SEPANG: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will appeal to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) requesting for the men's team to get Asia’s automatic slot to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
This was revealed by MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal on Monday.
Malaysia drew 6-6 with Japan in the Asian Games final, and then lost 3-1 on shootout, to be denied the Olympic ticket.
Subahan said he spoke about it with FIH chief executive officer Thierry Weil in Jakarta last weekend.
"In my meeting with Weil, I told him that if Japan becomes champions, if can, the runners-up should be allowed to take up the automatic qualification spot for the Tokyo edition.
"He agreed with my opinion, and said that should be the case.
"Now we need to take the matter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and also get an approval from the FIH congress which will be held in November," said Subahan.
Subahan said not only Malaysia are in this situation, the India women's team who lost to Japan in the final are also facing a similar predicament.
"Japan have qualified on merit as hosts, so the Olympic slots for both men and women should be given to the runner-up.
"I will make an appeal to the FIH as soon as possible," said Subahan.
Subahan agrees that there will be quarters who will dispute MHC's stand.
"But this is the chance we have and we must not let it go," he said.