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World Cup or bust, says MHC president

  

Coach Paul Revington in a training session with the players on Wednesday. Pic by Hasriyasyah Sabudin

MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah met with his players for the World League Semi-finals and his advice to them was to make the World Cup for the sake of the sport in the country.

   Refusing to dwell  on the controversy which had interrupted  the players' preparations  the past week, Tengku Abdullah  only wanted a concerted effort  from every quarter in order to qualify for the World Cup in the Netherlands next year.

   "Today was supposed to be the day when I addressed all the issues which had cropped up over the month because I was really busy with other commitments.

   "Then the coach (Paul Revington) resigned and urgent meetings were held by every quarter and I thank them for bringing the episode to a quick end," said Tengku Abdullah in his first comment on the controversy regarding  Revington's drastic action.

A high tea was the order of the day as Revington, assistant Arul Selvaraj, team manager George Koshy and National Sports Council director general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong had a chat with the players.

    "The focus should be on three matters now, with the controversy left behind. No 1, the players must give their best on the pitch on tournament day and keep the winning momentum right till the day we qualify.

   "No 2, the players must be focused to eat and sleep right in these crucial weeks as we need every ounce of help to reach the goal.

   "No 3, is that once you reach the goal and qualify for the World Cup, a big bonus as well as bigger sponsors await -- that's a pledge. But if you fail, the future of hockey in this country will take another beating," said Tengku Abdullah.

 Revington  reiterated that he will stay on till the World League on  June 29-July 7.
     "I will think about the future with Malaysia at a later date," said Revington.

   Malaysia must finish among the top three in Johor Baru to cement their spot in the World Cup. By Jugjet Singh


Read more: HOCKEY: World Cup or bust, says MHC president - Other - New Straits Times

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