KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian men’s and women’s national hockey head coach Muhammad Dharma Raj Abdullah has achieved a significant milestone in his career, being named Indonesia’s Best Coach at The Game Changer Award, organised by the Indonesian Olympic Committee today.
Speaking to Scoop, the Malaysian-born coach described the accolade as a meaningful acknowledgement of his long coaching journey, marked by dedication, patience, and a focus on sustainable development.
“I feel this award represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and patience. It also reflects staying committed to a vision even when the journey was not easy,” Dharma Raj said.
Reflecting on his time in Indonesia, he highlighted the importance of resilience and faith in the programme, particularly in its formative stages.
“When I first came to Indonesia, I knew it would take time and patience to build something sustainable. There were many difficulties along the way, but I believed in the potential of the players and the system we were trying to develop,” he added.
The coach emphasised that the recognition was a collective achievement, crediting his staff, players, and the wider Indonesian hockey setup.
“This is not an individual achievement. It belongs to my coaching staff, the players, and everyone in the Indonesian hockey setup who trusted the process and worked tirelessly alongside us,” he said.
Dharma Raj also acknowledged the challenges faced during his tenure, stating that setbacks and criticism strengthened the team.
“There were tough moments, there was criticism, and there were setbacks. But those experiences made us stronger. Every challenge became part of the journey that shaped our progress,” he said.
“To be recognised today as Indonesia’s Best Coach is truly humbling. It shows that the direction we took and the discipline we instilled are beginning to deliver results,” he added.
He pointed out that witnessing Indonesian hockey’s growth in regional competitiveness has been the most rewarding aspect of his work.
“Seeing Indonesian hockey grow and become more competitive in the region has been the most rewarding part. That progress gives meaning to all the effort put in over the years,” he said.
The Indonesian Hockey Federation also congratulated Dharma Raj, praising his contributions to the sport’s development in the country.
“The Indonesian Olympic Committee, during its appreciation ceremony for the nation’s sporting community, presented coach Dharma Raj with the Best Coach award. Congratulations to Dharma Raj on this recognition and thank you for his dedication and commitment towards Indonesian hockey,” the federation wrote in a Facebook post.
Dharma Raj was appointed Indonesia’s national hockey technical director in March 2021, and the nation’s performances have steadily improved under his leadership.
Among his achievements, he guided Indonesia’s men’s indoor hockey team to a historic first gold medal at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, defeating Malaysia in the final, and later helped the team retain the gold at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games.
Before joining Indonesia, Dharma Raj had established a strong coaching reputation in Malaysia, leading the national women’s team, the Malaysian Tigress, to gold at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and a runner-up finish in the second round of the Women’s Hockey World League.
Earlier in his career, he also gained international recognition by steering Malaysia’s junior men’s team to fourth place at the 2013 Junior World Cup — the nation’s best result in the tournament. - May 10, 2026
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