SMK Raja Perempuan Ipoh (RPS) hosted its fourth open 9’s national hockey tournament over the weekend, July 16 and 17 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium, Ipoh.
In a game of hockey, a team has 11 players on the field. In Hockey Nines, however, a team will have nine players on field. The game consists of two halves, 15 minutes each, with a three-minute interval in between.
Seventeen teams participated in this year’s hockey tournament. Kuala Lumpur Sport School (KLSS) Titans from SMK Seri Titiwangsa got into the finals with GR Highlanders from SMK Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.
KLSS Wipers and SMK P. Midin from Terengganu were the other teams in the semi-finals. Both games were held simultaneously, making KLSS Titans the overall champion with a score of 4-1 against GR Highlanders. Third place went to KLSS Wipers, followed by SMK P. Midin.
“Hockey symbolises Ipoh. When people talk about hockey, they think of Ipoh. That’s why RPS makes efforts to organise this hockey tournament,” said Mashidah Abu Bakar, a teacher from RPS.
It was Seri Titiwangsa’s second time participating in this hockey tournament. The school sent three teams in total, which were KLSS Juniors, players aged 13 and 14, KLSS Wipers, players aged 13 to 17 and the strongest team, KLSS Titans, players aged 16 and 17.
“The first time we participated we only made it to the semis. This time we came expecting only one win but won two. Despite the shortage of budget, I’m glad my girls’ efforts paid off,” said coach, Kannagi Arumugam.
Khaleeja
