Happy Hockey: All for the love of the game

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 The Star | Malaysia | 8 April 2016 | Asia Samachar |
Happy Hockey training in session - PHOTO / Happy Hockey
Happy Hockey training in session – PHOTO / Happy Hockey

KELAB Aman’s junior hockey development initiative, Happy Hockey, has seen a steady expansion since it took off at the tail end of 2013, and future plans put in place by the committee in charge hints at bigger things in the horizon.

Their mission when they started with just 20 children was always to give hockey a boost by helping to develop as many young players from all races as they could, including those aged six and below.

Indeed, it coincides with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation’s long-term strategic plan to enhance development of the sport by increasing playing opportunities for boys and girls aged five and above.

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“We exist to ensure that the grassroots can pick up hockey as a main sport and to help them enhance their skills as much as they can. Once they have got there, they are free to play for anybody,” explained Happy Hockey chairman Sukhjit Singh.

“Looking at the many one-raced hockey teams on all the levels, we are trying to instil unity back to the hockey community.

“We know from the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) that the Happy Hockey programme is one of the unique ones which includes all races,” he added.

“The last Chinese national player was the late Chua Boon Huat and there hasn’t been another after him. We are trying to bring all the races into the game as well and then develop them from there,” said Sukhjit.

Part of the curriculum at Happy Hockey is about instilling leadership qualities and discipline in the children. For those leading the youth, there is no better way than to lead by example.

Parents, former national and state players make the programme work on a voluntary basis. Nobody gets paid.

Dedicated former internationals and state players such as Surinder Singh, Satwinder Singh, S. Kuhan and coaches have all joined in to train and impart their knowledge while helping defray costs of the training.

On top of providing hockey equipment and turf time where the budget permits, organising their first full-fledged tournament – the Happy Hockey Unity Cup 2016 on April 30, is another step in the right direction.

As a result of rising turf rental costs, their very first tournament, which has received the blessings of the Education Ministry, is now going to be held at the Kelab Aman field.

Nevertheless, the committee, which relies on charity, is ready to move forward even if the cost has to come from their own pockets.

“The cost of turf time doubled this year and has made quite a dent on our budget.” Sukhjit said.

“One reason why we can’t do it on turf is because of the cost. It will cost us almost RM7,000 just to book the turf for one day,” added Happy Hockey Unity Cup organising chairman Jaspal Singh Josen.

“Another reason is because about 70 to 80% of the teams we are inviting are from schools. And most of them only have field hockey during their training sessions.

The initiative is looking at RM25,000 to RM30,000 as the bare minimum to run the tournament without the T-shirts, and are now looking for sponsorships in cash or kind from individuals and businesses.

Jaspal also said that feedback on the tournament has been positive based on the initial invites sent out to five states.

The nine-a-side field hockey tournament, which will see more than 100 teams in the fray, has also managed to grab the attention of teams from Indonesia and Singapore.

For more information on the Happy Hockey programme or sponsorship, call 017-8897673.

LINK TO ORIGINAL STORY: All for the love of hockey (The Star, 6 April 2016)

 

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

 

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