After a two-year interruption due to Covid-19, it looks like the Azlan Shah Cup will finally be held in November this year.
The organisers, Perak HA, held a meeting with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), and it was proposed that the international invitation tournament be held in the third week of Nov2ember.
"After missing its dates for two years, we believe the Azlan Shah Cup will finally be held this year.
"A meeting between Perak HA and MHC decided that the third week of November as the best window because of many factors.
"Firstly, Covid-19 should be at a more controlled stage by then and also its proximity to the 2023 men's World Cup which will be held in India on Jan 13-29.
"Teams, who are invited, can use the tournament as their preparations for the World Cup.
"This year is also packed with major hockey tournaments like the Asia Cup (expected in May), Birmingham Commonwealth Games (July 28-Aug 8) and Hangzhou Asian Games (Sept 10-25), so the end of the year is the best opening for the Azlan Shah Cup," said Perak HA secretary Amarjit Singh.
MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, deputy president Datuk S. Shamala, Perak HA president Sayuti Abd Samat and Amarjit met on Thursday. MHC technical director Paul Revington and national men's team coach Arul Selvaraj were also present.
"The next step is to get consent from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah on the proposed dates, and then submit them to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and invite the teams.
"The MHC will be selecting, as well as inviting the five foreign teams," said Amarjit.
This year's Azlan Shah Cup is also expected to be given FIH ranking points for the first time since its inception in 1983.
