RM1.4M PLEDGED FOR 12TH SOJC

Germany will not be defending their Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 Invitational International tournament title when the 12th edition of this reputable event is held from 19 to 26 October.

The Germans have not been invited to the tournament, which returns to a six-nation affair this year. In the 2023 edition, eight teams competed as it served as a precursor to the Junior World Cup Finals held in Kuala Lumpur.

Last year's final saw Germany defeat Australia 3-1 for the silverware, with India taking the bronze medal with a 6-5 shootout win over arch-rivals Pakistan after both teams battled to a 3-3 draw in the playoff.

The Taman Daya Hockey Stadium has been the home of this prestigious tournament since its inception in 2011. The stadium was also the venue for the 2009 Junior World Cup final, which Germany incidentally won, defeating the Netherlands 3-1 for the title.

This year's hockey extravaganza is not to be missed. Expect top-class hockey from the future stars of Australia, Great Britain, India, Japan, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia.

For the record, Malaysia has the distinction of being the first winner of the majestic RM100,000 handcrafted sterling silver trophy made by Asprey in London.

Speaking during the launch of the 12th edition of the SOJC at Fraser Place Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri, Johor Hockey Association (JHA) president Dato' Majid Manjit Abdullah said hockey fans will once again get the opportunity to watch top teams in action.

Also present at the ceremony was Johor State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Tuan Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, the official representative of His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, the Regent of Johor.

The other invited dignitaries were Deputy State Secretary Dato' Onn Jabbar@Jaafar and Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Dato' Sri Subahan Kamal.

"All six teams competing this year are hockey powerhouses. There will be no easy matches and I expect some surprise results. None of the teams will be short of support in the stands. Each team has its band of supporters.

"We are proud to have played a part in their hockey development and their hockey careers. More importantly, a tournament like the SOJC is where we build unity and friendship at all levels.

"It warms our hearts to know some of those who played in the Olympics, the World Cup and other major international tournaments like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games came through the Sultan of Johor Cup mill," added Manjit, who is also a vice-president of the Asian Hockey Federation and MHC Coaching Committee chairman.

Co-hosted by the Johor State Government, the Johor Hockey Association (JHA) and the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), the tournament has received a total of RM1.4 million in pledges from various sponsors.

Among the sponsors are the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, UMLAND, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) – the official host broadcaster, Caikang Holdings Sdn Bhd, Johor Corporation, Genting Malaysia Berhad, Astaka Padu Sdn Bhd, JBB Builders Sdn Bhd, Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Tropicana Corporation Berhad, Ampersand Sports Kuala Lumpur, Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd, Contemporary Logistics, WCT Holdings Bhd, Pine Tree Marina Resort, Capital A Sdn Bhd and Shekhinah PR Sdn Bhd.

India has been the most successful team in the SOJC, winning the title three times, in 2013, 2014 and 2022, and finishing runners-up in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2019. Great Britain have also won the title three times and finished runners-up in 2014 and 2017.

The other countries to have won the Sultan of Johor Cup are Australia (2016, 2017) and Germany (2012 and 2023).

India and Australia have also made the most appearances in the tournament with 11 each, followed by Great Britain with 10. Host Malaysia heads the list with 12 appearances.

This year's Sultan of Johor Cup will revert to the old format of a round-robin league, with the top two teams playing in the final, while the third and fourth-placed teams battle for the bronze medal.

In the inaugural tournament in 2011, Malaysia beat Australia 3-2 in the final after extra time, while South Korea beat India 4-3, also after extra time, to take third place. It was a historic win, as it was Malaysia's first-ever international hockey title at home or abroad.