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The Yasser factor in Indonesia

Hockey is growing in popularity in Indonesia, thanks to Yasser Arafat.

And it is because of Yasser, the secretary-general of the Indonesia Hockey Federation (FHI), that the country has been hosting international competitions lately.

Jakarta's GBK Stadium is the venue for the ongoing Asia Cup.

Jakarta also hosted the Men's AHF Cup in March and will also host the women's Asian Games qualifier on June 6-14.

Through the efforts of FHI, their men's team have qualified for their maiden Asian Games, and their women should follow suit as six spots are on offer.

"Being a new member of the Asian Hockey Federation, we were entrusted to host three tournaments this year. I am glad that we were given this opportunity.

"The only way forward for Indonesia is to play regularly against Asia's elite teams," said Yasser.

Indonesia are in Group A of the Asia Cup with India, Pakistan and Japan and have been at the receiving end of the stick.

Pakistan scored 13, Japan nine, and India will likely go for a record against them tomorrow.

Former Malaysian player K. Dharmaraj coaches the Indonesian men's and women's teams.

Indonesia have started a revolution, and if Yasser and his men keep going strong for another decade, the results will start coming in.

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