KUALA LUMPUR – In his new role as Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) president, I. Vikneswaran aims to bring glory back to KL hockey.
His election comes after being acting president in replacing incumbent Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin, who was barred from engaging in hockey-related activities for 18 months after violating the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) tournament code of conduct in November 2020.
Speaking to The Vibes, Vikneswaran says he is looking to bring the KLHA back to its former glory.
“We’ve been through turmoil, and currently we are in a difficult financial position.”
The association has racked up debts amounting to RM150,000 under the governance of previous managements.
“But we are hockey players, we always work under pressure especially when the odds are always against us.
“We will work on it until we become financially sustainable,” he said.
Vikneswaran says among the targets for the association, as the overseeing body in KL, is to provide schools and clubs with a platform to showcase upcoming talents.
“Every child wants to play for the country.
“We are school-based, but at the same time KL has many hockey clubs that can be joined, some even want to start a team and play in MHL.
“It is important to see who our partners and stakeholders are and ensure that we provide them with a platform to engage with others through hockey,” said Vikneswaran.
Speaking on the immediate plans for KLHA, he says it is vital to hear what the community has to say.
“The next step is to have a town hall meeting, to invite stakeholders and give them a chance to express their thoughts and opinions.
“We want to hear from them as their voice is important to the development of hockey in KL.
“We want to show them that sports can be managed in a professional way, we have to do our part to make people realise that,” he added.
The former national player says KLHA will be working closely with what he considers their “pillars of support” – Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Federal Territory Sports Council (MSWP), as well as the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Education, and Federal Territories.
Currently, Vikneswaran is managing the national men’s special project squad under the request of MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
“For this special project, Subahan knows that I can manage a team, take care of the planning and carry out the needful.
“That’s why he wanted me to help him, he knows that I can contribute and manage it well.”
As a former player himself, he felt a sense of duty for the country to take on the role of manager for the special project.
“I have played for the country, and now it is my time to give back.
“I am a businessman, but when the call comes to serve my country, I am willing to put it all on hold to fulfil my duties.
“But no matter what you do, even if it's constructive, people will find ways to make it destructive.
“No problem, we’ve waited for the right time to make things better and ensure things are developed in the right way.
“And the time is now.” – The Vibes, March 1, 2022
