USM, PENANG, 20 March 2016 – It is another proud and historic moment at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) when its Hockey Stadium turf received international recognition from the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The recognition received on 12th March 2016 was the 'Certificate of Field Performance', and to be a Certified Field Global by the President of FIH Leandro Negre, on the 'Edel Triple T EL15' turfing system used for the field, produced by 'Edel Grass BV' from the Netherlands.

According to the USM Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Datuk Mustafa Mansur, now USM has the best AstroTurf in Malaysia, and this is an honour for USM as FIH has given the highest global recognition which surpassed even the international standards for a hockey field.

"This means that USM could organise any hockey tournament of high standing in the future, as well as having organised the USM International Hockey Tournament for more than 40 years," he said, being also the patron of the Malaysian Hockey Veterans Team (Sultan Azlan Shah).

He added further, it is hoped that USM could be innovative in their plans to attract outstanding teams from universities around Asia to come and compete here, as USM would provide the best equipment and facilities available.

This project saw the collaboration of three parties, namely the USM Sports and Recreation Centre, USM Development Department and the construction company involved.

Earlier on, an opening match was held between the Malaysian Hockey Veterans team (Sultan Azlan Shah) against the USM Hockey Veterans team, resulting in the Malaysian Hockey Veterans winning against the USM Hockey Veterans with the final score of 5-3.

Many of the players who ‘tested’ the field in the opening match expressed their satisfaction with the quality of the field and hoped to come and play again at the internationally-recognised field.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Photos: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar