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Sports

Monday March 23, 2009

Hockey is no kids’ stuff for Halim

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: Negri Sembilan, a nursery for national hockey players in the 70s and 80s, will embark on a long term grassroots development programme to regain their status as a top state in the sports.

Towards this end they have started the “Kids Hockey” programme for Under-10 kids with weekly sessions on skills development. Talented youngsters will be roped into the various state age-group teams.

On a mission: NSHA deputy president Datuk Abdul Halim handing over the U-16 trophy to the KL team on Saturday.

NSHA deputy president Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Latif said that lack of talented players coming through the ranks has been the bane for the state.

“The programme was started in January and we have about 85 youngsters attending the weekly sessions. We have our coaches to train them and we also provide sticks and balls for the sessions,” Halim said after watching the national Under-16 final between Kuala Lumpur and Perak at the Seremban Two Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

“Kids coming from outstation are also provided with transport allowances. The aim is to have a big pool of players coming through our ranks into the school system.

“More importantly we want to encourage the kids to take up hockey as their sport of choice and to excel in it.”

Negri Sembilan did not make the semi-final but Halim said their efforts have been worthwhile.

Halim also added that the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) is fully funding the Kids Hockey and will continue to play a leading role in promoting the game.

“The programme is currently confine to Seremban but we will look at taking it to the other districts once it has catch on among the kids,” he said.

Halim pointed out the lack of pitches in some districts is restricting the development of the game.

“For example Seremban has two artificial turfs and we can see the activities being conducted on a regular basis. Similarly Tampin has one pitch and is one of the most active in terms of hockey development. “

Halim, who is also the president of the MPS, said they hope to submit proposals for the building of a few more hockey stadiums in the state under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

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