Malaysian Hockey - "The Power of Money".

Yes! another article that was e-mailed to me from the regular visitor to the blog. The title of the article is appropriately fitting, as money seem to be a determining factor to many things. It has become such an essential ingredient in everything that it can dictate exactly what happens.

Today's hockey seems to be heavily flavoured with money, but still the performance of the national teams do not reciprocate the level of investment that has been put into it. Maybe that is what the writer may mean when he states, "money failed to fix". How can it be? Especially when money seems to dictate matters. Surely something must be wrong somewhere?

Read the article below and judge for yourself if what is written represents the prevailing predicament in Malaysian hockey.

“The Power of Money failed to “fix”?”

Barter, is defined as "a trade or exchange of goods or services without using money." Its origins are traced back to the dawn of mankind.

With civilisation, Barter is often regarded as an old-fashioned means of exchange that was superseded because money is far more efficient.

The power of money is so devastating that we often see how some teams influence various players to hop around from one state to another or from club to club in the Malaysian hockey scene just because the irresponsible characters uses money to entice the players.

The hot questions are; Can money buy shortcut to success? Can shortcut to success be sustained? Is the current debacle as a result of “shortcut” and “money abuse”?

I strongly believe in context of Malaysian hockey, how money spins the game is clearly “an abuse”! In fact it is contributing negatively and retarding the game. To some it is a noble contribution. Taking into consideration the current complication, Malaysian hockey is surely paying for it. Those practicing it without realising their ambitions, couple with the wrong advice by a key “hockey expert” is creating catastrophes to Malaysian hockey. The expert who also has his own agenda in fact is tarnishing these nobleman’s credential and credibility.

With the conclusion of the 17^th edition of the Razak Cup, it is very glaring that the defending champion is clearly at the receiving end when “import players” are not at their dispense. What happen to the other players and coaches groomed by this state? Maybe there is no development program and the recent age group highs are also contributed by others for example, Sports Schools Program (KPM).

At the pre-tournament managers’ meeting, all states refused to allow “unethical request” for the release of players born in their states. In the response to this, the effected team manager made a call to his association and the 6 national junior players from that state was not released to play in the tournament. Whoever the team manager was speaking with on the other end of line, must be mentally insane because the decision to put the state above national interest proved that all allegations are not baseless. The question is why only now that we are standing up to put things into right perspective? Are the states aware of the group’s modus operandi now? Does this refusal to budge mean that the power dominance by certain MHF officials is on the decline?

This year, players who refused to attend trial at their home state were the eventual looses. The Kali brothers were in this case a good example whereby they were released to play for their “adopted” state but did not show up but wanted to play for Johor. Born in Malacca and now residing and playing in the KLHA league should give KL the rights over them. Other players whose home state did not participated also refused to be the vehicle for the power crazy and irresponsible group’s ambition.

In the interest of the game, states should start a good development program to help themselves, the journey is long and difficult but very satisfying and rewarding at the end. States that have taken the trouble to groom and create opportunity for players to learn and mature in terms of hockey and career should not be punished. The 14 days residential and employment ruling in the past has been accepted well by all states. This rule will surely not allow crony states to “gang up” and take advantage to monopoly the players amongst themselves.

In the case of Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association for example, over the years KLHA have done a lot good for hockey with the vast league system organised yearly. When the ruling of “place of birth” was enforced, KLHA was caught without the players to represent them in the senior level for the last 3 years. Since then we have seen KLHA taking steps and are more prepared as seen in their ground work with the age group tournaments bearing fruit as they prepare for their future senior level tournaments.

In conclusion, even with the boost of national players, the recent Razak Cup failed to attract the crowd. There was hardly any big turnout for the whole duration of the tournament as though the public is joining and giving the approval to the 102 ex-national players’ petition to the current Malaysian hockey debacle. The Malaysian hockey team’s poor performance and the many unsolved allegations must also have direct influence to it. It is obvious that the credibility of MHF will create a negative response and without a doubt the long term reaction by the public will further kill the game.

I hope the Malaysian players will think outside the box and start changing their mindset in managing their lives. They need to have core principle and ethics as a national hockey player. They must display showing values to the system instead of money can buy their soul.. This is even more essential with the current situation as the few black sheep has tarnished you reputation as a public figure. If you are innocent, please redeem your dignity by stand-up and fight for your rights to change things. You need to play in the top 12 and Olympic, or else you better call it a day. You will be branded “Jagoh Kampung” for the rest of your life! Are you part of the group or just a bystander? Do the right thing to save your soul and Malaysian hockey!

I strongly believe steps should be taken to improve the quality of the premier Razak Cup tournament if we want to move forward:

Ø Revert back to the old ruling format; 14 days residential and employer criteria.

Ø Only states which organise leagues can participate in the Razak Cup.

Ø Set earlier dateline for states to release their “unwanted” players.

Ø Limit the number of national players in each state.

Ø States that do not participate in the age group tournaments shall not be allowed to take part in the Razak Cup Tournament.

Ø Mandatory minimum number of age group players in the team and mandatory number of age group players on the field playing.

Going forward states and club must have their own continuous development program to support national interest and not use money to buy success. Shortcut to success is dangerous!

Malaysia Boleh!

Folks! Is he right? Is his recommendation practical and can it be implemented for the betterment of hockey? Lets hear your views, especially from the States and Clubs.