KUALA LUMPUR – Former national hockey striker Faizal Saari is on a mission to create a new generation of lethal forwards for Malaysia through his own hockey academy — a project he says marks the start of a new chapter after calling time on his international career.
Faizal, one of the country’s most prolific attackers with 302 international appearances and countless goals to his name, announced his retirement from the national team after helping Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) complete a historic treble by lifting the TNB Cup this year.
Now, the 34-year-old is channeling his experience into the Faizal Saari Hockey Academy, based in Pandamaran, Klang, where he is focused on developing young talent and giving back to the sport that defined his life.
“This is my way of giving back to hockey,” Faizal told Scoop when contacted.
“For 15 years, hockey has been everything to me. I’ve played against the best in the world and learned so much along the way. Now, I want to pass that knowledge to the next generation.”
Faizal said one of his main goals is to produce forwards with sharp attacking instincts and the confidence to dominate in front of goal — qualities he believes Malaysian hockey needs to strengthen its international competitiveness.
“Malaysia needs more strikers who are fearless in front of goal — players who don’t hesitate, who can read the game and have that killer instinct,” he said.
“It’s not just about scoring goals. It’s about positioning, decision-making, and knowing how to create chances under pressure.”
At present, Faizal trains around 60 students at his academy, many of whom are still in school. He said nurturing players from a young age is crucial to building a strong foundation.
“Some of these kids are as young as 10 or 11, and the passion they show is inspiring. My role is to guide them, refine their skills, and teach them how to think like forwards. If we build that foundation early, the future of Malaysian hockey will be brighter,” he said.
The former Speedy Tigers star also revealed bigger ambitions beyond coaching. He hopes to one day establish his own hockey club to compete in top-level domestic and international tournaments.
“One day, I want to create my own team with young talents and take them to the highest level,” he said. “It’s about building something from the ground up — not just to compete, but to set a new standard for Malaysian hockey.”
Faizal added that his academy’s focus goes beyond technical skills, as he also aims to instill discipline, teamwork, and respect among his players.
“I always remind them that being a good player is not enough. You need to be a disciplined athlete and a respectful teammate. These values will carry them far, not only in hockey but in life,” he said.
Encouraged by the response so far, Faizal said he plans to expand his academy beyond Pandamaran to other areas in the Klang Valley to reach more aspiring players.
“There’s a lot of untapped talent out there. My hope is to see more grassroots players rise through the ranks and represent Malaysia one day,” he said. – October 1, 2025