President: Work with me

New Straits Times » Sport

HOCKEY: President: Work with me
By PRITAM SINGH

April 17:



PAHANG HA (PHA) president, Sultan Ahmad Shah has reminded the newly-elected officials not to promote any personal agenda but to work with him to make the State a hockey power-house.
The president also pledged to develop the game at the grassroots, utilise fully all the coaching and technical expertise, and provide opportunities for local players to play at a higher level.

"We have to march on with the times. Thus, drastic changes are inevitable," Sultan Ahmad Shah told Timesport in an exclusive interview after the PHA Biennial General Meeting in Kuantan yesterday.

"Firstly, there will be greater accountability and transparency especially in financial transactions.

"I will also ensure the expertise of all coaches and officials is fully utilised," he pledged.

Sultan Ahmad Shah has set himself a two-year target to improve facilities in the districts. To start with, Temerloh or Bentong will have a new artificial pitch.

PHA will work closely with the Education Department to develop hockey in schools.

"If Malacca High School and Anderson School (of Ipoh), can compete in the JHL, surely a couple from Pahang can do the same.

"We have to develop the players' skills by giving them greater exposure and providing them opportunities to play at a higher level."

At yesterday's BGM, as expected, Kuantan Municipal Council president Datuk Mohd Saffian Ismail and State Education Department director, Ahmad Azmey Abu Talib were elected as vice-presidents.

State Transport director Datuk Johar Rusi, the Pahang Menteri Besar's political secretary Shamsuddin Nawawi, and Pekan district officer, Harun Abdul Kadir, were voted in as committee members.

Sultan Ahmad Shah will announce the honorary secretary, treasurer and the three independent committee members before next month's executive committee meeting.