The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) recognizes the abundant talent in the national indoor and hockey 5s teams and stressed the importance of providing more opportunities, including having its own facility, as it sets its sights on achieving positive results in the international stage.
MHC President Dato Sri Subahan Kamal disclosed this today during a luncheon event to honour the men’s and women’s indoor teams for their achievements at the Asia Cup.
The MHC executive board members also attended the felicitation event, and reiterated the national body’s commitment to enhancing talent development.
The men’s indoor team won the silver medal in Kazakhstan after going down 7-1 to Iran in the final. As finalists Iran and Malaysia qualified for the 2025 Men’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia. The women’s Asia Cup was held in Chonburi, Thailand and saw the Malaysians grab the bronze medal by defeating Indonesia 4–0
“Our priority before this has always been the men’s and women’s field hockey teams. I think we have overlooked the strength of the indoor hockey teams and hockey 5s, both men and women,” said Subahan. “But now that we have seen their performance, they certainly have drawn our attention.”
Addressing the athletes, Subahan expressed pride in their achievements and emphasized the need for more funds and allocations to build the team.
MHC also presented RM5,000 incentive to each player in the men’s team for their silver-medal effort at the Asia Cup while the women received RM2,500 each for the bronze medal at the Asia Cup.
“MHC Executive Board members will look for special funds for Indoor hockey teams. Allocation is limited and we are not complaining. We have to make do with whatever we have,” he said.
MHC has identified a hall around the vicinity of Bukit Jalil for the use of indoor hockey, and are currently considering the flooring structure based on FIH specifications.
“Once the FIH has approved the flooring materials and structure, we will then consult the Stadium Board Corporation and the National Sports Council for assistance. I have informed YB Hannah Yeoh (Minister of Youth and Sports) that we have identified a venue. We just need to build the infrastructure and materials needed. We don’t need a stadium. YB has given her blessing,” said Subahan.
The indoor facility should be ready by the end of the year.
“To do that we need the teams to be well prepared and give them an adequate training facility. Currently there is no indoor venue to be call home. We are using the UTC venue in Sentul and UPSI in Tanjung Malim. The rental at UTC is RM50 a day,” added Subahan.
“We want to make sure that we are a strong powerhouse in Asia. That is our vision today. I have met the players and motivated them. They have done a great job but it does not stop here. They have to continue performing well,” he said.
The men’s hockey 5s team finished No 2 at the 2024 Hockey 5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman. They lost 5-2 to the Netherlands in the final.
“The team received a special allocation from the MOF through the help of YB Hannah who had said she would help if the team performed well. They proved that in the World Cup.”
On another matter, MHC will also encourage more universities to introduce indoor and hockey 5s.
“We want to encourage more universities to play the game. Hockey 5s and Indoor is a sport that should be played in universities. MHC is looking at creating a joint venture with the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and inviting universities to participate.”
