KUALA LUMPUR – The newly appointed national hockey head coach, Sarjit Singh, is on a mission to build a formidable team that includes both experienced and young players in the hopes of clinching the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The 61-year-old coach has scouted between 40 and 42 players from the ongoing Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) and will begin training on March 19.
Sarjit, who is on a two-year contract replacing former head coach Arul Selvaraj, whose tenure ended after the Olympic qualifier in Muscat, Oman, last month, said that the team has to be balanced and all players are given an equal chance to represent the country.
“We all know that the MHL is going to end soon, and I have attended and watched several games before my appointment as the head coach. To be honest, I have seen so many prospects that can be brought into the national team, and many of them are young players that can be moulded.
“So far, I have scouted about 40 to 42 players (a mix of senior and junior players), and I will be calling them in for training to assess their performance and determine whether they can work with my tactics and system.
“I can’t make changes instantly, and I will need some time to analyse the boys. It will take me at least 14 to 18 months to determine which direction I will take based on the players I have.
“The team has to be balanced. I do not want to be criticised for forming a team entirely made up of senior players, but I also do not want to be criticised for forming a team entirely made up of junior players.
“All players will be selected on merit, but I can assure you that I will place a greater emphasis on youth players because they are the future of Malaysian hockey,” Sarjit said during a press conference at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium today.
Sarjit, who previously coached the Johor state team, led the national side from January 2007 to December 2008.
The former national hockey captain also coached the national junior team from 2004 to 2006.
He has been given the free hand to select his assistants and decide on coaches for the national junior team, and the announcement will be made by the end of this month.
The MHL, established in 1987, is the top league competition for field hockey clubs in the Malaysian hockey league system.
There are currently seven teams in the league, with Terengganu as the defending champion.
The 2024 edition of the league commenced on February 2 and runs until March 9.
In addition to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, to be played in Ipoh from May 4 to 11, the Speedy Tigers will also participate in the Nations Cup in Poland from May 31 to June 9. – March 4, 2024