IPOH, March 5 — For decades it has produced hockey’s best and brightest lights but the final whistle has been blown on the 78-year-old Ipoh City Hockey Association (ICHA).

On February 28, ICHA was issued a notice revoking its registration from the Malaysia Sports Commissioner Office (SPO) for failing to remedy alleged irregularities under Section 20(f) of the Sports Development Act 1997.

A copy of the letter was made available to Mailsport, stating the association’s registration had been revoked because “it failed or neglected to remedy any malpractice, misconduct or irregularity on the part of its office bearers or members within a period specified in a written notice given by the Commissioner”.

In accordance with section 25(1) of the Sports Development Act 1997, a deregistered sports body cannot be a member of any body or organisation acting or purporting to act as the governing body of any sport nor represent or purport to represent the participants of any sport in Malaysia.

Perak Hockey Association(PHA) president Datuk Abdul Rahim Md Ariff confirmed a letter of notice had been sent to the association.

“We were informed of the decision today (yesterday) and will enforce it accordingly,” he said.

“ICHA will be omitted from all PHA activities.”

When asked if the PHA would launch any investigations into the matter, Abdul Rahim said: “There is no need for us to investigate as the SPO is the body that registers and regulates associations.”

The historic ICHA was noted for producing a number of hockey legends who played at the highest level.

Among the illustrious names who came through the club’s ranks were A.I. Thillainathan, Datuk R. Yogeswaran, Datuk Poon Fook Loke, Tai Beng Hai, Foo Keat Seong, and Anthony D’ Cruz.

The deregistration was alleged to have come about after the association’s 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place with the inclusion of a small number of affiliates who were neither registered with the SPO nor the Registrar of Societies.

An association insider who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed this would have made the AGM an illegal gathering.

“The matter had been referred to the Sports Commissioner several times since the AGM. This was part of the complainant’s effort to hold a fresh AGM consisting of affiliate members with the proper legal standing.

“On more than one occasion the commissioner issued notices asking ICHA to hold new elections,” he claimed.

The insider said that there was a possibility that some of the ICHA’s members would appeal and even set up a new association.

“But we will lose our famous name. Any new name will undoubtedly reduce the image of the association, which will in turn make it difficult to get potential sponsors.”