MHL & JHL - DICTATES NATIONAL TEAM'S PERFORMANCE

As the years go by the number of teams participating in MHL & JHL is dwindling plus the league seem to be dominated by 2 or 3 teams. Part of the reasons is that these teams seem to have a monopoly of the national players, thereby not giving the other teams the accessibility for such players. Due to insufficient of big pool of players, most players are rotated within the 2 or 3 teams. Another key factor is the Budget, as only 3 teams could afford to form a formidable team in MHL by giving out employment or contracts. As for the JHL, it is controlled by National/State Sports School & Thunderbolt program.

Currently, both these events are not operated at its best and the standard of the MHL & JHL is very low compared to big nations such as in India, Australia & Europe.National team’s performance in many ways is dictated by the Domestic tournaments i.e. Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) & Junior Hockey League (JHL).

Therefore, these both events need to “rejuvenate” literally means to make it new and it means:

·        New Purpose

·        New Ideas

·        New Structural

·        New Mindset

·        New Image and Branding

·        Updated Rules and Regulations - Video Referral

Here, is what I want to see:

Firstly, to increase the number of teams participating and this is where we must try to get the GLCs, Police, Armed Forces and Banks to start thinking of putting together teams to participate. Therefore, many players would be offered jobs & contracts to sustain their future livelihood.

Secondly, if we find a system where each team can only have a certain prescribed number of national players, this may permit accessibility to the other national players and thereby encourage a wider participation in the MHL & JHL.

Thirdly, I believe we must open the doors for foreign teams to participate, starting with Singapore and further extending it to India, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Maybe in the initial period they may come for the “knock-out” part of the tournament and thereafter extend it to the league proper. Obviously, the key issue would also be prize money, and that is something that have to be addressed.

When organizing the calendar, the importance of setting of the dates for such events which will allow high class foreign players to ply their trade in MHL and JHL.

The best period for MHL is always from November to January and JHL from February to April. And 4 years of calendars (2020 till 2024) must be established to comprehend the quality of the tournaments. This will allow Clubs or Teams to prepare their future plans & financial matters.

This high level competitiveness will provide the National Coaches to gauge and undertake talent scouting for National teams. Therefore, all paid National Coaches must not be allowed to coach club teams and they must be doing selection and parting knowledge to club hockey coaches and ratifying national players’ mistakes from time to time. More so, managing the players fitness & weekday training's with National Team while MHL or JHL is played. 

This is to avoid any conflict of interest at both levels, persuading players to play for their Club & its effect on National Team program, hinder growth of other potential Coaches and quality of selection made by Coaches.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Hope the MHC & Competitions Committee would look into these points.