Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) President Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal expressed his disappointment with the attitude and discipline of a number of Young Tigers.
He did not mince his words when he warned and hoped that they would change their behavior or never play for the national team again.
Addressing members of the media at a press conference at MHC, Subahan said that the failure of the national juniors in not meeting the expectations of MHC in qualifying for the quarterfinals has been a big disappointment.
He went on to add that he is aware that there were several players who have not met the highest standards in terms of discipline and attitude.
In the same breath, he said: “Despite our failure at the Junior World Cup, I personally believe that this team has a bright future. We have nine players who are eligible to play in the next edition of the JWC in 2025. The majority of these players were selected and trained from the Malaysia Games (Sukma) held last year.
“But we have a problem. I have received several reports regarding the attitude of some individuals, and I hope that they can change for the better. As a governing body for hockey, we take our players’ attitudes seriously. Some of them can be superstars of the team, but we are least interested in it.
“If they continue with such an attitude and do not change for the better, I will not hesitate to not consider them for future call-ups. They will never represent the nation again,” said the MHC supremo, adding that MHC provides the best for the team in terms of international exposure and other facilities.
“We have offered them the best training facilities, the best specialist coaches – both local and foreign – and everything that can make them turn into better players. It is also the coach’s role to bring out the best in the players,” he said.
On another matter, Subahan acknowledged that except for national men’s senior coach A. Arul and women’s coach Muhammad Nasihin Nubli who are involved in the preparation of the teams for the Olympic qualifiers, the contracts of other national coaches will expire on December 31, 2023.
“The fate of national junior hockey head coach Amin Rahim and other coaches will be determined by the coaching chairman and the national team management committee, whether they still require the services of these coaches,” said Subahan.
“We are aware that coach Amin’s contract will be ending at the end of this year, and my job is not to decide whether to extend his contract or find a new coach.
“There is a decision-making process in which the respective committee will meet and forward their decision to the board for further discussion of the findings and whether to endorse the decision or not.
“Firstly, the coaching committee, under the new chairmanship after our recent AGM and to be named soon will meet with the team management committee under their chairman to make decisions on the team’s performance and coaching staff. Afterwards, the decisions will be brought forward to the board for a final decision.”
Indeed, there is all-round disappointment that the team failed to make the quarterfinals despite being in a tough group with Australia and the defending champion, Argentina.
In all fairness to the team, they play well in patches and in some matches. What they failed to show was consistency and character.