KUALA LUMPUR – Are our hockey players world-class?
Former national hockey player Maninderjit Singh believes that grassroots development programmes across the country should focus more on developing international standard players, rather than national standard players.
Speaking to Scoop, the two-time Olympian (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000) said that more high-performance players are needed from the youth system in order to see the national team excel on the international stage.
“If you look at the structure of grassroots development in our country, we see many sports schools that have been producing players across the country, and there are also several private academies that have been producing players.
“I think we are producing a lot in the supply chain, but I think the part that we have to look at is the middle part to take the cream (of the crop) and make them into high-performance players.
“I think that is where we are lacking, as the definition between the national player and international player is different.
“We need more players from the youth who are already at the international standard so that it will be easier for them when they transition into the national team,” said Maninderjit, when met at the C. Paramalingam Legends Trophy event at Tun Razak Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Maninderjit expressed no desire to coach the national team but praised his mentor, C. Paramalingam, for bringing talented players from the grassroots level who became assets for the national team during his coaching tenure.
“Coach Param’s dedication to moulding world-class players from the grassroots level is something which is inimitable, and many of us who were under his guidance became Olympians and World Cuppers.
“Coach Param started his initiative at the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) as that was the ground for grassroots players and many players to come and be transformed into international-level players.
“We need more people like coach Param who can step into the scene and produce more world-class players,” Maninderjit added.
Paramalingam, aged 90, left an indelible mark on Malaysian hockey, both as a player and as a coach.
His illustrious career spanned from 1956 to 1970, during which he showcased his exceptional skills and leadership on the field.
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he was one of the top scorers, netting nine goals for Malaysia.
His coaching tenure included guiding Malaysia to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. – March 12, 2024