Hiddink of Chinese Women’s Hockey Team

Players call him “Magui (meaning an evil),” which implies how stern and harsh he is when it comes to training. Going through eight-hours-a-day hard training for eight months before the Asian Games, players began to say he was devilish. He is Kim Chang-baek, a 46-year-old Korean head coach of the Chinese women’s field hockey team.

Kim had headed the Korean national team in 1999, but his stint lasted no longer than three months as he got dismissed after his team’s poor performance. Having learned the bitter lesson, he then went over to China in January 2000 to spearheaded Chinese women’s team. In less than two years, the team is now the world’s No. 1.

The feat, however, did not come easy. Although Kim is now called as Hiddink of Chinese women’s hockey, the hockey association there was far from trusting him at first. He was paid only two thirds of monthly salary until he passed the first test during the Sydney Olympics.

The association wanted him to lead the team past the preliminary round, but he did more than that, proving his capability – his team ranked the 5th place. Then last month, the team won the championship at the Champions Trophy where only the world’s top 6 ranks are allowed to compete.

With Chinese volleyball and basketball teams continuing disappointing performances, the women’s hockey team is stealing the spotlight. Chinese CCTV even aired a special program about Kim.

What is the secret of his success? As soon as he was given authority to select players, he formed a new team centering on talented athletes ignoring the existing regional base. Before him, there was a chasm within the hockey circle between Gangdong and Gilim provinces.

Pushing for hard training, he stayed with his players 24 hours a day, taking care of them himself. He has spent only three nights in his house in Beijing since the beginning of this year.

He was stern and harsh during training, but was like a father in the quarters, taking care of players and giving them advice for future career. Players, in turn, came to open up.

The Chinese hockey association has already asked Kim to stay with the team until the day he retires. Kim, however, turned down the offer and instead agreed to a two-year extension so as to spur himself up.

“As a Korean, I must do my best wherever I go whatever I do,” said Kim adding he was so happy to become a part of the Asian Games held in his hometown Busan.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com