Our homeland Malaysia’s national field hockey team is known as “Speedy Tigers”. This team represents Malaysia in International field hockey competitions. Malaysia has a rich history in field hockey and has been actively participating in international competitions since the 1950s. The team has had its ups and downs but has consistently been one of the stronger teams in the Asian region. The team is governed by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), which oversees all field hockey activities in the country. Over the years, the Malaysian national hockey team has achieved notable success in various international competitions. Some of their achievements include winning medals at the Asian Games, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and the Southeast Asian Games.
Arul Selvaraj is the current head coach of the “Speedy Tigers” . He was appointed as coach in 2020. Recently, he has been honoured with the “Male coach of the year” award in 2022 National Sports Awards held at Subang Jaya. Notably, the “Speedy Tigers” received award for the category of “Men’s team of the year” as well. It was two great victory which was double the joy for the team.
Last year, the national team won the Azlan Shah Cup for the first time and emerged second at the Asia Cup in Jakarta. Their second-place finish in Jakarta qualified them for the World Cup, which was held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India, in January of this year.
Upon receiving the award, Arul took a moment to extend his gratitude towards the ones who brought him to this place and remembered his journey throughout these years. It was not an easy one for him as he had sacrificed alot to stand here today. My journey has required many sacrifices. In order to accept a job coaching the national team from Malaysian Hockey Confederation president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, I had to leave my family in Dublin, including my wife and kids. He has my sincere gratitude for believing in me referring to Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
Arul, who previously represented Malaysia at the 1998 Utrecht World Cup, extended special thanks to team manager Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi and national team chairman Datuk Ahmad Najmi Razak for their assistance. Arul also acknowledged Perpinder Singh, his coach at Segamat High School, for assisting in his development as a skilled athlete. He also acknowledged German coach Paul Lissek for helping him hone his coaching abilities. “Cikgu Perpinder gave me the hockey fundamentals and discipline I still employ today. When Lissek hired me as his national team assistant, he granted me a break from coaching. I owe them both a debt of gratitude, Arul added.
In addition, the coach stated that the “COVID-19” pandemic period was the most challenging period which he has came across. Due to the tight Movement Control Order (MCO) and Standard Operation Procedures (SOP), his players had to train remotely. Lack of communication and remote training would be difficult in sports. However, the team manage to get qualified for the World Cup, he mentioned.
Arul revealed that the next aim is to qualify for the Paris Olympics next year. The team targets to win the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou in September in order to secure an opportunity for Olympic. There is also “Olympic Qualifiers” for the team in January, stated Arul. This will be a good platform and opportunity for to test his players against Asian Games teams at the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai on Aug 3rd until 12th.
We wish the Speedy Tigers’ Coach Arul Selvaraj and the team our heartiest congratulations upon the achievement and all the best for future games!
Source: New Straits Times
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