SHA sets sights on hockey league
If all goes well Sabah Hockey Association (SHA) will be sending the men’s and women’s teams to the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) 2021, which has been scheduled from January 8 to February 28.
KOTA KINABALU: If all goes well Sabah Hockey Association (SHA) will be sending the men's and women's teams to the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) 2021.
The MHL has been scheduled from January 8 to February 28, although it is still subject to approval from the relevant government bodies due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite that, SHA is already making early planning for the tournament and the state teams preparation and training will commence once the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is lifted.
“We are going to take part in the MHL next year where we are hopeful of competing in the men's and women's division.
“We can't do much under the current circumstances but we do have plans...let's wait and see.
“We will make a final decision on our participation when we have a better picture on the Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks,” SHA president Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh said yesterday.
Anil also said the association financial ability too will be crucial to making a decision but he said they would try to source for funds in order to send both teams to the MHL.
In the 2020 edition of the MHL, Sabah competed only in the women's division where SHA paraded a youthful side with the main aim of preparing the squad for the now postponed 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Meanwhile, Anil hoped the state government will study the possibility of getting government link companies (GLC) to assist sports association in the state.
Anil, who is also vice president of Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) and chairman of its Competition Committee, said the smart partnership programme would certainly further enhance sports development.
“May be adopting performing sports association will be a good starting point. Their (GLCs) presence will certainly help including financially,” he said.
Anil added while the SHA has been receiving annual grant from the government through the Youth and Sports Ministry, it is not enough to fund all their programmes including taking part in tournaments in the Peninsular Malaysia.
“That is why with GLCs help, it will ease the association burden and hopefully the state government will look into the possibility,” he concluded.