Even national player Pavinya Ramachandran couldn’t help but break into a smile when asked to describe what underwater hockey is all about.
“Its definitely tough trying to explain... I just tell people that it is hockey in the water,” said the 18-year-old.
Despite it’s relatively obscure status in Malaysia, underwater hockey, commonly known as Octopush, has quite a big following in Western countries.
Founded in England in 1954, it is played at the bottom of a swimming pool, with two teams competing to manoeuvre a puck into the opposing goal using a short hockey stick called the pusher.
In Malaysia, the sport has really grown in the last three years and the Philippines Sea Games will be the national team’s debut in an overseas competition.
For Pavinya, the Sea Games outing is really a stepping stone for underwater hockey to get more recognition in Malaysia.
“It’s not a well-known sport here, but it’s growing and there are about 130 players. We even have an association that’s recognised by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM),” said Pavinya, who hails from a swimming and water polo background.
“I know there’s been criticism about underwater hockey being contested at the Sea Games, but I’m taking it in a positive manner.
“The goal is definitely to develop the sport and the Games is a good opportunity to do that.
“The long-term goal, of course, is to get Malaysia recognised on the world stage, which we hope to do by qualifying for the World Championships next year.”
For now, though, Pavinya just wants to see all their hard work in training bear fruit in Manila.
“I think for the women’s event, Singapore are the strongest. They started recruiting players much earlier, so they are definitely better in terms of skills,” he said.
“But I think our team’s not lacking in terms of training and fitness either.
“Besides, there are two events — 4-on-4 and 6-on-6. We’re hoping to get two bronze medals.”
Only four countries — Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines — will compete in underwater hockey.
The competition is on Dec 2-5, with four gold medals at stake.