Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) will work closely with the Kuala Lumpur Education Department and Federal Territories Sports Council to develop players, coaches, umpires and technical officers.
It will also start an Under-11s league later this year, before having several other junior categories.
KLHA president I. Vickneswaran said his development committee, led by Arief Amron Ariffin, met with the education department and sports council yesterday to finalise the details and ensure that programmes do not overlap.
“I believe this is a first-of-its-kind approach in Malaysia, as I have never heard of a sports association working hand-in-hand with the respective state education department and sports council. KLHA is serious about this initiative,” said Vickneswaran, who was re-elected unopposed as KLHA president in February.
“We want to conduct refresher courses on the fundamentals of modern hockey for teachers in primary, secondary, private, and boarding schools. As long as you are under the purview of the Kuala Lumpur Education Department, you will be eligible to attend.
“We want more qualified coaches who can teach school children. We also plan to conduct courses for umpires — as we need more of them — and for technical officials.”
Vickneswaran, a former national player, said a high-performance programme would also be introduced for players not enrolled in the Bukit Jalil Sports School. These players will meet once a week for free training sessions.
“But what I’m most excited about is the inaugural Under-11 league later this year,” said Vickneswaran.
“It will provide children with competitive matches, rather than just training all year round or playing in carnival-style events.”
“Next year, we will have an Under-15 league. We may also introduce additional age-group categories.”
Vickneswaran said the most important aspect was to ensure KLHA’s programmes do not clash with those of the Schools Sports Council of Malaysia or district-level events.
“That is why we are collaborating with the education department and sports council,” he added.
Separately, Vickneswaran said the KLHA League will start on May 3.
Registration is still open, but 18 teams have already signed up.
“We will have one division split into two groups. Perhaps next year we will have two divisions or more if the response is good,” said Vickneswaran.
