KUALA LUMPUR: Malacca Municipal Council (MBB) officials were shocked to receive news of their team’s “sudden promotion” to Division One at the Junior Hockey League (JHL) team managers’ meeting today.
Entries for the JHL closed end of last month but until yesterday the participants had yet to receive any news of the teams competing in Division One and Division Two.
Malacca, who finished third in Division Two last season, found themselves “promoted” to Division One when Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) did not put up a team.
However, the stunned Malacca team officials immediately declined the promotion, as they did not have the players to challenge the Division One teams.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee then decided to promote Perlis, who finished fourth, and after much persuasion, Perlis agreed but are expected to face a tough time this season against the big guns of the JHL.
There will be 10 teams in Division One, and 17 in three groups in Division Two.
MHC decided to start the Division One matches on March 7, while Division Two will start on March 28.
Many team managers came out of the meeting room looking disturbed, because their questions were not answered.
"We were told not to make any media statements on the JHL team managers meeting or we will face disciplinary action from the MHC," said a manager who declined to be named.
Many managers are unhappy because until yesterday they still did not know who are the teams playing, and where they will travel to.
"Malacca received a shock when promoted because UniKL (who finished seventh in Division One last year) did not put up a team.
"The questions that were asked were also brushed aside, and even though we have to submit our teamlists by Monday, we have yet to receive the fixtures.
"Since we have to travel all over during the JHL, giving us early information (like fixtures) would have made it easier to arrange for travel and accommodation if we need to stay overnight," said a manager who declined to be named.
Four Thunderbolts teams, sponsored by Tenaga, and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)-Tigers, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), Perlis Lions, SSMS Resilient, Datuk Bentara Titanium and SSTMI Juniors will play in Division One.