Monday, January 4, 2010

History of foreign coaches in Malaysian hockey - "Whose story?"

The latest New Sunday Times January 3rd, in page 69 carried a full page article titled: "Study history before getting foreign help". The writer is Poon Fook Loke, a renowned national player who was part of the legendary 1975 Malaysian hockey team. Fook Loke is a courageous person to dictate the history of foreign help to Malaysian hockey and in his usual style has provided an analysis.


Before i get into Fook Loke's version of history, i must state that "history" can also be termed as "his" story ie. the person who tells the story. In the case of the article, i am of the opinion that it is more "his" story as opposed to history because some of the underlying issues do not correspond to what were the prevailing issues at hand.


I do not want to go to 1954 or 1966 or 1968 or even 1970, rather let me stick to the issues of more modern times i e 1990s and onwards. Before we get to the 1990s, in the 80s Malaysia had missed the 1986 World Cup and 1988 Olympics. This obviously became a concern for the administrators in MHF which was exacerbated by the failure to qualify for the 1990 World Cup. It became inevitable that MHF had to secure the services of a full time foreign coach. He was no other than Terry Walsh, who did a great job taking Malaysia to the 1992 Olympics. The point here being the mandate was to QUALIFY FIRST. This, i believe, Terry did deliver and inadvertently Fook Loke omitted this aspect. As to what happened at the Olympics in 1992, again the question to ask, "Was there a contractual target"? My believe is that MHF's pre-occupation and target was to qualify. Notwithstanding that Malaysia came out 9th at the Olympics and this has been Malaysia's highest achievement in any Olympics till today.


As Terry was endeavouring to achieve the desired impact for the national team , their unfortunate failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup saw forces at work to dismantle his services. They were successful but in his place came the Volker Knapp and Lissek combination. Lissek came as a Consultant and his "student" Knapp was the full time coach. Malaysia made it to 1996 Olympics and the 1998 World Cup. For the 1998 Commonwealth Games we became runners-up. Again the point being the mandate to Qualify for Olympics and World Cup was fulfilled. So effectively the decade of 90 with foreign coaches in the Malaysian hockey arena saw us fulfill our mandate of qualifying for 2 Olympics and 1 World Cup.


Then the 2000 Olympics saw the combination of Lissek as Consultant and local lad Stephen Van Huizen. Again the mandate to qualify was fulfilled. Fortunately for 2002 World Cup,
Malaysia as host we did not have to go through the rigorous qualifying process. Malaysia performed well on home ground in the 2002 World Cup. The coach here was Lissek and Stephen was his assistant.


By now Lissek had overstayed his presence as coach and we failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympics. Lisseks tactics and style had become an "open book" and opposing coaches knew his modus operandi like the "back of their palms". He wanting his players to adopt a robotic style, a defensive approach to the game plus only focusing attack from the right flank and to score majority of the goals through short corners became predictable. This literally killed the natural flair of our players. Above all the players became very "mechanical" and lost the ability to become thinking players. The point being neither the people in MHF nor NSC were far sighted enough to see this. Time and time again, although we had local coaches in charge, due to the sheer experience Lissek had, even though his ideas were about 8 years behind time, he was still used as consultant. This meant that we were still adopting strategy and tactics that cannot cope in modern hockey


This meant we failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and thereafter for the 2008 Olympics. The local coaches were a product of Lissek, who by now has became very "local". Modern hockey is in a "dynamic" progression but Malaysian hockey has remained "stagnant" because our coaches did not have the ability to keep breast with the developments that were taking place. So generations of our players over the last 8 years could not compete in the modern day hockey.


The trend would have been "checked" by Beng Hai and Saiful but unfortunately they were riddled with enough problems that were swept under the carpet by team management and certain officials. Beng Hai and Saiful tried hard to change the embedded "Lissek " style in their game approach but the "layers" were too thick and it was not a easy task. Even without a consultant these 2 local coaches took the team to the finals of the qualifiers and the team "cracked" in the last 13 minutes. I believe they did a good job. However, can our local coaches stand shoulder to shoulder with the top 5 to 8 coaches in the world and hold detailed technical discussions?


It is managing the various "sciences" whether it is sports, medical, nutritional. bio-mechanical, psychology or so forth that is becoming the key ingredients in modern hockey. This can only be measured by qualification and "success profile". We can "argue till the cows come home" but this is where are local coaches suffer. Major part of the reason is that the "establishment" had not created nor demanded the environment of "excellence" and therefore such things do not come naturally. The deeper aspect is that the decision makers themselves have not adopted the principles of excellence and as such they cannot demand such standards from others So everything ends up like a "curry masak" approach.


The other point that Fook Loke raised was the lack of development work that previous foreign coaches failed to undertake. I am in agreement except that i ask Fook Loke to check whether the terms of their employment covered that scope. If it was so and the foreign coaches had not done their bit, i think the fault here also lies with MHF and NSC. However my understanding is that the foreign coaches were employed for the national teams.


Therefore i believe that Fook Loke had painted a picture without really realising what was the original mandate of the foreign coaches. Unless Malaysia qualifies, we cannot write a story of the failure to be ranked high in a tournament in which we may not even participate. So Fook Loke, the pre-occupation was to qualify because of our history of failing to qualify and the foreign coaches were secured to do just that.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agree with u Gandhi.
The main spoil of our "local coaches" failure is because of the "Old Germany Disease".
You can see and list out all the current national coaches we got now. All of them were a player while the Deutschman involved with the team. Except for Dharma I think.
That's why our local coaches also become no ideas, robotic and defensive minded as they were naturally adopted the "Old Germany Disease".
So bad the "Old Germany Disease" also easily spreaded out to the beginner coach during their early exposure like Yahya Atan, Stephen V H, T. Beng Hai, etc. Sorry to say that, but its true!
The worst, all this coach become a development coach in our Sports School and involved with National Coach setup. Can you imagine, how our boys being trained to become so robotic, defensive minded and no ideas..?
I didn't say the Germany coaches was not good but please choose a coach with latest technology and ideas. That's a lot of different between "New Germany" and "Old Germany". Please spy on what the Aussie's Team do with Lissek. I believe Lissek not involved in their tactical and system of play. I believe Aussie's Team use Lissek's experience only to study and analize the "Opponents Tactical and System of Play" as this is what Lissek still got his special.
So MHF, please find the foreign coach with latest ideas and technology to coach the team, beside to polish the mentallity of our current national coach setup. Only my 2 cents opinion and sorry for all.

Arul Anthoni said...

We keep appointing coaches and let them go. We don't rectify our mistakes. Out going coaches should be responsible to explain in details for the reasons of failure, so the on coming coach wouldn't repeat the mistake.(But this NEVER HAPPENED) This seems to be the same in Pakistan and India.(Asian way of managing). My advise to Malaysian coaches : Go out and explore.There's so much to learn. Take risk.Get out of your comfort zone. I'm delighted that i made the decision to explore 5 years ago.

Arul
(Ex- asst coach Malaysia, S.Africa and now asst Coach Ireland)

Anonymous said...

History ? Why look at forighn coaches only. If look at our locals there is also history. Our good local coaches whom have brought results like Sarjit Singh-Asia Cup 2nd,Azlan Shah Cup 2nd placing, K.Rajan - 5 years TNB junior league champions , Muralee and Prakasah more than 10 years SSBJ Junior league champions. Why not give them a chance.

Anonymous said...

In the Malaysian system:

Nobody wants to admit mistakes
Nobody wants to make changes
There is no passing over of work to the next in line- they wait for " passing away" instead

what is worse everybody including players thinks" I KNOW EVERYTHING"- It is a Mr. " KNow All" attitude

So -how to improve- we just rely on " Malaysia Boleh" concept- some take risk, some prefer to be in comfort zone- so results is status quo.


It is like having players like babies with small brains or we have babies with water-logged brains- two very different abnormalities in attitudes- keep figuring it out ourselves :) :)

Anonymous said...

Coach kita ni banyak yang MEMANDAI-MANDAI daripada yang betul2 PANDAI!! Bukan salah Lissek (dan coach luar lain) jugak. Masalahnya, Lissek baru ajar A,B,C...tapi coach kita pulak MEMANDAI-MANDAI habiskan hingga X,Y,Z..Tak habis belajar lagi lah senang cakap. Lepas tu, dah la belajar tak habis, sibuk pulak nak mengajar dan tunjuk pandai pada orang lain. Duit punya pasal la kan. Tu yang sekarang ni semua dah pening kepala nak buat macamana. Tok Guru Lissek pun dah takde. Corak permainan sekarang pun dah jauh beza. Mula lah HENTAM je. Janji POKET PENUH.
Local coach yang betul2 PANDAI tu ada sebenarnya. Tapi POLITIK pulak yang BUANG mereka.
Macam tu lah sampai bila2 hoki kat Malaysia ni kalau takde orang yang betul2 boleh ambil tindakan drastik untuk kebaikan hoki negara dan ketepikan politik.
Harapan sekarang hanya pada HRH TM je untuk jadi SUPERMAN.
Jurulatih luar je bagus jadi jurulatih di Malaysia ni. Barulah golongan yang MEMANDAI-MANDAI tu boleh duduk diam dan tak berpolitik. Yang paling penting, mereka kena SAMBUNG BELAJAR mana yang tak habis lagi tu.
Malaysia Boleh!

Anonymous said...

Dear Gandhi,
You are correct. But got one paragraph that need you to get the proper source.
My opinion, not Beng Hai and Saiful did "checked" the trend of embedded 'Lissek' style. Beng Hai and Saiful only "continue" the "almost finish path" done by "somebody". So pity, that "somebody" being "thrown away" by situation even though he did a quite good job though. If not, its not impossible we did qualified for WC this year.
Didn't you notice that Beng Hai and Saiful also "born" and "exist" during 'Lissek' period? They are robotic and not a "thinking coach"!
Just ask our current national player themselves. They know who is the best local coach currently. "Situation" make them silence to be "safe"

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 11:32

You were right that 'somebody' did quite a good job because he almost destroyed Malaysian hockey by spending a lot of time eating vadai, drink tea, gamble with players and 10/2 business with minimal coaching being done. The national players whom you refer as supporting this 'somebody' are his 'runners' just like you! Morons!

Anonymous said...

Please based on MERITS,NOT SENTIMENTS.
Work SMART and NOT work HARD.

Anonymous said...

The best top 5 local coach we got currently. Its my opinion, as everybody got their freedom and own opinion. Please dont get me wrong:
1. Sarjit Singh
2. Dharma
3. Rajan
4. Vive
5. Stephen

Anonymous said...

Gandhi,

For me the best coaches are Prakash (SSBJ), Ustaz (SSBP) because they have groom players for the junior team for the last 10 years. The 2013 team have more than 20 players from both SSBP and SSBJ.

After the two coaches Mokhtar, Bob, Sunder, Yap n Muralee.

They should be groom to be national coaches. But some 'parasite' says that they are useless teachers.

Anonymous said...

Talented athletes are not made overnite by the "higher end " coaches whose names are always highlighted in the media


We always forget the "lower end" coaches who were the prime identifiers of such talents and created opportunities for these athletes to shine.


Most of the time we forget or we purposely become blind to their efforts. These" lower end" group of coaches must be rewarded for their efforts and due recognition given to them or some kind of incentives for them to CONTINUE producing talents for the " 3star/5 star" coaches to continue the task of polishing the talents.

Good athletes are not "mill grinded" but come in "raw bits and pieces" .

Our 3star/5 star coaches only continue to grind them like " chillie kering".......till they become like ....dust....supposedly" THE BEST QUALITY HAND PICKED CHILLIE KERING'- got lower end quality and imported quality- guaranteed to last till eternity -no expiry!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 2.01,
SSBJ coach should be given the oportunity for grooming. As SSBJ got the merits with all their championship.
But I don't think so SSBP coach is a good coach. Can you imagine that SSBP with among the best player chosen in Malaysia can't win any mega championship such as Jr League, etc.
The worst, SSBP cant win the match with a normal school in Jr League previously which they should win the match easily with their good players and facilities.
Off course SSBP provide a bunch of great players but without a good coach, no championship yet can be earned. This should MHF look more to avoid the wastage.
And yes, MHF should give more opportunity to the teachers group as they were the core of the sports development in Malaysia

Anonymous said...

The best top 5 local coach we got currently. Its my opinion, as everybody got their freedom and own opinion. Please dont get me wrong:
1. Sarjit Singh
2. Dharma
3. Rajan
4. Vive
5. Stephen

Dear 8:51,

MB u should hv opted for Wallace Tan/Vella than this 3 jokers (1,2&4).No1 was given a chance but what he did? 10/2... No 2 & 4 is so lucky that they have most of the national team players in the current KLHC... My friend, if they were good, their team should have easily trashed Maybank but they only managed a 1-1 draw.

Anonymous said...

The best top 5 local coach we got currently. Its my opinion, as everybody got their freedom and own opinion. Please dont get me wrong:
1. Sarjit Singh (best for his 10/2 business only).
2. Dharma (best for his night outings at red light areas...will be good influence for many youngsters.
3. Rajan (best for his beer drinking style only)
4. Vive (best for taking orders fron Dharma only)
5. Stephen....is the wright coach

Anonymous said...

So nice lo! In the hockey world we have:

Selling king!
Redlight king !
Drinking king!
Viking! &
Coaching king!

so we all can carry on mingling and giggling :) :) :)

Anonymous said...

Who is the BEST Coach

MHF is slowly allowing changes to take place within its organisation. With TM and his associates setting many plans ahead this year, the appointment of coaches is being the hottest topic and is very crucial to the success of the organisation.

Many are taking coaching as a carreer, many are taking it to make money, many for fame but there are only a handful who wants to give their best services to see Malaysia on the podium in world cup and Olympics.

As each coach has their awesome requirements to look at, the role of the coach has been quite daunting.

To undertake responsibility of a coach, he should be
1) An advisor
2) Counselor
3) Friend
4) Facilitor
5) Demonstrator
6) Fact Finder
7) Fountain of Knowledge
8) Instructor
9) Motivator
10)Organiser and planner
11)Role model
12)Supporter
13)Mentor
14)Winner

Vive is a very good assistant to Dharma. Looking at the above task and to maintain the excitement and enthusiasm among all players, we have only one Dharma who can make it happen.

Why are the national players and the current upcomming players chose to be close to him? Because
he is the BEST coach.

Anonymous said...

anonymous 12.30 am,

are u marketing?

Anonymous said...

Refer Jan 12-8.26pm

Bro,

this person seems to be one frusco dude. And he might be an educationist whom cannot wield any power to do all that he tried to do to prevent his wards from from playing in the MHL.

Now he have done a disservice to his wards that they have lost all respect for him as he single-handedly have deprieved his wards from playing against top players in the MHL and also additional income.

If he is wanted by any MHL Clubs he will be singing a different tune. Do not be a 'sour grapes' and do not indulged in below the belt tactics as you are also not as clean as you protray yourself to be.

Wake up, Geizer, we can uncover your cover,pronto.

Disgusted

Anonymous said...

To undertake responsibility of a coach, he should be
1) An advisor
2) Counselor
3) Friend
4) Facilitor
5) Demonstrator
6) Fact Finder
7) Fountain of Knowledge
8) Instructor
9) Motivator
10)Organiser and planner
11)Role model
12)Supporter
13)Mentor
14)Winner

Ref. to the above,I personaly feel that I.Vekneswaran is the best coach we have coz of his psychology effect which we lack in the national team. He even have a dutch man reporting 2 him & ex short corner specialist.

Anonymous said...

Ref 14 Jan 3:42

Wake up & accept the fact... Nobody will like to see the national team being coached by morons. There is nothing to feel disgusted... a fact shall remain a fact.

Anonymous said...

5.04 am

Bro,

it looks like your blog is very effective in raking the guilty conscience of the above posting.

One whom lives in glass houses should not throw stones, well you ask for it,now let the truth be known.

If you prevent your wards
from participating in the MHL and in the process you singlehanded deprived them of exposure and extra income and you yourself gain from the MHL then it speaks miles of your character.

Your Principal and you could not prevent your wards from participating in the MHL even though you tried because you all are inconsequential. Do not be frustrated and wash dity linens in public.

How are you going to look into your wards eyes after playing them out and you go and enjoy your forbidden fruit.

The illusionary drama you have created made EVE an angel.

Disgusted

Anonymous said...

Anon. January 15, 2010 5:04 AM

Which morons you refer to? Didn't u notice that 'your new team' which they labelled themselves a 'saviour' also becoming morons now?
A fact still remain a fact.

Anonymous said...

15 JAN 4.39

Bro,

Saya setuju dgn cadangan u yg Vicky lebih layak jadi jurulatih hoki negara drpd nama2 yg telah kita lihat dlm blog ini.

Anonymous said...

Anon Janaury 15,2.12pm

Selling king
Redlight king &
Viking