Malaysia

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) brass have decided to have report cards for each national, senior and junior player to chart their progress - or their regress.

The plan should have been put in place 20 years ago, but somehow, the MHF did not see its importance in the fast growing world of hockey.

"The idea is to have a chart for each national player, so that the management can check on his progress, or regress, every month. This way, the players will always be on their toes, and we (MHF) can select the best for tournaments, friendlies, and tours," said MHF deputy president Admiral Datuk Seri Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Nor.

And there are plans to have report cards for team managers, and coaches too as the 'new' MHF, under Anwar and Raja Nazrin Shah, believe that "we can have the best administered federation in the world, but if we do not start winning medals, it would be pointless."

The report card will have entries like, fitness, punctuality, progress, and the player's strength and weaknesses.

The report card is seen as an early warning to slackers, for they can put in extra effort to stay with the pack, or risked being dropped for not showing progress.

The present selection process is "too soft" as players walk in and out with impunity based on their past performances in tournaments. Some players are selected for upcoming tournaments based not on their form, but what they had done for the country in the past.

This has led to players with injuries, and those who are overweight, to be selected over those who are trying to break into the circle.

"Accountability is the name of the game from now, we want all the players, and coaches, to be accountable for the defeats as well. Fingers should not only be pointed at the MHF alone, as there were times when the best training and tours were arranged for players, but in the end, they themselves failed to rise to the occasion," said Anwar.

As for coaches, the report cards will indicate how a team have progressed, or regressed, under their care to make it easier for the MHF to keep or fire them when the time comes.

Malaysia have a new seniors coach, Wallace Tan, and juniors coach, Sarjit Singh to chart the country's hockey future. The report cards would be used to evaluate their performances, as the MHF have become wiser after working with former national coach Paul Lissek.

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