200 players for world ice hockey championships in KL

In all, more than 200 hockey players from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia will be taking part in this event.

Tournament organiser Gavin Clyde said: "This is the first time that the event had been taken outside of Hong Kong.

"The tournament will also see the largest gathering of ice hockey players in South-east Asia.

"AHA, the governing body for Asian ice hockey, agreed to hold the event here as they were impressed with the facilities in Malaysia.

''The rules allow players competing in the international category to use body contact and it should be exciting to watch.''

The championships has two categories--international men's for foreign teams and Asian men's for local teams.

The international men's category has three pools of four teams each while the Asian men's category has two pools of four teams each.

Malaysia have entered three teams--Kuala Lumpur Cobra, Kuala Lumpur Speed Shadows and Kuala Lumpur Inferno Ice.

Kelab Hockey Ais Saga president Steven Tan said: "Last year, Malaysia emerged champions in the invitational ice hockey tournament held in Kuala Lumpur.

"Going by this result, we have a good chance of winning the Asian men's category.

''Our team have been training at Sunway Pyramid for the past three week. If we can have support of the public, we should do well.''

The tournament is jointly organised by Asian Sports and Pyramid Ice Hockey Rink and supported by Malaysia Airline System and the Asian Hockey Association (AHA).

In conjunction with this event, the organisers have put up 20 VIP passes to the evnt on May 3 and May 5 as prizes for the Hitz FM Prado Cruisers contest.

Those interested in taking part in the contest can tune in to Hitz FM and register as a Sunway World Club member at Sunway's website www.sunway.com.my.

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S

Pool A: Bangkok Flying Farangs, Hockey Hong Kong Select, UAE International, New Delhi.

Pool B: Nortel Networks, Singapore San Miguel, Singapore Merlions, Asian All-Star.

Pool C: Hong Kong Cathay Pacific, KC Dat Dragon Taipei, Dubai Mighty Camels, Kuala Lumpur Cobra.

ASIAN'S MEN'S

Pool D: UAE Nationals, Hong Kong Dragon Centre, Singapore Phantoms, Kuala Lumpur Speed Shadows.

Pool E: HK Budweiser, Singapore Winter Flames, Sno-man Taipei, KL Inferno Ice.

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