KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional celebrated a remarkable season by thwarting arch-rivals Terengganu to achieve their first treble.
Fuelled by 10 national players, the team clinched the Charity Shield, Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) and the TNB Cup.
While the MHL stands out as one of Asia's premier club competitions, there's room for improvement to elevate its status, bringing it on par with renowned European leagues.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) should aim to enhance the league's allure, attracting more sponsors and subsequently increasing prize money for podium finishers.
This season, the MHL champions received only RM50,000, and TNB Cup winners earned RM25,000.
In 2018, champions in both competitions received RM100,000, drawing 31 teams compared to this year's 21 teams.
The inclusion of China's Liaoning added valuable competition, especially in the women's league this year.
MHC should consider inviting more foreign teams, fostering competitiveness and appeal.
With no regular Asian-level club competitions in the continent, perhaps MHC could start something to promote hockey by inviting clubs from South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Oman, Pakistan, India and even Singapore and Thailand to participate in the MHL.
Former FIH technical official Jusvir Singh Dhaliwal proposed a two-division format for the men's competition due to numerous double-digit scores this year.
"Teams like Tenaga, Terengganu, Maybank, Nurinsafi, and UiTM should compete in the Premier Division, while TNB Thunderbolts, Armed Forces, Liaoning, JW Antsbees, KL City, and Young Elephants play in Division One," said Jusvir.
"For example, Antsbees were in the MHL to expose some of their young players. However, It turned out to be an embarrassing experience for Antsbees, who conceded 85 goals and scored 17 times in 10 matches."
The confederation should also make it compulsory for all states in the country to register at least one team in the MHL from next season to promote hockey.
RESULTS
TNB Cup final: Tenaga 4 2 Terengganu
Third: Maybank 1 1 UITM (Maybank win 2-1 in a shootout)
Vivian May Soars Cup final: Liaoning 1 1 Malaysian University (Liaoning win 3-0 in a shootout)
Third: Blue Warriors 2 0 Negri Sembilan
ROLL Of HONOUR
Men's top scorer: Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (Tenaga — 32 goals).
Most promising player: Arif Syafie Ishak (Terengganu),
Best goalkeeper: Hafizuddin Othman (Terengganu),
Fairplay: Armed Forces.
Women's top scorer: Wang Lihang (Liaoning — 18 goals),
Most promising player: Zaty Alyani Zubir (Negri),
Best goalkeeper: Farah Ayuni Yahya (Blue Warriors),
Fair play: KL City.
