Van Huizen in limbo

26/12/1998

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) must make a decision soon on the
status of Stephen van Huizen as national coach.
And if they want to land his services, it must come with the assurance
of a two to three-year contract and job security.
MHF have chosen to remain silent on the issue but time is running out on
them because next year, Malaysia are down to play a string of important
internationals starting with the Six-Nation tournament in Egypt in early
February.
Then, there is the Dubai Invitation at the end of February and the
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in April.
Centralised training begins next month and it is imperative the issue of
Van Huizen's position is solved by then.
If it's not, word is that MHF would appoint caretaker coach Yahya Atan -
who helped with the preparation of the Asian Games challenge - to take
charge of the team.
After Van Huizen's return from Bangkok, there has been speculation that
he wants to return to his employers, Bank of Commerce (BOC), and continue
training at club level.
BOC is believed to have given him an ultimatum on whether he wants to
continue his banking career or opt out to be national coach.
The news was relayed to van Huizen a few days before the squad headed
for Bangkok on Dec 4.
MHF are keen to have a discussion with BOC to iron out matters before
taking their case to the National Sports Council (NSC).
"Right now, we have not made any decision because we have yet to meet
his employers. MHF have not heard anything from Van Huizen himself, we
have only read about his intentions in the newspapers.
"After the year-end holidays, we will meet BOC to get a clearer
picture," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam.
Since MHF have proven themselves to be fickle-minded when it comes to
local coaches, the danger of finding himself jobless after the Azlan Shah
Cup looms large in Van Huizen's mind.
"The MHF understand Van Huizen's dilemma. He has a tough choice to make
and we will try to help him make a decision soon."
Certain quarters have blamed the poor outing in Bangkok to the stand
taken by BOC but Van Huizen denied the allegations.
"I did not inform anybody on the issue except the team manager (R.
Yogeswaran), so the players did not know," Van Huizen was reported as
saying.
Malaysia bungled with a draw against Japan in the opening match while in
the fifth-placing playoff, Malaysia beat China 1-0.
* TERENGGANU will host next year's national Under-15 boys' hockey
tournament in Kuala Terengganu.
The non-availability of a proper pitch had also hampered the preparation
of the State squad, he said.
Hamzah said the new dessoturf pitch at the Batu Buruk Stadium is
expected to be ready in February.
(END)