KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC)’s reluctance to expand the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) is due to a tight schedule, which needs to adhere to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) match calendar.
MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said organising a league with fewer teams within a limited timeframe is common, and it is practiced in other hockey leagues around the world.
Subahan’s response follows the MHC signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with Australia’s Territory Stingers, which plays in the Australian Hockey League (AHL).
The Territory Stingers will field its men’s and women’s teams in next year’s MHL, scheduled to run from January 4 to February 22.
At the same time, women’s MHL defending champions, China’s Liaoning, will also be sending its men’s and women’s teams for next year’s edition. With this, it is confirmed that the MHL 2025 will see two foreign teams participating.
“To be honest, we have had several teams from other countries, including India and Indonesia, that approached us with requests to compete in the MHL but were unable to accommodate them due to time constraints, as the league must adhere to the FIH calendar.
“It is challenging nowadays to organise a league with 12 to 16 teams. In fact, leagues in other countries, including prestigious ones like the AHL and the India Hockey League, operate with a maximum of eight teams and have shorter seasons.
“We are interested in extending our league to six months involving more local clubs, but the budget and time remain significant challenges.
“However, I can assure you that the upcoming MHL will be very exciting, particularly with the inclusion of Territory Stingers,” Subahan said during a press conference at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium today.
Meanwhile, Subahan encouraged teams such as Maybank and Tenaga Nasional Berhad to recruit more foreign players to enhance the league’s competitiveness and provide valuable learning opportunities for local players.
“With most other leagues around the world on a break from now until December due to Christmas, I believe this is a great opportunity for clubs to invite foreign players,” Subahan added.
The MHL, established in 1987, is the premier league competition for field hockey clubs in Malaysia. There are currently seven teams in the league, with Terengganu as the defending champions for the 2024 season. – November 25, 2024