News

08-06 Atan stays as women coach despite team fight against him

2010-06-08 00:06:00

The Malaysian Women’s Hockey Association (MWHA) have agreed to retain Yahya Atan as the chief coach of the national team for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

But the main worry for the team is the lack of practice matches with quality opponents. So far they have only planned a playing tour to China in July.

But attempts to get matches with other international teams have fallen through.

Now the team are eyeing a week-long tournament with teams from the Malaysia Junior Hockey League in August.

MWHA secretary S. Shamala said yesterday that matches with the boys’ teams from the MJHL will have to do for the moment.

“We are short on match practice and have not been able to get any matches outside for the moment. Most of the international teams have their priorities set and are unable to accommodate our requests for matches.

“So the only other options we have is to play against the junior team. We will fix the dates soon,” said Shamala.

Shamala said the team’s priority will be the Asian Games in November but they will still send the best team to New Delhi for the Commonwealth Games.

‘We do not plan to have two teams. We will use the Commonwealth Games as part of the preparations for the Asiad.”

The team recently took part in the World Cup qualifies in Santiago, Chile and finished last among five teams.

The Star