Sports events are ultimately judged by the quality of participating athletes and Sarawak can claim the ongoing Malaysia Games hockey competitions are showcasing the best.
The quality of the men’s and women’s hockey tournaments in the Land of the Hornbills, said Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Executive Committee Board member Nishel Kumar, is not short of talent and skills.
Nishel, who is the former CEO of MHC, and currently serving on the National Sports Council, said the change in the format of the men’s and women’s tournaments this edition is designed to make the players give their best performance on the field.
“NSC, together with MHC, decided that players should have adequate rest before each match and hence the men’s teams were divided into four groups. Each team has three teams,” said Nishel, who is among several MHC officials in Kuching on a talent scouting mission.
MHC executive board members in Kuching on observation and talent scouting mission also includes Deputy President Dato’ Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak (chairman of the National Team Management Committee), Dato’ Haji Mohd Sayuti Abd Samat (Vice-President and deputy chairman of National Team Management Committee), Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah (Vice-President and chairman of Coaching Committee), Dato’ Sri Dr. Anil Sandhu (Vice-President and chairman of Competitions Committee), Mr. Ganesan Shanmugam, (Vice-President and National Men’s Junior Team Manager), national men’s and women’s junior team coaches I. Vikneswaran and Lailin Abu Hassan.
Former national team goalkeeper S. Kumar, who is assisting Sarjit Singh in the men’s senior team, is also assisting in the search for talented goalkeepers.
“In the last edition of the Games in 2022 there were a lot of complaints from teams that the fixtures were too tight and the schedule was grueling. Players were too exhausted with little rest as they prepared for the quarterfinals and semifinals,” he said,
In the 2024 edition, the men’s event is divided into four groups with three teams in each group. The top two teams qualify for the quarterfinals.
“This format is much better as teams will have to give their best in the two preliminary round group matches. With adequate rest in between match days, we have seen the highest performance from the players. If you don’t play to your best, you will be punished.”
“We have witnessed high intensity matches, both in men’s and women’s competitions, with players working hard on the field,” said Nishel.
