SINGAPORE – Hajaratih Johana is the creative hub of the national women’s hockey team in more ways than one.

By day, she is a graphic designer. After the sun sets, she trades her laptop for a hockey stick and also doubles up as the team’s social media manager.

The forward, 25, has now taken on an extra responsibility.

She will be donning the skipper’s armband at a Dec 13-17 quadrangular at Sengkang Hockey Stadium.

Hajaratih, who has over 50 caps, said: “I was initially surprised because I had never seen myself being in that position. But it is one that I am really excited about. To lead the team is always an honour and to start doing that on home soil is going to be a very special moment.”

In 2020, she helped to create an Instagram page for the Singapore women’s hockey team as she felt the need to raise awareness. Before major tournaments, she creates design frameworks to be posted.

Hajaratih said: “Almost every team around the world had (an Instagram) page but not us, so we really wanted to change that so that more people would know about us and the journey we are on. To me, it is really important.”

On that Instagram page (sgwomenshockey), users can access details of the upcoming tournament. After a four-year hiatus, the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF) is hosting an international competition for the first time.

There are quadrangulars for both men’s and women’s teams, with both trophies named after former SHF presidents.

The women’s team will compete with Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia for the Annabel Pennefather Cup while the men will be vying with Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Hong Kong for the E.W. Barker Cup.

The men start their campaign against Hong Kong on Dec 13, with Hajaratih leading her side out against Chinese Taipei on the same day. The finals take place on Dec 17.

The appointment of a new captain is part of a transition that the women’s team are undergoing. Veterans like Toh Li Min and Chua Xinni, both 34, have retired while head coach David Viner, who had been at the helm since 2015, was replaced by New Zealander Henry Wong, 39, in October.

Wong, who has coached at club and national age-group levels in Belgium and New Zealand, is looking to boost the players’ belief.

He said: “I believe some of our players could play for some of the best clubs in the world. So we have the potential.

“The big thing for me is how to instil that self belief and confidence within the players. I believe in two to four years, we can get to a level where they can believe they can compete with the top teams.”

The SHF has previously targeted gold at the 2029 SEA Games on home soil. At the Cambodia Games in May, the women’s team settled for bronze, while the men won a silver.

At the Hangzhou Asian Games, the women finished seventh out of 10. They lost 4-0 to South Korea, 13-0 to India and 8-1 to Malaysia but beat Hong Kong 1-0 and Kazakhstan 2-0. The men finished last of 12 teams, losing all six matches.

Men’s head coach Krishnan Vijayan Naidu wants his charges to apply the lessons learnt at the upcoming tournament.

The team’s “spine”, which includes captain Nur Ashriq Ferdaus and forward Silas Abdul Razak, will be back. Both were not in the Asiad squad due to personal commitments. There are also three debutants in the ranks – goalkeepers Tay Boon Kai and Elijah Quek and defender Muhammad Haziq.

“We have to win it and end the year on a high. Since the Asian Games, we have worked hard on our set plays and we need to apply them in the matches. We are playing on home ground, so we want to do well,” said Krishnan.

SHF president Mathavan Devadas has called on Singaporeans to pack the stadium and support the teams.

He said: “Admission is free and I can assure you that our players will give their best.”

FIXTURES

Dec 13
Annabel Pennefather Cup – Hong Kong v Indonesia (4pm), Singapore v Chinese Taipei (8pm)
E.W. Barker Cup – Chinese Taipei v Thailand (3.30pm), Hong Kong v Singapore (6pm)

Dec 14
Annabel Pennefather Cup – Chinese Taipei v Indonesia (6.30pm), Singapore v Hong Kong (8.15pm)
E.W. Barker Cup – Hong Kong v Chinese Taipei (4pm), Thailand v Singapore (6pm)

Dec 16
Annabel Pennefather Cup – Chinese Taipei v Hong Kong (3pm), Singapore v Indonesia (5pm)
E.W. Barker Cup – Thailand v Hong Kong (3.30pm), Chinese Taipei v Singapore (7pm)

Dec 17
Annabel Pennefather Cup – Third-place play-off (3.30pm), Final (5pm)
E.W. Barker Cup – Third-place play-off (6.30pm), Final (7.30pm)

*All matches at Sengkang Hockey Stadium. Admission is free.