Foul!

As published in Mailsport today By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA - Stop playing the blame game and get back to the basics. Former coach C. Paramalingam believes the way to revive Malaysian hockey, which has been in a slide, must start from the bottom instead of going for short term successes. Yesterday, he told Mailsport the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) should stop insisting on hiring a foreign coach when more could be done at improving coaches at all levels locally. With internal bickering in the national body and finger pointing, he insisted while MHC could be doing more, other stakeholders have to play their role too. "Why do we keep blaming MHC for the failures of our hockey? We must stop that. Everyone has a role to play but many aren't doing it ... or at least as effective as it was in the past," said Paramalingam. "Many ex-players could get themselves back in the game in a more serious manner. They do not need to ...

As published in Mailsport today PETALING JAYA — Former national coach C. Paramalingam believes the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) needs to stop hiring foreign coaches. This comes after it was learnt MHC senior vice president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad and secretary general Datuk Johari Abdul Aziz will meet Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today regarding the appointment of Australian Neil Hawgood as national coach. “Foreign coaches have taken us for a ride in the past. Have we not learnt our lessons?” asked Paramalingam, who was the first Malaysian coach to record victories over Pakistan and India. “MHC needs to be careful in appointing a foreigner. It is best for them to be consultants and they must be calibre coaches who have made a name for themselves. “It is not like we do not have the talent here. Tai Beng Hai, Lim Chiow Chuan, Stephen van Huizen, Colin Sta Maria and Wallace Tan all have FIH qualifications. “Why not send as many local coaches as possi...

Haresh Says, as published in Mailsport today. LET’S look at the facts. The National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong was quoted saying: “Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) have many programmes but are facing financial constraints.” MHC secretary Datuk Johari Abdul Aziz had then said: “I don’t think there is a financial crisis but I have to check with the relevant officials.” MHC treasurer Datuk N. Radhakrishnan said: “After going through the accounts, I can confirm we are not broke.” So what’s the story? The only thing consistent is all three quoted had the title ‘Datuk’ in front of their names. Period. While some continue to debate if MHC is in the red or otherwise, the reality remains that hockey players and teams have not received subsidies, prize monies and incentives promised to them since last year. This include those who participated in the Raja Noorashikin Cup last October, the national Under-14 and national...