KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) hopes its development budget will be restored to RM3 million, saying the additional funds would allow it to expand grassroots programmes and open more hockey centres in remote areas.
MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the current RM2 million allocation, channelled through the National Sports Council (NSC), has been managed efficiently — but more funding is needed to sustain and widen the sport’s reach, especially in rural and underprivileged communities.
“We’ve managed our programmes responsibly and seen great results, with many of our players progressing to the national and junior squads.
“But with RM3 million, we could open more centres, train more teachers, and bring hockey back to schools that lack facilities,” he told Scoop when met at Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium recently.
Subahan said MHC aims to establish 50 new hockey development centres under the National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP), focusing on Sabah, Sarawak, and smaller towns where young talent often goes unnoticed.
“We see tremendous potential in Sabah and Sarawak, but many young players face transportation and accessibility challenges.
By opening more centres in Kota Kinabalu, Bintulu, and Miri, we can reach them more effectively,” he said.
His remarks came after Budget 2026, which allocated RM580 million for sports development, including infrastructure funding under the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Subahan said the NHDP has been key to unearthing young talent and reintroducing hockey to schools that have stopped offering the sport.
While hockey remains among Malaysia’s top-performing sports internationally, its grassroots presence has declined due to the rising cost of equipment and limited access to artificial turf.
“In the past, hockey was affordable and played on grass. Teachers would bring one set of sticks for everyone to share.
“But now, the perception is that hockey is expensive — and that discourages schools from trying,” he said.
He warned that fewer schools introducing hockey could threaten the sport’s future.
“Our future lies in schools. That’s where our next generation will come from. Hockey isn’t a dying sport — it’s one that has brought Malaysia pride.
“We’re still ranked among the world’s top 12, competing with elite teams,” he said.
The NHDP focuses on training teachers, supplying equipment, and setting up training facilities for schools with limited resources.
“When we build centres, we don’t just create infrastructure — we create opportunity. We train teachers, support schools that can’t afford equipment, and help children fall in love with hockey,” Subahan said.
Launched in 2021, the NHDP was initially disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic but has since grown rapidly.
As of 2025, it operates 99 centres nationwide, involving 198 coaches and 3,960 young athletes in Under-12, Under-14, and Under-17 categories for both boys and girls. — October 12, 2025