Friday March 22, 2013
Beefed-up Tenaga banking on at least one silverware
By K. RAJAN
New signing: Tenaga has signed on Sapura’s Mohd Marhan Mohd Jalil (right) for the new season. PETALING JAYA: Tenaga Nasional will be out to shed their bridesmaid’s tag when they start their Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) campaign against debutant Terengganu at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Last season, Tenaga finished behind double winners Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the Premier Division of the league and the overall tournament but this time they appear to be the favourites to win at least one title.
Tenaga have better depth in the team for the new season after beefing up their squad by signing up Mohd Marhan Mohd Jalil from Sapura and Mohd Ramadhan Rosli from UniKL. They have promoted Muhammad Amirol Aideed Md Arshad and Muhamad Aminudin Mohd Zain from their junior team STMI–Thunderbolt to the senior squad.
Tenaga manager Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin said they have a stronger squad this season but likewise the other teams have also strengthened their team.
“We have more depth in the squad and are stronger compared to last season but you have to remember that other teams have retained 60% of their players and have signed quality foreign players as well,” said Saiful.
“Our new signing wouldn’t have problem gelling with the rest as they had played together when they were with the national team so that gives us an advantage. We are confident of landing at least one trophy this season and will go all out in our opening match to set the tempo for the season.”
Tenaga will be vying for the honours with KLHC, Sapura, Maybank, UniKL, Nur Insafi and Terengganu in the Premier Division.
Seven teams will feature in Division One. They are Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), Uniten-KPT, UiTM, Thunderbolt, Sunday 2030 club and Ipoh City Hall.
The prize money for winning the Premier Division is RM70,000. The runners-up and third-placed teams will get RM50,000 and RM40,000 respectively.
The Division One champions will receive RM30,000, the runners-up RM20,000 and third-placed team RM10,000.
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