Malaysia | Asia Samachar | 10 June 2015
Baljit Singh will feature for Malaysia in the World League Semi-Finals hockey tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, from June 20 to July 5.
The 28-year-old Kuala Lumpur-born defender is among 18 players named the World League, which is the qualifying tournament for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
“I will give my best as need to finish top four in our group to qualify for the quarter-finals,” Baljit tells Asia Samachar.
Malaysia have not featured in the Olympics since in Sydney, Australia, in 2000. Ten teams will feature in the tournament but only top three teams will qualify for Olympics.
Malaysia are ranked 12th in the world and they will open their Group B campaign against China on June 21 followed by Ireland (June 25), hosts Belgium (June 26) and Britain (June 28).
World champions Australia are drawn in Group A with India, Pakistan, Poland and France.
Baljit, who made his international debut for Malaysia in 2006, is ready for the challenge in Belgium, though acknowledges that it would a ‘tough task’ as Malaysia is pitted against ‘strong teams’ like Britain, Belgium and Ireland.
“We hope to defy the odds and qualify for the Olympics after a hiatus of 16 years,” said Baljit, known as a hard working and disciplined player, who has 194 international caps to his credit.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
SPORT STORIES:
Sikh brothers power Singapore hockey team (Asia Samachar, 9 June 2015)
Perak creates history at Gurdwara Cup (Asia Samachar, 8 June 2015)
Pulapol fend off High Street spirited challenge to win Malaysia’s Holla Mahala games (Asia Samachar, 27 Mar 2015)
Pulapol romp home in Holla Mahala athletics (Asia Samachar, 21 Mar 2015)
Subang girls crowned Holla Mahala futsal champs (Asia Samachar, 20 Mar 2015)
Dilpreet, Chai top sports achievers at Sri Dasmesh (Asia Samachar, 14 Mar 2015)
SDIS performance at state level (Asia Samachar, 14 Mar 2015)
Get set for Malaysia’s Holla Mahala games (Asia Samachar, 6 Mar 2015)
Hola Mahalla – Encyclopaedia of Sikhism (Asia Samachar, 6 Mar 2015)
650 join Thai-Indian annual sports day (Asia Samachar, 25 Jan 2015)