Synergy Hockey Club has been playing regularly in the various Selangor leagues – junior and senior – throughout its 21 years of existence.
It is synonymous with the highly successful Klang Hockey Fest it first organised seven years ago.
Initially a veterans’ tournament, Synergy introduced an open event four years ago in honour of its former player, Anthony Ravindra Arulanantham who passed away in 2019.
Not content with running two tournaments over two weekends, Synergy secretary K.P. Kuganeson revealed that the Klang-based club plans to introduce a junior event for those aged 16-20.
“There are already many Under-12 and Under-16 tournaments in the calendar, but what is lacking is one for those above 16 and those who have finished their SPM,” said Kuganeson.
“Synergy wants to promote the game to the juniors, and on Saturdays, we book the Klang Municipal Council hockey stadium for three hours.
“Any school in Klang can use the first 90 minutes of the session for free. Sometimes, we invite those schools to play friendlies against us for the remainder of the time.”
Kuganeson, a qualified umpire and technical delegate, said the response was fantastic, and Synergy books up to 40 Saturdays a year for its ‘project’.
“It is our way of giving back to our hometown. Over the years, some school players played in the Klang Fest. Some have even represented Selangor,” said Kuganeson.
“Our dream is to see more Klang players don the national colours – just like Anthony Ravindra, a dashing right winger.”
Kuganeson explained that a lack of pitches meant the Klang Fest is held over two weekends – but that has not stopped the tournament from being successful.
Last weekend, a record 18 teams played in the Open Category, with Team RHT from Kuala Lumpur, beating Melaka’s Alfa Hockey Boys 1-0 to win RM2,000 and the Anthony Ravindra Arulanantham Challenge Trophy.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation president, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, gave away the prizes to the winning teams.
Today, 13 veteran teams will do battle to see who will emerge victorious. The tournament ends with a Champions Dinner.
“The dinner is a way of thanking the teams for supporting the tournament and for the players to meet up with old friends,” said Kuganeson.
“The Klang Fest has gone from strength to strength since we began in 2017. We did not have an event in 2021 due to Covid-19. But we received a record number of entries in the past two years.
“I would like to thank our diamond sponsor Global Specialty Ingredients (M) Sdn Bhd, for being with us these past five years, and SportsTechPro, Mercian Hockey, Eng Kong Holdings, and the club members for their continuous support.”
