Champions Challenge Hockey: Heavy downpour disrupts Malaysia's preparations

Malaysia’s preparations for the FIH Champions Challenge hockey tournament was dealt with a blow after heavy torrential rain forced them to cut short their friendly match against South Africa. The heavy downpour also meant that they had to cancel their other friendly match against India as well. Two friendly matches against the host nation and India were part of their preparation but after the weather became unforgiving, they were forced to halt their pre-tournament friendlies.

Malaysia are set to open their campaign against Canada tomorrow morning (11 am South African local time) and team manager George Koshy admitted that they are expecting to play under wet conditions throughout the week.

According to the New Straits Times, he said: “In fact rain is expected to fall for the whole week and we are bracing for wet matches over the weekend. We are not sure what contingency plans the organisers have if the matches could not held as scheduled. But we will raise this matter at the team managers’ meeting.

“The mornings seem sunny enough but we cannot be sure. The players are in good spirits and are raring to go into action. There have been no undue problems here and the place is comfortable enough,” he added.

The tournament offers ranking points but the Malaysian contingent are mainly using it to prepare for next year’s Olympic Qualifiers