It’s going to be hectic for Project 2016 squad

KUALA LUMPUR: It is going to be a hectic five months for the Project 2016 hockey squad who are gearing up for the eighth edition of the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan from Nov 14-22. The tournament is also the qualifying meet for next year’s Junior World Cup in India.

Malaysia must finish in the top four in the Kuantan tournament to feature in the Junior World Cup.

First on the squad’s programme is the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) from Aug 2-Sept 20. Most of the Project squad players will be playing for the six teams in the Premier Division – double champions Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC), Tenaga Nasional, Sapura, Maybank and Universiti Kuala Lumpur.

After the MHL, the squad, who won the Singapore SEA Games gold medal last month, will train for 10 days before competing in the six-nation Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Baru from Oct 11-18. The other teams involved in this Under-21 tournament are defending champions India, Pakistan, Australia, Britain and Argentina.

National Juniors coach S. Arulselvaraj admitted that it will be a hectic few months for his players.

“The 25 players in the Juniors squad will be released to play for their respective clubs in the MHL. However, I’ve requested the clubs to release them for three days – from Monday to Wednesday – during the MHL to attend national training sessions,” said Arulselvaraj, who added that the MHL matches will be played on weekends.

So, the Juniors, will surely have their plates full until the Junior Asia Cup.

Malaysia won the 2012 Junior Asia Cup in Malacca to qualify for the 2013 Junior World Cup in New Delhi. Malaysia finished a creditable fourth out of 20 teams in New Delhi.

Hopes are high on the Project 2016 squad to at least repeat that feat come November.