What a Team must do to improve their World Rankings & Shortcomings of FIH Ranking Model...

How to Improve World Rankings & be in Top 10 in World Hockey?

Malaysian Hockey Team must:

- To win 2021 Asia Cup (has to beat India to get points and cannot afford to lose to other lower ranked teams like Pak, Korea, Japan & China) - anyway top 3 Target (with India) to qualify to 2023 World Cup in India

- To win 2022 Asian Games - qualify to 2024 Paris Olympics

- to play consistently at Olympics & World Cup & to finish as high as possible. At least second round at 2023 World Cup and Quarter Finals at Olympics and winning the 60 mins matches as SO gives less points.

- Early planning of official matches against above ranked teams is crucial - Performance Plan at least 4 years - min One Olympic Cycle.

- Organized more International Invitational Tournaments - must be more than 3 teams and invite higher ranked teams. Sultan Azlan Shah Cup must invite top 8 Teams in World and beating them would boost your rankings.

- At Asian Games/Asia Cup (not Qualifier and must be Continental Championship) level cannot afford to lose against lower ranked teams. 

- At WC/Olympic Qualifiers must be performing at best and qualifying to final rounds of play i.e. playoff of 2 matches home & away of aggregate score.

- Have to qualify to play in the main FIH Pro League thru the FIH Nation Cup.

Shortcomings of FIH New Ranking Model:

- No limit of matches per year for each team.

- When will the points reset again or it will be ongoing without resetting. Then the equitabilities will be wide between top teams that plays in Olympics, World Cup & FIH Pro League compare to teams outside these tournaments.

- No minimum participation points based on final standings for Olympic or World Cup and other events. If a team loses all matches, his points will be badly hit even though participated at the highest level of tournament.

- Many top teams may avoid playing lower ranked team.

- There will be an increase of unofficial matches without TMS to avoid rankings. Official test matches will reduce drastically.

- Coaches cannot use young players to be tested in Official Matches as the risk of losing points is greater.

- The Importance (1) bandwidth need to be tweaked as the levels of difference is high. Might be for Olympic and WC it should be at 8 rather than 10.

- No points for Junior Teams such as playing in Junior World Cup and Qualifiers. FIH must come with ranking points for Junior Teams too.

- There is confusion on Continental Level of Importance is divided to Championship & Qualifier - for Championship Level of Importance is 6 and Qualifier will be 3.

- The Nation with high income funding with unlimited cashflow will gain the most from this model. It means they could hold matches, tournaments, participate in invited tournaments and travel around to globe to collect points.

- If the difference in ranking points before the match is greater than 1000, then a maximum Weighting of 2 is applied if the lower ranked team wins, or 0 if the higher ranked team wins. In this situation the higher ranked team would not want to waste their resources and will avoid playing such matches. The lower ranked teams will suffer.

- As for Commonwealth Games - no level of Importance provided by FIH, which means the matches would not be considered as rankings. No TMS too...

Now comes the key question - Does the decision makers & Officials aware of the above details. Till today, there is no clear Performance Plan for National Teams till 2024 Paris Olympics. 

And next month, it will be a one year Anniversary and key Bearers been there for 6 years and more but still at learning curve and lack the knowledge to manage the sports effectively and efficiently.

Before saying Top 10 & Top 8 in World Hockey, get the basis right and be factual in any announcement.

P/S - Anyway, has they put a bid to AHF for next years Men's Asia Cup - which acts as the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. As for Women no chance to play in World Cup. 

Next Article will write about the Qualification process for Men and Women to 2022/2023 World Cup.

Malaysian Road To Tokyo (RTT) Olympic Program - Thinking Inside the Bubble

In response to COVID-19, bubble is seeing new use in the realm of sports, referring to an isolated set of accommodations and venues in which athletes can reside and compete away from the general public.

Lately, bubble can be seen and heard in reference to an area within which competing sports teams stay isolated from the general public during a series of games that includes accommodations, amenities, and the location at which the games are held without spectators in attendance. 

This "bubble" was conceived as a way to safely resume playing team sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our daily numbers are sky rocketing and vaccine requires years of research and testing before reaching clinic. As of today 46 vaccines in clinical trials with 6 approved for early or limited use and 0 for full use.

At the hotel or similar establishment in the bubble, team players, coaches, and staff, as well as league personnel, are provided with their own rooms. During their time off from games, practices, training, and meetings, they are allowed to enjoy amenities, while following prescribed safety regulations and practicing social distancing, on the premises of their temporary residence. 

They might also be permitted to go to designated places for recreation or relaxation off the premises, but within the "bubble."

With this new sense of bubble, another sense has emerged. In sports media, bubble is being used to refer to the series of scheduled games played or to be played between teams staying in a bubble.

Therefore, all stakeholders need to start planning this mode of Bubble Sports especially for the Road To Tokyo Program under the care of NSC so that the current 13 qualified athletes could compete and prepare well. More so this Bubble Program is essential for Athletes who still has a chance to qualify to Tokyo 2020.

Elusive Gold is still the target but with 8 months to Tokyo without high level of competitiveness & CMCO activated, for sure there is a direct impact in Athletes Performance Plan leading towards the games.

The way forward is establishing Bubble Sports Program domestically & International levels with creating additional Online Virtual Competition platform for Individual Sports such as Divers, Cycling, Archery, Sailing & Gymnastic. 

As for Badminton International & Domestic Bubble Program is the only choice as the players requires high quality sparring matches.

The drawbacks of bubbles, of course, are plain. They are difficult to organize, expensive to maintain and emotionally taxing on players, who cannot return to their homes for weeks or months at a time

As the numbers of COVID-19 is increasing daily in Malaysia and with Tokyo 2020 preparation is in time of essence, with that NSC with ISN should discuss this Sports Bubble Program for Road To Tokyo Program as soon as possible. 

As for the NSA's, it's time to discuss about this Sports Bubble Program at your Board and Committee levels or else your sports would not gain the loss of time due to this pandemic.

The sooner is better as till today we are still not sure about the availability of vaccine which would be the permanent cure to mankind over this pandemic. 

Therefore, Sports Bubble Program may exist at least one or two years till this pandemic ends. Start thinking outside the box. 

P/S - As for the Hockey Team, they should have changed their training base camp to Seremban, which is beyond the MKN restrictions of CMCO. And even Officials should be committed to be in camps with team.

Valid & Current Prevailing Issues faced by the Malaysian Women Hockey Team to obtain a World Class playing Hockey Nation

Based on my personal view, the following are the valid & current prevailing issues faced by the Malaysian Women Hockey Team to obtain a World Class playing hockey Nation:

- No proper Women Junior Teams planning for upcoming Junior World Cups. As for Jnr W Asia Cup next year, expected not to qualify for 2021 W Jnr World Cup due to bad & ad-hoc planning. This current Malaysian Jnr W Asia Cup team will face India, Korea & Japan with China Jnrs, the defending Champions returning to play after withdrawing due to Covid19 pandemic. The Malaysian Women Junior Team has to get top 3 to qualify next year’s 2021 Junior World Cup in South Africa.

- Next Junior World Cup cycle will be in 2023 and Qualifier will be in 2022/2023 and by today there should already a team i.e. Women Under 18 in active and undergoing a good Performance Plan but who cares...

- No National Women Hockey Development Plan from Grass-root till High Performance. Done on a piecemeal approach. National Women Development Team was abolished in March 2017 & convert few players to Indoor for Sea Games level.

- Lack the exposure of International Hockey at age group or Project Squads.

- Most young players bypass the Junior Team and plays directly with Senior Team and only then such players would get an International Matches and maturity will take a longer period of 4 to 6 years to be a Top player at International stage.

- Only 1 or 2 out of 16 Affiliates has a Women State League.

- Main Event TNBMHL for Women has limited 6 teams with 120 players to choose to form National Team. Insufficient talent and creates non competitiveness between players to don the National colors.

- Women Junior Hockey League made of Sukma Development Teams, State Sports School & one National Sports School. Total participation 9 teams.

- Women Tun Abdul Razak Cup premier event - Lack of interest from Affiliates and teams ill prepared without sufficient financial support.

- High Turnover of Withdrawals by Key Women National Players after marriages or birth of a child.

- No clear Pathway of Livelihood or Career. Currently, Women National players are selling online cakes, festive biscuits, scarfs etc, Since January NSC/MHC has no salary or allowance for National Women Hockey Players. Recently, national Women players started auctioning their playing attires to survive their livelihood.

- Delayed in Post-Mortem & Appointment of Coach for National Women Team has delayed their program and been inactive mode since June 2019. This approach has hinder the growth or progress of players. For sure many players has put on weight, lost interest, drastic drop in fitness/strength and all the 4 to 5 years of plan has gone to waste.

- The current Junior Women Asia Cup team lack the physical size to compete at International stage. There should be balance of sizes in a team. This would allow an advantage. Now China, Japan, India most their players has the physical abilities to compete with European teams.

- No continuity of National Age-Group Project Squads & Low Quality of Matches for preparation.

- Lack Talent Identification Plan through-out the Country. No key selectors at National or State Age-Group Championships.

- Lack of International High Performance & Development Women Coaches in Malaysia.

- Employment Opportunities – in this era, players need an academy qualification to obtain jobs security. No extra Tuition Classes held & weak in mastering English Language which is a must to communicate ie Video Referral Scenario, attending Tournament Meetings or any technical discussion with Foreign Consultants or Coach.

- Lack of Media Publicity Support for Women Hockey – Media is an important element to create awareness of gender equality, popularize the sports to next generation, in promotion & development from school to National level.

- No Policy or SOPs in MHC to create and operate electronic database. For Development, the training & tactical syllabus are not accessible electronically including latest modern hockey updates. For National Teams, integration of various reports – fitness, bio-medical, performance, mental strength & experience are not available for decision making.

- No dedicated electronic Database on Women Hockey such as Players, Coaches, Umpires & Officials.

- No proper support from Funding to Women Hockey Programs at all levels.

- Lack importance & effort by National & State Affiliates on Women Hockey

- No Clarity & Emphasis of Direction for Women Hockey

How to be Asia No 1 in 4-6 years time? First solve the above prevailing issues...

Next Article - What a Team must do to improve their World Rankings & Shortcomings of FIH Ranking Model...

MALAYSIAN WOMEN HOCKEY TEAM - BUILDING CASTLE IN THE SKY TO BE ASIA NO 1 & QUALIFY TO OLYMPICS

 

The image that was shown on Nadi Arena news few months ago. 

Abstract from Media Report - Bukan saya cakap tahu! "Shapawi had asked me, during the chat, why our team can't beat Japan, India, South Korea and China even though their women are of the same size as Malaysians?

"In the world rankings, India are ninth, followed by China (10th), Korea (12th) and Japan (13th).

"We need to target the Asian crown to be top 10 in the world."

Firstly, congratulations to MHC & NSC for coming up with a grandeur & ambitious plan for Malaysian Women Hockey without caring for consequences.

Unbelievable! Honestly, I am lost & do not know how they are doing to achieve this ambitious plan - Asia No 1 & play in Olympics?

Shoot from the Hip Scenario! This phrase originated in the old west of America, during the cowboy days. It alludes to shooting a gun from the hip, without taking it out if the holster. This made firing quicker, but less accurate.

Firstly let’s get the facts right and compare the circumstances and standings between the best 4 Women teams in Asia versus Malaysian Women Hockey Team. Will do a comparison at Asia Level & World level.

Asia Ranking

Currently, Malaysian Women Team is ranked 5th in Asia. The point’s difference varies from 479 to 735 points between the Top 4 teams-India, China, Korea, Japan and the gap is huge & wide to catch up. How are you going to achieve Asia No 1 with the huge difference in points? What facts used by you all to announce such ambitious plan? Clueless.

1. India - 1543

2. China - 1521

3. Korea - 1480

4. Japan - 1287

5. Malaysia - 808

World Ranking

How to overtake this top 4 Asian teams in World Hockey as these 3 teams ie India, Japan, India & China are consistently playing in Olympics & World Cups. Currently, Korea Women Hockey Team didn't qualify for Tokyo Olympics but been in the 2018 World Cup & 2016 Rio Olympics.

More so, China who plays in FIH Women PRO League 2020/21 & this 3 Top Asian Teams has qualified to Tokyo Olympics. This 4 Asian Teams has bigger advantage and will collect many more ranking points compare to Malaysia. 

As to improve your rankings based on new FIH World Ranking System, a team has to play as many matches/tournaments and beat the above ranked teams and not losing against a lower ranked teams to enable to gain ranking points.

By looking at Malaysian Women Hockey Calendar, the team only plays at SEA Games (Indoor), Asian Games/Asia Cup/Asian Champions Trophy & some arranged tours/tournaments or test matches.

This shows that this Top 4 Asian teams gap of points will be very wide over the years to come compare to Malaysian Women Hockey, which currently has not played any International matches since World Series in June 2019 and no proper Periodization Plan for coming years. Been for than a year in inactive status.

How & what is the basis used by MHC to announce that Malaysian Women Hockey Team will be Asia No.1 & play in Olympics in years to come - 8 years . It can be achieved but this has to happen - Japan, India, China & Korea to completely stop playing hockey for 4-6 years and do not participate in any FIH Tournaments. Does this make sense? Reality Bites.

As for Malaysian Women Hockey Team to improve their rankings is going to be very difficult as they only participate few events such as Asian Games, Asia Cups and WC/Olympics Qualifiers.

In Malaysia, we don't have any International Invitational Women Tournament. Only hope for one-off test matches but is very rare for top European Teams or Oceania teams will invite our Women team to play. The best bet is to play against India, China, Japan and Korean teams but you be must be aware that a defeat will reduce your points.

Malaysian Women team must keep close on teams like France, Belarus, Czechoslovakia & Scotland and be vary of their plan of matches. These four teams are trait and they may surpass our rankings.

R W I is Key to improve your World Rankings.

To improve rankings, a team must maximize the R W I intelligently. Therefore, the bearers must understand and comprehend this Model which would them to plan accordingly and not shooting from the hips and announcing flip-flop statements.

Malaysian Hockey is very good at building castles in the air. Meaning: To make plans that have very little chance of happening & keeps talking about big-time ambitions, but it's all castles in the air. 

Firstly, accept reality with facts. Life is like the rungs on a ladder. The reason they are placed so close together is that we can learn to take baby steps and reach our destinations safely and not act recklessly, without considering the effects.

Next Article – Prevailing Issues that hindering Malaysian Women Hockey Team to be a World Class…

Malaysian Men Hockey Team – Impact on new Algorithm FIH World Ranking Points & Other Matters:

Dear Readers, many announcement and bengkels (lost count) are held without valid & clear direction of National Teams. They also said they need more time & patience to be a world class team but saying otherwise such as winning Gold at 2022 Asian Games and qualifying to Paris 2024 and Women Team to be Asia No 1 in 2026. 

But you all have been there for 6 years since 2015 and still at learning curve, unbelievable and you still asking for more time. You are helming a High Performance Sports and main objective is to bring glory to Malaysia.

The strange part that leaves many questions is - What is the Performance Plan of Men & Women National Teams? How the Teams will achieve its target and be Top 10 in World Hockey as previously said we will be top 8 in 2018 and recently said in 2 year’s we will be Top 10 for Men and Asia No 1 for Women. 

Great Announcements but what is the basis or plan that you all have set to achieve the targets. As usual putting the cart before the horse style of management without knowing the real details of International Hockey.

Just to clarify matters, first let’s understand the new FIH World Ranking and observing the matters on World Hockey. Will divide into 2 segments – Men & Women and today will cover the implications for Men and will write for Women next when time permits.

To be honest – our current Performance plan is weak and late in making short, mid & long term detail plans.

Malaysian Men Hockey Team – Impact on new Algorithm FIH World Ranking Points & Other Matters:

Firstly, you have to look at the Event Importance (I), which indicates Importance and numbers given based on level of competition. Bottom line Malaysian Team have to play in Olympics & World Cup as both events give 10 for I. This is where Malaysian team will lose out in world ranking points as we are not playing in Tokyo Olympics and also by non-participation in FIH Pro League the Importance of 5, Malaysian will not get any points and the 9 Pro League teams gap will be widen.

And as for teams like Japan, Canada & South Africa will get many points as playing in Tokyo Olympics that gives importance of 10. If this 3 teams makes to the QF stage and beyond than their points will get closer with Malaysia points and Canada who is ranked 10th will collect more points and it will be tough for Malaysia to break top 10. More so, this 4 teams will be playing as many matches as possible in their preparation towards next year's Olympic Games.

As for Asian Games & Asia Cup Competition (not Qualifier Continental), the Importance given is 6. No allocation of Importance points at Sea Games outdoor level but with more than 3 teams then Importance of 2 or one off Test Match Importance of 1 will be considered.

Only important tournament for Malaysia will be the 2021 Men's Asia Cup as it gives 3 slots to 2023 World Cup in India and the level of importance is at 6. Overall Malaysia Men's team will be revolving by playing matches at Importance level from 1-6 the max.

Malaysia have to be worried for France who drastically improved their rankings from 17 to 11 now. Difference of points only 100, and if France periodization plan and play many tournaments than they may surpass us. And they are rebuilding and in preparation towards 2024 Paris Olympics.

My Question, with FIH Pro League & Tokyo Olympics postponed to next year, how Malaysia team is going to play official test matches with top 9 ranked teams in the World as their schedule is fully booked with events.

As for Sultan Azlan Shah event, the importance will be of 2. It means that the Top Teams playing in Tokyo Olympics & FIH Pro League will be well ahead than Malaysia.

And the delay of FIH Nation Cup, for sure it will dampen further the ranking points for Malaysian team.

The most important assignment will be the 2021 Men's Asia Cup which acts as qualifier to 2023 World Cup where 3 slots given with host India. This event importance will be at level 6. Malaysia need to perform in this tournament to sustain a better ranking points.

Let’s make an assumption:

Next year competition is Asian Champions Trophy, the importance will be 2. Then Malaysia plays in next year Sultan Azlan Shah & 2021 Men's Asia Cup (recognized as Qualifier Event) which is also importance of 2 and may play in 4 Nations or few one off test matches that provides Importance of 2 & 1. Technically, Malaysian ranking will be affected as Malaysia will only be playing at events at Importance of 2-6 and below.

Whereas, teams like Australia Belgium, Argentina, England/GB, India, Germany, Holland , Spain & New Zealand will be playing in Tokyo Olympics (Importance of 10) and FIH Pro League (Importance of 5) which is higher than Malaysian team which plays the events next year at highest Importance level of 2. The gap will be widen for sure based on the Algorithm model.

Currently, Malaysia is ranked second in Asia, it means at 2022 Asian Games level (Importance of 6), Malaysia will only get greater points if they beat India as they ranked 5th in World and cannot afford to lose to teams like Pakistan, Korea, Japan and China as they will gain more points from Malaysia.

Another pertinent point is winning a match gets greater points than winning a shootout which R is = match result (10 for a win, 5 for a shootout win, 1 for a draw).

The 3 i.e R*W*I is very importance in this model Result X Weighting X Importance. Therefore, the periodization of the National Teams must be planned vigilantly taking into the consideration of this RWI.

It shows that today till Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022, Malaysia could only be able to play matches of Importance of 2 i.e. Sultan Azlan Shah, Asian Champions Trophy, Asia Cup (Qualifier), test matches and invitational tournaments more than 3 teams.

Only at 2022 Asian Games & 2023 WC/2023 FIH Olympic Qualifier the importance changes to level 6. Then Malaysia needs to qualify to 2023 WC in India and need to qualify to second round (not as 2018 WC exit after first round) as you will get to play more matches and wins will give you greater points.

Looking at above details of facts, doubt the future is good for Malaysian Men’s Team unless better methodology or thinking out of box discussion and decision are made.

This is a critical predicaments but nobody is addressing this obstacles that would hinder our progress in World Hockey.

Good Luck and writing to allow hockey fraternity be well verse with the journey rather than listening all the “wayang kulit” announcements. And hope people in-charged of National Teams realize this issues and for sure they are lost or do not understand this algorithm system. Anyway, just call for tea and will give free tuition.

Reality bites and great weekend folks…

Next will be on Malaysian Women Team.

P/S - As for Commonwealth Games, there is no level of Importance given in the rankings.

MHC NATIONAL TEAM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

This Committee is crucial in the success of Malaysian Hockey Team. Therefore, the quality of selected members in this Committee will determine the progress and stock-take of the Performance Plan of various National Team.

This Committee has become merely a Public Announcement Department, announcing the names of National Teams rather than playing a bigger & important role to bring glory to Malaysia.

In my opinion, this is "How a good National Team Management Committee must be":

1. Road Map

Firstly, the Committee has to develop a clear Road Map. A roadmap is a strategic plan that defines a goal or desired outcome and includes the major steps or milestones needed to reach it. It also serves as a communication tool, a high-level document that helps articulate strategic thinking—the why—behind both the goal and the plan for getting there.

You need to be well versed with FIH World Ranking system and use this as a guide and chart the map accordingly. 

 2    Performance Plan & Training Methodology

Secondly, a detail Performance Plan of all National Teams (M&W) to be established till 2024 Paris Olympics and beyond. A great way to summarize documentation is through a performance improvement plan, which specifies your expectations for performance, establishes your definition of success, sets regular meeting with the employee to discuss their progress and explains the consequences for failing to meet and sustain improved performance

 3.       Target Settings

Target Settings is imminent facets to dictate the progress of National Teams’ performance. Previously, illogical announcement made such as Top 8 in 2018 and recently will break into Top 10 soon. It must be backed with data driven and statistical to make such an announcement.

Targets must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. By setting goals it gives a target to shoot for. This sense of direction is what allows this Committee to focus on a target and rather than waste energy shooting aimlessly, it allows you to hit your target and reach your goal.

 4.       Independent Review Committee of Experts

National Team Management Committee must initiate an Independent Review Committee of Experts that on periodical period provides the stock-take and realignment of Performance Plan and Target Settings.

Periodic review is the essential mechanism for evaluating programmes and subjects holistically at least every quarterly and yearly basis, taking a view of the quality and standards of the National Teams, allowing for external and independent confirmation.

The Experts must be former Team Managers, Coaches, Players and personnel from ISN that acts as check and balance. When Team Managers & Coaches of National Teams report are submitted, these are the Experts that will review the reports and provide a third eye solution to National Team Management Committee and thereafter to EB.

 5.       Sports Science & Technology Support

In modern sports, this 2 elements dictates the success or failure at International stage. There must be enough of Research & Development on this aspects. Learn from the European Teams and understand what they are doing and using the latest Sports and Technology on field hockey to maximum their performance output.

In order to compete with World bests, we need to be inline or better in this 2 facets and we need to move in modern times on achieving results. No longer the stop watch & whistle Coaches that could bring success at High Performance level.

 6.       Quality of International Matches

If we look at all previous successful Malaysian Hockey Team, this element was a prerequisite to attain a World Class performance.

Previously, a minimum of 40 to 50 International Matches were required to establish a good “Malaysian International Hockey Team”. The Quality of Matches is important to gauge the gap and differences in standard of play between the Top 6 and others. And most matches were played against the Top 8 Teams as this allows a great learning curve for the team.

We used to have the Germans, Dutch, Spain, India, Belgium, Pakistan, England, Australia and New Zealand visiting Malaysia during that era because they knew they could get a good quality sparring match and studying Malaysian team on the standards as on any good day Malaysia team could beat them and impose a great challenge. But recently, the gap is getting wider by day and is difficult to get a high quality match due to our standard of our current National Teams.

The Top 8 Teams believe that Malaysia is no longer a threat to World Hockey and therefore, they decided not to compete with Malaysia. Only teams that are ranked from 12 to 20 are willing to play matches with Malaysia.

Another previous success methodology, our National Junior teams and National Under 16/18 teams were well exposed in International Matches as early as possible. The maturity and experience of young future stars grew well and understands the requirements of being a good International Hockey player in years to come.                                                               

7. Liaison with NSC & ISN  

These two Agencies are important in the preparation on National Teams. NSC provides the Program Management aspect including funding and other support. ISN provides the Performance Management aspect of National players. The National Team Management Committee must have a road map with Performance Plan and Target Settings in placed prior to communicating with this 2 Agencies. And the commitment and implementation must be done a minimum of 4 years i.e. a Olympic Cycle rather than on a yearly basis currently done.

Conclusion:

If the National Team Management Committee could take the above 7 key points, then this Committee will be a well functioned and achieve the desirable results by lifting up the ranking of our National Teams and the Teams will be better prepared and consistently qualifies to Olympics, World Cup and Junior World Cups. 

But to do that, this Committee has to get the right person in the right position who has the required modern International hockey knowledge. Sorry to say, the current composition could not comprehend the required details. It will be a stagnant Committee if no changes are addressed and it will reflect in the results of the National Teams.

And the Article 40 of the Constitution must be expanded further as currently limited to liaison role with stakeholders.

Small advice to the new Team Manager that it is only proper to resign as the Deputy Chairman of National Team Management Committee due to conflict of interest as the Jury & Judge cannot be represented by the same person. Attend based on Invitation.

Also all other Committees (National Team Management Committee will be the next to host Bengkel) has undergone a “bengkel/workshop” which is a waste of time exercise and in modern way is a Town Hall session and getting the right audience or experts to argue and provide solution to move ahead.

Malaysian public wants to know the Performance Plan and Targets of each National Teams when any announcement made not the team list of Teams. 

Hope in next PC, better and real details are given out to Malaysian public as the sports is belong to its Nation and Rakyat.

Good Luck…

SULTAN AZLAN SHAH HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

 

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is an annual invitational international men's field hockey tournament held in Malaysia. It began in 1983 as a biennial contest. The tournament became an annual event after 1998, following its growth and popularity. The tournament is named after the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, Sultan Azlan Shah, and an avid fan of field hockey.

Since 2007 the tournament has been held at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Perak. Kuala Lumpur and Penang have also hosted the tournament. This event is the longest serving Invitational International Hockey Tournament in Malaysia and Asia region.

Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah was the contemporary face of Asian & World Hockey, his very name evoking a series of emotions that enrich and embellish the sport he has graced for a large part of his life.

Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah mooted this event due to Malaysian Hockey Team lack the International exposure and quality matches. Almarhum wanted the standard of this annual event to match or to be better than the FIH Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament.

I played in 9 editions and had a chance to be Organising Secretary of this event. During meetings, Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah always reminded us on the following:

-   Minimum 3 Asian Teams must be invited to boost and assist the development of Asian Teams

-    To invite the best 2 Teams from Europe – minimum top 6 in World Hockey

-    Another 2 slots invite teams from Oceania & Pan Am but must be top 10

-    Quality of event & Teams/Players needs must be at optimum level

-   A gift of World Class Hockey Tournament to the Rakyat of Malaysia as part of his Birthday Celebration. Therefore, the standards for on and off the field organisational must not have any hiccups and the benchmark of this event gets higher over the years.

It shows that Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah intends to keep this event a most prestigious and popular Men’s International Hockey Tournament in the World.

But currently, is sad that this event is going through a turbulence and even for the 2021 edition, many facets of the event is not finalised.

Two most important facets is “The Date of Event” and “Invitation of Teams”. If you get this two facets right, then the event will be successful. As we all know that this year’s edition was first postponed from April to September and then cancelled. Question – since then what did the Organisers do to plan for the next year’s edition? And if possible maintain 7 Nation rather than 6, it allows more quality international matches.

Due to Covid19, you must understand that 2 years calendar will be cramped into next year. Therefore, the two facets should be already sorted out long time ago.

Look at Sultan of Johor Cup, the Organiser has confirmed their dates for next year and got the FIH/AHF to approve it with provisional and confirmed teams to play in the event.

You must now work on 2 years cycle rather than year.

Currently, realized that there is no cohesion between MHC and AHF and FIH. Previously, there was a very tight of partnership between them to assist and grow this sports in Malaysia, Asia and World region. But this is a crucial missing link in current administration and it will have a direct and indirect impact on many facets in Malaysian hockey.

Back to 2021 SASC, read the news and National Coach suggested to MHC to host in June 2021. My friend, have you have to study and  understand the World Hockey Calendar before suggesting the dates unless you wanted weak teams to participate and sustain your position. Remember don’t disregard the ideas and intention of Alamarhum Sultan Azlan Shah of mooting this event.

Suggestions – put the available months (taking into consideration of FIH/AHF events) then put a provisional confirmed teams that has agreed to participate. With this two available informations and then make the decision. Simple and straightforward but question - do you have the contacts to get the top teams here...

In June you decided with the thinking that many Olympic teams will stop by in Malaysia before heading for Olympics in Tokyo since in Asia and due to weather conditions. In normal circumstances, in final stage of preparation the conditioning is critical and avoiding injury is key. The top teams are not concerned about participating because they are actively playing in FIH Pro League Season 2 and Domestic events and Continental Championship. 

But you must understand a critical element in next year SASC that for a first time this event will have the world ranking system in play based on algorithm.

I believe you all do not understand the tabulation of new FIH World Ranking system, please read here – https://stickwithmike.blogspot.com/2020/07/new-fih-world-ranking-points-model.html

I have the best dates to organise it but…

One another chapter, Malaysian hockey fraternity would like to hear on the National Team’s Performance Plan for the coming years heading towards 2022 Asian Games and 2024 Olympic rather than your naming of National Team after the low quality TARC2020. Even MHC said will be top 10 but where is the basis of this journey. 

The long list you may include new youngsters but I bet you when you name the final squad the list will be the same as before. We are depleting in talent badly across the board. Keep your media presence low and let your job speaks. Similarly, so much of hype then too just like now, no desirable results in 2014 Asian Games & failed in 2015 Jnr Asia Cup and JWC. Anyway the "TRIO" are back to save Malaysian hockey - it may be the final nail on the coffin and it will be beyond recovery for Malaysian hockey.

Today is the 1^st October – mana NHDP Launching? Big press announcement – THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) welcome private clubs to be part of their National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP), which will be launched on Oct 1 - https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2020/09/624134/nhdp-open-private-clubs

And after reading the AHF Calendar, Nasihin/Lailin team need to come up with detail plan as back to back events - W Jnr Asia Cup in March, W Asian Champion Trophy in March/April and Sukma in early April. So how the Project 2026 and amalgamation of one Women Team (Senior & Junior) with also using the W ACT as an exposure for W Jnr Asia Cup now in chaos as ACT comes after Jnr Asia Cup. A serious and urgent re-modelling must be a priority. 

After EB Meeting, no any major announcement and lack the "real-hype" of clarity of information, without new innovative ideas and direction of the sports.

Honestly, the way the Sultan Azlan Hockey event is organised doesn’t meet the Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah standards and requirements. Very sad and hope this event would continue his legacy.

To PHA, you need to work well and get proper advice on how to organise this Annual SASC at its best and not just fulfilling the Calendar. First priority, get your Dates & Teams right, you will perfectly sail.