Malaysian Hockey - Adapt or Be left Behind by K.Enbaraj

K Enbaraj is a former Malaysian international field hockey player known for his strong defensive play and powerful penalty corner hitting during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was one of Malaysia’s top penalty corner specialists, earning respect both domestically and internationally for his striking ability. 

In summary, K. Enbaraj is respected in Malaysian hockey history as a former national team stalwart, penalty corner expert, club player, coach, and contributor to coach development.

Please read his honest view on Malaysian Hockey as stated below...

Malaysian Hockey - Adapt or Be left Behind 

By K.Enbaraj

The future of Malaysian hockey is increasingly uncertain. While many factors contribute to this decline, the most critical—and least confronted issue is the player profile we are producing today.

Modern hockey, especially on artificial turf, is a game built on speed, power, and explosiveness. At the highest level, players rely heavily on fast-twitch muscle fibres, commonly linked to the ACTN3 gene. These fibres enable rapid acceleration, repeated sprinting, sharp directional changes, and high-intensity actions that define elite performance in today’s game.

For nearly two decades, Malaysia benefitted from a generation of players shaped not by sophisticated systems, but by their environment. Unstructured outdoor play, walking or running long distances, informal games, and physically demanding daily routines naturally developed movement efficiency, coordination, resilience, and explosive athletic traits. Many of these players arrived at formal hockey training already physically primed.

That reality no longer exists.

Covid-19 accelerated a shift that was already underway. Childhood has become increasingly sedentary. Screens have replaced physical play, social media has replaced social interaction, and video games have replaced spontaneous movement. Children today move less, sit more, and are exposed to structured sport later—often with weaker physical foundations and reduced movement literacy.

Yet, despite this profound environmental change, our player development systems remain largely unchanged.

We continue to train as if children still arrive with natural speed and explosiveness. We select players based on outdated physical benchmarks. We prioritise competition over development and expect coaching to compensate for years of lost movement exposure. In short, we are preparing players for a game that no longer exists, using methods designed for a generation that has disappeared.

This disconnect has consequences. At international level, Malaysian players struggle to match the repeated sprint ability, physical intensity, and explosiveness of top nations. The gap is not merely technique, tactical or technical—it is biological, developmental, and systemic.

If Malaysian hockey is to remain competitive, we must confront uncomfortable truths. Talent identification must evolve. Long-term athlete development models must be rewritten. Physical literacy, movement quality, and neuromuscular development must begin earlier and be prioritised over early results. Coaching education must reflect modern sport science, not tradition.

The global game is becoming faster, stronger, and more unforgiving. Without acknowledging how the modern environment has reshaped our athletes—and without adapting accordingly—Malaysian hockey will not merely fall behind. It risks becoming irrelevant.

Happy New Year! 

Thank You

K Enbaraj

Malaysian Hockey - Currently - Where are we in World Hockey Map with stocktaking of the last 2-3 years performance at all levels and what is in store for 2026 onwards… By Maninderjit Singh (Mike) – Former International & Sec Gen of MHC and FIH Think Tank

Happy New Year 2026 to all my ardent readers and supporters. Firstly apology for not been writing as often as possible since busy with work, family, broadcasting life and managing the Persatuan Veteran Hoki Sultan Ahmad Shah above 50 for the Asia Cup 2025 in Hong Kong and for the first time ever in the history we became the ASIA CHAMPIONS! What a satisfaction & honor to be part of this team.

CHAMPION OF ASIA - HISTORICAL MILESTONE ACHIEVED
- A TRULY MALAYSIAN TEAM

Anyway for everyone’s knowledge that I would not be involved as withdraw from managing the above 50 for the WMH Rotterdam World Cup 2026 in July 2026 as no clarity of support from the Association and its not proper that the financial burden is carried by the players and it will create the similar dilemma as the good player couldn’t afford but the average players makes it as he could afford it, with that, to get a medal in WMH 2026 will be tough, therefore if I am involved my objective is to achieve podium finish as that is always been my way of life in hockey – no nonsense but results oriented personality.

Okay let’s get back to our original topic of the day…

After the failure to many Olympics, when the new changes were made with the hope that we would achieve some prominent results in World Hockey, but in my view as stated below:

Olympics

Last Olympic Malaysia played was in Sydney 2000 – and failed 6 cycles

As for the LA28 – I would officially announced that we would not qualify after reading the qualification process as announced by IOC – Olympic is an IOC product and not belong to FIH as many were voicing about the quota and fairness in the qualification whenever we fail to be Olympics.

Heard that for 2032 Brisbane Olympics – the teams will be reduced from 12 to 10.

World Cups - 2014, 2018 & 2023

Here’s a summary of Malaysia’s men’s national field hockey team (Speedy Tigers) performances at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2014, 2018 and 2023:

Hockey World Cup 2014 — The Hague, Netherlands

Malaysia finished last place 12th place in the tournament but credit must be given because qualified after failing to qualify for 2006 & 2010 WC and FIH maintained 12 teams WC.

Hockey World Cup 2018 — Bhubaneswar, India

Malaysia finished second last 15th place among the 16 teams. Lucky to qualify because FIH expanded from 12 to 16 teams but we finished 2^nd last – first team to arrive and came back in 4 days back home.

Hockey World Cup 2023 — Bhubaneswar & Rourkela, India

Technically, Malaysia finished second last too at 13th place because no classification matches for 13-16 position and its joint at 13 & 15 with 2 teams each. Lucky to qualify because FIH expanded from 12 to 16 teams – if 12 teams WC, Malaysia would not be playing in Olympics and World Cups too.

*as for Women Hockey – we would never qualify for Olympics and World Cup with our current strength and plans. Good for Sea Games and finishing at 5^th In Asia Games and now with FIH expanded Junior World Cup from 16 to 24 teams – Malaysia Junior qualified for 2025 JWC but ended number 22 out of 24 teams.

Men’s Junior World Cup – 2016, 2021, 2023 & 2025

2016 Junior World Cup – Malaysian Junior failed to qualify via Jr Asia Cup and thanks to Pakistan Juniors pulled out and Malaysian Juniors got the wild card to participate.

Malaysia finished 11th place at the 2016 Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in Lucknow, India.

 

2021 Junior World Cup

At the 2021 Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, Malaysia finished 8th place. Due to COVID19 – many top teams pulled out – ENG, AUS, NZ etc…

2023 Junior World Cup

Malaysia hosted the 2023 Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in Kuala Lumpur (5–16 Dec).

As hosts, Malaysia competed in the tournament. According to historical results, they finished 12th among 16 teams.

 

2025 Junior World Cup – worst ever position No13.

At the 2025 Junior World Cup in India (Tamil Nadu), Malaysia finished 13th place after the classification matches, including a penalty shootout win over Japan.

 

As for the Asia Continental Championship – our latest results:

 

Asian Games 2022

Finished worst ever No 6 placing

 

Asia Champion Trophy 2024

No 6 – last placing of 6 teams

 

Last 3 Junior Asia Cup event results:

2015 – No 5

2023 – No 4

2024 – No 4

 

Other Results

FIH Nation Cup

2024 – no 7^th of 8^th – second last in Poland

2025 – in KL finished no 6 out of 8 teams – 2^nd last

 

Last 2 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – no podium achievements

2024 – Finished 4^th out of 6

2025 – Finished 4^th out of 6

 

Last 3 Sultan Johor Cup U21 – no podium achievements

2023 – Finished 7^th of 8 teams

2024 – Finished 6th out of 6

2025 – Finished 5th out of 6

The 2024 Men's Asian Champions Trophy

Malaysia finished last - 6th of 6 teams

Sea Games

In our books in our playing days- we use to call this games “The Mickey Mouse tournament and Goodwill Games” based on Asean spirit. But today Sea Games results sounds like winning a medal at World Hockey level. Those days – U18 team will play with 4 or 5 senior players to win the Gold.

This recent Sea Games 2025 – should get 6 Gold Medals but came back with 3 only. Interesting to read in Media, when fail to deliver we give full of excuses but why didn't all these excuses were laid and taken into account before promising a Gold Medal. 

 Indoor Hockey Results

FIH provided 2 slots for Asia rather than 1 slot as previously and Iran always take this one slot – and Malaysia qualified for 2025 Croatia Indoor WC

2025 Indoor WC – finished 2^nd last 11^th of 12 teams by beating Trinidad & Tobago

Lost 2 Sea Games gold Medals in 2023 & 2025 is an unacceptable

 

Hockey5s

My view – it’s an complementary and exhibition hockey sports – it will not be sustainable in years to come as IOC were planning to replace field hockey to Hockey5s but the idea was shot down many years ago.

 

Our Domestic Competition – like MHL/JHL/SUKMA/Razak Cup

To be honest after seeing and doing a comparison of the other top playing Nations – firstly their Calendar is fixed and managed at least one Olympic Cycles (4years) and their quality and standards are way to high compare to ours.

 

In summary – domestic competitions dictates the quality of our current National Teams.

  Overall Performance for 2024 & 2025

Will give 3 out of 10 points. Firstly, we are no longer in World Hockey Map – playing in Olympics and finishing top 10 in World Cups. We are only qualifying to World Cup either Senior of Junior due to FIH expanded the number of teams over the years – no longer the best 12 Teams for FIH Competition – now 16 for World Cup and 24 for JWC.

 

The real indicators of World Hockey is to play in FIH Pro League – that is the real facts on the actual standard – even Pakistan is struggling to perform.

 

In Asia – only India could compete against the World best – the rest like Korea, Japan, Malaysia, China & Pakistan are far away from World Hockey standards.

 

Even Wales & China could beat us nowadays. Scotland, Chile & Austria may be the next forces that could get a win against us soon.

 

Our Rankings has dropped to 15 in June this year and now seating at no 13. May drop further if we don’t get the reasonable results in 2026 competitions.

What are the important tournaments in 2026?

Senior Team – Road to 2026 WC & LA28 Olympics

-      2026 FIH World Cup Qualifying Round in March 2026 – Ismalia, Egypt to host. Our Group will be GRP B with Pak, China and Austria – top 2 to SF and may meet Eng/Japan – will write soon on our chances.

-    2026 World Cup – Belgium & Holland in August 2026

-    2026 Asian Games – Nagoya – September

-    FIH Nation Cup – TBC – may be in Europe and in June

-    Asian Champions Trophy – TBC

-    Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2026

 

LA28 – will write a separate piece but no chance for Malaysian hockey to qualify – two doors to LA28 - the easier door is to win Gold in the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games but beating India outside India is very tough and the rising stars like Japan & China is doing well with their International programs with Pakistan playing in Pro League and the dark horse Korea where Malaysia lost to Korea back to back in recent competition doesn’t augur well. First have to be in Finals and then the slot….2^nd Door is shut for us – based on new format approved by IOC.

 

Junior Team

-          Junior Asia Cup – Top 6 to qualify for 2027 Junior World Cup – TBC

-          Sultan of Johor Cup 2026

 

Asia Cup U18 – Japan

-          Will be held in June in Kakamigahara

 

Indoor Asia Cup 2026 – Qualifying Round to FIH Indoor World Cup 2027 – TBC- Top 2 qualifies – with Kazak and Indo on the rise – we may not make it to next Indoor WC.

Wishing everyone the very best – especially all the stakeholders in hockey and to the fans don’t sip into the perception facts, when you understand the World Hockey, then we will realized the actual situation and the real standards where we are in world hockey map – from World we dropped to Asia and struggling there too at Asia level to achieve podium and when at Sea Games we promised 6 Golds but failed miserably. 

Anyway – nothing personal, just concern as Former International who wants Malaysia to be on World Hockey map in years to come but looking at it will end with this famous statement - Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Happy New Year Everyone and have a blessed New Year ahead…

Hope you enjoyed the above readings - and one thing you have to do is to analyze - are we on track to qualify for LA28 Olympics and finishing top 10 at World Cup stages - Senior or Junior level or go down further in World Hockey map. As for Indoor WC 2026 we will remain at 10 or 11 but can we qualify, and for JWC27 we will also qualify - 24 teams but where we will finish? 

Godspeed...

MANINDERJIT SINGH (MIKE) - FORMER OLYMPIAN & WORLD CUPPER

By Maninderjit Singh (Mike) – 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Detail Information* *Malaysian Men’s Hockey Journey and the probability of which teams we will face and the grouping?*

Warm Greetings to all my ardent supporters and readers. Been busy and with some time now, and also many people asking me on the chances and how the qualification system work, so decided to pen my views on the Malaysian Men’s Hockey Team journey to 2026 World Cup and providing the processes and facts.

The FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 will consist of 16 teams. We are lucky as not 12 teams like Olympics and thanks to FIH for expansion from 12 to 16 since 2018 World Cup but this format was used as trial for 2002 KL World Cup. If 12 teams World Cup, we do not have a chance to play, but even with 16, the obstacles and the challengers are quite tough but all depends on the grouping.

The 16 teams are divided by the following quotas and who have qualified:

2 Host – Belgium & Netherlands

2 Pro League – Australia & Spain

5 Continental – India Germany Argentina New Zealand and left last Continental event – African Cup 2025 next month and South Africa will steal that slot.

– more important is the FIH WC Qualifiers where the balance 7 slots.

Let’s zoom in more for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers as this event will be the decider for Malaysian Men hockey team.

There will be 2 (two) FIH Hockey World Cup Qualification Tournaments, consisting of eight (8) teams each (16 teams in total), held in early 2026.

The 16 Teams, in my view are the followings after doing some research and taking certain assumptions with world ranking calculations for African Cup 2025 next month and 3 best matches between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The allocation of the teams for both Tournaments will be based on the FIH World Rankings on 19 October 2025, the day after the last Continental Qualifier. My Seedings on the 16 Teams based on rankings are as below:

1England 2. France 3. Ireland 4. Malaysia 5. Pakistan 6. Korea 7. Wales 8. Egypt 9. Japan 10. Scotland 11. Canada 12. Austria 13. China 14. Poland 15. Chile 16. US

How they will distribute the above 16 teams into 2 venues of 8 Teams

Even pending 2 more events – African Cup 2025 & best of 3 Matches Pak vs Bangladesh, did some calculations and the impact on the seeding is very minimal and the assumption detail below is close to 95% accurate:

– it will be based on a snake system and the teams ranking order of 16 teams in the FIH World Cup Qualification Tournaments will be as follow:

Tournament A 1 Eng, 4 Msia, 5 Pakistan, 8 Egypt, 9 Japan, 12 Austria, 13 China, 16 US

Tournament B 2 France, 3 Ireland, 6 Korea, 7 Wales, 10 Scotland, 11 Canada, 14 Poland, 15 Chile

Then we break it to the pools as follows:

Tournament A will be in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia got the bid to host one of the WC Qualifiers and Tournament B will be announced soon by FIH:

*IN KL Tournament A grouping will be:*

Grp A – Eng Egypt Jpn US

Grp B – Msia Pak Austria China

*Tournament B (Host yet TBA) grouping will be:*

Grp A – France Wales Scotland Chile

Grp B – Ireland Korea Canada Poland

The tournament format will be as follows:

• Two (2) pools of four (4) teams each;

• Semi-Final will be played by the top two (2) teams from each pool;

• Team not qualified to the semi-finals will play classification matches from 5-8

Note 1: If the 2 hosts are allocated by the snake system to participate in the same tournament, then

the lower ranked of the two hosts will be swapped into the other tournament with the equivalent ranked team allocated to the other tournament.

*How the 7 Teams will be decided that will qualify to 2026 WC with 2 venues:*

• Winners of the Semi-Finals are qualified to the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026

• Winners of the Bronze medal matches are qualified to the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026

• The highest World Ranked team (at midnight on the final day of the qualification tournaments) that finishes in 4th place in each Event will also qualify to the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026

Will write our chances as we get nearer to the event – next assignment for Malaysian Men is 6 warm up matches and Sultan Azlan Shah in Nov 2025 and whereas our Junior Team just came back from China (went twice) and will be playing in Sultan of Johor Cup early next month and thereafter Junior World Cup Nov/Dec in India.

As for Women we qualified to play in World Cup Qualifier but my view its more of exposure and slim chance. Even our Junior World Women team will play in the Junior World Cup – thanks to FIH for the expansion of number of teams from 16 to 24 which I disagree as the competitive edge between top 15 and others are in a big gap and it will be a high goal scoring tournament and some teams will face humiliation and worried the government may reduce their support to the results obtained.

So okay guys, thanks again for being my loyal reader – till my next article – all the best and stay healthy always!

Signing Off…

*Maninderjit Singh (Mike) – 2 Olympics and 2 World Cups with twice Asian All Stars**Former Malaysian Hockey International & Secretary General of MHC/MHF, Member of FIH Think Tank Committee*

BY MANINDERJIT SINGH (MIKE) ROAD TO FIH MEN'S WORLD CUP 2026 – UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESSES & MALAYSIAN HOCKEY CHANCES

Warm Greetings to all my ardent readers and hockey supporters in Malaysia and the rest of the world. Been busy involved with Astro broadcasting team for the recent FIH Nation Cup in Kuala Lumpur and hope everyone enjoyed our insights and analysis on the tournament. It was well organized and well done to those involved.

There was a lot of confusion and explanation about the Road to Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, therefore, I have decided to pen down the detail understanding of the processes and also provided some assumptions on the probable teams and their chances.

Let’s start…..

The 2026 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup will be the 16th edition of the Men's FIH Hockey World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's national field hockey teams organized by the International Hockey Federation. It will be held from 14 to 30 August 2026 in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands.

The Malaysian Women Team would not have any chance to qualify - even at FIH Nation Cup 2 (Tier 3 International event after Pro League & Nation Cup 1) in Poland, we managed to secure 7^th place out of 8 teams – generally we may play in the Qualifiers and to make it, the chances are very very very slim….Thats the reality.

Let’s discuss about the Malaysian Men’s Hockey – Road to World Cup 2026. Many hockey fans and stakeholders with former international has spoken and provided solutions of the current predicaments of Malaysian Hockey Team. Some are good and some are bad, some are happy and some are not happy. Ok keep this discussion away and let’s zoom in to the Road to 2026 FIH World Cup – crucial 7 months.

If it’s a 12 Teams as many years ago – Malaysia Hockey can say Goodbye and we must say thanks to FIH for expanding the number of teams – 16 Teams since last 3 World Cups since 2018. Our results we finished second last in all 3 editions 2014, 2018 and 2023 FIH World Cup. Best Finish in 1975 no 4 and in 2002 no 8. These are the 2 best positions achieved in the last 15 World Cups editions.  

The Breakdown of the 16 Teams, see below the image for the explanation:

2 Host – Netherlands & Belgium

2 Pro League - Australia & one more by 30^th June – most probably Germany will take this slot.

5 Continental Championship

7 via World Cup Qualifiers.

There will be 2 doors to 2026 World Cup – win the Asia Cup in Rajbir, India August/September – India will win it to seal their spot and others like Pakistan, Korea has improved well.

We will end up playing the Qualifiers in World Cup – lets understand this door better as this is very crucial.

Teams Qualified via the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournaments 7 quotas. There will be 2 (two) FIH Hockey World Cup Qualification Tournaments, consisting of eight (8) teams each (16 teams in total), held in early 2026. The tournament format will be as follows:

• Two (2) pools of four (4) teams each;

• Semi-Final will be played by the top two (2) teams from each pool;

• Team not qualified to the semi-finals will play classification matches from 5-8

• Winners of the Semi-Finals are qualified to the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026

• Winners of the Bronze medal matches are qualified to the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026

• The highest World Ranked team (at midnight on the final day of the qualification tournaments) that finishes in 4th place in each Event will be also qualified to the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026.

The teams invited to participate in these FIH Qualification Tournaments will be based on continental quotas, determined by the number of nations from each continent who are World Ranked in the top 25 eligible nations on 31 January 2025.

From these 25 quotas, the continents of the nine (9) nations already qualified (the 2 hosts, the 2 FIH Pro League Qualified Teams and 1 from each of the 5 Continental Championships) will be removed, leaving 16 continental quotas. These 16 continental quotas will be filled by the highest finishing nations in each continental championship who have not already qualified for the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026. Based on the FIH World Rankings on 31 January, 2026.

Let’s workout the Assumptions:

Direct Slots:

Netherland, Belgium, Australia & Germany (TBC via Pro League)

India-Asia, Argentina-Pan Am, New Zealand – Oceania, S Africa – African & England – European

The balance 16 Teams for World Cup Qualifiers will be:

Spain, France, Ireland, Malaysia, Korea, Pakistan, Japan, China, Wales, Chile, Canada, Austria, Scotland, Poland, United States, Egypt – these teams will put in ranking order – on 1^st February 2026.

How the Seeding between the above 16 teams into 2 venue of 8 Teams:

The snake system will be used to allocate the 16 nations into the two FIH World Cup Qualification Tournaments, as shown below.

Snake system

Ranking order of 16 teams in the FIH World Cup Qualification Tournaments

Tournament A 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16

Tournament B 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15

Note: If the 2 hosts are allocated by the snake system to participate in the same tournament, then the lower ranked of the two hosts will be swapped into the other tournament with the equivalent ranked team allocated to the other tournament.

From these 16 teams – the best seven (7) that has a chance to qualify are:

6 slots - France, Spain, Ireland, Pakistan, Korea, Malaysia – other slots will be from Wales, Chile, China, Canada & Scotland are the 2^nd best teams that could be the spoilers and steal slots. The rest is more of participations & exposure level.

 If 12 teams like previous World Cups – Malaysia no chance but 16 teams WC, still have a chance to be part of 2026 World Cup. But Austria, Chile, Wales, China, Scotland and Canada are vast improved team in World Hockey and the gap between them & us is getting very close and narrow over the years.

Let’s see the next 7 Months after finishing 6^th out of 8 at the FIH Nation Cup in KL recently – first will be the Asia Cup in Rajbir - 27 August to 7 September 2025.

Wishing the Men’s Malaysian Hockey Team, the very best and good luck in your preparation….

MANINDERJIT SINGH (MIKE)

Former Malaysian Hockey International - 1990-2002

Former Secretary General of Malaysian Hockey Confederation & Member of FIH "Think Tank" 2009-2012

MALAYSIAN HOCKEY – DUE TO WEAK CALENDAR PLANNING CREATES CONFUSION & UNWANTED ISSUES

MALAYSIAN HOCKEY – DUE TO WEAK CALENDAR PLANNING CREATES CONFUSION & UNWANTED ISSUES

These few days or rather few years ago till today, the key issue about planning of proper one final calendar for hockey tournaments  which includes Affiliates, Domestic & International tournaments such as Field Hockey, Indoor Hockey & Hockey 5s for both genders Men & Women that is creating a confusion & arguments within the stakeholders.

This one final calendar is the duty of the Office to prepare at least an Olympic Cycle – means 2024 to 2028 and encompasses the Contingent Events – SEA, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games & Olympic with AHF – Continental events (Senior & Junior) and with FIH events such as World Cup, Qualifiers, Nation Cup, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup & Sultan of Johor Cup for both Senior & Junior activities and to top up any test matches, friendly or Invitational tournaments. To top it up – not including the periodization plan for national teams and the EB, EGM, AGM, Coaching Courses and TO, Umpires Courses and etc etec….Its requires a huge brainstorming activity.

When I was holding the Office, we had a clearly defined Calendar from 2009 till 2012 and it takes 3 months to come up with this “One Final Calendar – One Olympic Cycle” - from Affiliation/State, National & International with all courses & meeting dates - Council, Monthly EB, EGM/AGM with FIH/AHF Congress. This is a prerequisite for preparing the cost which is the Annual Budget and how to source the funds via grants and sponsorship.

Now is the crunch of the matters that I want to make the key points on the current problem in the press and community of hockey fans:

Looking at above details, how are they're going to fit in all the above arrangements, do the people in-charge aware of this consolidation of “one final calendar”. Currently, every Chairman of each SubCom decides when to organize domestic and which international event to play and for sure they will be no coordination as most players, Umpires, Technical resources will be overlapping between cross the board which will create the chaos. And all the good Umpires still serving their bans and most events using lower grade Umpiring which also created many wrong decision and Clubs or State were not satisfied with the quality of Umpiring. This is the Duty of Office & EB to endorse “One Final Calendar – One Olympic Cycle”.

Simple example – during last Razak Cup, Junior players & Indoor players couldn’t play because of SOJC24 & Indoor World Cup preparation. Why? No coordination between SubCom and ad-hoc calendar which created the unwanted issues. Many talks about the issue but due to poor planning created the chaos.

And now the debate of priority – Club for MHL or preparation with Indoor World Cup gets the players to play?

You knew that Indoor WC was in FEB 2025 after qualifying in May 2024 but yet nobody saw this because of working in silos. Working in silos means team members are isolated from the team itself. It could mean individuals or entire departments are isolated from the rest of the business. These individuals and groups don't collaborate with others, which can eventually lead to a lack of communication.

My view – it’s the CLUB/Employer that gets the first priority. This statement is always been used over the years even during our playing days. They are the actual paymaster and the future of national players depend on this Employment…

Even to make matter worst, currently, there not many Clubs/Organization providing jobs. On the above issues – 3 clubs are affected TNB, Maybank & UiTM.

Q-Are the players going lose their income by not playing in MHL? Will the Employer/Club decide not to release the players for national duties – one must understand that Employer decides on their leave to play for national team not the other way around….And do not use the word “Ban” as did to many top Umpires and also for this current dilemma – National team or Employer?

Just sharing in our playing days – we train Monday to Wednesday with national team and released to Club for MHL matches and even at some stage release to play KL League or any other state leagues that the player is involved. 

Bottom line – bread and butter are with the Club/Employer. National Team only provides basic allowances and priority is always the EMPLOYER!

You must understand that CLUBS & EMPLOYERS in hockey is not many in numbers anymore and hope this kind of issues will not hinder for the future employment for national players.

The actual fact is due to your poor planning and frequent ad-hoc decision that has brought this dilemma and please solve amicably so that these few Cubs don't stop supporting this sport which actual fact the cause of the problem is you and not the EMPLOYER… 

Please start planning for a detail “One Final Calendar – One Olympic Cycle 2024-2028” before it creates more future problems & the Employers may stop to support the game which not many left - even TNB & Maybank has gone to playing service contract compared to permanent job. Normally, during the MHL lah, for National or State players to do some cari makan on earnings to survive rather than working at Burger Shops, Family Mart, Petrol Kiosk or in Gig Economy as Riders. Lets have some little heart for these players to survive...

Actually, it’s a simple and doable Calendar…

If you need help, let me know will do it at no cost as its for national Interest…..only request – two cup of Teh-C hot one….

PERSONAL VIEW FROM MANINDERJIT SINGH (MIKE) ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MALAYSIAN HOCKEY & WHY ARE WE PLAYING BELOW PAR AT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS....

Warm Greetings to all my ardent readers...

For the last few years, Malaysian hockey underwent a massive turbulence with unrecoverable "air-pocket" tragedy in key major International Hockey Tournaments...

Been writing and saying the real cause on "why we are achieving below par performance" even though with massive transformation plan with many foreign consultants getting involved but yet we are sliding at World map and now even at Continental level...

Recently, there was a new initiative by Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) coming up with their own dedicated PODCAST called "SAM BANG" and posted on YOUTUBE Channel to share the insights on the views.

Interesting to see that - no censorship and the invitee is allowed to speak his mind without holding the real hard fact truth about the topic. As my requirement is always there should not be any narrative or personal agenda about the show, with that, I agreed to be part of this SAM BANG PODCAST few days ago...

Podcast SAMBANG bagi episod keenam SAM bersama Maninderjit Singh @ Mike 

Jam 10:00 malam | 19 November 2024 | Selasa

Topik - Status Malaysian Hockey dipentas Antarabangsa & peluang ke LA28

Please click the below link as there are 3 parts of the PODCAST...

Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNrAGEPkllc

Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5crrcyRv-A

Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9LD0mR8SY

Just to be clear that whatever is said in the above 3 parts, the interest of the Nation & Sports was my first priority so that we are back to be in the Olympic Games after failing 6 Olympic Cycle since 2004 Athens till 2024 Paris.

Lucky as the most of FIH events the number of teams are expanded from the original 12 Teams to 16 Teams, even at Junior World Cup - is expanded from 16 to 24 teams and with that, the entry door is wider than those days and due to this expansion we are still playing at Senior & Junior World Cup. 

If the old 12 teams quota system remained, for sure we will be out of these events too as we have fallen badly and my assumption as of today the ranking in world hockey is stated below:

Senior Men Team - 16th or 17th

Jnr Men Team - 14th 

Senior Women Team - 23rd

Jnr Women Team - 19th  

And Malaysian Jnr Women team will also easily qualify due to 5 slots in Junior Asia Cup (decider with Thailand for 5th slot) which previously was only top 3 Asia Team when 16 team JWC. 

For Jnr Men at Asia level, 7 slots including India qualifies to 2025 JWC. Wait and see the results in 2025 JWC, it will a high scoring tournament due to 24 teams - many sub standard teams will be playing especially from Asia ranked 6-7 (Bangladesh, China, Thailand & Taipei), Oceania (PNG or Samoa will qualify) with Zimbabwe or Nigeria from Africa Continental. Many such teams are not ready for World Stage tournament...

I disagree on the expansion of teams, a World Cup is a World Cup, not every player or team could easily qualify to play in such events, the standards and competitive edge must be kept at the highest level possible and best teams keep pushing their benchmark.

Ideally, a Mini World Cup or like the new event call FIH Nation Cup 2 to provide a development team to use such events to grow at International level.

Thank you to all my readers and wishing everyone the very best..

Best Regards

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

Double Olympian, Double World Cupper & Twice Asian All Star

Former SEC GEN of MHF & MHC

MALAYSIAN HOCKEY DILEMMA - Been invited for 3 Famous Renowned Podcast to Explain the Decay & Issues...Enjoy it!

Warm Greetings to all my readers...

Hope everyone has been good and fine. Didn't been writing for sometime and decided to just provide some updates and information.

Malaysian hockey is undergoing a unrepairable turbulence since last year  Asian Games till recent Sultan of Johor Cup 2024.

The Results based on the chronology of events:

2023 Asian Games - Finished 6th

2024 Paris Olympic Qualification in Jan Muscat - Finished 5th out of 8 teams

2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup - finished 4th out of 6

2024 FIH Nation Cup - finished 7 out of 8 teams - Poland played as a host.

2024 - Europe Tour Senior Team - Poor Performances

2024 Asian Champions Trophy - finished last 6 out of 6

2024 Junior Australia Tour - lost all the matches

2024 Sultan of Johor Cup - Men's U21 - Finished last 6 out of 6

What is a dilemma? - a difficult situation or problem.

The above results, in my view, I was expecting it and was not surprised, as this didn't happen overnight and its what we did in the last 6-8 years which is the real reflection of our standard in World Hockey. 

Many believed in perception over reality style of leadership but I was always consistent in my views and been saying that we are no longer an International Hockey Team but many defy my facts and but time & results has spoken..

Anyway, was called to be in two podcast lately to explain why and where was the decay or issues that is plaguing Malaysian hockey.

First was the RTM Sports Podcast as below link:

https://rtmklik.rtm.gov.my/play/program/spodcast/spodcastep63

2nd was - TIMESPORTS ON THE BEAT - WITH K RAJAN

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ina7ELNW1xoUIB0ACP7ef?si=LfSDA_s_TV2_T_RMLG4kfw

3rd - latest with "SAM BANG" under the The Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) - will share the link once is online! Its HOT & SPICY!

Please enjoy both the above podcast links.....

Thanks to all the readers and support rendered...

Best Regards

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

Former Malaysian Hockey Internationals