Klang’s boys and girls get rare lift

KUALA LUMPUR (10 April 2017): Klang, better known as the Royal Town and whose container port is the 16th busiest in the world, played host to Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) ongoing 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for youngsters with a love for hockey on Tuesday, March 28.

With the recently refurbished Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Port Klang being a hub for hockey enthusiasts in the city, it’s not surprising that the programme unearthed some hidden hockey talent from among the young hopefuls.

TNB had a big hand in helping out aspiring young players grasp the fundamentals of the sport in Klang by arranging a hockey clinic during which hockey equipment was handed out to approximately 60 students from three schools.

Boys and girls from SMK Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, SK Taman Gembira and SK Pelabuhan Klang, who are active in hockey, were given the opportunity to be part of a money-can’t-buy experience with several former national players who shared invaluable hockey techniques, skill and experiences with the youngsters.

After coaching clinics at schools in Penang, Perak and Johor, where TNB also handed out hockey equipment to the students, the fifth leg of this ‘CSR tour’ in Klang featured hockey legends like Nor Saiful Zaini, Muhd Amin Rahim, Nor Azlan Bakar, M. Kaliswaran and Mazli Ikmar to name a few, who were on hand to coach the pupils.

Apart from gaining vital knowledge on the sport, the lucky students also each received a hockey stick and a ball while goalkeepers received brand new gear. The total contribution sum sponsored by TNB for each school was RM5,000.

Hockey Technical and Development Chairman for MSSD Klang and MSS Selangor, Cikgu Azman expressed his gratitude to TNB for its contribution and feels that the clinic will give the sport a much-needed boost among youngsters in Klang.

“I am very appreciative towards TNB’s hockey development efforts and incentives as they will surely lift the morale and spirits of the youngsters who play the sport. The MSSD Klang hockey team has won the MSS Selangor hockey tournament for 15 years in a row and with this timely support, I am confident we can continue with the winning streak and produce more quality players,” said Azman, who has been involved in hockey for 20 years.

One Klang resident who made it big on the national hockey scene is former national defender, Muhd Amin Rahim who is also TNB’s current head coach in the TNBMHL.

“As a ‘Klangite’, I am happy that TNB has chosen three schools from this area to be part of its CSR programme as it gives me an opportunity to give back to the local community,” said Amin.

“The emphasis of hockey development at grassroots level is much talked about now more than ever as we have been receiving positive feedback from schools and states regarding TNB’s Thunderbolts programme. This will only spur us to continue this commitment and groom the future generation of Malaysian hockey players,” he added after sharing his knowledge of the game with the boys and girls during the coaching clinic.

Muhd Fadhil Idris, father of talented youngster Mohd Muslim from SK Taman Gembira who represents the state for under-12 level, applauded TNB for its support in developing promising young hockey players.

“These contributions from TNB in the form of coaching clinics and giving away equipment will not only enhance the young players’ playing techniques but also help further fan their passion and love for the sport,” said Idris, who believes that the future of our hockey is secured through TNB’s continued support and dedication.

TNB is a big name on the Malaysian hockey scene as it is the title sponsor of the Malaysian Hockey League (TNBMHL), Malaysian Junior Hockey League (TNBMJHL) and has also pioneered the Thunderbolts programme, an extensive elite hockey development curriculum in Malaysia which has received glowing reports.