Under-prepared but high on spirits, the Koreans are at Kuantan

K. Arumugam in Kuantan

With under a month preparation in the whole of year, the Koreans are here in Kuantan to make another attempt at the Asia Cup top honours.

Twice gold medalists and the 2007 finalists, Korea are keen to enter the Delhi World Cup directly, and if the Manager Dr. Seon-Jong Kim is to be believed, Koreans were in a camp less than a month prior to Kuantan trip, and has had no much opportunity to play hockey outside the peninsula.

“These players had a training in Seoul at the same Olympic hockey stadium”.

“We had 15 days domestic engagement, other than that nothing”, he said. He was referring to National Spring Competitions with he Kim Hae Hockey Council won this year. “There are many players from the Kim Hae Hockey Council team”

“We in fact would have loved to be part of the Punjab Gold Cup. It was a paid tour, and we were keen. Still we missed because we had problem in our Association. Then president, who is CEO of Philips Company in Korea, did not want to continue for the second term. There was a lot of uncertainty, and in that spell of we missed the Punjab invite. Would have been a nice preparation had we made it to Punjab, rued the Asst Professor with Gukje Digital University.

Now a gentleman who heads Korean Agricultural Foundation, a top govt post, has taken over the responsbility. Jeong-Song credits him with revamping the Korean hockey.

“The team is extremely fit, and are speedy”, he added, for which we can never have any other opinion, as Koreans forte have always been fitness.

Cho Mung Jua, a former player of repute, has been promoted from Asst. coach to chief now. “It is his maiden tour as the head coach, and he is a hard worker to the core” Seon-Jong said.

Cho Mung Jua, is a Asian Games gold medalist and a keen trainer as well.

Refusing to predict the outcome of the tournament, the wily administrator – he is in position of Marketing and Finance respectively in the FIH and AHF – is just said: “India have to be bit generous. They are already in the world cup. If they win here, this slot will perhaps go to any other continent, what way we will benefit.

Does this mean you predict India to win the Gold?

“No guesses please. It can be India Vs Pakistan, or we against any other team, my point is jus to India in the Asian interest”, he reasoned.

Hockey is a gentle man’s game. The other day I saw Chelsea manager was in tears while his counter part was in joy. I don’t want that type of feelings here, hockey is not football of course”

“We don’t have many players back home. Hockey is still considered an English sport in our country, not at all popular never to come close like football, baseball or basketball. Therefore, getting a ticket for the Delhi World Cup is a priority”, he elaborated.

Seong-Jong, 43, is also a useful hockey commentator for MB channel and SBS Sports Channels in Korea. Besides teaching, I like commentary”, he said.

Pix: Top: Korean Manager Dr. Seon-Jong Kim
Right: Koreans practicing on the newly laid turf at Kuantan