Tuesday, May 15, 2012

GOING DUTCH?


The MHC and NSC are looking at applications from two of the famous names in Dutch hockey - Jan's Floris Bovelander and Jacques Brinkman as candidates to replace Tai Beng Hai as national coach at the end of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Ironically June 3 is the last day of matches at Azlan Shah Cup and some 14 years ago in Utrecht it was the same date Volker Knapp ended his services as coach of the national side.

However Bovelander and Brinkman are not the only two candidates as it is learnt that an Australian, a South African and a Spaniard are also on the list of potential candidates.

The question is just who has been entrusted to look for the coach as Manjit Majid Abdullah, the most influential Vice President of MHC is also said to be scouting for coaches as are the NSC.

Some of the candidates will be in town during the Azlan Shah Cup for interview sessions with Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and a decision is expected then.

Bovelander and Brinkman have the ability to secure places for Malaysian players in the Dutch league and this is a much sought after commodity after the Juniors triumph in the recent Junior Asia Cup.

Not only is there much interest in securing a high profile coach, but there are moves to secure a consultant to assist the Project 2013, 2017 and the yet to be formed 2021 squads.

And negotiations with the potential consultant, a big name in world hockey,?is currently at the final stage by NSC.