Premier League Hockey battle lines are drawn, "on and off" the pitch in China
 |
| South China Premier League |
April 15, 2004 
Simon Bach
> Page Views 2671
With only several weeks left in the first ever South China Premier League, controversy is brewing, with China’s Guangdong hockey administration, seemingly in trouble. The Guangdong Association has strangely exhausted all funds and has now defaulted its last three away matches, which were to be played in Hong Kong. The League has penalized Guangdong 3 points to date, plus the default losses, however they will still qualify for the May 8-9 finals play-offs to be held in Hong Kong.
Guangdong are currently the number one ranked side in mainland China, and have given much prestige to the new League, while also raising the profile of the sport and level of play in the region.
Also of concern are the hockey facilities in Guangdong which are described as "3rd rate", and poorly maintained, without even basic facilities like showers or toilets, in Guangzhou Olympic Hockey Stadium. It is surprising that FIH (International Hockey Federation) has just awarded Guangdong China, the 2006 World Cup Qualifying Tournament, for men. Clearly massive changes to the men’s game are required at CHA level, before this event and the 2008 Olympics. It appears that little investigation into the provinces ability to host such an event was ever made.
China is currently ranked only one spot higher than Hong Kong in Asia’s rankings, and on current form it would face the same fate that Greece has, in not qualifying for its own Olympic Games. The world-class Chinese women are currently ranked 4th in the world, however that Qualifying Tournament was awarded to the USA.
Hong Kong is in no position to step in and help, although the Association would surely love too. Recently the HK SAR Government (ASD / LCSD) "shelved" any plans to upgrade the "National Stadium" at Kings Park, which is not up to International standard. The surface has been described as "extremely dangerous and falling apart" by both players and Association officials. It now appears the December scheduled "HK Super Cup" would need to be
"Re-examined or cancelled", with no International standard facility here.
The SCPL League is entering its penultimate round, this Sunday at HKFC, (18 April 4.30pm) and we will see the fate of KCC or Valley’s season decided. Should Valley score and upset win or draw against Club, then they will progress into the 4th Play-off position, however if Club (HKFC) win, then Arif Ali’s KCC side will make it to the 8th-9th May deciding round.
Club will be aiming to win by 6 goals and then beat Guangdong, away in Guangzhou next week, to take the top spot (Minor Premiership) from the classy Shaheen side. The Play-offs, Final and HKFC V Guangdong matches will be televised on the new Hong Kong Cable TV network.
In other matches Macau will be fighting to avoid the "wooden spoon", in a season that had often promised the 2004 East Asia Games hosts, so much. SSSC will meet Pakistan Assn at Kings Park on Sunday.
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
