KUALA LUMPUR – Selvaraju Sandrakasi is keen to provide more opportunities for young Malaysian players to gain international exposure and has called on the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) to relax its regulations regarding players seeking to play abroad.
Selvaraju’s remarks come after his recent appointment as head coach of the Adelaide Sikhs, ahead of the International Hockey Cup Melbourne 2025 and the Australian Hockey League (AHL), where he will lead the team in one of the region’s most competitive tournaments.
In an exclusive interview with Scoop, Selvaraju expressed his excitement about the new role, which he views as a major milestone in his career.
“My appointment is a huge opportunity for me, not only to achieve success with the Adelaide Sikhs but also to create a lasting platform for collaboration between Australian clubs and Malaysian talent,” he said.
“This feels like the next chapter in my journey. It’s a great chance to work with some of the best players in Australia and compete in one of the top leagues in the world. The league runs for six to seven months, providing invaluable experience and exposure. My aim is to help the club succeed — not just in terms of results but in building a solid foundation that will attract more international players, including Malaysians, in the future,” he added.
Selvaraju also emphasised the importance of MHC adopting a more flexible approach to releasing players for overseas opportunities.
“I’ve always been focused on creating more pathways for Malaysian players, particularly the younger ones. MHC should not be too rigid when it comes to allowing players to play abroad,” he explained.
“The Australian leagues run for six to seven months, and players can gain invaluable experience by playing at a higher level, rather than staying in their comfort zones. I’m ready to bring them in, but it also requires better administration and planning from those in charge,” he added.
Selvaraju pointed to the example of Pakistan, where players continue to gain valuable international experience despite domestic challenges.
“You cannot improve by staying in your comfort zone. You need to play at a higher level abroad. Despite their difficulties, many Pakistani players go overseas to develop their game. Before making a move, players must also understand the environment and the methods used in those leagues. That is how real growth happens,” he said.
Selvaraju’s Adelaide Sikhs team is set to include Japan’s in-form players Kazumasa Matsumoto and Raiki Fujishima to strengthen the squad’s attack.
The International Hockey Cup Melbourne 2025, scheduled for October this year, will feature some of the region’s top teams, including Japan’s Kattana Bulls, New Zealand Heritage, and the Lahore Sultans, all competing for the title. – September 6, 2025