Committee to aid Beng Hai

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will set up a special committee toassist interim coach Tai Beng Hai in recommending and preparing playersfor a stronger squad for future tournaments.
The committee is expected to be formed after the MHF conducts apost-mortem of the national team's performance in the recent Asia Cup. If endorsed by MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, thecommittee will likely be headed by Datuk Poon Fook Loke with Colin StaMaria, Wallace Tan and Stephen van Huizen as assistants.
MHF deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad said the committee's main task willbe to advise Beng Hai on ways to polish the team's overall tactics andtechnical ability.
"The committee, however, will have no power over the national team.Beng Hai will still be the main decision maker and all recommendations bythe committee will have to pass through him," said Nur Azmi yesterday.
"The committee will start by studying video recordings of Malaysia'smatches in the Asia Cup before listing things the national team need toimprove."
On Beng Hai's coaching status, Nur Azmi said he will still bemaintained as the interim coach for now.
"We are happy with his work. Beng Hai has managed to bring someimprovements into the team and he is the main candidate for the full timejob. We will likely decide, probably after the Champions Challenge II inJuly (Dublin)," he said.
On Malaysia's slide from 15th to 16th in the world ranking, Azmi saidit is not a proud moment for Malaysian hockey.
"It was expected as Malaysia did not compete in last year's BeijingOlympics. The national team will have to make an impression in Dublin toensure points are earned to move up the rankings," added Azmi.
* THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) has given India until July to form a proper national body for hockey and improve security or risklosing the World Cup scheduled for next March in New Delhi.
A reliable source said it is likely that Malaysia will be offered thehosting job if India fails to meet the FIH requirements.
"It will be known in July. The National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil will be the venue for the world meet if given to Malaysia," said thesource.
The FIH has been in close contact with MHF regarding the hosting jobover the past weeks. FIH has given top marks to the facilities in BukitJalil but wants the local federation to lay new turf for both pitches atthe National Stadium.