Sivasubramaniam imparting ball control tips to players during a training session at the State Hockey Stadium.
KUCHING: State women’s hockey head coach Sivasubramaniam C has a big headache getting his players, who are mostly students, to train for Sukma XVII in Perlis from May 27 to June 4.
This is because some schools have refused to release their students for the training.
Sukma is only four months away and the problem has thrown Sivasubramaniam’s training programme into disarray.
“I have applied for only four players to be released by the schools and I hope they can give their full cooperation for us to challenge for glory for the state,” he said.
He has also talked to officers from the State Education Department.
“I am also facing the problem of last-minute withdrawals (five players) due to work, studies or getting permission from the parents of the players,” he added.
Most of these players, Sivasubramaniam explained, are key players.
The coach had to scout for replacements and he faces a daunting task to put together a good team.
“We have started training since Feb 1 and only 10 players have turned up and registered themselves for the training,” he disclosed.
The state women’s hockey team will comprise 17 members.
Training sessions are from 6:30am to 9am and from 4pm to 7pm at the State Hockey Stadium along Jalan Padungan.
Sivasubramaniam said he will be bringing the team to Kuala Lumpur for training/exposure from Feb 21-30.