*Malaysian Hockey - What's Next? Big Storm Waiting Ahead*
Maninderjit Singh (Mike)
Former International & Sec Gen of MHC
After the disband announcement for which many are seeking what is after this decision. The MHC had the election for next term before the FIH Olympics Qualification and not many changes in the Executive Board (Office Bearers for 24/27) and as for the President it will be his last term constitutionally as max 3 terms.
Few weeks ago, all the Chairman of portfolios were announced and still pending the first Executive Board meeting (most likely soon) to endorse many decisions.
For sure the spotlight will be on the Coaching Committee. Many will wait and see whether something different and better methodology will be used to appoint Coaches for the short-term and long-term targets as we know the following events are critical such as:
- Sultan Azlan Shah Cup & FIH Nations Cup in 3 months time. Lucky for Women no events.
- AHF Junior Asia Cup in December
- Sea Games - 2025 Thailand 2027 Msia
- Asian Games - 2026 Nagoya 2028 Doha
- CG 2026 & 2028
- JWC 2025, 2027 & 2029
- FIH World Cup Qualification in Jan 2026
- FIH Olympics Qualification in Jan 2028
- FIH Mens World Cup in 2026 hosted by Ned & Belgium - will write soon on the system of qualification
- 2028 LA Olympics & 2032 Brisbane Olympics
- Indoor WC & AHF Cup
- Hockey 5s cycle
- Annual Sultan Johor Cup
- We need to play in FIH Pro League in years to come when the team is at the strongest point. If you realise all Pro League teams qualified for Olympics because their level is extraordinary compared to team ranked 11 and above.
Therefore, what we do now and what decision will have direct repercussions on the results to come and where we stand in world hockey for men & women at all levels.
Back to the key topic - Coaching Committee.
My view and suggestions.
The composition of CC - max 6 members:
- Chairman, 1 Former Coach (who knows modern game), 1 Former International (strong knowledge about world hockey), 1 Sports Scientist (manage periodization plan), 1 Coach Educator (review latest syllabus & calendar of courses locally with FIH Courses) & 1 Technology Officer and add on the following as ex-officio:
- Chairman of National Team Management, TD of NHDP, Head of MSSM, Head of Sports University, Principal of National Sports School & Coaches.
- A working Sec to be appointed to manage the administrative and reporting aspects.
On the suggestion of National Teams setup, my view the following must be done:
- New National Senior Team - players below 25 is a priority and few seniors for Nagoya as many are above 30 not to be considered.
- Women is a young team - Nagoya 2026 and the only issue is a high turnover after marriages and child birth and lack of good young Coaches for long-term.
- Must established Senior Team B (Development Squad) as there 35 players from 2016, 2021 & 2023 JWC teams must be called in to be part of this team to impose some competitive edge to Senior A team.
- Project Squads for both M&W as follows:
2025 JWC - players age 19 - Full time
2027 JWC players age 17 - Quarterly for this year but next year fulltime
2029 JWC players age 15 - Kem Bakat & Holiday Camps
- Indoor - must be full time as we could qualify to FIH Indoor WC as 2 slots for Asia and we can beat Kazakhstan as Iran is tough. Also Sea Games there are medals contention.
- H5s - 2 months before the event.
LA Olympics my view we would not qualify there because US has taken a slot - the composition 1 Host, 5 Continental Champions left 6 slots and when a minnows host Olympics our chances is very narrow and best best is 2032 Brisbane Olympics but what we do know is important. We need 6-8 years plan to close the gap as last 9 years damage is too big and even some say that we are in a state of "beyond repair"
Q - We need the following number of Coaches based on the above plan:
- Outdoor - 5 Teams x M & W - 20 Coaches
- Indoor - 2 Teams - 4 Coaches
- H5s - 2 Teams - 4 Coaches
Additional need 4 dedicated Goalkeeper Coaches.
Technically - need over all 32 Coaches. But for the last 9 years no Coaching Development was done to expose young talented Coaches to understand International Hockey and currently we lack good local Coaches with International knowledge because we were too dependent on foreign experts for too long and no transfer of knowledge from foreign to local to spearhead the future
The selection of Coaches my suggestion:
- By a panel which is independent to shortlist candidates and recommend to CC
- Allocation of Budget - define salaries and contracts
- Terms of Contract & KPI of Coaches must be binding and burden & equitable payment must be included - not after making money after 2/3 years and say thank you for the benefits without progress and achievement.
- Selected Candidates to provide brief idea in writing of their Action Plan to achieve the Master Plan objectives.
- Conduct Open Interview - Local Application as no need for Foreign
- Panel recommends Coaches on a ranking basis
The panel must look at the following criteria in the selection process:
- Publish the Criteria on Website & Social Media - everyone must be given a chance not hand picked.
The key prerequisite for selection:
- FIH Level Qualification
- Sports Science Qualification
- Experience - 5-10 years and must have handled National Team
- Success Profile - List of Achievement & weighted based on handling National Teams
- Technology - know how & experience
- Tactical & Training Methodology - state the adapted and current taking account of changing phases of hockey
- Working Experience with Support Team - Conditioning, Strength, Sports Scientist, Tech, Dietician & Psychologist.
We really hope that the right person in the right position is appointed and wishing all the stakeholders the very best in your appointment and there are big challenges ahead awaiting but all hockey fraternity is watching closely what steps are taken and what need ideas are to be implemented.
Have a great weekend folks.
Thanks for your undivided support and reading my blog as often as possible and apology as I have not been writing for a while except for tweeting when time permits.
God bless Malaysian Hockey and Godspeed...
*Maninderjit Singh (Mike)*
*Former International & Sec Gen of MHC*
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