KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Iman Gobinathan hopes the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) can plan its calendar better for the good of the national team.
Now coach of Maybank, Iman said this year’s Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division has been “too stop-start” and is taking a toll on national players.
The Speedy Tigers, who won a silver medal at the just-concluded Asian Games, returned home on Monday – the start of the second round of this season’s MHL Premier Division.
“I am all for national service, but as a former player, I know the demands of international hockey,” said Iman, who played for Malaysia in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Iman was also part of the Malaysian team that won a silver medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the 2002 Asian Games.
“International tournaments can be gruelling and energy-sapping. The players need proper rest between tournaments, but they are now playing almost non-stop.
“Hopefully, for next season’s MHL, the national body can study the international schedule and plan the league better.”
Iman said this year’s MHL started in April and will only conclude in December. There was a five-month break to accommodate the Nations Cup in South Africa (June 11-20), the World Cup in Belgium (Aug 15-30) and the Asian Games in Japan (Sept 18-Oct 3).
The national team will travel to India for the Asian Champions Trophy from Oct 27 to Nov 5 before returning to Malaysia. The league will take another break on Nov 14 for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from Nov 22-29.
The league resumes with the knockout stage on Dec 2.
Iman said he is fortunate that Maybank only played yesterday against Young Elephants Pahang.
“We gave our national players a break after they returned from the Asian Games,” he said.
“I need to manage them carefully as I want to minimise their risk of injury.”
