Nasihin nails national job

OLYMPIAN Nasihin Nubli beat a host of candidates, including from the Netherlands and England, to become the new national women's coach.

Nasihin, who kept goal for Malaysia at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics, now hopes his experience over the years will turn some of his players into world-beaters.

It will be his second stint as women's coach after the first tenure between 2011 and 2015.

During his first stint, the team won the gold medal at the 2015 Singapore Sea Games and finished fifth at the 2013 Kuala Lumpur Asia Cup and the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

"When the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) had advertised the post, I decided to take up the challenge as I wanted to make a lasting change.

"The first task will be next year's (women's) Junior Asia Cup.

"I plan to take the team to higher than the fifth position that we have been accustomed to in Asia for decades," said Nasihin.

"Together with Lailin Abu Hassan (assistant coach), we want to start with some positive changes at the JAC," said Nasihin.

MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi were bowled over when Nasihin presented his plans.

"He came in with a complete plan which we believe is workable.

"That is one of the reasons that we chose him over candidates from England and the Netherlands.

"He told us that when he was coaching from 2011 to 2015, the team did not have a budget to implement his plans.

"We are happy with his commitment and will work to make his plans a reality," said Subahan.

The women's coaching job fell vacant when K. Dharmaraj did not re-apply for the position in December.