KUALA LUMPUR – National junior hockey head coach I. Vikneswaran is expected to step down from his post to focus on his responsibilities as president of the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA).
The 51-year-old was recently re-elected to a second consecutive term as KLHA president and is likely to be replaced by three-time Olympian Nor Saiful Zaini.
A source within the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) told Scoop that Vikneswaran had come under increasing pressure from KLHA affiliates to resign as junior head coach and dedicate himself fully to reforming the state hockey body, rather than juggling dual roles.
According to the source, affiliates had even threatened to call for a re-election within KLHA if Vikneswaran refused to relinquish his national coaching duties.
“Many of the affiliates are not happy with Vikneswaran handling two roles. They want him to concentrate fully on his KLHA duties.
“They believe the association needs a president who is 100% committed and present in all discussions to restore KLHA to its former glory, rather than one who is often occupied with national team responsibilities.
“It’s understood that Vikneswaran has agreed to the affiliates’ request out of respect for the mandate they gave him by re-electing him president.
“However, the final decision now lies with MHC. It seems likely they will allow Vikneswaran to step down, given the mounting pressure and threats of a KLHA re-election if he continues with national duties,” the source said.
The source added that Nor Saiful is currently the frontrunner to take over should the coaching position be vacated.
“Based on Saiful’s track record in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) over the years, he’s seen as the ideal candidate to succeed Vikneswaran.
“He also enjoys strong backing from Tenaga Nasional Berhad, which is MHC’s main sponsor.
“But we’ll have to wait and see what the final outcome is. A U-turn is always possible if Vikneswaran manages to convince the KLHA affiliates,” the source added.
It is understood that MHC will convene a meeting in the coming days to decide on the junior national coaching role, with the selected candidate set to lead Malaysia at the Junior World Cup in India from November 28 to December 10.
Saiful, 59, who led Tenaga Nasional to a domestic treble in the MHL last year, previously served as national junior head coach from 2016 to 2020.
Vikneswaran, meanwhile, has been a key figure in Malaysia’s junior hockey structure, having served as team manager at the last two Junior World Cups (2021 and 2023) before being appointed head coach in April last year.
Under his leadership, the Young Tigers finished fourth at the Junior Asia Cup in Oman in December, securing qualification for this year’s Junior World Cup. Malaysia placed behind champions India, runners-up Pakistan, and third-placed Japan. — May 5, 2025