History of Malaysia Hockey

History of Malaysia Hockey

The history of hockey in Malaysia goes as far back as 1862, when the British rulers introduced the game confining purely to European community.
After the First World War, however, this unique Asian sport brought the local elements into its fold. The later years established that Malaysia was destined to emerge as one of the leading hockey playing countries in Asia.
There was an organised effort as early as 1904, with the formation of various hockey clubs such as the Singapore Cricket Club, Selangor Club, Ipoh Club, Malacca Club, Penang Club, etc., but these bodies were mainly for the Europeans.
It was only in 1920 that the talent of Malaysian players received due recognition with the formation of the Asian Hockey Club.
In 1925, a series of matches was introduced and the first State body known as the Perak Hockey Association also came into existence which subsequently played an important role in stimulating the interest and directing the individual efforts in a systematic and organised manner.
The contact with the outside world culminated in creating a lasting interest amongst various sections of the local population.
In 1932, an Indian hockey team visited Malaysia. Impelled by the growing urge and desire to improve the techniques, skill and standard of the game, the Malaysian Hockey Team undertook a vast tour of Hong Kong and Macao in 1934. The results were remarkable and encouraging. This visit was soon reciprocated by a team from Macao.
However, Malaysian hockey had to undergo a setback during the Second World War and this state of affairs continued till the end of the hostilities in 1945. Soon after the truce, the interest in hockey was revived and the Malaysian Hockey Council came into being in 1948.
The Malaysian Hockey Union was affiliated to the International Hockey Federation in 1954. This was a great landmark in the history of Malaysian hockey which provided new dimensions and enlarged the scope for the promotion of the game.

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