Thursday, July 1, 2010

1MAS Hoki - "Creating the future generation for Malaysian hockey".

These days the standard response we get from coaches and sports administrators when the teams fail to perform is: "These are the best players available". It is no longer the excuses of lack of fitness or match fatigue or lack of exposure or not peaking at the right time, rather it is not having sufficiently good players to compete in the world arena. This seems to confront games like football, hockey, cricket ie most of the team games.

This obviously puts the whole focus on the "Development" programmes of the various sports. When a coach says: "This is the best we have", it literally means that past development programmes did not produce and breed the talents that were required ie failure in the "grassroot" development. This essentially means that " the grass shoots were not chosen properly for the roots to grow well enough to support the new grass ". This compounded with the lack of elements like sunshine, water, fertiliser and good gardening care may not have produced the sort of "grass" required. Fundamentally, we do not have world class players in team games because our "grassroot development" has been a failure.

I raise this as an example because of late Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) with financial support from the Prime Minister's Office have come up with an elaborate nationwide hockey development programme. Apparently MHF have created a system from the States to the Secretariat to a Task Force inbuilt with monitoring and scrutinising procedures in accounting for the progress for developing talents based on the monies spent. This whole programme is anticipated to cover a period of at least 5 years.

MHF has referred this as the "1MAS Hoki" and all credit must go to the TM as MHF's President and also to the Government who has time and time again shown its commitment to young Malaysians and sports. MHF is aided by an able General Manager, while the Chairman of the Development Committee must be recognised for putting together the paper, which itself is practical and has achievable capacity. It is not "a pie in the sky" sort of project, rather it is a project where those who are involved in implementation are financially paid for their services. It is not a voluntary scheme that depends on goodwill of people. This is the principle difference ie everyone becomes an "employee" of 1MAS Hoki. A corporate flavour has been introduced into development of hockey.

The key aspect is whether 1MAS Hoki has got the right people to do the job. This is important as the game of modern hockey has transformed where the requirements have also changed. What is important is 1MAS Hoki cannot carry with it "dinosaurs" ie people who are already extinct to hockey. This is going to be one of the key ingredients. More so as the programme actually targets players for the 2017 Junior World Cup. This is 7 years away and the people involved must have the passion, endurance, hunger for hockey knowledge, and, above all, the psychology to deal with young kids.

We have to admire MHF for working on a long term programme and the PM's Office to provide the support. We cannot in 7 years repeat what the coaches are saying now ie "This is the best we have". Rather it must be in the position where the coaches must be saying: " There seems to be a competition for places" as the team performs. To get there it requires careful planning and implementation with a continuous review process against set targets. This effectively calls for different teams at every facet thereby ensuring the processes get their fair attention. I believe this is something that is receiving its due consideration in MHF through an independent Task Force.

There is no doubt that there will be critics to the 1MAS Hoki programme. All the more the programme has to succeed to ensure the detractors do not have their day. What is important is putting the emphasis in the right areas rather than going down a track like what was done in the past. If so the past will continue to haunt us. There is the need to look "afresh" to start with. Iam helpful in making some suggestions.

1. 1MAS Hoki must lay down criteria for scouting for players. They must omit players who are already in State Project Schools and Sports Schools. They must create new players afresh ie the target group, which means the criteria must cover issues such as physique, physical ability, sporting flair and any other relevant aspects that could help them to become hockey players. Identifying such young kids is like getting the appropriate "root" to be planted.

This is the starting point and scouting the young kids to make them hockey players is something which cannot be compromised. Talent scouts should be coached with the necessary criteria to ensure everyone works uniformly on the selecting process.

2. Once the young kids are identified it is imperative that player's database be set-up incorporating their anatomical and bio-medical details plus continues progress reports on their training and game play.

Players performance history is fundamental in modern hockey and this program can become the foundation to set this up to track players profile in the future.

3. The programme must have targets over the short, medium and long term. These targets must be measured by independent teams and reported including the follow-up action. The programme itself must have sufficiently built action plans if planned targets are not achieved.

4. 1MAS Hoki must create its own website to highlight their programme and also use it as a basis for coaches to report the progress of their centres. This transparent approach provides an open system for people to follow the progress.

5. The programme must only recruit coaches who are also computer literate and therefore can, on a "real time" basis, update progress of the program and players' database.

6. 1MAS Hoki must also ensure that they send sufficient of their coaches for FIH Development coaching courses and ensure that they get the necessary qualification. Indeed this must be scheduled into the targets of achievement.

7. 1MAS Hoki must have its own league either as a carnival or zonal for inter development centre games. This would provide a better yardstick of measurement how the program is doing nationwide.

These are ideas that have spontaneously wormed their way out. There would be many more and it is important that if we want hockey to flourish in the years to come in Malaysia, we too must provide a helping hand. At least we have to come up with some workable ideas.

Good Luck to 1MAS Hoki and Malaysian hockey.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ghandhi,

As the great "Confucious" once said "A Journey of a thousand miles start with a sigle step."

MHF have taken the step with their 1MAS project to revive malaysian hockey and with 1HEART 1MIND from all relevant bodies and malaysians,this project can be a success.

As 1MAS involve young players a coach play a pivotal role for the success of the project.

We must remember than in coaching,you have an open door and the opportunity to enter the minds,heart and spirit of the players,where you can instill honorable principles and value from young.

"A GOOD COACH CREATES GREAT PLAYERS"

A Good coach:-

1.Good listener.Get players to give ideas and listen.(Make them feel they are important and think)

2.Inspire(Praise a player what he is doing right twice as often as you point out mistakes.(What you appreciate will appreciates)

3.Treat players,other coaches,parents and officials with respect.(Treat others as you want others to treat you,remember you are their role model)

4.Give players a chance to make decision.(On the field they have to make decisions.)

5.Get parents involve in their child progress and how they can support him.(Nothing can replace a parents love towards a child)

That's my view and Good luck to 1MAS and Malaysian Hockey.

Thank You.

Anonymous said...

parents should not get involved as we have great coaches who would be be able to take the children to great heights as we have achieved now. They will best know the training hours,to wake up as early as 5am, so as not disrupt their school hours but if the children are too tired by then and sleep in the classes then it is not the coaches problem.it is the players problem.

Vignesh Kandiah said...

V-i-S,

I have previously blogged about this here (http://hypog.net/vk51/?p=34) and being an avid sportsman myself, I am rather disgusted on how the local authorities here rape the raw talents we produce.

Despite being talented in our respective sports, the number factor influencing one's decision to continue pursuit in such a career has to be returns in the later part of life. I don't want to be a retired pro with no degree etc.

Hence you get the response " this is the best we've got and we're working with it". It's a lousy excuse but unfortunately, they are right.

I love hockey despite not being VERY good at it, I blame my parents for forcing me to spend more time with books instead of training in the garden. That being said, I still play till today at varsity level and still enjoy what the game has to provide.

This 1MAS idea looks promising but as mentioned, in the right hands it might take off really well. The sports schools idea should be abolished, only a handful of my peers who graduated from em' actually studied whereas the whole lot just scraped thru with bare minimum in the govt. exams. Take Nicole David for example, she took time off to complete her degree and yet remained world no.1 after her hiatus.

That's it from me now. Thank you and keep up the writing. Reading this blog has helped me get through many long cold winters in Moscow.

Vignesh Kandiah.

Anonymous said...

Raw materials still out there.
1MAS need to search it. Don't act just like Thunderbolt who took the finished products but still failed in the MJHL2010.
There's someone somewhere with great talent to be polished that really in need.....

Anonymous said...

Well Done TM.....

You have brought transformation to Malaysian Hockey.

Good Luck to 1 MAS.

Anonymous said...

After many years of MHF history now only hearing something is been done at grassroot level. hope it is a sucess exercise and produce good quality players. good job Ken and MHF. Thank you Ken for doing a great job. Ken you have been doing this for sometime and finally it is been implemented. best wishes and good luck

Anonymous said...

Ken you are our hero and saviour of malaysian hockey. keep it up.

Your Friend from Sapura.

Anonymous said...

terima kasih kepada President PHM Tengku Mahkota dan semoga berjaya projek 1MAS Hoki ini.

Tanpa TM, pihak PHM tak akan dapat penajaan dari pihak kerajaan.

Hidup TM Hidup TM HIdup TM!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Rakyat Malaysia amat bangga dengan TM atas projek ini. kita semua di pihak persatuan negeri amat berterima kasih menolong membangunkan sukan hoki ini. kita di persatuan negeri akan cuba buat yang terbaik dan semoga allah panjangkan usia tuanku.

Perak

Anonymous said...

BRAVO KEN
BRAVO KEN
BRAVO KEN
BRAVO KEN
BRAVO KEN

FIVE ROYAL SALUTE TO YOU KEN.

Anonymous said...

BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA
BRAVO TENGKU MAHKOTA

SALUTE OF 14 STATES TO TM PRESIDENT OF MHF FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE AND FUNDING FROM GOVERNMENT.

Anonymous said...

As the great "Confucious" once said "A Journey of a thousand miles start with a sigle step."

well done KEN for taking the first step for MHF and congrats KEN.

former malay mail.

Anonymous said...

1MAS hoki juga telah membuka peluang pekerjaan kepada banyak jurulatih dan pegawai hoki.

Ini juga adalah satu sejarah dimana 14 persatuan hoki negeri mengambil bahagian dalam 1 MAS hoki.

Negara yang mempunyai ekonomi yang sihat,tandanya adalah rakyat yang yang sihat.

Terimakasih TM.Perdana Menteri dan PHM.

Anonymous said...

Terimakasih

TM.Perdana Menteri dan Persatuan Hoki Malaysia.

Anonymous said...

Good work Ken ,Mike and MHF.

TQ TM for getting 1MAS hoki a reality.

Anonymous said...

Dear Ghandhi,

One of the most renowned saints in Tibetan Buddhist history the great "MARPA" put it well when he said centuries ago "TRUST" IS ONE THAT FIRE CANNOT DESTROY".

For 1 MAS Hoki to be a success "TRUST" must exist.

Trust form the foundation for effective communication,players retention,motivation and contribution on discretionary energy,the extra effort players voluntarily put in their game.

Your actions,words,direction,
mission or decision are motivated by mutually serving rather than self serving motives.

"PUT TRUST IN PLACE AND SUCCESS WILL COME ".

Thank You.

Anonymous said...

Semoga Projek ini berjaya dalam perlaksanaanya dan terima kasih kepada TM Presiden PHM yang banyak berjasa kepada sukan hoki. Banyak insentif di beri kepada semua persatuan negeri dan pihak PHM sekarang berada dalam keadaan yang begitu baik dari segi pentadbiran dan kewangan. Dengan ini, sukan hoki akan terus maju. Terima Kasih kepada Tengku Mahkota Tengku Abdullah.

Anonymous said...

Hip Hip Hooray to Mike and MHF. Good job and best wishes for Project 1MAS.

Your Mate 2000 Sydney

Anonymous said...

Well done to GM-Mike. Our support will always be with you. Keep your sincerity and honesty going. Dont get influence by others who have personal interest. You have achieved alot in mhf.

Former International

Anonymous said...

The national coach SVH is going to say he is the best available coach and he has the best available players which are both untrue

Anonymous said...

Diharapkan agar setiap persatuan negeri memilh org yg betul2 layak untuk menjayakan projek 1mas ini..jangan kerana ingin menolong org ataupun nak bagi kroni2 sendiri..kemajuan hoki tidak berjaya..

Anonymous said...

Malaysian hockey politics getting worst. Chronism being practiced a lot.
Latest, Asean School Tournament in KL starting 12th July 2010. Where is the based of the selection? MSSM??? If MSSM, who got the gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal should be given priority??Even some qualified Project 2013 Players not selected. Just a few of them in the squad. Most of the players coming from SSBJ. Not SSBJ who won the gold medal during MMSM tournament!!! Is this the training ground for SSBJ while carry the name of our country, MALAYSIA??????
What the heII is going on now??
Nowadays, players no need to play hard or smart, but only have to take care of the coach a$$..That will confirm a place in the squad..

Anonymous said...

WELL DONE MHF AND MIKE THE GM.

WE WILL BE WITH YOU. GOOD JOB BRO.

YOUR FAN

Anonymous said...

great project with great wisdom of input. thank you president, phm and mike as the able gm of mhf. keep achieving things and drive mhf forward. pls bring back sarjit and rajan to assit your wisdom............

Anonymous said...

Hello July 10, 9.14am,
Cikgu jangan dengki. Dapatkan fakta dan baru komen. Jurulatih Projek 2013 dan BJSS dah bincang. pemain yang tak gi Europe main Asean games. Jurulatih BJSS tak buat keputusan sendiri. Dia bincang dengan pegawai Kementerian. Jangan buat tuduhan. Jika you pandai, buat permohonan ke Kementerian dgn sijil kejurulatihan yang u dpt. Saya tahu macamana cikgu lulus. Praktikal pun tak pandai. lagila teori. Instructor tolong. Itu nasib you. Tapi kenalah sedar diri...level you. But keep up the good work. Minta KLHA tolong you.
Anti Dengki

Anonymous said...

triSaya setuju dgn anti dengki. Dia ingat dia jurulatih terbaik di dunia, mahu bolot semua. Kata menang MSSM ,itu pun guna pemain bukan dari K.L. Perangai macam setan nak ajar orang, konon. Boleh blah la.

Anonymous said...

Sijil beli lah bro.. macam beli lesen memandu "L" ...untuk LEMBU..

Anonymous said...

"Self praise is no praise" is a phrase I used to hear as a child and for many years it's something I used to agree with. Now I think it's a load of nonsense!

However, I do understand where the phrase has its roots - and that is about reminding us not to get bigheaded and arrogant.

Clill Bro..

Anonymous said...

The suggestions are just out of the world and I am sure our able GM can carry this out. Hooray....