Hockey

Convenor: Subhas Nathan | Article by: Kanan Packrisamy

HOCKEY SECTION CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF THE HOCKEY SCCHOOL

The Hockey Section celebrated the official launch of the Hockey SCChool on 6 September this year. Though it had initially threatened to rain, it turned out to be a lovely day. The honourable Minister of Community, Culture and Youth, Mr. Edwin Tong, was aptly invited as the guest of honour along with Sport Singapore (SportSG) CEO Mr Lim Teck Yin and the President of the Singapore Hockey Federation Mr Mathavan Devadas who, if you are not aware, is also the Deputy President of the SCC. The Hockey SCChool - founded by Mr Intekhab Khan (former Hockey Convenor), Subhas Nathan (Convenor) and Kanan Packrisamy (Head Coach since 2011) - has grown in numbers and now boasts 58 kids on its roster. Playing mainly at the Padang and at the MOE Co-Curricular Activities Branch pitch at Evans Road, the kids have improved and already won some medals in its short existence. The SCChool won the U10 Mixed Gold and Silver medal at this year’s Vesaki Mela and bagged the Bronze at the mega U12 Mixed Pesta Sukan event.

As the minister, Mr. Tong rightfully acknowledged in his speech at the academy’s launch ceremony that getting kids to play is crucial for their holistic well being as they grow and become outstanding members of our society. SportSG CEO Mr. Lim added in his speech that he looks forward to collaborations between the ActiveSG Hockey Academy and the Hockey SCChool soon and praised SCC for investing in academies. The hockey government body President, Mr Mathavan, highlighted how sports makes us all tougher and teaches lessons usually denied to those that do not play, and also shared how he was impressed by the work done behind the scenes by SCC to get the Hockey SCChool launched. It is noteworthy that as part of the event, Mr. Khan, the Managing Partner of the firm M&A Law Corporation, donated S$5,000 each to SportCares (SportSG’s charity arm) and The Hockey SCChool. Mr. Prakash Mulani, Principal Director of the firm, and Mr. Khan were delighted to present the cheques to Mr. Lim for SportCares and Mr. Nathan for the Hockey SCChool.

From top left, clockwise: Minister Edwin Tong meeting the SCChool kids; The SCC Hockey SCChool launchedl; Mr Intekhab Khan and Mr Prakash Mulani representing M&A Law as they donate S$5,000 to SportCares and Hockey SCChool.

BACK ON THE COMPETITION FRONT

Following the major relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, the Section has seen a lot of hockey participation. Although failing to defend both our Men’s and Ladies National league titles, the Section has seen improvement in the Men’s 2s and Ladies 2s who finished fourth and fifth in their respective leagues. The Section also saw a large contingent from our ranks participate in the Over 50’s Masters’ World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, and we have one representative in the Over 60’s equivalent in Tokyo. The Section is proud of our Members who have stepped up to participate in a World Cup hockey event. Meanwhile back on the competition front, our Men’s 3rd won the Social Hockey Liga and are well placed for a medal in MHL5. The Men’s and Ladies 1s are competing in the Premier Liga’s and lie sixth and top respectively. The Men however can still finish with the title as there is a Knockout stage and they have qualified for it. The ladies are 6-wins away from defending their Liga title. The Section will say bye to two of their long-standing stalwarts - Chris Jones and Martijn de Blauwe. Both these fine gentlemen were and are Club Men’s Captains and both are heading to the United Kingdom in the latter part of the year. A farewell event will be held before they leave and we wish them the very best and hope they return to our shores one day.