Finally an official announcement was made by the NSC Director General Dato Zolkples Embong that Dutchman Roelant Oltmans will take over the reins of the National Team from May 1.
Informed sources at the press conference held after the joint MHF-NSC meeting held today notified this blog about the appointment of Oltmans, something that this blog had revealed in November last year.
Although there are some finer details yet to be ironed out, the NSC DG went ahead and made the announcement, something that MHF officials had wanted to keep under wraps.
Though it cannot be confirmed, the package for the Dutchman is said to be in the region of RM800,000 per year.
Stephen van Huizen and Tai Beng Hai will handle the team for the Asian Champions Trophy as most likely the Azlan Shah Cup with Oltmans taking over after that.
And the Joint Committee has left it to Oltmans to decide if additional players are needed from the 25 that have been named thus far and also on the composition of the team for the Commonwealth Games as NSC has made it clear it is the Asian Games that they have in mind.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
PAHANG QUEENS CUP
We are happy to announce the Pahang Women Hockey Association, in collaboration with Pahang Sports Council and ICAN Sports Event, is hosting the 2nd edition of the Pahang Queen’s Cup Challenge. HRH Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom of Pahang Darul Makmur is the patron of the event.
This year’s tournament marks the second year of the prestigious women hockey challenge to be held over one week from 21 – 27th February in Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur.
Eight state teams will be participating at the hockey stadium at Wisma Belia and the Pahang Darul Makmur Sports Complex.
The Pahang Queen’s Cup challenge is aimed at providing a systematic development platform for young talents/players in Malaysia to develop and showcase their talents in a highly competitive environment.
It will help create future job opportunities for women players, coaches, sport sciences practitioners and be an avenue for players and coaches to seriously consider the sport of hockey as a professional career.
The first inaugural tournament, held in November 2008, saw the Kedah state team emerging the inaugural champion with state teams from Pahang and Johore coming in second and third respectively.
The event was not held in 2009 due to the high incidences of the H1N1 flu sickness in the country.
The organisers are happy to welcome Genting World Resorts as the main corporate sponsor for this year’s event and look forward to greater involvement from the corporate sector in supporting the development of women hockey in Malaysia through this program.
This tournament is being jointly organised by Pahang Women Hockey Association (PWHP), Pahang Sports Association and ICAN Sports Event. Also the organisers are grateful with the full support and encouragement obtained from Ministry of Youth & Sports, Pahang Youth & Sports Exco and the Malaysian Women Hockey Association.
IThe awareness created through the media will go a long way towards making the program a cornerstone behind women hockey sports development.
This year’s tournament marks the second year of the prestigious women hockey challenge to be held over one week from 21 – 27th February in Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur.
Eight state teams will be participating at the hockey stadium at Wisma Belia and the Pahang Darul Makmur Sports Complex.
The Pahang Queen’s Cup challenge is aimed at providing a systematic development platform for young talents/players in Malaysia to develop and showcase their talents in a highly competitive environment.
It will help create future job opportunities for women players, coaches, sport sciences practitioners and be an avenue for players and coaches to seriously consider the sport of hockey as a professional career.
The first inaugural tournament, held in November 2008, saw the Kedah state team emerging the inaugural champion with state teams from Pahang and Johore coming in second and third respectively.
The event was not held in 2009 due to the high incidences of the H1N1 flu sickness in the country.
The organisers are happy to welcome Genting World Resorts as the main corporate sponsor for this year’s event and look forward to greater involvement from the corporate sector in supporting the development of women hockey in Malaysia through this program.
This tournament is being jointly organised by Pahang Women Hockey Association (PWHP), Pahang Sports Association and ICAN Sports Event. Also the organisers are grateful with the full support and encouragement obtained from Ministry of Youth & Sports, Pahang Youth & Sports Exco and the Malaysian Women Hockey Association.
IThe awareness created through the media will go a long way towards making the program a cornerstone behind women hockey sports development.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
1975 WORLD CUP REVISITED
By ASHOK KUMAR
It is vivid. The whole journey, from the time we assembled for the tournament to returning home to a rousing welcome. It was one of the finest moments of Indian hockey. Kuala Lumpur shall always remain a memorable venue for all of us. Beating Pakistan in the final was the most emphatic statement we could have ever made. Needless to say, there was tension prior to the match but once the ball began rolling we knew we had a job in hand. That we accomplished it with some sensa tional play was a tribute to the hard work of every member of that wonderful Indian team.
The way we entered the final indicated the excellent form of our key players. V. J. Philips was in his elements when he scored both the goals in our opening match against England (2-1). We then drew with Australia (1-1) in a tough match. Ghana was an easy opponent — we won 7-0 — but the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Argentina meant we had to win the last match against Germany. The opposition was very strong but we breezed past Germany 3-1.
It is vivid. The whole journey, from the time we assembled for the tournament to returning home to a rousing welcome. It was one of the finest moments of Indian hockey. Kuala Lumpur shall always remain a memorable venue for all of us. Beating Pakistan in the final was the most emphatic statement we could have ever made. Needless to say, there was tension prior to the match but once the ball began rolling we knew we had a job in hand. That we accomplished it with some sensa tional play was a tribute to the hard work of every member of that wonderful Indian team.
The way we entered the final indicated the excellent form of our key players. V. J. Philips was in his elements when he scored both the goals in our opening match against England (2-1). We then drew with Australia (1-1) in a tough match. Ghana was an easy opponent — we won 7-0 — but the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Argentina meant we had to win the last match against Germany. The opposition was very strong but we breezed past Germany 3-1.
The semifinal was nerve-wracking. The fact that Malaysia enjoyed home support was a challenge, and there was not a seat vacant at the stadium. We were down 1-2 with about 10 minutes left. I could see my dream of winning the World Cup vanishing. The team was falling apart when Aslam Sher Khan stepped on the field as a substitute. Time was running out when I managed to earn a penalty corner. And Aslam made no mistake. We won in extra time when Harcharan Singh scored. The final against Pakistan took the game to a different level. We were trailing and Pakistan was beginning to dominate when Surjit Singh scored the equaliser. It was just the boost we needed. We had support from the stands and the game changed dramatically. We were all over Pakistan and then came the most precious moment of my life.
I have relived the goal many times. And each time the fans have asked me to share that joy, I have enjoyed narrating it. Philips initiated the move on the right and relayed the ball to me. I hit the ball on the run and found the target, much to the delight of the team and our supporters. Defending that lead was not easy as Pakistan made every effort to draw level, but it was our day.
The victory meant a lot for Indian hockey. It was India’s first big title after the gold at the 1964 Olympics. The felicitations were incredible and we were hailed as heroes. The great phase of India’s domination in the Olympics can never be matched, but this World Cup win would always rekindle fond memories of a great feat. I remember Babuji’s (Dhyan Chand) happy face when we returned. He was proud that a member of his family had brought joy and glory to the nation.
(As told to Vijay Lokapall)
I have relived the goal many times. And each time the fans have asked me to share that joy, I have enjoyed narrating it. Philips initiated the move on the right and relayed the ball to me. I hit the ball on the run and found the target, much to the delight of the team and our supporters. Defending that lead was not easy as Pakistan made every effort to draw level, but it was our day.
The victory meant a lot for Indian hockey. It was India’s first big title after the gold at the 1964 Olympics. The felicitations were incredible and we were hailed as heroes. The great phase of India’s domination in the Olympics can never be matched, but this World Cup win would always rekindle fond memories of a great feat. I remember Babuji’s (Dhyan Chand) happy face when we returned. He was proud that a member of his family had brought joy and glory to the nation.
(As told to Vijay Lokapall)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
PARTICIPATION DOUBT
New Zealand have opted to delay sending their team to the New Delhi World Cup while England are reviewing their participation following fresh terrorist threats.
England who are in Dubai are consulting security experts back home before deciding if they want to go ahead and play in Delhi.
England who are in Dubai are consulting security experts back home before deciding if they want to go ahead and play in Delhi.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
DHARMA IN, RAJAN OUT
The MHF Management Committee opted for the trio of K. Dharmaraj, K. Gobinathan and Nor Azlan Bakar as the coaching team for the next Junior World Cup squad instead of the recommendations submitted by the Coaching Committee.
The CC had put up a list that comprised of K. Rajan, Nasir Mydin and Dharma but the Management Committee opted to go the way of the Team Management Committee that met last month.
This decision is a snack fir the CC and it is left to be seen if the Chairman Dr. Balbir Singh will go ahead with his decision to quit if the recommendations by the CC were not accepted by the Management Committee.
Stephen van Huizen received the nod to take charge of the Senior Team together with Tai Beng Hai.
Dutchman Roelant Oltmans it is learnt will join the national set-up this May, in time for the Azlan Shah Cup but will come alone with no assistant from Holland joining him.
This means that Stephen and Beng Hai will coach the team for the inaugural AHF Champions Trophy scheduled for April 13 to 18 in Ipoh.
The Under 16 squad will be coached by S. Velappan who will be assisted by S. Prakash and Manjit Singh from Perak.
With Ow Soon Kooi having declined the offer to jointly manage the national team, the task has now been entrusted to George Koshy and MHF Vice President Datuk Dr. Surinder Singh Cheema.
MIrnawan Nawawi has been reinstated as the National Juniors Team Manager despite not being available for 3 vital events last year and will manage the side with another MHF Vice President M.Gobinathan.
For the Under 16 team, Tuan Haji Johari Aziz, the President of KLHC and Vice President of KLHA has been named as the Manager.
Meanwhile the Tun Razak Cup, initially scheduled to be held in Johor will now be held in Kuantan following the decision by the former to decline following the demise of Sultan of Johor on January 23.
The CC had put up a list that comprised of K. Rajan, Nasir Mydin and Dharma but the Management Committee opted to go the way of the Team Management Committee that met last month.
This decision is a snack fir the CC and it is left to be seen if the Chairman Dr. Balbir Singh will go ahead with his decision to quit if the recommendations by the CC were not accepted by the Management Committee.
Stephen van Huizen received the nod to take charge of the Senior Team together with Tai Beng Hai.
Dutchman Roelant Oltmans it is learnt will join the national set-up this May, in time for the Azlan Shah Cup but will come alone with no assistant from Holland joining him.
This means that Stephen and Beng Hai will coach the team for the inaugural AHF Champions Trophy scheduled for April 13 to 18 in Ipoh.
The Under 16 squad will be coached by S. Velappan who will be assisted by S. Prakash and Manjit Singh from Perak.
With Ow Soon Kooi having declined the offer to jointly manage the national team, the task has now been entrusted to George Koshy and MHF Vice President Datuk Dr. Surinder Singh Cheema.
MIrnawan Nawawi has been reinstated as the National Juniors Team Manager despite not being available for 3 vital events last year and will manage the side with another MHF Vice President M.Gobinathan.
For the Under 16 team, Tuan Haji Johari Aziz, the President of KLHC and Vice President of KLHA has been named as the Manager.
Meanwhile the Tun Razak Cup, initially scheduled to be held in Johor will now be held in Kuantan following the decision by the former to decline following the demise of Sultan of Johor on January 23.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
WHAT NEXT
Due to Internet problems I have been unable to update the blog on a regular basis.
And probably this is my last update until after Chinese New Year as I will be away for a whole week, by choice as I want to usher in the Year of the Tiger with peace and quiet, and not having to read some postings of insane people in certain papers and blogs. Suffice to say I may go check on happenings in Everton and Slovakia and bring back engines from Uruguay.
So coming back to the MHF Coaching Committee meeting and my chanced encounter with the Chairman on last Friday at Tun Razak Stadium.
The CC decided on the following coaches I am told. But a word of caution though, the members were told not to leak the information to blogs and the media but at least some had the dignity to defy such a stupid directive.
Dissemination of information is something MHF needs to rectify and when there is something to hide then there will always be people with conflicting opinion or it opens room for assumption,
The list I am told is as follows:
Senior Team: Stephen van Huizen and Tai Beng Hai. If the foreign coach comes then the duo will be assistants failing which Stephen assumes the role of Chief Coach.
Juniors: K Rajan as Chief Coach to be assisted by Nasir Mydin and K.Dharmaraj.
Under 16: S.Vellapan assisted by S.Prakash.
Except for the coaches for the Junior team, the others were unanimous choices discussed and proposed with the correct decorum.
For the Juniors team, it was decided by voting and the results are as the lineup indicated above.
I have respect for all the coaches named by the CC but still will share my thoughts on the dropping of Dharma as Chief Coach.
While the members of the CC acted within their rights, my opinion is that Dharma should have been given the role of Chief Coach of the Juniors. Rajan had his chance but fell short , largely due to the fact that he did not have enough time to prepare the team.
So the CC should have let Rajan take the Under 16 team and let Dharma remain as the Chief Coach with Velappan and Nasir to assist him.
Dharma has proven his worth in the various tournaments and giving him another year to evaluate his performances would have been the fair thing to do but obviously it was not the case.
Now that the CC has decided, going by the constitution the Management Committee cannot alter the list as the formation of the Management committee is by itself not provided for in the constitution.
So it is only the Council that can send the list back to the CC for changes and the Management Commiittee is duty bound to endorse the list provided.
All of this could have been avoided if the certain personality in MHF who is still upset for me calling the MHL a circus had done his work last year and made the changes to the constitution so that MHF will not be in this situation.
So Mr.Jester, the joke is still on you and only when you realise that by being honest will Malaysian Hockey progress, then we shall continue to argue and fight over personal matters at the expense of hockey in this country.
And being dishonest is something that all religions do not condone and by doing so one is only cheating themselves.
So will we the Management Committee do something good for Malaysian hockey for once and reinstate Dharma and let Rajan handle the Under 16. Let this be a sign that we are all in the game for the good of it.
And probably this is my last update until after Chinese New Year as I will be away for a whole week, by choice as I want to usher in the Year of the Tiger with peace and quiet, and not having to read some postings of insane people in certain papers and blogs. Suffice to say I may go check on happenings in Everton and Slovakia and bring back engines from Uruguay.
So coming back to the MHF Coaching Committee meeting and my chanced encounter with the Chairman on last Friday at Tun Razak Stadium.
The CC decided on the following coaches I am told. But a word of caution though, the members were told not to leak the information to blogs and the media but at least some had the dignity to defy such a stupid directive.
Dissemination of information is something MHF needs to rectify and when there is something to hide then there will always be people with conflicting opinion or it opens room for assumption,
The list I am told is as follows:
Senior Team: Stephen van Huizen and Tai Beng Hai. If the foreign coach comes then the duo will be assistants failing which Stephen assumes the role of Chief Coach.
Juniors: K Rajan as Chief Coach to be assisted by Nasir Mydin and K.Dharmaraj.
Under 16: S.Vellapan assisted by S.Prakash.
Except for the coaches for the Junior team, the others were unanimous choices discussed and proposed with the correct decorum.
For the Juniors team, it was decided by voting and the results are as the lineup indicated above.
I have respect for all the coaches named by the CC but still will share my thoughts on the dropping of Dharma as Chief Coach.
While the members of the CC acted within their rights, my opinion is that Dharma should have been given the role of Chief Coach of the Juniors. Rajan had his chance but fell short , largely due to the fact that he did not have enough time to prepare the team.
So the CC should have let Rajan take the Under 16 team and let Dharma remain as the Chief Coach with Velappan and Nasir to assist him.
Dharma has proven his worth in the various tournaments and giving him another year to evaluate his performances would have been the fair thing to do but obviously it was not the case.
Now that the CC has decided, going by the constitution the Management Committee cannot alter the list as the formation of the Management committee is by itself not provided for in the constitution.
So it is only the Council that can send the list back to the CC for changes and the Management Commiittee is duty bound to endorse the list provided.
All of this could have been avoided if the certain personality in MHF who is still upset for me calling the MHL a circus had done his work last year and made the changes to the constitution so that MHF will not be in this situation.
So Mr.Jester, the joke is still on you and only when you realise that by being honest will Malaysian Hockey progress, then we shall continue to argue and fight over personal matters at the expense of hockey in this country.
And being dishonest is something that all religions do not condone and by doing so one is only cheating themselves.
So will we the Management Committee do something good for Malaysian hockey for once and reinstate Dharma and let Rajan handle the Under 16. Let this be a sign that we are all in the game for the good of it.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
INTERESTING DECISIONS
The MHF Coaching Committee had a meeting today and made recommendations with regards to appointment of coaches for the various teams.
Most shocking was the list for the national juniors coach and I shall touch on this issues later tonite of tomorrow.
One thing is certain, the MHF Coaching Chairman had told me on Friday that he will be the first to quit if the MHF Management Committee that meets on Feb 9 changes the names submitted by the Coaching Committee.
Most shocking was the list for the national juniors coach and I shall touch on this issues later tonite of tomorrow.
One thing is certain, the MHF Coaching Chairman had told me on Friday that he will be the first to quit if the MHF Management Committee that meets on Feb 9 changes the names submitted by the Coaching Committee.
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