SELVARAJU (Left) during happier days with the Malaysian national side.S. SELVARAJU was not selected for national training, but the irony is he has received offers from German and French clubs to play in their league.
But before he leaves, he wants to have a heart-to-heart talk with Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
He has played two seasons in Germany, so has decided to accept the offer from Racing Club de France.
"Before I leave for France on March 8, I would like to meet the MHF president because I feel that a bad picture has been painted about me.
"I do not want to elaborate now, but I will tell all the problems that I have been facing as a player, when I meet Tengku Abdullah," said the 24-year-old Selvaraju, who was first spotted when he represented Anderson in the Junior Hockey League.
He was then selected for the 2004 Junior World Cup in Rotterdam, and has been playing regularly with the national side since 2006.
However, it was reliably learnt that after the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand, the coaches report on the player read: "Selvaraju must never be allowed to play for the country again."
Tai Beng Hai was the chief coach, and Nor Saiful Zaini his assistant in Invercargill.
When TimeSport asked for a copy of the report from MHF deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad, he said it was classified.
"There are certain sections of the report which the MHF feels is sensitive and that is why we have decided not to release it to the media," said Nur Azmi.
When pressed further, he said: "The report was discussed in a meeting in Penang (during the Penang Sixes and Sevens) and my personal opinion is that there are bound to be difficult players in every team, and it is up to the coach(es) on how to being out the best in this type of player.
"Some of the world's best athletes have attitude problems, but they are still the best in their field and coaches work around them.
"For example, even in a classroom there are bound to be difficult students, but does that give the teacher the right to keep them in the shadows? I think not as the difficult students need more attention to bring out the best in them.
"When Terry Walsh was coaching in the 80s, there were many difficult players, but he was clever in utilising their anger on the pitch and they became good players.
"I hope when the foreign coach is secured, he will be able to work with the Malaysian players better. That is all that I can say right now," said Nur Azmi
As for Selvaraju, France beckons.
The Racing Club was established in 1897, and have 12 French Championship titles under their belt, making them the most successful club in France.
"I was offered to play in France by our former national player Updesh Singh (who is based there now) and I accepted it over the German offer because I wanted a different experience.
"With the club, I will first play in the European Club championships in Madrid, before playing in their League until the end of May."
Selvaraju's first stint was with German Division One outfit Moenchengladbach in 2006 where he scored five goals in 12 matches.
Then in 2008, he played with Division One side Berlin Club and scored seven goals in 10 matches.
"I will miss many tournaments in Malaysia, but I hope when I return, I will be considered for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games," said the Tenaga Nasional employee.
