KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 — The appointment of K. Dharmaraj and Arul Selvaraj to take helm of the national team and juniors came with more questions than answers.

While the onus is on Dharmaraj to prove his mettle after stepping up to the task during a Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) meeting on Sunday, Arul left more questions than answers when the duo and out-going Paul Revington addressed matters yesterday.

Both Dharmaraj and Arul were asked to elaborate their plans for the national team to MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah should they be in charge on the team’s challenges this year.

Both maintained they wanted to work with each other but Dharma insisted it couldn’t be feasible with them being in the same team.

“I presented my plans and stated either one of us would have to take charge of the juniors. There was an co-coach option but that would lead to leadership problems,” said Dharma.

“I am up for the task and would be looking to Revington to guide me before his contract ends. Revington has already offered his help. In my opinion, he should remain with Malaysia as a consultant since taking charge of the team is taking a toll on him.

Revington, who is contracted until July 31, had asked to see out his three months contract termination notice to assist Dharma.

Dharma would have a tough year as he guide the team in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (March 13-23), Men’s Champions Challenge I (April 26-May 4), World Cup (May 31-June 15), Commonwealth Games (July 23-Aug 3) and Asian Games (Sept 19-Oct 4).

Meanwhile, Arul minced his words when asked of his appointment to the junior team.

He expressed eagerness to see out his contract which he stated was due in 2016.

However, Arul and Revington were hired on similar term whereby it was a two-year contract with an option to extend for another two years. It appears that Arul had taken up that option.

“I came here for a duty ... though the goals have changed, I have a contract to fulfill. I will wait for the end of my contract and then return to Ireland. When given a task, I do my best.

“The Junior World Cup coaches are good and they are confident to take up the national team job. I will go and take where the juniors were left and build another team. When time comes to move on, I will move on. For me everywhere is green. I have coached in South Africa and Australia. I have the credentials.

“There are many ways of looking at it. Sometimes in life you have take two steps backwards, before taking six steps forward. I’m looking at it that way,” said Arul.