APAC 2010: Looking Ahead

I have had the opportunity to represent Malaysia for floorball in the Asia PAcific Floorball Championship (APAC) for the past three years. This year, being the fourth time, I once again had the privilege to be part of team Malaysia as we headed down to Singapore for APAC 2010. I won't go into too much details on match reviews because IFF and Borak-Borak Floorball has already covered those areas. I'm just going to share my thoughts about APAC 2010.

Having been to three APACs prior to this, I know how tough and competitive floorball can be at that level. When we had our national trainings, our coaches have already drilled into our heads that our goal for APAC 2010 is to win a medal back - no more 'go-for-exposure' nonsense. I'm glad that was the goal they set out for us. Even though it sounds like a ridiculous and seemingly impossible task, it was an appropriate one.


Now, most would be asking - so what exactly happened to team Malaysia in APAC 2010?
What's with all those double-digits trashing?

Two very obvious things happened - we were physically and mentally outclassed. Dare I say, we weren't as prepared in these two areas as the previous year.

I for one, know that I wasn't physically fit. And at that level, fit is not enough - you have to be VERY fit. The Japs ran so fast they made us look as if we were taking a jog on court. Truth of the matter is, we didn't train hard and consistent enough to hit our peak. I'm culpable for that no doubt.

Lin Ken, still mentally strong! (can pose some more!)

But on a more personal note, the most disappointing fall back for me was our mental state. We had a hard time getting our hearts and minds into the game and that cost us dearly. And I'm not just talking about on court mental state. I personally feel the let down came from the benches as well. What one says and does on the substitute bench determines the morale of the team.

One person's actions and words will and can affect the entire team.

Simple things like nodding our heads in dejection every time we let in a goal, slamming our stick on the floor in frustration, lashing out at our own team mates for their mistakes and so on affect the team. I know I'm guilty of all these as well. All of these revealed to me that we have more than just mental weaknesses - maybe it has to do with our character as well.

What have I learnt from APAC 2010?

I've learnt that old habits die hard. As a team, we struggled to break away from the habit of getting into the 'underdog' mentality. I've learnt that, therefore, it is our duty as senior and experienced players to the younger ones in Penang/Malaysia to really coach and educate them in every area of floorball - not just from the technical side to the tactical, but also off court attitude towards the team and how they perceive themselves when they go head to head with a stronger team. It's time to 'brainwash' the younger generation to believe in their strengths. It is crucial for us, senior players, to really start investing our time in the younger players if we do want to see Malaysia floorball hitting a competitive level in the international scene. Having said that, to do all these, we must first get rid of our old habits - we need to get out of the 'underdog' mentality and immerse ourselves instead with the 'Champion' mindset.

Running for the future.

A friend asked me if I've wasted my money going to Singapore.

Knowledge and experience is never a waste. It is an investment if we learn from it.

We may not see the visual results of winning matches and gaining a medal just yet, but if we can channel those knowledge and experiences to the younger generation and facilitate them to grow in the right direction, then the 'interest' of our investment will be seen in years to come.

To say that it is a waste, or to throw in the towel because of the many humiliating defeats would be to kill off the many great potentials that we have in the younger generation. If we quit now, we extinguish the future of floorball in Malaysia.

What then is the significance of chanting aloud "Malaysia Boleh" each time before a match?

To quit, that's the ultimate defeat we'd ever have to face.

APAC 2010 has been a significant one for me. It reassures me of what I'm suppose to do and that is to start building champions. I may not be the one who will be bringing back a medal, but the least I can do is to empower others who can.