KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and even their predecessors, MHC, have never done this before -- revealing their choice of president for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) elections.
MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal will vote for AHF CEO Datuk Tayyab Ikram to be FIH president around 4pm Malaysian time today.
Tayyab's sole challenger is Belgium hockey president Marc Coudron.
And MHC did not hide their desire, unlike previous FIH elections where they kept their vote under wraps.
And even the dynamic MHC president, the late Sultan Azlan Shah and his deputy, Tan Sri P. Alagendra, were never "brave" enough to reveal their cards during FIH elections.
Why the sudden change? It's because MHC believe Tayyab is the right man to not only lead Asia, but the other four FIH continents as well.
MHC president Subahan said: "Malaysia has always had a strong and cherished partnership with the AHF under the leadership of Datuk Tayyab Ikram. Over the years, Tayyab has worked closely with Malaysia and many countries across the globe to develop hockey consistently at an exponential growth both high performance and development programs.
"The AHF has seen a tremendous momentum in elevating coaching education and has extensively leveraged on the digital platforms. The organisation of competitions has seen a wide spread of countries with each showcasing world class organisations.
"There have been the development of infrastructure, hockey pitches and equipment assistance to nations where the impossible has become very much possible.
"MHC wish Tayyab all the very best for the upcoming FIH elections, and I am certain he will lead the FIH to new and stronger horizons."
That's one vote confirmed for Tayyab who will try to do a giant slaying feat last achieved by his predecessor Narinder Batra from India.
In 2016 Batra won a three-cornered fight by 68 of the 118 eligible votes. And in 2021 Batra had a narrow two-vote victory when he had 63, while Belgian Coudron garnered 61.
Coudron is back in the fight, which is expected to be won by another razor thin margin.
The elections will be conducted online, and MHC are ready to press the button with Tayyab's name written on it.
NOTE: This scribe met Tayyab at the Jakarta Asia Cup in May, and when told that Cambodia might not host hockey at the 2023 Sea Games, the AHF CEO smiled and said he will make sure that hockey makes a comeback after it was last held at the 2017 KL Games.
The AHF contributed an artificial pitch to Cambodia, the same standard as the one for the Paris Olympics, to make sure field hockey is played in next year's Sea Games.