Tai Beng Hai

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) propaganda machine strikes again! Indeed the MHF never fail to amuse when it comes to indecisiveness, thus justifying their ‘circus' tag.

Besides lacking that cohesiveness when it comes to making the big decisions, MHF seem to be plotting yet another epic failure. Call them, thick skinned or just plain obsolete in operating as an organisation, it is almost unbelievable at how indifferent MHF are.

Their ‘trial and error' method is an accepted technique for recuperation. But when in that process it keeps spelling ‘error! error! error!', something is obviously not right! It's simple…one would have to be highly mentally challenged not to understand that.

But unfortunately, there's apparently one too many at what is supposed to be our governing national hockey body. It has been tried and found wanting but for some reason MHF still want to opt for a foreign coach. Honestly MHF, what great significance has it ever brought to Malaysian hockey?

It would be comprehensible if this was never attempted before but they say third time's a charm. And if Paul Lissek barely did any good, how much can the targeted Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans offer, MHF? Also not discounting the fact that we didn't gain much from Volkner Knapp (Lissek's recommendation).

MHF, please kick up a few notches and start understanding that even hiring hockey's Alex Ferguson as the Malaysian team head coach will turn our fortunes. Tai Beng Hai may not have the natural calibre nor skill to lead the team back to glory but undermining him would be just as unfair.

The guy, whom the whole local hockey fraternity still refers to as the interim coach of the national team although he's been in charge for almost a year already, is due some credit. Since he took over the reins last January, the team as well as himself have improved gradually.

Beng Hai may not be the best at what he does but at least we can be rest assured that someone who wears his heart on his sleeve is leading the team. Results cannot be expected overnight MHF, so please instill some level of maturity into your thinking.

Please try to comprehend the whole situation as a whole. Stick to your guns MHF, for once. After all, it will cost a bomb to hire a foreign coach. Oltmans is a reputable coach, true. But what can he guarantee?

MHF, the following can be rest assured: 1) Attempts were many but the results have always been the same…we will never be able to adopt the western/European style of play.

2) The option of Oltmans being the consultant of the team will never pay dividends, just with Lissek.

3) MHF are in the red. Hiring a world class coach like Oltmans will definitely do no favours in overturning that predicament.

In fact, it will do the exact opposite with hefty monthly wages as well as shouldering the expenses for accommodation and the Dutchman's transport...all tax exempted! The above are just some factors to be considered.

There's really so much more which will simply not weigh the decision to install a foreigner. However, the above should suffice to basically show why we should just stick by Beng Hai, period.