KUALA LUMPUR: Hockey great Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi feels that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are doing the right thing by offering to split the costs involved if the national men's team are included in the Podium Programme.
Mirnawan, known in his heyday as “The Boss”, said the gesture by MHC president Datuk Subahan Kamal yesterday proved that the national body was serious about having the team included in the programme.
"National sports associations and bodies such as the National Sports Institute and the National Sports Council are necessary if we are to move forward," said Mirnawan.
"What is important is that the team receive additional support in terms of sports science and this can only be realised if they are absorbed into the Podium Programme.
"The support they have now is good but if you want to see them keep improving and win a medal at the Indonesia Asian Games next year then they need additional help."
Subahan had yesterday said he believed the main reason stopping the team from being included in the Podium Programme, which is managed by NSI, is a lack of funds.
He said the MHC are willing to split the costs if the men's hockey team, who have qualified for next year's World Cup, are included in the programme.