MHF to wait for NSC on candidates

30/04/2003

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) Coaching Committee interviewed three
candidates for the post of juniors' coach yesterday, but the name of the
successful candidate will only be announced in a week.
Sarjit Singh, Arul Selvaraj and Tai Beng Hai have been attached to
national chief coach Paul Lissek for the past four months, and the
Coaching Committee will select one among the three to coach the juniors.
Coaching chairman Datuk R. Yogeswaran said they still have a few things
to iron out with the National Sports Council before releasing the name of
the appointed candidate.
"All three of them attended the interview today (yesterday) but we
cannot release the name of the successful candidate as NSC (the
paymasters) have to be briefed first," said Yogeswaran.
Tai Beng Hai and Arul are currently attached to the Bukit Jalil Sports
School and if either one is selected, NSC should have no problem absorbing
the coach. But if Sarjit is selected, NSC will have to come out with a
win-win situation for the former national skipper.
Arul and Sarjit will leave for a 20-day tour of Europe starting on
Friday to gain more on-the-job experience under Lissek. Tai was left out
because he accompanied the national team to Australia recently.
The Coaching Committe, as yet, has no plans for the two unsuccessful
candidates but it is reliably learnt that they will be absorbed into other
positions as it would be a waste to let them go after being under Lissek
for months.
Yogeswaran also said that more coaches will undergo the attachment
programme which will be re-packaged as the `national apprenticeship
programme.'
"From the feedback we have received, we have decided to continue the
programme under `national apprenticeship programme'. More coaches will be
placed under Lissek to nurture a bigger pool," said Yogeswaran.
The Coaching Committee was also briefed by Poon Fook Loke, the MHF
special projects manager, on the stagnation of the Junior Hockey League
coaches.
"Poon felt that the JHL coaches need a refresher course but the JHL is
coming to its last stages and we can't do much about it now. But for the
Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) we will hold a seminar for coaches before the
start and they can pick up a point or two from Lissek.
"Maybe we can also call some of the JHL coaches, depending on
availability, during the same period," added Yogeswaran.
(END)