The Asian Hockey Federation-Malaysian Hockey Confederation Academy was launched by HRH Sultan Azlan Shah on Sunday when he presented certificates to 32 umpires who were the first batch to be trained in Ipoh.
The academy will be based at the State Sports Council building adjacent to the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium. It is the first of its kind in the world as it caters to the development of hockey in a region.
'It was at the Azlan Shah Cup last year that Tuanku mooted the idea of having an institution where knowledge of the game could be distributed to hockey officials for their improvement and benefit,' said AHF secretary general Tan Sri P. Alagendra in Ipoh on Sunday.
'Today (yesterday) is a proud day for Asian hockey, for under the guidance and inspiration of His Highness, the dream has come true. The academy is now ready and will serve the needs of Asian hockey. The 32 graduates from 12 Asian countries at the first course held here, is testimony to that.'
The inauguration ceremony was attended by FIH President Leandro Negre, who was present at the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup between 5-8th May 2011.
More information about this story can be found by clicking here.
Source Material: New Straits Times
