AS it takes a lot of mental strength and sacrifice to endure the challenges and hurdles faced before successfully achieving one's goals, the ongoing pandemic did not just disrupt our lives, it has upended the aspirations of many.
This rhetoric is in relation to the national hockey squad, who are currently conducting quarantined-based training sessions in Bukit Jalil amidst various stages of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Obviously, this never happened during my playing career.
During our day, all my teammates and I did were train and play in test matches and tours to prepare for our tournaments. We remained focused on our preparation because fortunately, nothing like this ever happened to us.
As the national team manager, it was imperative that players were in strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) ─ introduced by the relevant authorities to combat Covid-19 ─ during their training sessions under the RMCO.
There were no two ways about it: team officials and players had to adhere to the rulings to the tee.
For instance, players commute to the training pitch in transports supplied by the National Sports Council (NSC). Upon arriving at the pitch, the players have to undergo temperature checks and sanitise their hands.
Under the watchful eyes of coach, Arul Selvaraj, and his assistant, Amin Rahim, players are divided into three groups ─ two groups on the pitch while the third remains outside, waiting for their turn on the playing field.
Due to social distancing, no play or practise is allowed and only tactical movements are conducted on the pitch.
At the end of the training session, the players will be transported back to their hostel, where they will have to comply with another round of SOPs.
Strict execution of SOPs is also implemented at the gym when the players conduct their physical training, physiotherapy or recovery treatments as well as in the dining hall when they’re having their meals.
Despite undergoing all the restrictions, there is an air of uncertainty as to whether the players will ever be involved in an actual tournament in the near future.
Never mind the fact that they are faced with an uneasy task, but it does get rather stressful for the players and they have to be mentally strong to cope with it all.
The players understand why they have to endure all these restrictions but then we must also remember that they, like us, are human after all.
Imagine a player who lives just 10 kilometres away from the NSC but is unable to go home to his wife and child or parents because of quarantined-based training.
This may be difficult on players, but they have to make that sacrifice in order to attend the training sessions
On top of all that, the recent implementation of the MCO from January 13-26 by relevant authorities has forced players to return home and conduct online training sessions under the supervision of Arul and Amin.
These online sessions are focused on maintaining the strength and fitness of the players as they need to be prepared in the eventuality that they will be playing a tournament sometime this year.
The squad is scheduled to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 11-19, where they will face India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
From what I’ve heard, the ACT may be postponed but for that to happen, an official announcement needs to be made by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
If the MCO is extended past January 26 and no announcement is made for the postponement of the ACT, we might consider resuming the team’s quarantine-based training at the NSC as the players need to be on the turf and train as a team to prepare for the tournament.
Whatever it is, the team management will abide by the decision of the MHC on this matter.
Besides the ACT, there is also the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, which is scheduled for June 18-27. The third tournament will be the Asia Cup in September or October, 2021.
Stay safe, Malaysia. ─ The Vibes, 22 January, 2021
THE TRAINING SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Hairi Abdul Rahman, Adrian Albert, Shafie Sahrom, Hafizuddin Othman
DEFENDERS: Razie Abdul Rahim, Marhan Jalil, Najmi Farizal Jazlan, Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Najib Abu Hassan, Syarman Mat Tee, Arif Syafie, Ishak, Aminuddin Mohd Zain, Amirol Aideed Arshad, Zulpidaus Mizun
MIDFIELDERS: Faiz Helmi Jali, Meor Muhammad Azuan Hassan, Ashran Hamsani, Nik Aiman Nk Rozemi, Pavandip Singh, Ramadan Rosli, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Hafiz Zainol
FORWARDS: Faizal Saari, Shahril Saabah, Muhammad Nor Firdaus Rosdi, Firhan Ashaari, Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Abdul Jalil, Haziq Samsul, Nur Rahul Hrisikesa Murni Tatchana
