THE Malaysian Hockey Federation's (MHF) move to hand age-group tournaments to the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) schools still remains a plan, two months after it was mooted.

An informal meeting was held among MHF, MSSM and the National Sports Council (NSC), but nothing concrete came out of it.

And there has been silence since.

"Yes, we have yet to meet again after the initial discussion, but I assure all that the idea will take flight by next year," said MHF coaching and development chairman C. Paramalingam.

The MHF council had decided to hand age-group hockey back to MSSM which will organise the The Champions School, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 tournaments. MHF is to provide technical support.
MHF will only concentrate on the Under-21, Junior Hockey League, Malaysia Hockey League and the Razak Cup.

"This plan will work on a long-term basis to help hockey in the country. Lets take the Under-12 as an example.

"If we start next year, in 10 years time, the boys will be ready to represent the country in major international tournaments.

"The MHF coaching and development committee will help MSSM by providing coaches for grassroots development where there are no teachers with qualifications. This way, systematic development can start from next year in schools.

"And we also plan to administer the same coaching system for all the age-groups, so that when the players mature into national material, the coach will not have to start from scratch.

"This system has long been practiced in many European countries, and their medals speak of its success," said Paramalingam.

That is, provided the plan does not remain a plan, like the Wawasan Hoki Negara which is buried under a thick layer of dust.