Former national hockey custodian and nationl team goalkeeper coach, S. Kumar, took time off from his challenging assignment with the Speedy Tigers in the 30th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to share his goalkeeping knowledge with 10 school students today in Ipoh.
The 46-year-old veteran was well received by the principal of SMK Gunung Rapat (the Perak State Sports School) Ahmad Haridan Mohammed, and hockey coaches from the sports school, SMK Raja Perempuan, and SK Jelapang.
A total of 10 goalkeepers attended the session. The oldest was Nur Adlin Husna (Form 5) from SMK Gunung Rapat, while the youngest was 12-year-old Suhail Hasif from SK Jelapang.
The others were Muhamad Syamim Naqeeb (Form 1), Muhammad Haziq Hisam (Form 2), Nur Aina Liyana (Form 1), Nur Ariesha Abdul Rahim (Form 3) , Nur Qaisara Azman (Form 1), Nur Erna Najihah (Form 1), Nur Arissa Safrina (Form 1) and Nur Husna Ismail (Form 2).
Kumar conducted the hour-long session focusing more on basic principals in goalkeeping especially warm-up sessions before and after a game, running with the pads, and the correct way of padding the ball away.
“Almost most of these school goalkeepers do not have the basic knowledge in goalkeeping. This is very evident and today I am happy to share my knowledge with them. They learned somethings that they never knew before,” said Kumar.
“Goalkeepers at all age-group levels must be taught on the basics first to avoid injuries during training and matches,” he added.
The coaching session was held on the sideline of the Perak State Education Department Director Trophy involving sports school from four other states.