TNBMHL 2021
Firstly, it was organised under buble methodology due to pandemic. Well done to the Organiser for having a successful event.
But as former international, I'm interested in the quality and outcome of the MHL i.e. standard & performance of Teams & Players and Coaches and foreseeing the future of the Malaysian hockey.
There is no doubt that the quality & standard of League will dictate the quality of National Teams - Senior and Junior.
After watching EHL and FIH Pro League this morning - Ger vs Arg, our standard of hockey is far far away and the gap is getting too wide with best teams in the world. Germany has turn around their team with injecting many youth and new coaching style of play and very effective.
Normally, after every MHL, there should be a post-mortem not to address the organisation aspect (we are known for best in organising events) but on how to improve the quality and increasing the domestic competitiveness to churn high quality international players, Coaches, TO and Umpires.
There must be new innovative ideas on how to enhance the League standards in which would be close to EHL standards. Might be privatising the League could be a good idea but this idea needs proper brainstorming and defining the duties and responsibilities between parties is a prerequisite prior to privatision.
On Coaching segment of MHL teams, there is a need for this Coaches to be updated with latest training methodology and modern hockey of play with sports science and usage of technology to make informed and real time decision. Most Coaches are playing the similar tactical and structure from start till the end of the League. This Coaches needs more exposure and Courses conducted by top renowned coaches.
The glaring tactical issues during MHL:
1. Lack the idea in PC Attack
2. No variation in structural of play in each match
3. Most teams lack depth in bench
4. Goalkeeping aspect still poor
5. Similar play in all 4 quarters
6. No sheet on rolling subs timing
7. Depended too much on National Senior players to perform
8. Fitness strength was poor even with enough rest between matches - online fitness program in doubt.
9. Some players are overweight
10. 2021 Junior players unfit and most players played below par
11. Most teams played the same structure and pattern which easy to counter and not many of variations was implemented.
Overall the big top 4 - THT, UniKL, TNB and Maybank overides the poor bottom 4 teams - NurInsafi, UiTM, Sabah and TNB Thunderbolt who are just participating with most unwanted and recycled players without any proper long term targets and success.
Even at women segments, the gap is too wide between teams and which 2 teams PKS Uniten & UniKL are dominant due to engaging 7-9 National players. Women League needs a total overhaul and proper short and long-term approach.
The Organiser needs to:
1. Post-mortem - on quality and future
2. Rules - no away goal decision if playing same venue
3. More new teams - tough as we lack large pool of talented players anymore
4. Video Referral at Charity Shield and League
5. More matches at League level min 2 rounds
6. Reduce Foreign players to allow priority given to local talent
8. More Teams must give employment rather than playing contracts to stir the interest of other young players to play in MHL.
9. Quality & Pool of Umpires need to be enhanced and only about 6-8 good umpires we have at this juncture.
10. There is a need for MHL Div 2 to be the incubator and a stepping stone for small clubs to grow.
11. To have defined dates of MHL for 2022 & 2023 for teams to be well prepared and managing their budget & sponsorship.
12. Certain teams do not deserve to play in Premier League due to lack of competitiveness.
We hope the Organiser would take some suggestions and move forward to make our Malaysian Hockey League as one of the best Leagues in World hockey.
To be honest, we are ranked 11th but it doesn't reflect in the quality & standards of our Malaysian Hockey League.
All stakeholders must look into these matters with an open heart with the interest of the sports and not personal vendetta or get's upset with my writing as the sports belongs to our Nation and it's people.
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MHL will deteriorate further if there are no changes in the development structure of youth hockey players. A total change from talent detection and development at the youth level must be done.
ReplyDeleteThe world has embraced digital technology and today's youths are more interested in e-sports as their leisure activity. The prolonged pandemic had halted youths physical activities but rapidly increased their time on digital platforms i.e.e-sports, video games etc.
The anomalies I see in the MHL are two teams from the title sponsor, teams with financial muscle rule the game and a directionless league.
Without any doubt, Unikl stunned the academic world with their financial muscle to buy foreign players and national players to win the MHL titles,sadly, without any of their students being part of the team.
Finally, Unikl has joined the illustrious list of past champions that have shuttered their door to MHL i.e.RMR, YNS, Sapura, KLHC etc. And I foresee the list to grow in time if there are no changes in sight.
Thank You.