KUALA LUMPUR – Three prominent teams are rallying to withdraw from the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) hockey league.
It is believed that the KLHA league has been postponed due to water pump issues at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium, where 14 of the league’s matches are hosted.
The teams have expressed their frustration over the lack of proactive measures taken by KLHA management to inform them of the future of the league, which has been postponed since July of this year.
Speaking to Scoop, Allan Netto, the owner of Grays Hockey Club, questioned the leadership of the management in conducting their league matches professionally.
“I don’t understand whether the management is even serious about running the KLHA league. We have been playing in the league for so many years, and this kind of issue has never happened in the past.
“We know that the water pump issues at the stadium have nothing to do with KLHA, but as the management of the league, they should at least have the courtesy to inform the affiliates of their plans.
“KLHA has been very active in chasing us for the team registration fees every year (RM 2,900), but they are not even bothered to inform us of their plans.
“We are already sick and tired of this issue as we only played less than five games this year, and we are now working to get our refund, and we are not planning to participate in the league anymore,” said Netto.
Jude Edwin, the owner of Buddy Hockey Club, said that he has been suggesting to the KLHA league management the alternative turfs that can be used to run the league, but it fell on deaf ears.
“In 2019, we were the runners-up of the league, and the league was going smoothly under the former management.
“Through the league, many of our young players have been playing competitive hockey, and now they have not been playing any games for the past six months, and their fitness has been affected.
“I have even suggested a few venues such as the Universiti Malaya hockey stadium, but my suggestion was never heard,” said Edwin.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh, the team manager of Sentul Sports and Cultural Club, said that he was sad to see the current condition of the league and believed that his players deserve a chance to play in another league with better management.
“I have never expected such a situation to happen. Our players love the game, and the KLHA League has been one of the most prestigious leagues in the city.
“To see this situation happening shows how badly the league is being managed, and I’m hoping to see a change in the years to come.
“I have a long history with the league where I used to take part as a player back in 1985 and to see the league in such a situation is so disheartening.
“For now, we don’t have a choice but to pull out from the league as I need my players to have a competitive game by playing in a strong league,” said Kuldeep.
A total of 14 teams compete in the KLHA league, with the teams being separated into two groups.
In the 2019-2020 season, the number of teams competed in the league was 20.
Scoop has reached out to KLHA president I. Vikneswaran to obtain clarification on the matter.
Under his leadership, KLHA ended their 12-year Tun Abdul Razak Cup title drought, lifting the trophy for the 19th time in the team’s history.
They defeated Melaka 4-2 in a penalty shootout match at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium in October.
KLHA has also won the MHL on nine occasions (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2017). – December 28, 2023