PIC: ABDULLAH YUNUS (Second from left).By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my
MALAYSIA Hockey League (MHL) outfit Sapura is not overly worried if national players are not allowed to play in this season’s league, and in fact, see it as a blessing.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will hold a seminar on Sunday, where all interested parties will get a chance to put forward their views on whether national players should or should not play in the MHL this season.
The reason is that the MHF competitions committee could not decide when to hold the MHL, because the national team’s commitment calendar is packed to the brim.
And also, chief coach Tai Beng Hai is not keen on releasing his charges to club duty before the Olympic Qualifiers next year.
“As for Sapura, we have four national players, and if the MHF decide against fielding them, I do not see a major problem for us. In fact, I feel that instead of relying on the pool of 25 national players, clubs and also the country could benefit by giving others a chance to play a bigger role in the MHL,” said Sapura team manager Abdullah Yunus.
However, Sapura feel that the MHF should stick to dates committed earlier, as clubs need to approve their budget and also source for players in advance.
“The show must go on, with our without national players, as I feel the MHF should stick to their calendar which was drawn in the beginning of the year.
“If they keep changing, clubs face a problem with their budget and also the hiring of local as well as foreign players,” said Abdullah.
The national players will be involved with the Asian Champions Trophy on Sept 3-11 in China and the Champions Challenge I in Johannesburg from Nov 26-Dec 4. Their most important assignment is the Olympic Qualifiers early next year.
“The other problem is that going by the earlier date in September, there will be a five week break in the fixtures, and this is where clubs which sign foreign players will be in a limbo either to release them or take the expensive way out by paying their full salary.
“Also, with almost all the regular countries which clubs source their foreign players from also involved in their own programes at the end of the year, it would be difficult to sign quality players and we could end up with liabilities like some clubs experience last season,” said Abdullah.
Abdullah is open for any eventualities in the seminar on Sunday: “I will go with and open mind, and the majority’s decision should be abided.”
