KUALA LUMPUR – Can the Speedy Tigers make it to the Paris Olympics?
The road to next year’s Olympics seems fraught with challenges for the national hockey team, with doubts looming large after a disappointing performance in the recently concluded Hangzhou Asian Games.
With over two decades since the last time they graced the Olympic stage, the hockey fraternity is questioning the team’s potential to secure a spot at the biggest multisports event in the world taking place in Paris.
Speaking to Scoop, former national hockey icon Franco D’Cruz acknowledged the uncertainties but remains hopeful about the team’s prospects.
“The game has certainly evolved; the structure of the game has changed, and the current game involves a lot of physical ability, which Malaysia currently lacks.
“If we look at the teams from the west, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, they are physically superior to us. In order to compete with them and give them a good fight, our players should also start getting physically stronger.
“Making it to the Olympics is no easy feat, especially considering our performance in the recent Asian Games. However, we must remember that setbacks can be stepping stones to success.
“The Speedy Tigers have the talent; they just need to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and focus on the upcoming opportunities, with the desire and passion to make it to the games,” said Franco, who competed for Malaysia in the 1972 Olympics in Germany.
Franco also said that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) should emphasise getting foreign specialised coaches and training programmes to achieve the Olympic target.
“We do have the players, and MHC has been providing the best for the players so that they are well-equipped to participate in some of the major tournaments.
“However, I believe there’s a need for MHC to hire more foreign coaches from the top hockey nations to introduce more competitive and vigorous training programmes for these already talented players. This way, they will not struggle against teams that are superior to them.
“Only if MHC makes some changes to their existing ecosystem, Malaysia will have a chance to qualify for next year’s Olympics,” Franco added.
Meanwhile, former Kuala Lumpur state hockey player Manvinder Singh Dhami refuted Speedy Tiger’s qualification hopes, while also pointing out the areas that the team needs to improve.
“There is no way we are going to qualify for the Olympics with the current team that we have.
“We have an ageing squad, and we don’t have a set of proper backup players who can challenge their positions. Players who are currently above 30 in the squad have to be replaced with younger players who have the speed and passion to play for the badge.
“We are slow with our reflexes, and we are bad with our ability to score from penalty corners. Our game standards are really low, and I don’t think we will be able to rectify these issues before the upcoming qualifiers.
“On top of that, I have no idea why MHC is not allowing the team to play in the FIH Pro League. Participation in the league will allow us to rub shoulders with some of the best teams out there.
“India and Pakistan have always been competing in the league, and that’s the reason why they are getting stronger with their gameplay now.
“MHC needs to look into this matter without always complaining about budget constraints if they really care about the betterment of the sport,” Manvinder said when contacted.
Malaysia has not featured in the Olympics since Sydney in 2000.
Malaysia finished sixth in the Asian Games and missed a direct Olympic qualification slot after their 5-2 defeat to Pakistan.
Malaysia’s only hope now is the qualifiers, scheduled to take place from January 15 to 21 in Oman.
Coach Arul Selvaraj’s charges are grouped together with Great Britain, Pakistan, and China in Pool A.
The Speedy Tigers are currently ranked 12th in the world rankings with 1881.87 points. – November 17, 2023