KUALA LUMPUR – Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) hockey club have denied allegations that the club is not involved in empowering its players and fostering new talents.
According to sources within the hockey fraternity, it was rumoured that the club’s management had not been sending its players to several tournaments – such as the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) and other domestic hockey competitions – due to a lack of funding.
There were also talks within the fraternity that former national hockey players, who are part of the club, were not being given the opportunity to present ideas to improve the club.
Speaking to Scoop, newly appointed PDRM hockey president Soffian Santong said that his management has always been actively exposing players to tournaments.
“No such thing as the management ‘never allowing anyone to give their opinions’ or ‘never empowering former national players’ in our team.
“I’m not sure how things were in the past and I have no comment on that, but I can guarantee that I have never kept my office doors closed.
“Everyone is open to give their suggestions for the sport and club’s development.
“I also totally deny that we are not doing enough for the club. In fact, we have sent our teams, especially our women’s team, to MHL over the years and they have been doing well in the tournaments they compete in.
“There are no funding issues with the club as we know how to manage everything well with whatever resources we have.
“We allocate everything accordingly for our players’ development, and I have been very particular about this since I came on board,” said Soffian when contacted.
Soffian, who took over the presidency from Datuk Seri Shuhaily Mohd Zain, who is also the crime investigation department director at Bukit Aman in March this year, said that they are also looking forward to partner with several high schools and universities in hopes of nurturing more talents in the future.
“We are looking at growing and improving in the years to come. So far, people in our country are well aware of the PDRM football team, but my goal is to make sure that PDRM hockey also becomes as famous as the football team in our country.
“So far, we have partnered with Maktab Rendah Sains Mara and several high schools in the country as we look to nurture more talents starting from the age of 16.
“One of our biggest goals is to see our players get a chance to play for the national team in the years to come, and we will all be proud if we reach it.
“We have so many former national hockey players in our club such as Kevinder Singh and Razie Rahim, and they are always active and influential in giving their ideas to push the club forward.
“With all their support, we hope to get better in all future tournaments.”
Kevinder, who amassed 187 caps and netted 32 goals for the Speedy Tigers between 2002 and 2011, has been recently appointed as PDRM hockey secretary-general.
PDRM Blue Warriors, PDRM’s women’s hockey team, finished their MHL campaign in third place this year. – July 15, 2024