SJK (Tamil) Ladang Dovenby in Sungai Siput, Perak is blessed to have a dedicated principal, and teachers, who create an environment that inspires students to achieve success.
For starters, SJKT Ladang Dovenby has joined the long list of 55 schools competing in this second edition of the MHC-QNET National Tamil Schools hockey championships at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
However, unlike six other state teams competing in the tournament who are represented by players from several other schools in their respective districts, SJK (T) Ladang Dovenby is Perak’s sole representative.
“We were inspired in creating a sports environment for the students and hockey is among the game that is played,” said Puan Rajambal Veerasamy, the school principal, as she watched her students enjoying the fruits of a three-year hockey development and coaching programme at Bukit Jalil.
The success of the hockey programme, added Rajambal, is a joint effort by the Kuala Kangsar District Education Department (PPD), Kuala Kangsar Hockey Association, the School Parent-Teacher Association, alumni and well-wishes. The school hockey team is coached by her husband – Krishna Kumar, a former hockey player himself who recently retired as a lecturer at the Institute of Teachers Education (Ipoh Campus).
“The school has an enrollment of 145 students. We have also started a programme to form a girls hockey team. However, the boys’ team was formed in 2019, and in 2022 the team won a bronze medal in an Under-12 tournament at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium. It was this success that ‘moved’ us to give the players more opportunities by competing in many tournaments to improve their skills,” she said.
While the cost of purchasing hockey equipment can be quite expensive, she commended the assistance received from parents, former students and relevant education departments.
She added that two players – T. Tashwin and Kishen Chandran, have also been shortlisted for enrolment into SMK Gunung Rapat, a Sports School located in Ipoh.
Apart from hockey, the school also celebrated winning the Global Olimpiad-Green Innovation Fair G0-Gif 2021, 2022 and 2023 gold medal for three consecutive year.
A “Child Alert System” device to prevent leaving children in the car, stood out as an interesting simple concept that also won the school a bronze medal in the International Creative Innovation Idea Competition (ICHC) 2024.
The participants from the school were Vengkkadesh Suresh, Tevaabarathi Ganesh and Thivyashini Yoges Waran. They received a certificate.
“The Child Alert System device will set off an alarm each time we step out of a car, reminding the driver that he has left our kids in the backseat without realising. It is a good backup device that reminds us when our minds are choked with loads of stress,” said Rajambal.
