Jiwa: Play abroad

JIWA Mohan, recalled to represent Malaysia in the Asia Cup currently being played in Kuantan, strongly feels that the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) is no longer competitive and is not the platform for local players to improve their game.

He feels players should make a genuine effort to ply their trade in the top tier leagues of world hockey to make progress.
Though several players have had short sojourns with top clubs in Europe, it did little to improve their game, and Jiwa feels local players, if given the chance, should play full-time abroad.
"The top European leagues are very challenging and that is why European teams are dominating the game now," said Jiwa.
"A player who goes there for the long term will definitely improve. The Koreans have done it and look where they stand now. They are strong in character, have depth and they learnt this by playing in top leagues," added Jiwa.
"Malaysian players should try their luck abroad, maybe in the Dutch or German leagues as this is where all the top players are in.
"We need to revolutionise the way we think about hockey. We cannot remain at home thinking it would be enough to take Malaysian hockey to another level. Players should base themselves with the top leagues and only come back whenever there are international assignments.
"Several Asian players are doing this now and because of this their respective countries are progressing in the sport. The Dutch and German leagues offer a competitive edge because of their professional set-ups and also most of the players over there are world class."
It is a fact that only clubs with national players and ex-internationals dominate the MHL while the remaining teams just make up the numbers.
Jiwa, who quit the national team last year and is now based in Perth, was recalled by national coach Tai Beng Hai to beef up the midfield and to give the team more penalty corner options.
In Australia, Jiwa represented Curtin Trinity Pirates Club in the Perth League last year and scored 12 goals in 12 matches, earning himself a place in the Northern Territory Stingers team in the Australian Hockey League.
Jiwa said there are about 100,000 active players in the very competitive Australian league.
"I have improved a lot from playing in the league. It has made me a better player but I'm just doing it for the love of the game. Even so, many of the Australian players ply their trade in the Dutch and German leagues," he added.