Sultan Azlan Shah Cup facing dearth of entries

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament this year is set to be a second grade competition.

When entries closed at the weekend, only four teams have confirmed their entries. They are regulars Pakistan and India along with New Zealand and newcomers Belgium. And Canada, who competed last year, have asked to be considered for the tournament.

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) secretary, Hashim Mohamed Yusof, said yesterday that they would now have to review the number of teams for the tournament scheduled for May 24-31 in Ipoh.

“The plan was for an eight-nation tournament. But we now have only five, including Malaysia. We can include Canada and make it a six-nation meet or call up another team,” he said.

Of the four confirmed sides, only India have not qualified for the Beijing Olympics in August. The other top teams were unable to accept the invitation to play in Ipoh as most of them are down to play in the Champions Trophy in Rotterdam in June.

India are currently involved in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Chile.

Canada have already qualified for the Olympics. But the MHF may look at South Africa, who have also made it to Beijing, to make up the competition.

China, who made their debut last year, have declined invitation as they have a four-nation meet in Beijing from May 24-30.

Hashim added that Australia declined the invitation as they have two four-nation tournaments from May 22-June 5 in Darwin and Cairns.

“We will be calling for a meeting and may even make a change to the dates of the tournament if that will help bring in the teams,” he said.