The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has appointed former national player Ernawati Mahmud as Technical Delegate and three others in various capacities at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman.
This 9th edition of the Women’s JAC begins on Dec 7-15 with the participation of 10 teams, including Malaysia. It will serve as an Asian qualifier for the 2025 Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup.
Joining Ernawati in Oman are Ravinderpal Singh (Umpire Manager), Chitra Devi Arumugam (Judge) and Shahiela Johari (Umpire).
Malaysia’s hockey officials have always had a strong tradition of officiating at international tournaments.
An officer with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Ernawati had a distinguished playing career with the national hockey team from 1999-2010. She was a member of the Tigress (the national senior women’s team) that won the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) gold medal in 2001 and 2007, and also clinched gold medals in the Indoor Hockey Asia Cup (2009 & 2013).
Ernawati featured in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and at the 2008 Olympics qualifier in Victoria, Canada.
“I started as a technical official in 2016. This appointment as a Technical Delegate comes with big responsibility. I am excited and looking ahead to serving in the Women’s JAC. In the past nine years, I have been involved in several international tournaments,” said Ernawati.
Ravinderpal, is a former Grade 1 international umpire, and retired as an umpire in 2006. He is currently an FIH Educator. As the Umpires Manager in Oman, Ravinderpal is equipped with excellent knowledge and understanding of the rules of the game.
“As an umpire, I officiated in various international hockey tournaments including the Junior World Cup, World Cup Qualifiers, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Asia Cup, India-Pakistan Series, and the Commonwealth Games,” said Ravinderpal.
His credentials also include being the first FIH Indoor Hockey Umpires manager in Asia in 2011, and FIH Outdoor Umpires manager in 2013.
“Having the experience in international umpiring, umpiring management, and also as an FIH Educator, I have the privilege to guide, coach and mentor young and upcoming umpires to achieve their career paths. That itself would make me proud,” he added.
The extensive experience at international events, particularly at the Women’s JAC in Doha, will benefit Chitra Devi and Shahiela Johari in many ways.
An official with the Human Resources Department of the National Sports Institute, Chitra made her debut as a judge at the 2022 Sultan of Johor Cup International Under-21 tournament, and the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Ranchi, India.
As for Shahiela, 30, her previous stints were at the Women’s AHF Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Singapore, and Hockey5s qualifier 2023 in Salalah, Oman.
“I am thankful to MHC & the MHCUC for allowing me to participate in this tournament. Every international tournament is a new experience and journey. There is so much to learn and I take it as another challenge to me,” said Shahiela.