KUALA LUMPUR – Former national men’s hockey head coach Arul Selvaraj hopes his successor Sarjit Singh will continue the sports science initiatives that were implemented for the team.
Arul, who took charge of the Speedy Tigers from September 2020 till January this year, said he had introduced sports science to enhance performance with the hope of challenging top hockey nations.
“I brought in a lot of sports science elements; it is a process. Sports science is the key now. Look at the top international teams,” said Arul, whose contract ended after the Speedy Tigers failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We know Sarjit as a player. He has good charisma and is passionate (about hockey). At 62, he is still running around, playing and always fighting for the players. I wish Sarjit all the best,” he said, adding that he is ready to support the national team if needed.
Arul also thanked former National Sports Council director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail for helping Speedy Tigers to get a mini gym at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Arul hopes the hockey fraternity will give their full support to the national team and Sarjit, saying the culture of making unconstructive comments must stop.
“The public also needs to stop asking the president (Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal) and MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) office bearers to resign if the team don’t achieve their target. It doesn’t make sense because results are determined by players on the field,” he said.
Malaysia last played in the Olympics in the 2000 Sydney edition, and the Speedy Tigers failed to end the over two-decade wait.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, which offered an Olympic ticket for the gold medallists, the national team failed to progress beyond the group stage.
At the Oman qualifiers from Jan 13-21, the last avenue for Olympic qualification, Malaysia finished last in their group. The top three teams from that tournament qualified for the Olympics. – March 14, 2024