KUALA LUMPUR : SMK Bukit Bandaraya reaffirmed their status as a hockey powerhouse in Kuala Lumpur, when they retained the Under-14 Schools High Performance Sports (SPTS) Championships last week.
Coach S. Visvanandam, who has helped the team retain the title for three years since 2012, is now hoping for a good show at the national Under-14 Championships next month.
“The SPTS was introduced in 2010, and our school started competing in it in 2011.
“It is indeed a great feat that we have been crowned champions since 2012 and the boys have come a long way as we started preparing for the competition in May.
“We will now be representing the Federal Territories at the national level, and hopefully be good enough to return with a medal,” Visvanandam said.
Bukit Bandaraya, who represented the Bangsar zone, defeated Pudu (1-0), Keramat (2-0) and Sentul (3-0) en route to winning their third SPTS title.
Eight of Visvanandam’s boys were also part of the KL Schools Under-15 Championships winning side in May.
“The majority of the players are from Bukit Bandaraya, as we are the zone champions. I have also selected two boys each from Victoria Institution and SMK Sri Pantai.
“The good thing about this winning side is that eight boys from Bukit Bandaraya will still be able to play for the KL Schools Under-15 next year, and by then they would be really solid.”
Visvanandam, however, said it was unfortunate for the girls side to have not been able to emulate the boys’ success.
The girls team finished second in the four-team league, and lost out on a place to the nationals by goal difference.
“The girls did well and it’s really unfortunate for them to not be able to accompany the boys to the national championship.”
On another note, Visvanandam added that the school’s sports facility is in dire need of refurbishment.
The hockey team currently train on an old basketball court, and Visvanandam fears for their safety.
“We really need a refurbished multipurpose hall for our players to train on. If we continue to train on this old basketball court, they may get injured.
“I really hope that people will be able to see the potential these boys and girls have and hopefully come to their aid.”