THERE are 360 days to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, but only 220 training days for the national hockey team.
That's the time they will have in their attempt to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics via the Asian Games.
However, things might not be the same for the next Asian Games in 2026.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have invited Oceania countries to compete in selected sports in Hangzhou next year, and more could make their entry in the 2016 edition.
Hangzhou will see Oceania countries compete in volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, football and fencing.
"OCA have allowed Oceania countries to compete in selected sports for the 2022 Games, and more sports are expected to be included in the following Games for Oceania countries.
"Australia (world No 2 for men and No 4 for women) and New Zealand (No 8 men and No 7 women) are two strong hockey-playing nations, and if Oceania are allowed to play in the sport at the 2026 Games, the FIH (International Hockey Confederation) must also increase the (World Cup) qualifying quota to five or six teams.
"Europe gets a quota of six for the World Cup, and if Australia and New Zealand are allowed to play hockey at the Asian Games, FIH must increase the quota for Asia as well," said Arul.
Arul and his men have only been on the artificial pitch for the last two weeks, after finally stopping their home-based training.
"Covid-19 has also made it difficult for teams to play international friendlies as well as tournaments right now.
"The national team have been training on the pitch for the last two weeks only.
"This year's Asian Champions Trophy is in doubt, and next year Malaysia will have a packed calendar.
"Starting with the Malaysia Hockey League early next year, it will be followed by the Azlan Shah Cup, Commonwealth Games and finally the Asian Games.
"In all, I have calculated that the national team will have only 220 days to train, make the Asian Games semi-finals, and qualify for the World Cup," said Arul.
Oceania were first invited by OCA to compete at the 2017 Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, but ineligible to win medals.
However, Oceania athletes will be eligible for medals at Hangzhou 2022.