(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Malaysia Hosts Historic First National Hockey ID Competition for Special Olympics
In a powerful step toward inclusive sports, Malaysia hosted its first-ever National Hockey ID Competition at the renowned Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium. This historic event was part of the Special Olympics Malaysia National Games, marking the official debut of Hockey ID and setting a new benchmark for ParaHockey development across Asia.
🏑 A Celebration of Inclusion, Unity, and Talent
The tournament welcomed 11 teams from six states, featuring 110 athletes with intellectual disabilities, all supported by 33 trained coaches and team managers. A team of 16 newly trained officials ensured smooth and professional event execution, making this more than just a sporting event—it was a movement of inclusion and empowerment.
“This first Hockey ID competition was more than a tournament—it was a movement fueled by passion, partnership, and purpose,”
— K. Nathan, National Sports Director, Special Olympics Malaysia
🛠️ Built on Training, Teamwork & International Collaboration
The success of this milestone was the result of months of structured training and capacity-building, spearheaded by the FIH Academy, in collaboration with Special Olympics Malaysia, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), and Hockey Malaysia.
Highlights include:
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📚 Online & Practical Courses for coaches and officials
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👨🏫 In-person umpire training by Rob ten Cate (FIH umpire educator) and Cookie Tan (Singapore)
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🧑🏫 Hands-on coaching practicum by Coen van Putten, international educator
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🎓 10 officials completed the official Hockey ID Umpiring Course
“Malaysia is a best-practice example of how to launch Hockey ID in a sustainable way,”
— Norman Hughes, FIH ParaHockey Project Lead
🏑 Powered by Global Support & Local Passion
The initiative received support from several global partners:
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🏑 AHF provided essential equipment: sticks, balls, and goalkeeper kits
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💙 EU Love is All Project donated coaching boards
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💵 Gallagher funded training programs and event logistics
The collaboration between global experts and local volunteers turned a vision into a reality, showing that inclusive sports thrive when communities and federations work together.
🌏 Looking Ahead: Hockey ID Expands to India
Encouraged by Malaysia’s success, Special Olympics Bharat (India) has shown interest in launching its own Hockey ID program, with training initiatives already in the planning stage. This expansion is part of FIH’s larger vision to grow the sport across all continents.
💬 Final Thoughts
Malaysia’s pioneering efforts in inclusive hockey are a model for other nations. From planning to training to hosting a full-scale tournament, the country has demonstrated how local dedication and international guidance can create lasting impact in the world of adaptive sports.
