division Two comprise Selangor, Armed Forces, Pahang, Singapore, Kelantan and Police.

In the women’s section, Selangor, KL, Melaka, Police and Singapore are in Group A while Group B comprise Pahang, Forces, Terengganu and Penang.

:— Selangor v Armed Forces (4pm, Pitch I), Pahang v Singapore (4pm, Pitch II), Kelantan v Police (6pm, Pitch I).

Malacca v Singapore (9.30am, Pitch II), Selangor v Kuala Lumpur (9.30am, Pitch I)

Pahang v Terengganu (7.30am, Pitch II), Armed Forces v Penang (7.30am, Pitch I).

* matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.