Lessons from Argentina

Argentina’s Santiago Miguel Montelli (left) and Martin Gabriel Gebhardt. — Pic: HAIRUL ANUAR ABD RAHIM

DEFENDING champions Argentina have placed themselves in contention to defend their title, and have an interesting story to tell the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) on how hockey should be developed in the country.

After they beat Egypt 3-1 in their last Group A match, coach Pablo Lombi brought along two of his players, and said: "Please interview these two boys, instead of me today."

He brought along skipper Martin Gabriel Gebhardt, 20, and Santiago Miguel Montelli, 21, to the press room.

The first question: So when did you guys start playing hockey?

And the answer was identical: "We started playing hockey when we were four years old, and are enjoying every moment of it."
Four years old?: "Yes, ever since I can remember, I have had a hockey stick in my hand when it is time to play, be it the playground or the hockey pitch," said Martin.

"My father played hockey at club level, and I tagged along, and he is the reason why I am playing in a World Cup today," said Santiago. Martin also attributed his father as his pillar.

Why hockey and not football?: "Football is nice to play, but it is difficult to become a footballer in Argentina, as they take you away from the age of 10 to 17 and place you in a camp where you train and play 365 days a year. It becomes boring as you lose contact with your friends, and growing up is no longer fun, as you can't do what other teenagers do," said Martin.

So the three lessons from these two boys are -- start as a toddler, parents must play a bigger role, and don't make hockey into a boring task.

The fourth lesson is play abroad at a young age, as Santiago plays in Belgium and Martin in Germany.

"In a way, my stint in Belgium opened many doors to improve my game and make me independent. I played for one season, and would love to go there again if given a chance," said Santiago.



In the 2005 Junior World Cup in Rotterdam, Netherlands, nobody gave any thought about Argentina when they arrived. They were called lucky when they advanced to the medal round but they proved everyone wrong by lifting the trophy.

And four years later, they still have many talented players to take them into the medal round, and the worst they can finish is number eight among 20 teams.

Malaysia can only finish, at the best, ninth and the MHF should look at the Argentina model first to get the grassroots moving.