Major shake-up?

First it was the resignation shocker by Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary Maninderjit Singh, now national coach Tai Beng Hai and other national set-up coaches Nor Saiful Zaini and Stephen van Huizen are likely to be shown the door.

However, legality questions have been raised whether Coaching Committee's 'discussion' later today (Thursday) can carry any weight.

First of all there is no committee, despite having an appointed chairman in Majid Manjit Abdullah, as it has yet to be endorsed by the MHC council. The previous committee of the now-defunct MHF can't merely assume role.

Manjit, who was very accommodating, was quick to clear the air that only a 'discussion' can take place and not a meeting, They will forward findings to MHC President Tengku Abdullah Shah.

But even, if there was a committee already in place all it can do is forward a recommendation to the President and it is up to the council to decide. Hence, it is a meaningless meeting as appears in today's Mailsport.

incoming (L) Chiow Chuan and outgoing Beng Hai

pic taken from www.fieldhockey.com

Anyway speculation is rife that Beng Hai, Saiful, and van Huizen will be told find new jobs with Under-16 coach and 1Mas programme director Lim Chiow Chuan coming in as interim coach.

No doubt Beng Hai has to go - he doesn't even was to speak to the press as seen here after the national team failed in their last bid to qualify for Olympics.

Beng Hai had offered his resignation after the failure.

But to replace him with Chiow Chuan? Putting aside credentials, how would he juggle between junior development and senior team? Surely seeing juniors should be his priority.

Perhaps, MHC should stick with the current coaches until Olympics end and scout for a coach then. Some foreign coaches might be looking for jobs. 

pic taken from www.malaysianhockey.blogspot.com

Mike oh Mike! when will you answer your phone or even return a call or text?

News of his resignation was first flashed in Malaysian Hockey and unsurprisingly Mike was unobtainable to comment - since covering hockey September last year never have I been able to speak to him over the phone. It's either voice mail or just no answer.

I have nothing personal but a secretary of any body, association or federation should return calls at least. How else would an association disseminate news and comment on matters?

Air Asia dumbfounded (full version)

Here's what never made print.

by VIJHAY VICK

KUALA LUMPUR

IT is not the national team that will represent Malaysia at the FHE Cup in Perth later this week. Hence there is nothing wrong in entering a team as ‘Malaysia Air Asia’.

Those were the words of 1 MAS Project Director Lim Chiow Chuan when asked why such a team was entered.

“We are sending a development team and I don’t see any issue with this. We arranged participation for this tournament by ourselves (1 MAS),” said Chiow Chuan.

The matter was first brought to attention by former Mailsport reporter SS Dhaliwal in his blog. There it was revealed that the 1 MAS Programme still had to fork out approximately RM200 per ticket.

According to Chiow Chuan 1 MAS had wrote to Air Asia X, the long distance arm of low cost carrier Air Asia, requesting for sponsorship. The parties came to an understanding to enter a team as the above mentioned name in return for sponsorship of travel.

“They (Air Asia) wanted a return of investment and we agreed to use Air Asia in the team name. I don’t have to go into the details of the agreement,” added Chiow Chuan.

Entry into any foreign tournament comes under the purview of the Malaysian Hockey Federation. The Sports Development Act is clear on the usage of the wording Malaysia. One cannot commercialise the country’s name as they fit.

When pointed this fact, Chiow Chuan insisted that there is no issue with this and instead drew to the attention that such practice was common among club teams in Australia.

What he failed to realise is that such teams do not use the national flag of Australia. The team entered in the FHE Cup will use the Jalur Gemilang, as shown in the tournament’s official website.

This is not the first time such a situation had occurred. The national Under-18 team was entered as ‘Malaysia Air Asia’ for the Surjit Memorial Trophy in Punjab in 2009.

The ‘Malaysia Air Asia’ team will fly to Perth tonight (Tuesday) and will play a series of matches during the three-day tournament starting from Nov 25.

Air Asia’s response.

AIR Asia Commercial Director Jasmine Lee is in the dark over any deal to sponsor the 1 MAS Programme boys for the FHE Cup in Australia later this week.

When contacted, she was surprised that ‘Malaysia Air Asia’ been used for the tournament. She wasn’t aware that a deal with 1 MAS Programme had been struck.

“I can say officially that there is no such deal. This is the first time I’m hearing of it,” said Jasmine.

“All commercial matter involving sports have to go through my department. I’ve checked with the Air Asia X branch and Group CEO’s office. No one is in the know of any sponsorship with 1 MAS.”

Jasmine also added that it is not a norm for a company’s name to be used as the team name, more so one that is representing Malaysia.

“It is only when we (Air Asia) are title sponsors that our name appears, like the Air Asia Asean Basketball League (ABL). Otherwise it is usually just the logo on the attire,” she added.

“I will have to call the Malaysian Hockey Federation and clarify the matter.”

Jasmine highlighted the fact that Air Asia sponsors the Philippines Patriots in ABL but Air Asia’s branding in not on the team name. According to her, such a move is not part of the airlines’ policy.