FORMER national player S. Selvaraju, 30, left for Australia yesterday to play in his 10th foreign league.
He last played for the country in the 2009 Invercargill, New Zealand, World Cup qualifier after which he was sidelined because of internal bickering.
"I have played in 10 overseas stints since that, and I am still in demand overseas even though locall coaches feel that I am not up to their mark," said Selvaraju.
He left for Australia yesterday to play for Greater Dandenong Warriors HC until September.
"Since 2010, I have played in New Zealand, France, Germany three times, Italy twice, Hong Kong and Thailand Leagues.
"Malaysian players are in high demand in these countries, and over the years, with my contacts there I have sent many young players to play overseas as well," said Selvaraju.
Selvaraju feels for Malaysian players to progress, they must play in overseas leagues.
"There is no spoon-feeding when you go overseas, everything is on your own and one becomes a better person as well as player in the long run," said Selvaraju.
Selvaraju who made his debut in the 2005 Junior World Cup in Rotterdam, currently plays for Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHC) and also coaches the UniKL development squad.
The other nine clubs Selvaraju has turned out for are Midlands HC New Zealand, Racing Santhder HC France, Wespen HC Germany, Berliner HC Germany, Monchengladbach HC Germany, Armicora HC Italy, Pistotia HC Italy, Khalsa HC Hong Kong, Air force HC Thailand.
