It was a day of celebration as Selangor secured double victory in the second edition of the MHC-QNET National Tamil Schools’ Boys and Girls Under-12 Hockey Championships at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Selangor Star clipped the wings of Penang Pumas in the boy’s final following a 3-0 victory with goals from defender S. Shamalan, N. Santosh and Givaneshan Sivamuruga.
Each team is allowed to field nine players in the 20-minute duration match.
Santosh, who is dubbed ‘Wonder Rocket’ by his teammates, scored a total of 19 goals in the two-day tournament and walked away with the top scorer and best player awards.
It was the second time Selangor Star defeated Penang Pumas in the final of the championships. In the 2023 inaugural edition the Selangor youngsters triumphed 3-0 over their opponents.
The Selangor girls’ team, making their debut in the tournament, also put in an impressive performance to claim 3-2 victory in penalty shootout against Negeri Sembilan Whizz after a scoreless draw in regulation time.
For the record, Selangor Star is represented by players from SJKT schools in Ladang Rinching, Kajang, West Country East (Kajang) and Ladang Semenyih.
“This has been the most joyous moment for the state team, especially Ladang Rinching which has 13 players in the team,” said SJKT Ladang Rinching school coach S. Kaalitash.
“We have been developing the players for the last few months with the help of coaches from Star Hockey Club.”
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) President, Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal joined in the celebration by giving prizes to the winning teams. Others on board were QNET Group managing director Kuna Senathirajah, Selangor Hockey Association President Ganesan Shanmugam and MHC vice-president, Dominig Savarimuthu – President of Impact Hockey Club Johor, who are organisers of the tournament, and other esteem officials from both MHC, Impact Hockey Club and QNET.
Former national team goalkeeper S. Kumar and former penalty corner specialist S. Kuhan, including MHC Chief Executive Officer S. Nishel Kuma, also a former national player, were also given the honour to present the individual trophies medals to the winners.
The tournament is a collaboration between MHC and QNET Group, and is organised by Impact Hockey Club (comprising Tamil School teachers from Johor) to unearth talent amongst players in vernacular schools.
Results – Boys Under-12 Quarter-finals:
Johor Southern Impact 2 Penang Pelicans 0; Negeri Sembilan Titans 0 Penang Pumas 0 (Penang won 1-0 in shootout); Kedah Eagles 2 Johor Northern Impact 1; Selangor Star 3 Negeri Sembilan Ace 1.
Semi-finals:
Johor Southern Impact 0 Penang Pumas 1; Selangor Star 1 Kedah Eagles 0.
Final:
Selangor 3 Penang Pumas 0
Girls Under-12 Semi-finals:
Negeri Sembilan Whizz 1 Kedah 0; Selangor 2 Johor 1.
3-4th Placing: Johor 1 Kedah 1 (Johor won 2-1 in shootout)
Final: Selangor 0 Negeri Sembilan Whizz 0 (Selangor won 3-2 in shootout)
Roll of Honour (Boys):
Best Player: Santosh Nagulan (Selangor Star)
Top scorer: Santosh Nagulan (Selangor Star) 19 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Pravein Raj (Kedah Eagles)
Fair Play Team: Perak Tigers
Roll of Honour (Girls):
Best Player: R. Harshini (Selangor)
Top scorer: K. Mahaletchumi (Johor) 4 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Lakshnaa Murugan (N9 Whizz)
Fair Play Team: Kedah
