With the girls showing good progress in their basics skills, it was time for them to learn to use these basic skills under pressure; mini-games were introduced to them and gradually we moved to games using the full pitch.
Hardly three months learning the game Myanmar Hockey Federation had decided to send the women team for training and compete in the Asian Challenge Cup 1 in Bangkok.
Thailand Hockey Federation took care of our food, accommodation, and transport during our 40 days training and playing in the Asian Challenge Cup.
It was a wonderful 40 days stay in the Institute Of Physical Education in Bangkok. The facilities there were excellent. We train indoor hockey in the morning, video sessions and outdoor hockey in the evening. The institute also has an international standard running track for our physical workout.
What I enjoyed most was the ride on the truck that is similar to an army truck where you can sit on the long seat at the back, I will join the team singing the Myanmar songs during our 40 minutes ride to the hockey stadium.
As expected the girls were hammered by all teams in the Asian Challenge Cup except Cambodia, Thailand hit 7, Singapore scored 5, Pakistan managed to get 4 goals, Sri Lanka got 5 goals, and our only victory was against the wonderful girls from Cambodia, we won 8-0.(wonderful girls not because we won 8-0.The Cambodian team and the Myanmar girls became close friends during our stay in Bangkok)
It was a challenging time motivating the girls after every game, in the process I learned how important it is for a foreign coach to learn the local language because emotions of a coach cannot be translated.
Upon returning to Myanmar, with three months to the SEA Games, I implemented my 12 weeks fitness program, set plays and every week we play one game with the men army teams available there.
Every week we spend five hours watching world-class hockey matches and beautiful Myanmar songs during breaks which I downloaded from YouTube.
Realizing that the team will be facing many Penalty Corner Attacks (PCA) during the SEA Games, the trained their Penalty Corner Defense (PCD) against the Myanmar national men team. Thanks to their Pakistani coach Muhammad Akhlaq
The team's PCD in the SEA games was exceptionally great. The team faced nearly 45 PCA's, and the only team that managed to score, was Malaysia; 5 goals in their 6- 0 victory against us.
With nobody pinning any hope on the team to win a medal was one way or another good for the team as the pressure of winning was not there.
Keeping up to our manifesto "The beautiful Journey To The Sea Games" we had a learning journey in the preliminary round losing to Malaysia 0-6, Singapore 1-2, drew with Thailand 0-0, beat Indonesia 1-0, and Cambodia 7-0.
During the team meeting before the bronze medal game, the girls were all fired up and confident of beating Singapore.
With the home crowd support, the girls went on to beat Singapore 1-0 to win the bronze medal. The crowd broke loose and ran into the pitch, celebrating the team victory.
As usual, I will put my chair away, and casually walkout from the pitch.
When the girls came to me and requested that I come along with them to thank the crowd, I agreed. We received a standing ovation from the crowd.
I have promised the girls when they win the bronze medal, I will be there to witness the memorable event, the medal ceremony. I changed my departure date and stayed back for the ceremony.
In between my speech to the girls before the medal ceremony, the tears of joy just waiting to burst out from my misty-eyed. I stood there witnessing the medal ceremony with the tears of joy getting its wish to flow out freely.
After the ceremony, my support coaches organized a farewell dinner for me.
Great Night, and the next day I took my flight home with great memories from Myanmar.
With a local coach guiding the team, these beautiful girls went on to Participate in the World Hockey League Round 1 in Singapore and gave a good performance.
Thank You "Beautiful Girls". You have enlightened me on what is "self-respect" and "The Beauty Of Life " during my time with you.
Thank You
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