THE newly-registered Malaysia Ice Hockey Federation (MIHF) has received equipment worth RM40,000 from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
IIHF research and development project co-ordinator Adam Sollitt and project manager Jorma Makipaa handed over the equipment — skates, pucks, gloves and ice hockey sticks — to MIHF president Datuk Lee Hwa Beng recently.
Lee said they were grateful to IIHF for providing them the equipment which would be used for their junior development programmes.
“Ice hockey is in its infant stage in Malaysia. We need all the support to promote and develop the sport at the grassroots.
“The equipment, donated by IIHF, will certainly help the MIHF in their vision,’’ said Lee.
Both Sollitt and Makipaa were in Malaysia to conduct an audit on MIHF’s development programmes.
MIHF deputy president Haniff Mahmood and secretary Susan Loh, together with their committee members, briefed Sollitt and Makipaa regarding the programmes initiated by the federation.
During their two-day stay in Malaysia, Sollitt and Makippa visited the Pyramid Ice Rink and met MIHF officials Chee Ee Laine (women development); Moi Jia Yung (game official); Gary Tan (coaching instructor for the programme); Patrick MacDonald (national coach) and Ahmad Bazli Abu Safian (junior programme co-ordinator).
Loh said it was a fruitful meeting and both Sollitt and Makipaa were impressed with the programmes initiated by MIHF.
“They were particularly impressed with the charity events organised by MIHF. They wanted us provide information on how the federation operates, funding as well as competitions organised by MIHF,’’ said Loh.
Meanwhile, the MIHF President’s Cup ice hockey league will start at the Pyramid Ice in Bandar Sunway tonight.
The three-division league will culminate with the finals on Dec 14. About 120 players aged between five and 50, will be involved in the league.
There will be five teams in Division One, three in Division Two and two in Division Two.
