Wednesday March 20, 2013
KL aim to extend dominance in U-16 meet
By ASHREENA PILLAI
PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Kuala Lumpur will have home ground advantage when they compete for the top prize and bragging rights in the MHC-Milo-NSC Under-16 hockey championships which kicks off on Saturday.
The tournament, to be held at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from March 23-30, will see the boys and girls’ competition being held simultaneously for the first time.
The competition format for both the boys and girls remains the same as last year with a two-group round robin competition with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals to fight for a spot in the finals on March 30 at the Ministry of Education Hockey Stadium in KL.
The boys’ competition will see 12 states in the fray for the ninth edition of the championship. Five-time champions KL are in Group A along with Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Sabah and Perlis. Group B will have Penang, Pahang, Perak, Johor Kelantan and last year’s runners up Malacca.
Since its inception in 2004, KL have won the title five consecutive times since 2008 and K. Embaraj’s side will be looking to extend their dominance with another win again.
Ten teams are in the fray for the girls’ competition. Last year’s runners-up Malacca and Sarawak will not feature in the tournament while Kelantan will return to the fold.
Defending champions Selangor have been drawn in Group A together with Kedah, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and Perak.
Last year’s semi-finalists Johor and Penang are pooled in Group B together with Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu, and Kelantan.
- Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
- It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
- BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
- Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
- Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
- Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
- Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
- Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
- Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
- Golf governing bodies ban controversial putter from 2016
- Winger Ioane faces fitness race for first Lions test
- Cheruiyot expecting first child, aims to return in 2014
- Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
- Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
- Zhang Jike retains world crown to secure fourth major title in a row
- Joy for Thongchai after Match-Play woe
- Rafie set to help Modenas catch up with rivals
- BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
- Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
- Murray pulls out of French Open through injury
RSS
