The veterans who rescued Malaysia’s hockey pride
The veterans who rescued Malaysia’s hockey pride
07-Dec-2025, 07:45
07 Dec 2025, 07:45
While the senior and junior teams struggled, the SAS masters produced two Asian titles.
PETALING JAYA:
The year’s most inspirational Malaysian hockey story emerged from men over 50 and 60—ageless champions who trained with a professional mindset.
While Malaysia’s senior and junior squads faced setbacks on the world stage, the Malaysian Masters Over-50 and Over-60 teams rose above the fray recently.
In a striking contrast to the national game’s challenges, these veterans delivered Asian titles through disciplined preparation, clear aims, and a refusal to slow down.
They funded themselves, organized themselves, and trained with purpose and ownership.
They prepared like professionals, while the main national system prepared like a hobby.
Both teams competed under the Sultan Ahmad Shah (SAS) Veterans Hockey Association, an organization that has kept Malaysia’s veterans hockey structured, competitive, and visible on the international stage.
Their twin victories in Hong Kong were the result of planning, accountability, and belief, not luck.
Passion that never retires: Malaysia hockey’s Over-50s
The Over-50 campaign kicked off in June with a clear directive: commit fully or step aside.
From that began a deliberate buildup—42 training sessions, tournaments in the RSC 9s, Ipoh Lads, and the KLHA veterans league, plus friendlies against veteran clubs and youth academies.
“We built a professional program even though we were self-funded,” said captain Maninderjit Singh, the Olympian and World Cupper who led the squad.
“Everyone owned the process. That ownership made all the difference.”
The team raised about RM120,000, pooling personal contributions, sponsorship help, and goodwill support.
Every sen went toward training, gear, travel, and preparation.
“When you pay for your own program, you take it seriously,” Maninderjit noted. “We trained with purpose, not nostalgia.”
In Hong Kong, the results reflected that discipline: Malaysia beat Singapore 4–0, drew with Hong Kong 1–1, and crushed Bangladesh 8–0.
In the final, they delivered their most complete performance, a controlled 3–0 win over Japan that crowned Malaysia Asian champions in the Over-50 category for the first time.
Maninderjit stated the victory sends a clear message: “Hockey doesn’t end when the national team stops playing. With structure, you can compete at a high level for life.”
He credited SAS for giving veteran hockey a proper ecosystem.
“SAS provides consistency, direction, and legitimacy. Without that backbone, we wouldn’t be standing on the podium.”
The win now paves the way to the 2026 World Masters Hockey World Cup in Rotterdam, where the squad expects a larger pool of eligible former internationals.
Over-60s: ageless warriors
The Over-60s told a different story—one built on endurance, patience, and lifelong camaraderie.
“These men balanced training with doctor visits, family commitments, and work,” said team manager Nicholas Das. “Yet they showed up, rain or shine. That dedication is why they won.”
Their preparation began after the 2024 Masters World Cup in New Zealand.
It was a year of purposeful work: honest conditioning, tactical cycles, mobility training, and recovery routines tailored to players who know their bodies well.
“We didn’t pretend we were 25,” Das said. “We trained for who we are, and it paid off.”
Under the leadership of former national player Surindar Singh, with captain Soon Mustafa Karim—two-time Olympian— and vice-captain Chandrasegar Ramasamy, the Over-60s built a structure with clear purpose.
They were guided by seasoned coaches, including former national footballer and state hockey figure V Kalimuthu, whose methods mirrored elite programs.
Their run in Hong Kong was emphatic: they dominated Singapore 11–0, beat Japan 3–2, controlled Korea 5–3, and closed with a resounding 5–0 final win over Hong Kong.
“Experience was our asset, but discipline sealed it,” Kalimuthu, now 79, said. “Every player stayed within the system. That’s why we dominated.”
He echoed Maninderjit’s praise for SAS: “SAS gives veteran hockey direction and purpose. They’ve kept Malaysia competitive on the world stage. These wins are the fruit of years of commitment.”
Das added that the Over-60s’ success also sends a broader message to the sports community: “It proves Malaysia still has the DNA for excellence. When people care, results follow.”
What others can learn
Malaysia’s veterans thrived by setting their own standards.
They scheduled themselves, raised funds, lined up matches, hired their own physios, and trained with the intensity of elite athletes—despite operating without salaries, allowances, or a formal technical department.
In a year when the senior and junior national teams faltered, SAS’s Masters teams provided the most uplifting chapter in Malaysian hockey.
They labored, sacrificed, believed, and returned with Asian titles.
Their message is straightforward and powerful: excellence doesn’t come from age or budget; it comes from ownership.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your inbox.
