THE National Juniors lost 2-0 to Western Australian Institute of Sports (WAIS) in their run-up to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney from Jan 14-18.
Malaysia are in Sydney to play a few friendlies, before the tournament proper, and today they will meet the Australian Juniors in a friendly.
In the under-20 AYOF, Malaysia will be up against the hosts, Great Britain and India.
“We were down 1-0 by the half-time, and WAIS scored in the final minutes to make it 2-0. The team played well, and my personal opinion is that a draw would have been a fair result,” said Juniors coach K. Rajan.
While the WAIS was a senior outfit, and Rajan tested all his players, he will field his best against the Australian Juniors today.
“I will have a better idea tomorrow (today) as both the teams will be of the same age. I will field the best, and it should be an interesting match.”
Malaysia have taken 26 players for the Tour-cum-tour nament, and will return on Jan 24, as more friendlies have been arranged after the AYOF.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Coaching Committee a rubber-stamp?
COMMENT
By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my
THE new Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is only two months old, and acted its age, when it made a serious booboo in the coaching department.
Dr Balbir Singh has been appointed as the Coaching Committee chairman, and will hold his first meeting with representatives from every affiliate today.
But amazingly, the list of coaches for the seniors, junior and under-16 teams were released by MHF deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad on Dec 28, just before the start of the Malaysia Hockey League final.
The only vacant spot left for the coaching committee to fill up today is posts for the National B team.
In other words the Coaching Committee has been turned into a rubber-stamp, with no respect for state affiliates’ views.
The correct procedure is for the Coaching Committee to recommend names, and the MHF Council endorses, or rejects.
This ‘cart before the horse situation’ could turn sticky today, if the state affiliates do not agree with the list of coaches released by their deputy president.
It was announced then that Tai Beng Hai will be the caretaker seniors coach, while Nur Saiful Zaini as his assistant until a foreign coach is signed, preferably by mid- January. The team manager was named as George Koshy.
As for the juniors, K. Rajan was named as coach while Bob Rajendran, Lailin Abu Hassan and Nur Saiful Azli as as sistants. The team manager named was Johari AbdulAziz.
K. Dharmaraj was named as the Under-16 coach, while his assistants are M. Gobinathan and Azlan Bakar and the team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
When Dr Balbir was asked about this sticky situation, he said that the reverse was done because coaches were in urgent need, and he hoped that his state members, when they arrive today, will be understanding enough to close ranks on the matter.
But already, fingers are being pointed at several per sonalities who are said to have lobbied and placed their men in the list above, and this could turn into a burning question which will make closing ranks almost impossible.
So hastily were the names announced, that paper cre dentials for the coaches were also not checked at all, and will only be scrutinised today.
One understands that there is an urgent need for re placement coaches after Sarjit Singh, Gurmit Singh and Shahid Ali Khan’s contracts were not renewed.
But in their haste, the MHF forgot to consult their most valuable asset -- state affiliates.
One state affiliate said the meeting could turn ugly, as he feels his men have more experience and better credentials but were not even considered.
But it shouldn’t turn into a finger pointing and chest thumping exercise as what the affiliates, though procedure was not followed, must remember that Malaysian hockey is in dire straits.
The national team are ranked 15th in the world, will be playing in the third-tier Champions Challenge II and need all the help they can get.
The coaches and manager have been named and rather than rocking the boat, the affiliates must pledge their support and help take hockey out of the woods.
By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my
THE new Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is only two months old, and acted its age, when it made a serious booboo in the coaching department.
Dr Balbir Singh has been appointed as the Coaching Committee chairman, and will hold his first meeting with representatives from every affiliate today.
But amazingly, the list of coaches for the seniors, junior and under-16 teams were released by MHF deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad on Dec 28, just before the start of the Malaysia Hockey League final.
The only vacant spot left for the coaching committee to fill up today is posts for the National B team.
In other words the Coaching Committee has been turned into a rubber-stamp, with no respect for state affiliates’ views.
The correct procedure is for the Coaching Committee to recommend names, and the MHF Council endorses, or rejects.
This ‘cart before the horse situation’ could turn sticky today, if the state affiliates do not agree with the list of coaches released by their deputy president.
It was announced then that Tai Beng Hai will be the caretaker seniors coach, while Nur Saiful Zaini as his assistant until a foreign coach is signed, preferably by mid- January. The team manager was named as George Koshy.
As for the juniors, K. Rajan was named as coach while Bob Rajendran, Lailin Abu Hassan and Nur Saiful Azli as as sistants. The team manager named was Johari AbdulAziz.
K. Dharmaraj was named as the Under-16 coach, while his assistants are M. Gobinathan and Azlan Bakar and the team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
When Dr Balbir was asked about this sticky situation, he said that the reverse was done because coaches were in urgent need, and he hoped that his state members, when they arrive today, will be understanding enough to close ranks on the matter.
But already, fingers are being pointed at several per sonalities who are said to have lobbied and placed their men in the list above, and this could turn into a burning question which will make closing ranks almost impossible.
So hastily were the names announced, that paper cre dentials for the coaches were also not checked at all, and will only be scrutinised today.
One understands that there is an urgent need for re placement coaches after Sarjit Singh, Gurmit Singh and Shahid Ali Khan’s contracts were not renewed.
But in their haste, the MHF forgot to consult their most valuable asset -- state affiliates.
One state affiliate said the meeting could turn ugly, as he feels his men have more experience and better credentials but were not even considered.
But it shouldn’t turn into a finger pointing and chest thumping exercise as what the affiliates, though procedure was not followed, must remember that Malaysian hockey is in dire straits.
The national team are ranked 15th in the world, will be playing in the third-tier Champions Challenge II and need all the help they can get.
The coaches and manager have been named and rather than rocking the boat, the affiliates must pledge their support and help take hockey out of the woods.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
FIH Clarify Report
THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) yesterday clarified that no draw for the 2009 Junior World Cup has been made yet, as they are waiting for confirmation from participating teams.
Timesport had written yesterday that the draw has been made and Malaysia are in an European group made up of Germany, Poland, Spain and Belgium.
FIH Communications Manager Arjen Meijer clarified yesterday via e-mail: “The FIH never released any pools for the Junior World Cup, as we are still waiting for the confirmation of the participants by 16 January 2009. We hope to release the pools at the end of this month.”
Malaysia and Singapore will co-host the Junior World Cup on June 7-21, with 20 teams competing.
The FIH website, however, has named the 20 teams which have qualified and they are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.
Timesport had written yesterday that the draw has been made and Malaysia are in an European group made up of Germany, Poland, Spain and Belgium.
FIH Communications Manager Arjen Meijer clarified yesterday via e-mail: “The FIH never released any pools for the Junior World Cup, as we are still waiting for the confirmation of the participants by 16 January 2009. We hope to release the pools at the end of this month.”
Malaysia and Singapore will co-host the Junior World Cup on June 7-21, with 20 teams competing.
The FIH website, however, has named the 20 teams which have qualified and they are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.
European cast for Malaysia
By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
MALAYSIA are in big trouble even before the first whistle of the Junior World Cup, as they have been placed in an European group-of-death, going by the groupings released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Germany, Belgium, Poland and Spain are in Malaysia’s group, while co-hosts Singapore have kinder bed-mates for the World Cup, which will be held on June 7-21.
Singapore have Egypt, Japan, Australia and New Zealand for company. There are four groups of five teams each, with the top-two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) received the Groupings for the 20-team tournament a few days back, but have yet to release it to the Press, because it was learnt that they are unhappy with Malaysia’s opponents.
But Malaysia and Singapore’s groupings were obtained from an international source, as the FIH had sent it to other competing countries as well.
Two more groups could not be obtained but they will be made up of Argentina, Chile, England, India, South Korea, Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and the United States.
A hockey observer, when told about Malaysia’s group, said it is akin to climbing up Mount Everest without Sherpa guides.
“All I can say is that good luck to the MHF, and coaches, as we all know that playing European teams is never easy. And I am also surprised on how four of them ended up with Malaysia. The boys have Mount Everest to climb, just to qualify for the knock-out stage,” said the source.
While Singapore is expected to greet the grouping with a smile, Malaysia are expected to bring up the matter with the FIH, as the hosts feel they have received an unkind cut.
But, it is unlikely that the FIH will budge from their stand, as they have their own formula on grouping teams for tournaments.
For the record, Malaysia ended 10th the the last Junior World Cup in 2004.
The Malaysian juniors left for Sydney last night, with coach K. Rajan leading a cast of 26 trainees who will play a series of friendlies as well as compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney on Jan 14-18.
The juniors will play against Australia, Great Britain and India in the quadrangular.
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
MALAYSIA are in big trouble even before the first whistle of the Junior World Cup, as they have been placed in an European group-of-death, going by the groupings released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Germany, Belgium, Poland and Spain are in Malaysia’s group, while co-hosts Singapore have kinder bed-mates for the World Cup, which will be held on June 7-21.
Singapore have Egypt, Japan, Australia and New Zealand for company. There are four groups of five teams each, with the top-two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) received the Groupings for the 20-team tournament a few days back, but have yet to release it to the Press, because it was learnt that they are unhappy with Malaysia’s opponents.
But Malaysia and Singapore’s groupings were obtained from an international source, as the FIH had sent it to other competing countries as well.
Two more groups could not be obtained but they will be made up of Argentina, Chile, England, India, South Korea, Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and the United States.
A hockey observer, when told about Malaysia’s group, said it is akin to climbing up Mount Everest without Sherpa guides.
“All I can say is that good luck to the MHF, and coaches, as we all know that playing European teams is never easy. And I am also surprised on how four of them ended up with Malaysia. The boys have Mount Everest to climb, just to qualify for the knock-out stage,” said the source.
While Singapore is expected to greet the grouping with a smile, Malaysia are expected to bring up the matter with the FIH, as the hosts feel they have received an unkind cut.
But, it is unlikely that the FIH will budge from their stand, as they have their own formula on grouping teams for tournaments.
For the record, Malaysia ended 10th the the last Junior World Cup in 2004.
The Malaysian juniors left for Sydney last night, with coach K. Rajan leading a cast of 26 trainees who will play a series of friendlies as well as compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney on Jan 14-18.
The juniors will play against Australia, Great Britain and India in the quadrangular.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
26 for Australian Youth Olympic
NATIONAL Juniors coach K. Rajan will take take 26 players to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney from Jan 14-18, as a string of friendlies are also on the cards.
Malaysia will be up against Junior World Cup silver medallists Australia, Great Britain and India in the quad rangular, which is an important run-up to the Junior World Cup.
“Since the tournament is an under-20 event, the MHF (Malaysian Hockey Federation) decided that 26 players will be taken on the Tour, and play in a series of friendlies before and after the Youth Olympic Festival,” said Rajan.
The team will leave on Jan 7, and have arranged for friendlies with the New South Wales Institute of Sports and the Australian Under-20 side until the tournament proper starts.
“In the Youth Festival, we will first play Great Britain, then Australia and the final round-robbin match is against India, who replaced New Zealand.
“The top-two teams will play in the final, while the other two will play for the bronze medal.”
After the tournament, the Juniors will again be involved in friendlies and return home on Jan 24.
Malaysia and Singapore will co-host the Junior World Cup, an Under-21 event, on June 7-21.
The 20 teams which have qualified for the World Cup are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.
“I already have a picture of the first-11, and they will be tested to the limit in the friendlies and tournament. It will also be an avenue for the reserves and back-up players to prove themselves,” said Rajan.
Malaysia will be up against Junior World Cup silver medallists Australia, Great Britain and India in the quad rangular, which is an important run-up to the Junior World Cup.
“Since the tournament is an under-20 event, the MHF (Malaysian Hockey Federation) decided that 26 players will be taken on the Tour, and play in a series of friendlies before and after the Youth Olympic Festival,” said Rajan.
The team will leave on Jan 7, and have arranged for friendlies with the New South Wales Institute of Sports and the Australian Under-20 side until the tournament proper starts.
“In the Youth Festival, we will first play Great Britain, then Australia and the final round-robbin match is against India, who replaced New Zealand.
“The top-two teams will play in the final, while the other two will play for the bronze medal.”
After the tournament, the Juniors will again be involved in friendlies and return home on Jan 24.
Malaysia and Singapore will co-host the Junior World Cup, an Under-21 event, on June 7-21.
The 20 teams which have qualified for the World Cup are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.
“I already have a picture of the first-11, and they will be tested to the limit in the friendlies and tournament. It will also be an avenue for the reserves and back-up players to prove themselves,” said Rajan.
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