Physical instructor to whip `em

16/04/2003

NOBODY disputes the fact that our national hockey players possess the
skills and are technically sound, but their fitness level leaves a lot to
be desired. But help is on the way.
The National Sports Council (NSC), keen to see hockey regularly on the
podium, will hire a physical instructor to help them.
In the recent Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia lost all their matches
and finished bottom not from lack of skills but their fitness level. Most
players could not last the pace even in one match despite being rested
periodically.
"The NSC did hire a physical trainer for the Jaya `98 programme (Gurmit
Singh) but he has since left and we are looking for a suitable candidate
to help hockey," said NSC director general Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad.
However, NSC will not look beyond Malaysian shores.
"We would like to hire a Malaysian because he will understand the
athletes better. Also, the development will be gradual and systematic so
that the players will not suffer burnout or injuries. This could happen if
we rush for a `fitness freak' for short-term results," said Mazlan.
National hockey coach Paul Lissek is basically a tactician and is facing
an uphill battle as most of the national players cannot be counted on to
work on their own fitness level.
Skipper S. Kuhan and Amin Rahim left for South Korea last Saturday to
join the Koreans in training and Mazlan feels the duo have taken the right
step.
"Kuhan, especially, needs to be the fittest because he is the captain
and will be looked upon to set the standard. I am very glad that he took
up the offer to train with the Koreans to become a better player," said
Mazlan.
"The Korean method has shown results but we will not hire a physical
trainer from there because their culture is different and we can't use
their methods here."
Korea's coach for the Azlan Shah Cup, Jeon Jae-hong, made the offer to
train Kuhan and Amin and if he is ever hired, half the Malaysian squad
will surely retire early.
The Koreans, under Jeon, undergo 14 days of gruelling physical training
in a month.
"The hockey team has many important assignments in the next two years,
and the person we are looking for will not only train the seniors, but
also the juniors so that when it is time for national duty, everyone is
ready from the moment they are selected," said Mazlan.
The Champions Challenge in July in Randburg, South Africa, is the next
big assignment. Should Malaysia finish last, they will be relegated into
hockey's abyss.
Then comes the Asian Cup on Sept 10-21 in Kuala Lumpur. The winner earns
an automatic ticket to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, hense the urgent
need for a physical trainer.
"Those interested in the job can submit their resume to the NSC," said
Mazlan.
Teams fighting for a ticket to the World Cup are South Korea, Pakistan,
India, Japan, Bangladesh, China and hosts Malaysia.
(END)