Following this blog's disclosure with regards to UniKL approach towards the MHL, they have responded with a written reply which I am more then happy to publish. Below is the statement:
Dear Satwant,
This statement is made to clarify matters that were raised in several blogs recently regarding the coaching position, player recruitment and development plan of UniKL hockey club. I really hope that matters raised here will not take the highlight of the ongoing test matches involving the national senior and junior team with the New Zealand national team.
1. Post-Mortem Premier League 2009/10 and Junior League 2010
The progress made by the junior players in the squad has not met the desired level especially in the Junior League 2010 provided the opportunity and exposure given to the, during Premier League 2009/10 season. None of the Project 2013 players in the squad get the call up to train with the national team and only a few of the non-Project 2013 got the call up to train with the Project 2013 squad.
Hence, the management has embarked into some drastic approaches which include increasing competition in training, changing the coaching approach, use of latest technology, youth development program (age-group) and establishment of the “Sport Excellence Center”. A 5-year blueprint has been developed in June and got the endorsement from the top management.
2. Coaching Position
I.Vikneswaran (Vik) was part of the team that developed the 5-year blueprint. Initially in February 2010, Vik indicated to the management of his intention to leave the team to explore other opportunities. In search of a new coach, the management has identified Darren Smith, the current New Zealand National Assistant Coach as the most suitable candidate to replace Vik. However Vik changed his mind just before the start of the Junior League therefore the proposal to bring Darren in was abandoned.
However, Vik’s professional decision to join Sapura the week after Hari Raya holidays has caused the management to revive the process to recruit Darren to coach the UniKL Hockey team. An official offer was made and accepted by Darren. He will assume the Head Coach position after the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games. He will be assisted by the current Assistant Coach, K. Enbaraj.
3. Intensifying Competition / Role Model for Junior Players
The management has decided to recruit a few established national players and imports to boost competition and also inculcating conducive culture by them becoming role model to the junior players. The management has identified players that will form the spine of the team and will lead the development in the four main positions – goalkeeper, defense, midfield and forward.
To date, Baljit Singh Charun Singh and Selvaraju Sandrakasi (former employers or TNB) have joined UniKL and soon will be joined by a goalkeeper from New Zealand, a defender/midfielder from Germany (with Malaysian roots) and maybe another midfielder from New Zealand. Together with the regulars from previous season’s squad, they will form the spine of the team while being backed up by new junior recruits.
4. Junior Players
UniKL registered six (6) junior players for the previous 2009/10 Premier League. This year (2010/11 Premier League), a record 14 junior players (Under-19) will be registered with eight (8) actually being promoted from the Junior League’s overall champion team. Of the 14 junior players, nine (9) are Under-18 players that will form the spine of next year’s Junior League team. The exposure and experience they will gain from training and playing in this year’s Premier League will increase the quality of the junior player pool developed by UniKL.
5. Development Program
As a continuous development effort, UniKL will also embark into age-group hockey development program. The program that will be launched soon will complement the 1MAS development program that is being spearheaded by MHF. More information will be provided later on this program.
6. Student Involvement
UniKL is recruiting the current junior players to also become student of UniKL. For long-term measure, UniKL will use the age-group development program to recruit more players to become student-athlete of UniKL and provide them with the necessary support with includes academic guidance program, sport scholarship, accommodation, exposure to high-quality training and technology.
7. Conclusion
With this clarification, the claim that UniKL has given up on its objective to develop the future of Malaysian hockey is really uncalled for. This year’s Premier League squad has a lower average age (20) compare to last year’s team (22) but with an overall better quality players. UniKL accepts the increase in expectation due to the inclusion of foreign coach/players and two (2) national players but the underlying reason behind all this is still the development of the junior players that will one day become the aspiration for Malaysian hockey revival.
Regards,
AMIR AZHAR IBRAHIM
Manager, UniKL Hockey Team
Senior Corporate Planning Manager
Head Corporate Affairs Division
President's Office
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
MALAYSIA DEFEAT NZ, MINUS FANFARE
The second friendly match between Malaysia and New Zealand at the Tun Razak Stadium was played minus the thunderstorm that affected play in the first match that ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
And not only was the bad weather missing, so was the top officials of the Malaysian Hockey Federation as there was no member of the Royalty present nor was there a VVIP that they had to show off to.
Ironically, with the exception of one paid staff of the MHF, the others too were indisposed or adopted the " tidak apa " attitude towards the national team that is preparing for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Missing on both days was the Deputy President Nur Azmi Ahmad who is the Chairman of the National Team Management Committee.
Perhaps this has largely due to the fact that the President is not in the country and the MHF campaigning has kept him busy as he tries to ensure he remains on the hot-seat for another four years.
Malaysia defeated New Zealand 3-0, but what was more commendable was their overall performance as they defended in numbers and were fast in their counter attacks.
So back to the national team that none of the top brass cares for. It was a marked improved performance as they managed to dominate large spells of the match with a controlled display of skills and tactical planning.
Malaysia had 14 players in the line up that lost 2-1 in the crucial World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill while the Kiwis had 13 players from that match.
A minute before halftime Mohd Shahrun Nabil burst through on the right and unleashed an unstoppable hit into the roof of the net, something Kelvinder should have done when presented with a similar opportunity early in the match.
Malaysia trooped off the pitch leading 1-0 and that would have pleased the coaching staff.
In the 41st minute, Mohd Amin Rahim made it 2-0 from Malaysia's fourth penalty cornet. Prior to this all three penalty corner attempts were taken by Muhd Razie Rahim.
Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin scored in the 62nd minute to give Malaysia a 3-0 lead against the world eight ranked team and that gave the team more confidence in the closing stages of the match, something that has been a bane over the past decade.
And not only was the bad weather missing, so was the top officials of the Malaysian Hockey Federation as there was no member of the Royalty present nor was there a VVIP that they had to show off to.
Ironically, with the exception of one paid staff of the MHF, the others too were indisposed or adopted the " tidak apa " attitude towards the national team that is preparing for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Missing on both days was the Deputy President Nur Azmi Ahmad who is the Chairman of the National Team Management Committee.
Perhaps this has largely due to the fact that the President is not in the country and the MHF campaigning has kept him busy as he tries to ensure he remains on the hot-seat for another four years.
Malaysia defeated New Zealand 3-0, but what was more commendable was their overall performance as they defended in numbers and were fast in their counter attacks.
So back to the national team that none of the top brass cares for. It was a marked improved performance as they managed to dominate large spells of the match with a controlled display of skills and tactical planning.
Malaysia had 14 players in the line up that lost 2-1 in the crucial World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill while the Kiwis had 13 players from that match.
A minute before halftime Mohd Shahrun Nabil burst through on the right and unleashed an unstoppable hit into the roof of the net, something Kelvinder should have done when presented with a similar opportunity early in the match.
Malaysia trooped off the pitch leading 1-0 and that would have pleased the coaching staff.
In the 41st minute, Mohd Amin Rahim made it 2-0 from Malaysia's fourth penalty cornet. Prior to this all three penalty corner attempts were taken by Muhd Razie Rahim.
Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin scored in the 62nd minute to give Malaysia a 3-0 lead against the world eight ranked team and that gave the team more confidence in the closing stages of the match, something that has been a bane over the past decade.
IS JIWA MOHAN'S INCLUSION JUSTIFIED?
There has been various views presented and debated with regards to Aussie based Jiwa Mohan's inclusion into the Commonwealth Games. The arguments range from the fact that Jiwa had not trained with the team, thus parachuting into the final squad while other players went through a regimented training schedule, punishing to say the least since Jiwa only played in the Sultan Azlan Shah in May.
For the record Jiwa was not in the team for the China Four Nation Tournament, Norini the squad for theEuropeTour that saw the national team winning the Five Nation Insep Tournament in Paris last month.
So naturally some of the players are slighted about the preference given to Jiwa and his inclusion at the eleventh journey. And it is believed that MHF had to compensate him, something no one should begrudge as Jiwa proved his fitness and worth to the team by going through a special trial.
On the top of that Jiwa has already collected his retirement fund from Yayasan Hoki, somethingthatcan only be done after thenationl team confirms that it no longer requires the services of the said player.
And a more far fetched theory is that Jiwa is in the team due to hisSapura connection with some officials in the national set-up,
But as I said this is far fetched and we shall pose these questions to national coach StepheN van Huizen later today to find out his views and justification on the inclusion ofJiwa.
For the record Jiwa was not in the team for the China Four Nation Tournament, Norini the squad for theEuropeTour that saw the national team winning the Five Nation Insep Tournament in Paris last month.
So naturally some of the players are slighted about the preference given to Jiwa and his inclusion at the eleventh journey. And it is believed that MHF had to compensate him, something no one should begrudge as Jiwa proved his fitness and worth to the team by going through a special trial.
On the top of that Jiwa has already collected his retirement fund from Yayasan Hoki, somethingthatcan only be done after thenationl team confirms that it no longer requires the services of the said player.
And a more far fetched theory is that Jiwa is in the team due to hisSapura connection with some officials in the national set-up,
But as I said this is far fetched and we shall pose these questions to national coach StepheN van Huizen later today to find out his views and justification on the inclusion ofJiwa.
UNIKL CLARIFY
The management of UniKL has contacted the blog and will clarify their position with regards to the departure of coach I.Vikneswaran as well as give an insight on their youth development program. Till then, hopefully it will be by tonight, I shall with hold further comment on this matter as I appreciate the effort taken by their Team Manager who opts to engage in a discussion and provide their side of the story
BALJIT QUITS TNB, HEADS FOR UNIKL
National defender Baljit Singh Charun Singh has quit Tenaga Nasional Berhad and will don the coours of rivals UniKL in the forthcoming Malaysian Hockey League that is expected to commence on December 3.
Baljit, touted as one off the best penalty corner first runners, is expected to sign on the dotted line today together with another TNB player, S. Selvarajoo. Though the exit of Selvarajoo, who has been at odds with some officials in TNB was expected, the departure of Baljit will be felt by the defending overall champions.
The movement of players is expected to continue but most surprising was the omission of UniKL coach I. Vikneswaran who is said to have been replaced by a coach from New Zealand. Also making their way into the UniKL team will be two Kiwi players, said to be in KL at the moment with the NZ squad that is playing matches with the Malaysian side.
In addition to those two players, UniKL has been on a recruitment drive of late and a German player is also reportedly on their payroll together with some current internationals. Thus the whole objective of UniKL as a platform to develop the future of Malaysian hockey seems to have been thrown out of the window.
Vikneswaran is now coaching Sapura. whose initial target was Bala from Malacca but has been denied the opportunity to coach Sapura due to his involvement with the 1 Mas Program.
And Negri Sembilan, who have yet to finalise their composition of team, are said to have lured some KLHC players as well as are in the process of signing six players from India. NSHA Vice President M. Gobinathan was evasive when asked who the players were, opting to name just the goalkeeper, Adrian, and despite promising he will revert with the other names has yet to do so when this article is being written.
Expect the musical chairs scenario to continue over the next month or so when the teams will have to submit the registration of players.
DWYER JETS OFF TO DELHI
Some of his countrymen might have opted out of the Commonwealth Games due to security and hygiene issues, but veteran Australian hockey player Jamie Dwyer on Monday said he has no concerns travelling to Delhi for the crisis-hit mega-event even though his pregnant wife is little apprehensive.
"We've got a baby son and another one is on the way in December so my wife doesn't really like me going to India as much as she would, say, Scotland or Canada. But she's been there herself, in 2007, and she knows a little about how they work in India," said Dwyer, who is married to former Dutch hockey player Leoni.
"She's a little bit worried but...she's not trying to convince me to stay or anything like that. I'm entirely comfortable about going. I've never had a concern about going this time to India.
"I am entirely comfortable. I've been there three or four times before and we were lucky enough to be there in March for the World Cup," he was quoted as saying by the Australian media ahead of the team's departure on Wednesday.
So far, three Australian athletes have pulled out of the Games -- cyclist Travis Meyer, table tennis player Stephanie Sang and discus world champion Dani Samuels, citing security and unhygienic conditions.
But Dwyer said he has plenty of experience of Indian conditions and will definitely be a part of the team as the Kookaburras chase their fourth consecutive Games gold. "We've got a baby son and another one is on the way in December so my wife doesn't really like me going to India as much as she would, say, Scotland or Canada. But she's been there herself, in 2007, and she knows a little about how they work in India," said Dwyer, who is married to former Dutch hockey player Leoni.
"She's a little bit worried but...she's not trying to convince me to stay or anything like that. I'm entirely comfortable about going. I've never had a concern about going this time to India.
"I am entirely comfortable. I've been there three or four times before and we were lucky enough to be there in March for the World Cup," he was quoted as saying by the Australian media ahead of the team's departure on Wednesday.
So far, three Australian athletes have pulled out of the Games -- cyclist Travis Meyer, table tennis player Stephanie Sang and discus world champion Dani Samuels, citing security and unhygienic conditions.
"We've been to Delhi a few times with the team and we sort of know how to prepare ourselves for this type of environment. It's nothing new to us really. It's just how they are over there, I guess. They do things differently," he said.
"When you go to those countries you have to be vigilant in what you eat and drink, and just have to be a bit more careful, but I'm very comfortable with what I will be eating and drinking and where I'll be sleeping," added the three-time world player of the year.
Australia has been a dominant force in hockey in the Commonwealth Games as they lost only one match and claimed every gold medal since the sport's introduction in the quadrennial event in 1998.
The Kookaburras will go into the tournament as favourites after an unbeaten 12-month run during which they won the World Cup earlier this year in New Delhi and the Champions Trophy in Germany. They had also won last December's Champions Trophy in Melbourne.
The 31-year-old striker said Australia will use the Delhi Games to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics. "We've had a really good 20 months under (coach) Ric Charlesworth and this is the last major tournament before we have to start concentrating on London," Dwyer said.
"We really want to put up a good performance, bring home a gold medal and that would cap off a great two years.
"I want to win the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. That's my two main goals," he added.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Same old, same old Malaysia
Rain delayed the Malaysia v New Zealand match by more then an hour after the two teams had only played 11 minutes at the Tun Razak Stadium.
But Malaysia adapted better to the heavy pitch conditions racing to a 2-0 lead but squandered the opportunity to give them some semblance of revenge for the World Cup Qualifier defeat at Invercargil in November last year, as New Zealand scored twice in the last ten minutes to force a2-2 draw.
The two teams are preparing for the Commonwealth Games that will be held in New Delhi later this week and will play another match on Tuesday at the same venue, commencing at 5.00pm.
Malaysia fielded Aussie based Jiwa Mohan who last donned national colours during the Azlan Shah Cup in May and he made the final 16 of the Delhi Games at the expense of his younger sibling Jivan Mohan.
Also failing to make the cut was Kelvinder Singh who is expected to call it quits and concentrate on his studies.
Malaysia took the lead three minutes into the second half when Mohd Amin Rahim's low drag flick went through the pads of NZ custodian Kyle Pontifex.
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin had the opportunity to increase the lead in the 41st minute but hit straight into the pads of the onrushing Kyle when the presence of mind would have been to look for a teammate on the top of the semi circle.
Of their fourth penalty corner though Malaysia went 2-0 ahead with Mohd Razie Rahim sending an unstoppable flick into the left hand cornering the 48th minute.
The Kiwis then forced two penalty corners in quick succession but though Andy Hayward beat Roslan Jamaluddin, the upright foiled his attempt to reduce the deficit in the 51st minute.
NZ reduced the deficit in the 64th minute when Hugo Inglis was left unchallenged to unleash a reverse hit from the top of the semi circle that had Roslan beaten all the way.
Joel Baker equalized for the Kiwis four minutes from time as the Malaysian defense crumbled under sustained pressure from the NZ strike force .
But Malaysia adapted better to the heavy pitch conditions racing to a 2-0 lead but squandered the opportunity to give them some semblance of revenge for the World Cup Qualifier defeat at Invercargil in November last year, as New Zealand scored twice in the last ten minutes to force a2-2 draw.
The two teams are preparing for the Commonwealth Games that will be held in New Delhi later this week and will play another match on Tuesday at the same venue, commencing at 5.00pm.
Malaysia fielded Aussie based Jiwa Mohan who last donned national colours during the Azlan Shah Cup in May and he made the final 16 of the Delhi Games at the expense of his younger sibling Jivan Mohan.
Also failing to make the cut was Kelvinder Singh who is expected to call it quits and concentrate on his studies.
Malaysia took the lead three minutes into the second half when Mohd Amin Rahim's low drag flick went through the pads of NZ custodian Kyle Pontifex.
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin had the opportunity to increase the lead in the 41st minute but hit straight into the pads of the onrushing Kyle when the presence of mind would have been to look for a teammate on the top of the semi circle.
Of their fourth penalty corner though Malaysia went 2-0 ahead with Mohd Razie Rahim sending an unstoppable flick into the left hand cornering the 48th minute.
The Kiwis then forced two penalty corners in quick succession but though Andy Hayward beat Roslan Jamaluddin, the upright foiled his attempt to reduce the deficit in the 51st minute.
NZ reduced the deficit in the 64th minute when Hugo Inglis was left unchallenged to unleash a reverse hit from the top of the semi circle that had Roslan beaten all the way.
Joel Baker equalized for the Kiwis four minutes from time as the Malaysian defense crumbled under sustained pressure from the NZ strike force .
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