Cambodia 2023 : TeamSG's Field Hockey Players are Gunning for Pride & Glory at the 32nd SEA Games!

Singapore's Men's & Women's Teams to compete at Cambodia 2023. Photo Credit : Singapore Hockey Federation

Back in 2020, Mathavan Devadas (President, Singapore Hockey Federation/SHF) told The Straits Times, that one of his key long-term targets was to see 1 of our National teams, win the elusive SEA Games (SEAG) gold medal in 2029. Admitting that it would be tough to overcome regional powerhouse Malaysia, he said, "What has to happen is players have to believe. If they believe, they can do a lot of things." SEAG 2029 will take place in Singapore, since the Republic's last hosting in 2015.

As for 2023, it marks 30 years since the Republic last stood at the top of the hockey winner's podium at the SEAG. From then till today, it's been a haul of several bronzes and a silver medal at the 2015 Games. And to address the need of rebuilding the national teams after the 2-year global pandemic, the SHF for the 1st time, appointed a Technical Director (TD) to oversee the youth development pathway, developing grassroots and high performance programmes, while mentoring local coaches. Having coached several countries including Canada, Scotland and India, German-born Mathias Ahrens arrived in April 2022 to take up the TD's role. Meanwhile, ActiveSG Circle recently spoke to SHF President Mathavan, and the Captains of both teams which will be competing in Cambodia 2023.

Mathavan Devadas, President - Singapore Hockey Federation. Photo Credit : SHF

Mathavan Devadas (President, Singapore Hockey Federation)

Q : SHF is sending teams to compete in Cambodia 2023. How are you feeling ahead of the SEA Games?
Mathavan : This being the first SEA Games since 2019 for the Indoor teams and 2017 for the Field Hockey teams, our aim is to be competitive. No matter how our athletes perform in competition and training prior to the event, the SEA Games comes with special significance and it’s important to be pragmatic.

Q : What is your sensing of our Men’s Team and their chances of a podium finish?
Mathavan : Both the Men’s Indoor and Field teams have prepared thoroughly. We are targeting a podium finish, but much depends on the roll of the ball. The venues in Cambodia are new and much will depend on how the teams adapt.

Q : Where do you reckon the biggest challenge will come from, as it relates to our Women’s Team?
Mathavan : The challenge for the Women’s Indoor team will be from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, they finished Champions, Runners-up and 3rd respectively in Asia Cup 2022. In Field Hockey, Malaysia are ranked 19th, Thailand 29th and Singapore are 34th.

Q : What’s next for our Hockey Teams after the SEA Games?
Mathavan : The Indoor teams will be preparing for the Asian Indoor Games in November in Thailand, and the Women’s Field Hockey team will be preparing for the Asian Games

Ho Puay Ling (Captain, Singapore's Women's Hockey Squad)
Age : 30
No of Years in Team Singapore : 13
No of Years playing Hockey : 17

Q : Cambodia 2023 represents your 4th time representing Singapore at the SEA Games. How do you feel about the upcoming campaign?
Puay Ling : It is very exciting to be part of it once again, after having missing out in 2019 & 2021, because field hockey was not part of the SEAG. I think representing Singapore at the SEA Games is one of the biggest sporting events one can participate in. 

Q : Your last outing at the biennial Games was in KL 2017. Do you feel the 6-year absence, might have an impact on your personal game?
Puay Ling : In the 6 years' absence, we still managed to compete in international competitions against other Asian teams. Of course, having missed out on the last 2 SEAG campaigns was hard and you always long to have such a major event to play again. Hence, going into it this time round, not only is it exciting, but you do feel like it is going to be a huge one to look forward to. I think the impact that will have on me, will be that I'm very eager to play and it's going to be more exciting this time round, as I've been waiting for it for a long time. 

TeamSG's Ho Puay Ling in action. Photo Credit : Ho Puay Ling

Q : Could you take us through briefly, the journey to getting prepared for the upcoming Games?
Puay Ling : We train 5 times a week ie 3 field trainings and 2 gym sessions. As we prepare for the Games, we do play more practice matches against clubs, development boys, the Australian country team and the UWA hockey club. These matches help us fine-tune our attacking & defending strategies and set-plays that will help us perform at the SEAG. We also had the opportunity to travel to Perth for a week-long training camp, where we trained daily and played against stronger opponents at the UWA hockey club. 

Q : With 2 SEA Games bronze medals under your belt, do you feel the current women's team has the ability to finish 3rd again or perhaps do even better?
Puay Ling : Yes, we definitely are looking at a podium finish and to play in the SEA Games final in Cambodia. As for our team, we've been competing and training together for a few years now. Even though there are more SEAG debutants this time round, we've all been together in each competition since 2018. Therefore, I am confident that everyone will be able to achieve their best in Cambodia!

Q : 13 years with TeamSG and you've competed at the regional and Asian level as well. What else is on your radar that you'd like to achieve in your national career?
Puay Ling : Personally, I would like to hit my 100th cap by the end of this year and I think for all hockey players, being able to achieve 50, 100 and 150 is an impressive milestone (currently at 90 caps). Grabbing a silver SEA Games medal would be one of my targets as well. 

Captain Ho Puay Ling (3rd from Left) with her TeamSG teammates. Photo Credit : Ho Puay Ling

Q : What is your Pre-Game ritual (if any)?
Puay Ling : One thing I always do is put baby oil on my tummy, I've been doing that ever since I played my first match for Singapore. 

Q : Do you have a favourite go-to song before the start of a match?
Puay Ling : I do have a hockey playlist that I always play when I'm on the bus and on the way to the stadium. The playlist consists of songs by Lany, Lauv, Justin Bieber and Eric Chou. 

Q : Do you have a pre-match meal, snack or drink before a game?
Puay Ling : A simple peanut butter sandwich or protein bar.

TeamSG's Ho Puay Ling (raised on teammates' shoulders) featuring in the Spanish league for Castelldefels Hockey Club. Photo Credit : Ho Puay Ling

Q : Your favourite Hockey Player in the world and why?
Puay Ling : Juliana Jankunas who is fast on the pitch and really skillful. 

Q : Do you have a favourite personal momento/souvenir from your time in playing hockey? 
Puay Ling : Playing in the Spanish league for Castelldefels Hockey Club (see photo above)

Nur Ashriq Ferdaus Bin Zul’kepli (Captain, Singapore's Men's Squad). Photo Credit : SHF

Nur Ashriq Ferdaus Bin Zul’kepli (Captain, Singapore's Men's Hockey Squad)

Q : Cambodia 2023 represents your 4th time representing Singapore at the SEA Games. How do you feel going into your next campaign?
Ashriq : This SEA Games feels a little more special, as this is our first major games ever since Covid-19.

Q : Your last outing at the biennial event was in KL 2017. Do you feel the 6-year absence, might have an impact on your personal game?
Ashriq : I don’t think it has impacted my personal game, but instead, the 6-year absence has provided opportunities to work on different areas of my game. 

Q : Could you take us through briefly, the journey to getting prepared for the upcoming Games?Ashriq : This preparation has been one of the most intense, yet fulfilling journeys thus far. We started our preps back in November 2022. Besides our weekly training, we travel frequently to Malaysia over the weekends for friendly games. We also went to India last month for a hockey training camp. 

TeamSG's Nur Ashriq in action. Photo Credit : Nur Ashriq

Q : Having already won 2 SEA Games Silver and a bronze medal, do you feel the current Men's team has enough of talented and skilled players to achieve a podium finish in Cambodia?
Ashriq : Yes I believe so. 

Q : 13 years with TeamSG and you've competed at the regional and Asian level + Olympic qualifiers as well. Are you still chasing for that 1 elusive trophy or medal in your national career?
Ashriq : Not really, as my goal is to give my best in every game and tournament that we’re participating in. 

Captain Nur Ashriq (1st from Right) with his TeamSG teammates. Photo Credit : Nur Ashriq

Q : What is your Pre-Game ritual (if any)?
Ashriq : Have a hot shower before a game! 

Q : Do you have a favourite go-to song before the start of a match?
Ashriq : I don’t have a particular favourite. Just any upbeat songs that would motivate me before a game. 

Q : Do you have a pre-match meal, snack or drink before a game?
Ashriq : My pre-match meal is coffee. Ice coffee to be specific! 

Q : Your favourite Hockey Player in the world and why?
Ashriq : Favourite hockey player is Jamie Dwyer. He dribbles the ball effortlessly, making hockey look simple to play. 

Q : Do you have a favourite personal momento/souvenir from your time in playing hockey? 
Ashriq : Yes, the photo was taken when we won the 2018 Hockey Series Open in Singapore (see photo below)

Team Singapore won the 2018 Hockey Open Series. Photo Credit : Nur Ashriq

The Field Hockey competition at the 32nd SEA Games will kick off from 9 May onwards.

Watch the Games LIVE on Singtel TV, Singtel TV GO, Singtel CAST and mewatch.

For the latest on our TeamSG athletes, visit https://www.teamsingapore.sg