KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is apparently looking for a new head coach for the national men’s senior team, following the governing body’s shocking decision to disband the Speedy Tigers team last week.
MHC has posted a job advertisement on its Facebook page seeking a successor to potentially replace outgoing head coach Arul Selvaraj, whose contract ended on December 31 of last year.
Among the responsibilities expected by the MHC coaching committee for the new head coach is to develop and implement strategic training programmes, provide leadership and guidance to players both on and off the field, adapt to the latest game management and sports technologies, foster a positive and supportive team environment, and collaborate with the coaching staff and management to achieve national team goals.
Meanwhile, the job requirements for the new head coach include proven coaching experience at the national and international levels, strong knowledge of hockey tactics and techniques, as well as the ability to motivate and inspire players to reach their full potential.
Speaking to Scoop, MHC coaching committee chairman Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah did not comment further on the future of the current head coach but said that the committee is waiting for a comprehensive report from Arul on the team’s recent failures at the Paris Olympic qualifiers in Muscat, Oman.
“Arul has submitted a report according to the instructions that we gave him about two weeks ago.
“The coaching committee went through the report, and we have requested Arul to provide us with a more comprehensive report on the Speedy Tigers’ failure in the Olympic qualifiers.
“The report should consist of an analysis of each player’s performance, pre-, during, and post-tournament analysis, and also the list of players that should remain and be expelled from the current team.
“We have given Arul a deadline of a week from today, and we hope to see him provide us with a comprehensive report. We will decide on his association with MHC based on the comprehensive report,” said Majid.
It was reported yesterday that MHC was already in contact with two European coaches who have applied to be the national men’s team head coach.
MHC disbanded both the national senior team and the junior men’s team last week after they failed in the Olympic qualifiers last month, and the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup in Bukit Jalil last December, respectively. – February 6, 2024