Malaysia to host more hockey tournaments after thumbs-up from FIH
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the world governing body have been urging them to host more international tournaments as the Nations Cup is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur from June 15-21.
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Focus Malaysia
7 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
The decline of Malaysian hockey
IN THE mid-20th century, Malaysian field hockey stood tall on the global stage. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the national team was a formidable force. Malaysia is regularly qualifying for the Olympics, finishing fourth in the 1975 World Cup, and challenging traditional giants like India, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Back then, Malaysia was one of the best in Asia, often ahead of countries like South Korea and Japan. Fast forward to 2025, and the national team struggles to qualify for major tournaments. Rankings have plummeted, infrastructure is deteriorating, and domestic interest is waning. The once-thriving hockey scene now survives largely on nostalgia and sporadic government interventions. The collapse of development systems Malaysia's golden era in hockey coincided with strong grassroots systems. Hockey was deeply embedded in school sports, especially in states like Perak, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur. The sport was accessible, coaches were passionate, and state-level competitions were fiercely contested. But over time, that pipeline began to dry up. In the 1980s and 1990s, as football began to dominate the public consciousness and funding, hockey was quietly sidelined. Schools stopped prioritizing the sport, coaching standards dropped, and state associations lost their influence. Unlike India and Pakistan, who also experienced declines but eventually reinvested in their grassroots, Malaysia failed to rebuild its foundation. Today, there are fewer structured pathways for young players. Hockey is rarely played outside select schools or private academies, and even those lack adequate facilities, competitive leagues, and coaching depth. Without a steady stream of talent, national teams have become overly reliant on aging players and quick-fix solutions. Lack of vision and long-term planning Malaysia's field hockey authorities have long lacked a coherent, long-term development plan. While countries like Belgium, who were once mid-tier, invested in 10- and 15-year plans that transformed them into world champions, Malaysian hockey leadership has remained reactive. There have been frequent changes in coaching staff, inconsistent investment in development programs, and a troubling focus on short-term performance that often driven by the need to justify funding. Instead of creating a sustainable ecosystem, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has often chased immediate results, leading to disjointed programs and stalled progress. This short-termism has also led to rushed national team selections, where players are chosen without long-term development arcs, often promoted too early or discarded too quickly. The decline of domestic competitions Once a robust platform for talent identification and development, Malaysia's domestic hockey league has lost much of its competitive edge and public interest. In the past, club teams like Tenaga Nasional and Maybank drew crowds and created local heroes. Today, even top-tier matches struggle to attract fans, and media coverage is minimal. This decline in domestic competition has a direct impact on player quality. Without a strong league, players lack the intensity, tactical exposure, and professional environment needed to transition to international standards. Additionally, many clubs suffer from financial instability, inconsistent coaching, and poor facilities, a stark contrast to the professional setups in countries like the Netherlands or Australia. Global game evolved, Malaysia did not Perhaps the most critical failure has been Malaysia's inability to adapt to the modern game. The introduction of artificial turf in the 1970s transformed hockey, making it faster and more physically demanding. Countries that embraced this shift by investing in synthetic pitches, fitness science, and tactical innovation that stayed competitive. Malaysia was slow to adapt. While countries like South Korea, Germany, and even Argentina evolved their style of play to match the modern game, Malaysia clung to outdated tactics and failed to prioritize physical conditioning and analytical coaching methods. As a result, the team has often looked outpaced and out-thought on the international stage. The way forward Malaysia's hockey decline wasn't inevitable as it was the result of decades of neglect, mismanagement, and resistance to change. But the path to revival is still possible, if difficult. First and foremost, grassroots development must be revitalized with a strong emphasis on schools, community clubs, and certified coaching programs. Investing in artificial turf pitches outside urban centres would democratize access to the sport, making it more accessible and encouraging wider participation. Ensuring inclusivity at every level is essential to rekindle the spirit and success that once defined our national hockey legacy. Second, the domestic league must be restructured with clear professional standards, better marketing, and financial incentives to attract and retain talent. Clubs should be encouraged to build academies and invest in youth development. Third, a transparent, depoliticized governance model is essential. Only with accountability, continuity, and expert leadership can Malaysian hockey create and execute a long-term vision. Finally, the national team needs a reset with an emphasis on youth, modern playing styles, inclusivity and sustained overseas exposure. Once a proud hockey nation, Malaysia still holds a place in the sport's history books. With bold reforms, patience, and national unity, there remains a chance to script a new chapter that one that brings Malaysian hockey back from the brink. ‒ Aug 21, 2025 R Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Malaysian Hockey Confederation
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Speedy Tigers fitness at 80 percent for Asia Cup 2025
THE national hockey squad's fitness level stands at 80 percent ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup in Bihar, India. Head coach Sarjit Singh confirmed the team's condition during a squad announcement press conference. He stated that fitness improvements followed almost seven weeks of intensive training at the National Sports Institute. Sarjit Singh explained, 'I mean fitness we have done with the NSI routine.' He added, 'The chamber run (drill for explosive bursts) was good for about six to seven weeks.' The coach acknowledged, 'So we are prepared.' He noted, 'But other teams also are well prepared too.' Sarjit Singh observed, 'As we know South Korea, China and Japan have fitness levels that are really different.' He expressed confidence by stating, 'But we are getting there.' The coach revealed, '(This is) Because after the Nations Cup (in June), we had a few injuries.' He explained, 'So we need to recover from that as well.' Sarjit Singh concluded, 'Hence, we are moving slowly in the right direction.' Malaysia finds itself in Group B alongside South Korea, Bangladesh and Taiwan. The national squad will depart for India this Friday according to the coach. They will play two friendly matches against the host country and China. These matches will serve as preparation before their tournament campaign begins. The Speedy Tigers finished as runners-up in the 2022 edition of the tournament. They aim to secure a slot for the 2026 World Cup through this competition. This requires emerging as champions of the 2025 Asian Cup according to qualification rules. Sarjit Singh highlighted additional tournament significance beyond the title hunt. He emphasized the event as a platform to maintain Malaysia's Asian ranking position. The coach specifically mentioned maintaining number two status in FIH rankings. The Asia Cup runs from August 29 to September 7 in Bihar, India. - Bernama
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Coach says Speedy Tigers are only 80 per cent fit for Asia Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may be the continent's No. 2 ranked hockey team, but the Speedy Tigers head into the Asia Cup only "80 per cent fit". Coach Sarjit Singh admitted on Wednesday that his players were still short of their best condition ahead of the tournament in Bihar, India, starting Aug 29. The Asia Cup winners will book a ticket to next year's World Cup, but Malaysia's preparations have been hit by concerns over fitness. "Being ranked world No. 12 and Asia's No. 2 behind India (No. 8), our target is to reach the final," said Sarjit in Bukit Jalil. Featured Videos "The National Sports Institute revealed that after seven weeks of chamber training, the players are only 80 per cent fit. Teams like South Korea, Japan and China will be fitter as they are used to military-style training. "But with more than a week left before our first match, I expect the players to improve." Malaysia are in Group B alongside South Korea (world No. 13), Bangladesh (No. 29) and Taiwan (No. 38). They open against Bangladesh on Aug 29, followed by defending champions South Korea the next day and Taiwan on Sept 1. The top two will advance to the Super Four. Sarjit's side will also play warm-up games against India (Aug 25) and China (Aug 27) in Bihar after managing just two friendlies against the national juniors in Kuala Lumpur. "Those matches will help us iron out shortcomings," he said. The Speedy Tigers are expected to reach the Super Four, but Sarjit admitted it will be a stern test. "We will likely face India, Korea and Japan or China. My players must avoid defensive mistakes and remain consistent. I also hope injuries don't come into play," he said. Malaysia have come under fire for their poor results since Sarjit took charge in March last year. They finished fourth in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, seventh in the Nations Cup in Poland, sixth in the Asian Champions Trophy in China, and sixth again at the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil in June, despite being set a semi-final target. Meanwhile, Group A comprises India, world No. 18 Japan, world No. 23 China and unranked Kazakhstan. The Malaysian squad: Goalkeepers: Hafizuddin Othman, Rafaizul Saini; Defenders: Faiz Helmi Jali, Marhan Jalil (captain), Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Fariz Harizan, Arif Syafie Ishak; Midfielders: Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Fitri Saari, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi, Shafiq Hassan, Alfarico Lance Liau, Shellow Silverius;
