KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has received funding from the National Sports Council (NSC) to go to Germany for a series of friendlies.
The Speedy Tigers will depart for Berlin next month and spend about three weeks playing Olympics-bound teams such as Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
It is understood that the trip will cost more than RM1 million.
The series of friendlies has been arranged by MHC upon request from head coach Sarjit Singh, who is tasked with forming a formidable team for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and to ensure the team qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In an exclusive interview with Scoop, MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the monetary assistance given by NSC was based on the national team’s performances (Speedy Tigers, Indoor Hockey Team and Hockey Five Series) over the past year.
He added that the funding was also provided because hockey was still part of the Podium Programme.
“NSC was satisfied with our recent performances, hence they approved the funding for us. We are thankful for their support.
“Results might not favour us in this tour, but I will be happy if our team gains valuable exposure by playing against some of the best teams in the world.
“Moreover, Sarjit has some fantastic contacts worldwide, and getting the boys to play against the Germans, Dutch and Belgians in a short span of time is not easy.
“We also have plans to send the team on a tour to India this year with the funding we have received. We will continue to prove ourselves with our performances to secure more funds from the government,” Subahan said when met.
Sarjit, brought in by MHC on a two-year contract in March this year, selected 18 players from a pool of 30 for his revamped side.
His team will next participate in the Asian Champions Trophy in Inner Mongolia, China, scheduled for September 8 to 17.
The Speedy Tigers currently rank number 12 in the world with 1,910.30 points. – June 14, 2024