THE UNSUNG HERO - MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY OFFICIAL – LT COL (R) B MUTHUKUMAR

LT COL (R) MUTHUKUMAR - FAR RIGHT
2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

Retired LT COL B Muthukumar is one of the rare breed that has served Malaysian & International Hockey over many decades as a player, Umpire, Judge, Technical Officer (TO) and Tournament Directors in both field & indoor hockey.

He is one of the few that has completed a cycle from a player to Official at Malaysia, Asia & FIH level. 

He showed & lead an exemplary of every Malaysian Hockey Officials that we have the capability to serve at International arena. He was our hockey official ambassador at Asia & World hockey tournaments. 

In 1978, Muthukumar played for Armed Forces hockey team, thereafter he took up Umpiring and attained International status in 1992. He blew many key domestic events such as MHL, Razak Cup, SUKMA & age group tournaments.

In 1996, he achieved his International Umpiring Grade 1. He umpired in few Sultan Azlan Shah Cups, 1993 Asia Cup, Indra-Gandhi Memorial Cup and World Masters & Senior Masters. He retired from International Umpiring in 2002.

Then he still believes that he could contribute more and that didn’t stop his retirement. Then he decided to pursue in Technical aspects of the game. His first major International event as an Official was being appointed as a Judge in 2007 FIH Champions Trophy in KL.

Thereafter, he grew in stature at Asia & International level and nothing could stop his achievements - Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world…

His notable achievements as an Officials at International arena are as follows:

Tournament/Technical Director (TD)

-          2^nd Asian Champions Trophy 2012

-          6^th Men’s Indoor Asia Cup 2015

-          Boys U18 Asia Cup

-          Assistant TD in 2018 Asian Games

-          ATD in Hockey India League (HIL)  

Technical Official (TO)

-          2016 Rio Olympics

-          2014 Men’s World Cup

-          17^th Asian Games 2014

-          16^th Asian Games 2010

Note: He was also appointed in many domestic tournaments as TD and TO. He also has served as a Chairman of MHC Umpires Committee.

The Lucky One!

Being a successful Official at International arena, he had the following criteria's:

• Proficient knowledge and consistent application of the relevant rules and regulations;

• The skills required to perform their roles effectively, and ensure adequate preparation;

• Maintain a professional attitude and have a calm conduct under pressure;

• Demonstrate a mutually respectful attitude towards all those involved;

• Build good working relationships with all stakeholders;

• Keep confidential any information entrusted to them as a result of their role;

• Enjoy all aspects of an event.

His mantra was always “Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular”. He stood & served well in Malaysian & International level.

Hockey has been in his blood for many years but it is sad that he has announced his retirement as an Official at International level on 12 July this year.

After Muthukumar in 2016 Rio Olympics, there is no any other Malaysian Officials nominated at recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics & 2018 Mens Hockey World Cup.

As of today, there is no Malaysian in Olympic Panel & Pro League Panel. The highest Malaysian Officials at International arena are as below:

Men:

Olympic Panel – None

Pro League Panel – None

International Elite – Brian Fernandez & Daljit Singh

Advancement Panel – Nesan

International Panel – Norazmi & Jusvir Singh

Women:

Olympic Panel – None

Pro League Panel – None

International Elite – None

Advancement Panel – None

International Panel – Nor Akma

There is 5 Men Officials out of overall 63 Officials and 1 Women Officials out of 72 at International level. This data shows where we are in International level compared to other top playing hockey nations.

Honestly, we hope that Muthukumar would not be the last person that served at Olympic & World Cup level. 

But seeing the current data, the gap is very wide and it will be a tough challenge for any Malaysian to emulate Muthukumar’s milestone of achievements. 

We have to accept the reality as we are losing the competitive edge at World Hockey in terms of all aspects of the game.

Games give you a chance to excel, and if you're playing in good company you don't even mind if you lose because you had the enjoyment of the company during the course of the game…

Happy Retirement Lt Col (Rtd) B Muthukumar -Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone…

Enjoy your time with your loved ones and we wish you the very best in your endeavors…

With that, the stickwithmike would like to bestow on Lt Col (R) Muthukumar Balakrishnan the title of “THE UNSUNG HERO - MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL”

Stay safe always…