Batu Pahat to replace Clifford School in MHF

Kuala Kangsar’s Clifford School have withdrawn from the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) and have been replaced by the Johor Sports Council-Batu Pahat team.

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) have accepted the late entry by the Johor team and have placed them in Division Two. Under the new MHL format, Division Two and Three will cater to Under-19 teams.

With the Johor team’s inclusion there will be 12 teams in Division Two and 10 in Division Three.

The two divisions will start on Feb 20 with the preliminaries being held over a single round-robin format followed by the knockout stage. The top six teams from Division Two and first two from Division Three will qualify for the quarter-finals.

At the league’s team managers’ meeting yesterday, four teams were caught up in a tussle for a player.

MSS Selangor and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had registered the same player and was told to sort it out by Wednesday or the player will not be allowed to take part in the league.

A similar situation arose with Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) and Nur Insafi and both were also given a Wednesday deadline.

MHF competitions committee deputy chairman Johari Abdul Aziz said after the meeting that the teams will be asked to settle the matter among themselves or the players will be kept out of the competition.

“The rules are clear on the eligibility of players and the clubs just need to follow it. We are not going to make a decision. If by Wednesday the teams do not settle it then we will act,” said Johari.

Yesterday, Setapak High School wanted to play in Division Three but it was shot down by the committee.

“The Setapak High School is a school of excellence for hockey and they will benefit playing in Division Two,” added Johari.

The teams in Division Two are Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), BJSS Juniors, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Kijang Mas Kelantan, MSN Malacca, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), BPSS Juniors, Setapak High School, Anderson, Tenaga Nasional and JSC-Batu Pahat.

The Division Three teams are Matri of Perlis, Sultan Abu Bakar College (SAB), MSS Perlis, Nur Insafi, SMK Datuk Taha, Tunku Besar Juniors, Selangor State School Council (MSS Selangor), SMK Pengkalan Permatang Kuala Selangor, SMK Seberang Temerloh and Penang State School Council (MSS Penang).