KUALA LUMPUR – It is good news for former National Women’s hockey team coach, K. Dharmaraj as he will finally be appointed as Indonesia’s Technical Director in January next year.
Dharma who went to Indonesia to take up the role in August was unable to do so because of the tussle between two associations, which were looking to take control of their national hockey body.
However, a reliable source in the hockey fraternity confirmed that the battle between the two associations is near the end as the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) is close to a decision.
“This issue will be sorted in the next few months and Dharma will take up the national technical director role,” the source told The Vibes.
The source revealed that the battle was between Federasi Hockey Indonesia (FHI) and Persatuan Hockey Seluruh Indonesia (PHSI).
This issue also caused Indonesia’s participation in hockey at the SEA Games in the Philippines last year.
“Dharma is currently coaching the West Java provincial team. He has taken up the job while waiting for his actual role as the Technical Director of the national team.
“They had to place him somewhere first because the Indonesian hockey fraternity needed him and did not want to wait further as there were others who were waiting to sign him up,” said the source.
The source added that it was great to see a homegrown hockey coach be in demand in other countries but not in Malaysia.
Dharma did not want to extend his contract with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) after it ended in December last year due to some friction between him and the association.
Meanwhile, when The Vibes contacted Dharma in Indonesia, he said that he was not sure when he will take the role but confirmed that it will be next year.
“I am still waiting. Let’s see what happens in the next few months.
“I am not in the position to reveal any details at this point of time but all I can say that this will be settled very soon,” he said.
Dharma added that for now, he is focused on preparing the West Java provincial teams for the Pekan Olahraga Nasional 2021 (PON).
“This multi-sports event is equivalent to our SUKMA Games but the difference is that there are no age limits for athletes to participate.
“We will have four teams participating for this event as the province will be sending 4 teams, which includes the outdoor and indoor hockey teams for the men and women category,” he said.
When asked if the Covid-19 has disrupted the training sessions in Bandung, Dharma said that things were normal there and that the players are training every day in the mornings and evenings.
He added that in Indonesia, he has witnessed a different level of commitment, dedication and hard work from the players.
“ I am impressed with the players here and like working with them. I feel like it’s home but I do miss my family and the food back in Malaysia,” Dharma concluded. – The Vibes, October 5, 2020
