KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) has made it clear that they have yet to finalise the appointment of the national junior head coach responsible for assembling its junior team.
The previous junior team was disbanded following its debacle in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup last year, where they finished 12th under the guidance of former head coach Amin Rahim.
It was reported that former national player I. Vikneswaran was the front-runner among two other candidates (Madzli Ikmar and Baljit Singh Charun) for the junior head coach position and purported to take charge of the role in the days to come.
Vikneswaran, who is also the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) president, was the national junior team manager at the Junior World Cups in 2021 in Bhubaneswar and last year’s edition.
Speaking to Scoop, MHC coaching committee chairman Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah said that the reports were not true, as the national body has yet to consult with national head coach Sarjit Singh on the junior role.
Previously, Scoop reported that Sarjit would select his assistants and decide on coaches for the national junior team.
The 61-year-old coach has since appointed former national players Sukri Abdul Mutalib Azrul, Effendy Bistamam, and S. Kumar as his three main assistants.
“We at MHC have yet to decide on who will be the new junior head coach for the junior team, and I’m disappointed to see false information spreading around.
“The three names that were reported were not true, as the coaching committee has not made any decisions with the head coach together with MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
“I really hope that portals report on facts instead of just hearsay, and it’s not right to spread wrong information without clarifying with MHC.
“Coach Sarjit started his first-phase training last week, and tomorrow, we will probably have a meeting to review the candidates that we have.
“The president will make a formal announcement on the appointment in a week or two,” said Manjit when contacted.
Sarjit has chosen a total of 46 players from the recently concluded Malaysian Hockey League for the Speedy Tigers selection camp from March 19 to 31.
On April 1, the players will be narrowed down to 30 to begin preparations for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Nations Cup in May.
In addition to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the Nations Cup in Poland, Sarjit’s team will also participate in the Asian Champions Trophy in Inner Mongolia, China, scheduled to take place from September 8 to 17. – March 25, 2024