The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) on Wednesday received a boost of RM1 million sponsorhip from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup 2023 starting Dec 5-16 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Dato Ahmad Hushairi Ibrahim, the Chief Global Business Solutions Officer of TNB, said the largest national electricity utility in Malaysia has been a major player in the development of the game at the grassroots and national levels.
He was speaking on behalf of TNB President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Seri Ir Baharin Din who could not attend the mock cheque presentation and unveiling of the newly designed national teams’ jersey event held at the Kilat Club Foyer.
“Through the TNB Thunderbolt Development Programme, TNB has sponsored junior tournaments and at the international platform sponsored training programmes of our senior men and women teams,” said Ahmad Hushairi.
“There are 13 players in the current national junior squad who are the product of our development programme. We are proud of them and wish them good luck in the World Cup. We want them to play hard and bring glory to the country. Winning and losing is part of the game but they must play hard to win their matches,” he added.
He cited national juniors team captain Fariz Harizan from SSTMI Thunderbolts as one of those who graduated from the development programme.
The mock cheque presentation was witnessed by MHC President Dato Seri Subahan Kamal, MHC Chief Executive Officer Nishel Kumar, Perak Hockey President and MHC vice-president, Dato’ Mohd Sayuti Abdul Samat and a host of invited dignitaries.
“TNB’s involvement in the development of the game at the national junior level started in 2009. We are a Government Linked Company (GLC) and are Strategic Hockey Partner and principal sponsors of MHC.
“Since 2021 TNB has contributed RM13 million to the development of the game, which includes the organisation of tournaments at schools, state, and national level, and today we are sponsoring RM 1 million towards the World Cup. We are fully committed to creating a new generation of a healthy and active society under the TNB Thunderbolt Development Programme,” added Ahmad Hushairi.
Meanwhile, Subahan saluted TNB for its strong partnership with MHC over the years that not only witnessed the growth of the game in the country but also saw the national teams, both men and women, performing at the highest stage in the world.
“Words alone cannot express our sincere gratitude to TNB. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to a long and lasting relationship,” said Subahan.
The MHC President also made a humble request to TNB in offering job positions to hockey players, both junior and senior men and women teams, that in return could help them and their families overcome financial difficulties.
“The MHC appreciates all efforts in helping our players get employment. Some of them have graduated from universities and colleges. On our part, we are also doing our best to help the players. MHC provides allowances, but the amount is not big,” he added.
