While the powers that be were busy jostling for positions in the National hockey body, a self sustaining club went around doing what they do best – developing hockey. Matador Hockey Club, a brain child of forner national skipper Sarjit Singh, organised its annual Matador Hockey International Tournament at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The club organisers coaching clinics for budding youngsters weekly and are for the second year sending a team to participate in the FHE Cup in Perth at the end of November.
But despite focusing on development, Matador Hockey Clun has successfully organised several tournaments. A total of eight teams participated in the Open Category and another 6 in the Veterans Category.
Present for the finals were Asian Hockey Federation Vice President Dato Majid Manjit Abdullah and Mohammad Ishtiaq Mubeen who is the Deputy Manager Sui Southern Gas Company Limited Pakistan.
Tenaga Nasional Berhad, powered by a host of senior and junior Malaysian international emerged champions and took home the RM5,000 prize money in the Open Category , defeating Zaheer Hockey Club/Academy 1-0 in a closely contested final.
Among those who played for TNB are current senior internationals Faiz Helmi Jali, Syafiq Sumantri, Nik Mohd Aiman Nik Rozemi, Muhammad Shahril Saabah, Muhamad Najib Hassan.
In addition they were further strengthened with former national players Muhamad Ramadhan Rosli, Norhizzat Sumantri as well as junior internationals in the likes of Mohamad Akhirnullah Anuar and Muhammad Amirul Hamizan.
Runner up in the Open Category went to Zaheer Hockey Club/Acadeny that took home RM3000 Third place went to the Johor Sukma squad that won RM1000 for their efforts.
Johor Sikh Sport Club who we’re fourth also netted Rm 1000 in prize money. As for the Veteran category , the Champions were Armed Forces who were awarded RM2000 for their win.
They defeated Cheers Hockey Club 1-0 in the final. Cheers took home RM1000 “ We would like to thank all the participating teams for supporting our Matador Hockey Club International Tournament,” said Sarjit. “ Our gratitude to Dato Manjit and Mohammad Ishtiaq Mubeen for presenting the trophy and medals.
“ We like to also thank our sponsors Mas International School, Mygo , Mac Security Consultants, JSSC, SSA, Awan Sports as well as all individual plus anonymous sponsors for their kind contribution.
“ It is with their unwavering support that we managed to run this tournament successfully in this tight economic situation worldwide. In addition Sarjit also paid tribute to tournament officials, namely Consultant Jusvir Singh. Tournament Director Daljit Singh, Assistant Tournament Director Col Azlan as Umpires Manager Amarjit Singh.
“ In addition I must also thank all Umpires and technical officials for their good work to endure the tournament ran without glitches,” said Sarjit.
