The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is an
annual invitational international men's field hockey tournament held in
Malaysia. It began in 1983 as a biennial contest. The tournament became an
annual event after 1998, following its growth and popularity. The tournament is
named after the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, Sultan Azlan
Shah, and an avid fan of field hockey.
Since 2007 the tournament has
been held at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Perak. Kuala Lumpur and Penang
have also hosted the tournament. This event is the longest serving Invitational International Hockey Tournament in Malaysia and Asia region.
Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah was
the contemporary face of Asian & World Hockey, his very name evoking a
series of emotions that enrich and embellish the sport he has graced for a
large part of his life.
Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah mooted
this event due to Malaysian Hockey Team lack the International exposure and
quality matches. Almarhum wanted the standard of this annual event to match or to be
better than the FIH Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament.
I played in 9 editions and had a
chance to be Organising Secretary of this event. During meetings, Almarhum
Sultan Azlan Shah always reminded us on the following:
- Minimum 3 Asian Teams must be invited to boost and
assist the development of Asian Teams
- To invite the best 2 Teams from Europe – minimum
top 6 in World Hockey
- Another 2 slots invite teams from Oceania &
Pan Am but must be top 10
- Quality of event & Teams/Players needs must
be at optimum level
- A gift of World Class Hockey Tournament to the
Rakyat of Malaysia as part of his Birthday Celebration. Therefore, the
standards for on and off the field organisational must not have any hiccups and
the benchmark of this event gets higher over the years.
It shows that Almarhum Sultan
Azlan Shah intends to keep this event a most prestigious and popular Men’s
International Hockey Tournament in the World.
But currently, is sad that this
event is going through a turbulence and even for the 2021 edition, many facets
of the event is not finalised.
Two most important facets is “The
Date of Event” and “Invitation of Teams”. If you get this two facets right, then
the event will be successful. As we all know that this year’s edition was first
postponed from April to September and then cancelled. Question – since then
what did the Organisers do to plan for the next year’s edition? And if possible maintain 7 Nation rather than 6, it allows more quality international matches.
Due to Covid19, you must
understand that 2 years calendar will be cramped into next year. Therefore, the
two facets should be already sorted out long time ago.
Look at Sultan of Johor Cup, the
Organiser has confirmed their dates for next year and got the FIH/AHF to
approve it with provisional and confirmed teams to play in the event.
You must now work on 2 years cycle rather than year.
Currently, realized that there is no cohesion between MHC and AHF and FIH. Previously, there was a very tight of partnership between them to assist and grow this sports in Malaysia, Asia and World region. But this is a crucial missing link in current administration and it will have a direct and indirect impact on many facets in Malaysian hockey.
Back to 2021 SASC, read the news
and National Coach suggested to MHC to host in June 2021. My friend, have you have to study and understand the World Hockey Calendar before suggesting the dates
unless you wanted weak teams to participate and sustain your position. Remember don’t
disregard the ideas and intention of Alamarhum Sultan Azlan Shah of mooting
this event.
Suggestions – put the available
months (taking into consideration of FIH/AHF events) then put a provisional
confirmed teams that has agreed to participate. With this two available
informations and then make the decision. Simple and straightforward but question - do you have the contacts to get the top teams here...
In June you decided with the
thinking that many Olympic teams will stop by in Malaysia before heading for
Olympics in Tokyo since in Asia and due to weather conditions. In normal circumstances, in final stage of preparation the conditioning is critical and avoiding injury is key. The top teams are not concerned about participating because they are actively playing in FIH Pro League Season 2 and Domestic events and Continental Championship.
But you must understand a
critical element in next year SASC that for a first time this event will have
the world ranking system in play based on algorithm.
I believe you all do not
understand the tabulation of new FIH World Ranking system, please read here – https://stickwithmike.blogspot.com/2020/07/new-fih-world-ranking-points-model.html
I have the best dates to
organise it but…
One another chapter, Malaysian hockey fraternity would like to hear on the National Team’s Performance Plan for the coming years heading towards 2022 Asian Games and 2024 Olympic rather than your naming of National Team after the low quality TARC2020. Even MHC said will be top 10 but where is the basis of this journey.
The long list you
may include new youngsters but I bet you when you name the final squad the list
will be the same as before. We are depleting in talent badly across the board. Keep your media presence low and let your job speaks. Similarly, so much of hype then too just like now, no desirable results in 2014 Asian Games & failed in 2015 Jnr Asia Cup and JWC. Anyway the "TRIO" are back to save Malaysian hockey - it may be the final nail on the coffin and it will be beyond recovery for Malaysian hockey.
Today is the 1st
October – mana NHDP Launching? Big press announcement –
And after reading the AHF Calendar, Nasihin/Lailin team need to come up with detail plan as back to back events - W Jnr Asia Cup in March, W Asian Champion Trophy in March/April and Sukma in early April. So how the Project 2026 and amalgamation of one Women Team (Senior & Junior) with also using the W ACT as an exposure for W Jnr Asia Cup now in chaos as ACT comes after Jnr Asia Cup. A serious and urgent re-modelling must be a priority.
After EB Meeting, no any major announcement and lack the "real-hype" of clarity of information, without new innovative ideas and direction of the sports.
Honestly, the way the Sultan
Azlan Hockey event is organised doesn’t meet the Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah
standards and requirements. Very sad and hope this event would continue his
legacy.
To PHA, you need to work well and get proper advice on how to organise this Annual SASC at its best and not just fulfilling the Calendar. First priority, get your Dates & Teams right, you will perfectly sail.
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