Sports critic slams national hockey coach Sarjit

By NST in August 22, 2025 – Reading time 2 minute

KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey coach Sarjit Singh’s revelation about the state of his team has left many people shocked.

Sarjit said at a press conference on Wednesday that the national team are only 80 per cent fit for the Asia Cup in Bihar, India from Aug 29 to Sept 7.

The winners of the Asia Cup will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. But it already appears that the Speedy Tigers are too slow to chase for that ticket.

Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said fitness is a very important aspect in sports and the national team need to be 100 per cent fit to be able to challenge others at the Asia Cup.

“It’s really shocking to know that the national hockey team are only 80 per cent fit for the Asia Cup. How can they give their best when they are not fully fit?

“Sarjit has been given a free hand and has been in charge of the national team for 16 months. Until now his team are only 80 per cent fit.

“As a coach, what has Sarjit been doing since last March? He should have come up with a plan and should have got the services of a fitness instructor since last year to improve the players’ fitness.

“He knows very well from the beginning of this year that the Asia Cup is a crucial tournament which offers a place in the World Cup and the team should have been in top form physically and mentally for the Asia Cup.

“Sarjit is not handling a school team but in charge of the Malaysia team who are ranked 12th in the world and he is fully responsible for the team.

“When there’s no Key Performance Index (KPI) set for a coach, this happens. He gives excuses after excuses after every tournament and gets away with it.

“He has given an excuse before the Asia Cup starts, so if the team don’t achieve their target, he can escape again.

“As a national chief coach, he must do his job professionally. And if he cannot achieve the target set for him his services should be terminated,” said Pekan.

Malaysia are drawn in Group B of the Asia Cup with defending champions South Korea, Bangladesh and Taiwan. Group A comprises India, Japan, China and Kazakhstan.

Under Sarjit, the national team have not achieved any podium finish in their last four tournaments.

Last year they played in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, the Nations Cup in Poland and Asian Champions Trophy in China. Malaysia finished sixth in the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil in June.