Australian hockey teams to add sting in next year’s MHL

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) will be more competitive next year as it has attracted the participation of Territory Stingers’ men and women teams from Australia to compete in the league next season.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said they had opened up space for other countries to participate last year and Australia’s Territory Stingers have shown interest through a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MHL is scheduled to take place from Jan 4 to Feb 22 next year.

Last year, China’s Liaoning Hockey, both men and women, competed in the league.

“MHL has been going on for many years but we are trying to bring a different field to the league, we’re getting a lot of demand from countries and foreign clubs who want to play,” said Subahan.

“The cost of all of them (the Territory Stingers) is borne by themselves. For them to come spend money and stay here for almost two months to play in the league shows that our league has the quality and standard,” added Subahan, after signing the MoU at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The collaboration will not stop as MHC also plan to spread their wings, including giving the opportunity for national players to play in Australia’s top division if the Territory Stingers qualify to play in the Australian Hockey League 1.

“They (Territory Stingers) are very confident of playing in the Australian Hockey League 1 next year and we have reached a mutual agreement where when playing in the league, 50 per cent of the club will be joined by our national players if they qualify to play in the league.

“This is one way to reveal players playing in outside leagues.

“We also hold a module where the coaches of this club (Territory Stingers), most of whom are former Australian players, will provide clinics to National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP) players and be managed by MHC,” he said.

He said the national coaching staff would also be sent to Australia to learn more about the formation of the club during the Australian Hockey League 1. — Bernama