KUALA LUMPUR – National hockey player Naaveennash Panicker is determined to excel in the Nations Cup after missing his debut for the Speedy Tigers in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The 18-year-old Brickfields-born forward was selected by head coach Sarjit Singh’s revamped 30-player team after his successful campaign in the Malaysia Hockey League for TNB Thunderbolts, where he scored a total of four goals, helping the team emerge as champions.
The versatile player then went through an assessment, playing two friendlies against New Zealand and South Korea prior to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
However, he did not make it into the final 18-player list for the invitational tournament.
With the attacking force of Faizal Saari, Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, and Akhimullah Anuar Esook, the Speedy Tigers scored a staggering total of 18 goals in the tournament in Ipoh, finishing in fourth place.
Speaking to Scoop, Naaveennash admitted that he was disappointed to miss his potential debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup but trusts the process under his coach and is ready to fight for his spot in the competitive squad.
“I was disappointed for not getting selected in the final (18) list of players for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. But I believe that coach Sarjit has brought me into the team for a purpose. I still have a lot more to learn from all the other players on the team, especially from the seniors.
“The Nations Cup will be a big competition for me, and it’s a tournament that is much more prestigious than the Azlan Shah Cup. The teams are better and stronger.
“Coach Sarjit has a very good plan with his team of coaches, and they all have a very modernised direction and vision for the game. Sarjit is also someone who always tells me to push harder if I want to be on his team.
“It’s not easy to be on the national team under coach Sarjit’s guidance, as it’s really competitive, and he always demands the best from all of us. Nobody in the team can guarantee their spot, and we all work hard in the training sessions to fight for our spots,” said Naaveennash when met at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh last week.
At the same time, Naaveennash also admitted that he has to work on his physical strength if he hopes to make his Speedy Tigers debut at the upcoming Nations Cup.
“I was already mentally prepared and ready to sacrifice the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the Nations Cup. I have pushed my disappointment aside and stayed focused on becoming fitter for the Nations Cup. The tournament is going to be tough, and I’m preparing my body to the maximum.
“Hockey in the modern era demands a lot of physical strength, and I need to ensure that my physique improves, which is currently lacking.
“I can’t wait to make my debut at the Nations Cup, and I’m going to give my 100% to impress coach Sarjit and get selected so that I will get a chance to play with this amazing team.
“To be in the 30-player squad under coach Sarjit is already a big honour, and all I have to do now is push myself a bit,” Naaveennash added.
The Nations Cup is scheduled to take place in Poland from May 31 to June 9, with the Speedy Tigers grouped with Canada, France, and Pakistan in Pool B. – May 17, 2024