Latest news with #Sarjit
Barnama
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Sept 15 Holiday: A Gift Of Unity For Malaysians
PUTRAJAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- The declaration of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration is seen as a testament to the strengthening spirit of national unity under the MADANI Government. Universiti Putra Malaysia's Social Anthropology Professor, Dr Sarjit Singh Gill, described the announcement as a symbol of the government's commitment to fostering unity among the country's multi-racial society. 'I believe Malaysians will support the noble efforts of the MADANI Government in strengthening human relations and mutual respect, as outlined in the Rukun Negara. It must be emphasised that diversity is Malaysia's greatest strength. 'This additional holiday provides an opportunity for the community to organise various social and community activities that foster the spirit of unity,' he told Bernama. Sarjit, who is also the deputy chairman of the National Unity and Social Cohesion Cluster at the Akademi Profesor Malaysia (APM), emphasised that the voices of the younger generation should be amplified to create an organic narrative of unity, ensuring that the message of togetherness remains relevant over time. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his special announcement for Malaysians streamed live on national televisions and social media platforms today, declared Sept 15 as an additional public holiday to honour the spirit of national unity and the significance of Malaysia's formation. The public is also encouraged to take advantage of the holiday to strengthen family ties in their hometowns or spend time travelling within the country. Meanwhile, private sector employee K. Sivananthan, 37, said the additional holiday provides an opportunity to spend more quality time with his family as it coincides with the school holiday week. 'The long holiday is much anticipated, and we will take this opportunity to go on a family trip and strengthen our bonds... it can also help boost the local economy nationwide,' he said.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
MHC stand by coach Sarjit despite poor Nations Cup display
Former national hockey coach, Sarjit Singh during the interview at Star Kuching office. PETALING JAYA: National hockey team head coach Sarjit Singh has the full backing of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) despite a poor sixth-place finish at the recent Nations Cup on home turf. The governing body believe Sarjit is still the right man for the job and the senior team are in good hands. MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the blame does not only fall on the head coach but the players need to take responsibility as well for failing to reach the semi-finals. "As president, I can see that the players can compete against any big team in the world. The team performed well, but because of some mistakes by players, we did not get the result we wanted. "This is not on the coach but the players as well. They play a role and in the end, they are the ones who will determine if we walk away with a win or a loss," said Subahan during a press conference yesterday.
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Sarjit Singh not solely to blame for Speedy Tigers' Nations Cup failure
MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal has dismissed calls to pin the blame solely on head coach Sarjit Singh after the national men's hockey team failed to reach the semi-finals of the FIH 2025 Nations Cup Hockey Tournament. Subahan stressed that responsibility should be shared across the entire squad, including players, following their inability to progress beyond the group stage. The Speedy Tigers finished outside the top five after a 1-2 defeat to Wales in the fifth-place playoff. 'To be honest, I have been in this sport for a long time and I see that the Malaysian team under Sarjit can play. 'They can compete with any of the world's giants,' Subahan said during a press conference today. He pointed to recurring issues, particularly the team's struggle to maintain leads. 'The problem is still the same, the problem of holding the lead. 'For example, when we played against New Zealand, we were leading 3-0 but lost 3-4. If we didn't know how to play, we would have lost 0-6.' Despite the disappointment, Subahan acknowledged the team's fighting spirit under Sarjit's leadership. MHC will now focus on addressing weaknesses to ensure better performances in future tournaments.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Nations Cup failure a wake-up call for Speedy Tigers', says Olympian
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team once again failed to impress — this time at the Nations Cup — as the Speedy Tigers must now fix glaring flaws ahead of a series of major assignments. The next few months will be crucial for Sarjit Singh 's side, with the Asia Cup in August in India up first. The winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. This will be followed by the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in November, the Sea Games in Thailand in December, and the World Cup Qualifiers in February, which Malaysia are likely to host. Sarjit, a former national captain, has vowed to quit as national coach if his team fail to qualify for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands next year. At the Nations Cup, which ended on Sunday in Bukit Jalil, world No. 12 Malaysia finished a dismal sixth, failing to meet even the semi-final target and losing 2-1 to world No. 16 Wales in the classification match. Across five matches, the Tigers scored 13 goals but conceded 12. They managed just four goals from 15 penalty corners, all netted by Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan. In contrast, they gave away 33 penalty corners, including 11 against Wales. The team's performances were riddled with inconsistency and poor decision-making. In the group stage, they clawed back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with world No. 15 Pakistan, blew a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions New Zealand and beat world No. 18 Japan 2-1. In the classification match, they overcame world No. 14 South Africa 4-2. Former international Maninderjit Singh said the Nations Cup served as a wake-up call. "This is a second-tier tournament. Malaysia should have finished on the podium. The fact that we didn't says everything about where we stand right now," said the Olympian. "It's not about the coaches. It's the players. We keep saying the same things year after year — the players just cannot deliver when it matters. "They've not been able to cross the line since 2015. Coaches have come and gone, but the problems remain the same. There's no game management, and mistakes are repeated." Maninderjit added that the quality gap within the squad is stark. "We only have about six players who can genuinely perform at the international level. The rest are nowhere near. Our Junior World Cup graduates — Fariz Harizan, Mughni Kamal, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Alfarico Liau and Rafaizul Saini — made no impact at all." He warned that unless Malaysia raise their game dramatically, they stand no chance of winning the Asia Cup in India from Aug 27-Sept 7. In contrast, Nations Cup finalists Pakistan and New Zealand impressed despite limited preparation. Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman revealed his squad didn't have any international matches ahead of the tournament. "We created a development squad and played simulation matches back home," he said. "For me, it's about connection and motivation. The players respect me and listen — that's something I value. Our coaching philosophy is about making players understand the honour of wearing the national jersey and recognising their own potential." New Zealand coach Greg Nicol praised his players' adaptability. "Our boys are quick learners. Even with limited tests under our belt, we come together fast and prepare well." Results Final: New Zealand 6 Pakistan 2 3rd placing: France 3 South Korea 3 (France win 3-2 on shootout) 5th placing: Wales 2 Malaysia 1 7th placing: Japan 2 S. Africa 1
The Star
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sarjit to quit if Malaysia fails to qualify for World Cup next year
PETALING JAYA: Sarjit Singh has set a significant target for himself: qualify for the World Cup next year or step down. The national hockey team head coach stated he would resign if the team fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Holland-Belgium next August and will accept full responsibility. Sarjit mentioned he has the support of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) since taking charge in March last year but will leave if he feels unable to continue. 'If I think I can't do the job, and if we don't qualify for the World Cup next year, I will resign. 'Don't condemn the players. I will take responsibility,' he said. His comments followed the Speedy Tigers' 1-2 loss against Wales in the Nations Cup classification match, leaving them sixth out of eight teams on home soil at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday (June 21).
