South Africa withdraw from SultanAzlan Shah Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: South Africa have pulled out of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup due to financial reasons.

The news was confirmed by Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) deputy president Prof Datuk Dr Shamala Subramaniam, who said the team was not able to finance flight tickets from South Africa to Malaysia.

”Sadly, South Africa have pulled out and we didn’t want this to happen,” said Prof Shamala.

“We would have sponsored their stay in Malaysia but they lacked finances for flight tickets.

”We have spoken to Poland to invite them and they have given us a positive response. We really hope that they could participate in this tournament.

”If Poland decline, there will be changes in the tournament duration.

“We will do the best to ensure it doesn’t impact the quality of the tournament.”

Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, India and Canada are the only teams participating in the tournament.

The tournament is scheduled to start on March 23 and ends on March 30 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.

Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah received the mock cheques for the tournament from sponsors in a ceremony yesterday.

About RM2.063mil worth of sponsorship was pledged for the tournament and Prof Shamala said it was a testament to the tournament’s credibility.

”The Cup is a prestigious tournament and respected around the world,” she added.

“The increase in sponsorship is a testament to the tournament’s credibility.