KL Junior World Cup set for December next year

KUALA LUMPUR: The men's Kuala Lumpur Junior World Cup (JWC) will be held in December next year, and the dates will be finalised on Friday.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said an online meeting will be held with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to set the dates.

"When we submitted the bid and won the hosting job, we had stipulated December next year as the best time to organise it.

"I believe the FIH will stick to December. The dates of the JWC will be finalised during the online meeting on Feb 4," said Subahan on Monday.

Malaysia are no strangers to hosting the JWC. Kuala Lumpur hosted the 1982 and 1989 editions, while the 2009 JWC was co-hosted by Johor and Singapore.

Malaysia finished fourth in 1982 and sixth in 1989. However, they finished 12th among 20 teams in the 2009 edition.

In last year's edition in Bhubaneswar, India, the national junior team were eighth.

"Of course, we will set a target higher than eighth for next year's edition.

"Logistically, everything is in place, even though the tournament is 22 months away.

"We only need to get the boys to clock in more training sessions and friendly matches to have a better chance of doing well next year," he added.