‘Family pride’ powers KL to semis spot
almost did not play in the Razak Cup because of money, fitness and short training stint.
But 18-time champions Kuala Lumpur still overcame the odds to become the first team to check into the men’s semi-finals of the Division One competition.
How did they do it?
According to coach I. Vickneswaran, who is also the Kuala Lumpur HA (KLHA) deputy president — it’s all about ‘family pride’.
“There were so many problems just before the start of the Razak Cup that I almost withdrew the team. But the players assured me that they will play as a ‘family unit’ to prove a point, and we checked into the semis with one match in hand,” said Vickneswaran yesterday.
Kuala Lumpur, who defeated Pahang (3-2) and Terengganu (32) in their opening matches, drew 3-3 with Penang in their final group game yesterday.
Issues at KL escalated on the eve of the tournament when Vickneswaran received a message from KLHA president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharuddin that he will have to look for sponsors to field both the men and women’s teams.
Staring at a total bill of at least RM50,000, Vickneswaran was at first stumped but then swung into action.
“With an RM20,000 Razak Cup grant from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (RM10,000 each for men and women), I sent out begging bowls to my friends as well as the KL hockey fraternity. The response was simply mind-boggling and cash poured in from all quarters,” he said.
“This is what motivated my illprepared team to qualify for the semi-finals. And even though it was a genuine gift from their hearts, I plan to treat it as a loan and repay all those who contributed. This is a family matter now, (they are) no longer sponsors.”
KL women, the defending champions, also qualified for the semi-finals and will play Armed Forces on Friday.
RESULTS: Men’s Division One — Group A: Johor 5 Melaka 5.
Group B: Terengganu 2 Pahang 1, Penang 3 Kuala Lumpur 3. Division Two: Perlis 2 Kedah 2, Negri Sembilan 3 Armed Forces 2, Selangor 3 Kelantan 1. Women’s — Group A: Police 2 Penang 1, Kuala Lumpur 2 Johor 1. Group B: Terengganu 1 Melaka 2, Selangor 1 Armed Forces 0. FIXTURES: FRIDAY — Men’s Division One, semi-finals: Johor v Terengganu (Pitch 1, 6.30pm), Kuala Lumpur v Melaka (Pitch 2, 6.30pm) Women’s semi-finals: Kuala Lumpur v Armed Forces (Pitch 1, 4pm), Selangor v Police (Pitch 2, 4pm). *Matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil.