National men's team chief coach Arul Selvaraj feels sad about the departure of Technical Director Paul Revington, but says it can't be avoided.
Revington has left the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) set-up to become the chief coach of England and Great Britain teams.
"For the last two years, Revington has been rearranging junior development in the country as well as helping with the junior men's and women's teams.
"He has helped in setting up more than 90 NHDP (National Hockey Development Centres) around the country as well as scouted for youth for future.
"So, naturally all of us feel sad about his departure, and I believe the main reason could be that he wants to be closer to his family members," said Arul.
Arul and Revington have been a "tag-team" since early 2000 as both have coached Malaysia, South Africa and Ireland and back here again.
But this time around, Revington left Arul to manage the national team himself.
"He recently returned from South Africa after helping our women secure 11th place in the Junior World Cup and he won't be going on our four-match Tour of Australia. I believe he will be around to tie up the loose ends before heading back to England," said Arul.
The Malaysian team left for Perth yesterday to play four matches against World No 1 Australia in preparation for the Jakarta Asia Cup on May 23-June 1, which offers the semi-finalists a ticket to the World Cup.
The Asian Hockey Federation have yet to release the Asia Cup groupings but early indications are that Malaysia will be in Group B with South Korea, Oman and Bangladesh. India, Pakistan, Japan and Indonesia are expected to be in Group A. Jugjet Singh
MALAYSIA-AUSTRALIA TEST MATCHES (Malaysian time):
April 23 (4pm); April 24 (4pm); April 26 (8.30pm); April 28 (noon).