FIH lead condolences after "Father of Malaysian hockey" dies aged 86

By Nick Butler

A Royal burial has taken place today following the death of former Malaysian ruler Sultan Azlan Shah, also the President of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and an Executive Board member of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Sultan Aslan Shah, who passed away yesterday at the age of 86, served as Malaysian ruler between 1989 and 1994 after first being a distinguished lawyer who became the youngest High Court Judge in the Commonwealth, at the age of 37, in 1965.

But it was hockey for which he will be most fondly remembered after a lifetime of contribution to the sport in both a playing and an administrative capacity, for which he is widely lauded as the "father of Malaysian hockey".

After taking up hockey as a schoolboy, he played locally for Perak before being elected as Malaysian Hockey Federation vice-president in 1973 and then President in 1981, a position in which he remained until 2005.

During this time the profile of hockey in Malaysia rose hugely, and in 1975 the country hosted the World Cup for the first time and finished in all-time high of fourth position.

Sultan Aslan Shah played a key role in bringing the tournament to Malaysia for a second time In 2002, when it took place at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

In 1997, he was elected President of the AHF, a position in which he remained until his death, and in 1992 he began the first of two terms as FIH vice-president, before remaining on the Board thereafter.

Sultan Azlan Shah presenting the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, named after him, to India captain Sandeep Singh in 2009 ©AFP/Getty Images

"Sultan Azlan Shah was an important and passionate member of our Executive Board and we are very saddened by this news," said FIH President Leandro Negre.

"Our condolences go out to his Royal Highness' entire family and especially his wife, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun, his son, Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and three daughters, Dato Seri Raja Azureen, Raja Eleena and Raja Yong Sofia."

FIH chief executive Kelly Fairweather added: "This is a great loss for the hockey world as Sultan Azlan Shah was an icon in hockey".

"His commitment to grow hockey and his dedication as an ambassador for the sport will truly be missed."

In 1992, Sultan Azlan Shah helped set up the charity Yayasan Hoki Malaysia, to enable hockey players in the country to enjoy better benefits in terms of education, welfare and jobs.

Among his many other contributions is the event named after him, the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament, attracting the best national teams in the world to the Perak capital of Ipoh since 1983.

The FIH have also announced that moments of respect to Sultan Azlan Shah will be paid at the beginning of the Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands, which is due to begin on Saturday (May 31).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]