KUALA LUMPUR: The Junior Hockey League (JHL), the country's premier tournament for up-and-coming players, should not use a carnival format.
This is the view of Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolts team manager Wan Roslan Wan Rahman, who hopes the JHL will be held over a longer period next year.
This year's JHL is scheduled from Aug 3 to 19. The men's Division One, comprising 10 teams, will play all their matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Nine teams in Division Two Group B will play at Bertam Stadium in Penang, and 10 Group B teams will compete at Bukit Serindit Stadium in Melaka.
In the women's category, 16 teams will play at the DBKL and KPM stadiums in Kuala Lumpur.
"I hope next year's JHL will be longer to give teams more time to recover and train together during the tournament.
"Holding it over 16 days is hectic. It also defeats the purpose of the JHL, which is for the development of youth players.
"The JHL is the final destination for youth players to impress selectors and move up to play for the national junior team," said Wan Roslan, who had guided SSTMI to numerous titles in the JHL before becoming a team manager.
The school has produced many national players over the years. However, it has resulted in the team losing several players to the national junior team.
"This year, three players are unavailable as they are with the national junior team preparing for the Junior World Cup here in December."
Last season, SSTMI failed to win a title, but Wan Roslan believes they can break the jinx.
"We train all-year round, and I believe the carnival format will benefit teams who are fit. SSTMI have a chance of winning at least a title this year," Wan Roslan added.
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