MHL :: Nur Insafi get green light to replace five players in knockout stage

Division Three champions Nur Insafi have been given the green light to replace five players for the knockout stage of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

The five players were involved in an accident last month and one of them, Mohd Fadhirul Razmin, died in the incident, which took place while they were on their way to attend a training session.

The other four — Mohd Fadli Zabidi, Sabir Ismail, Mohd Azrul and goalkeeper Mohd Hanif Kasman — suffered injuries and they will be out of action for some time.

The MHF competitions committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamed Ariff said yesterday: “They can have replacements.

“But they cannot pick players who have taken part in the league, including those from teams who did not qualify for the knockout stage. They can register the players just before the knockout stage begins.”

The top six teams from Division Two and the top two from Division Three will feature in the knockout stage.

The draw and fixtures for the competition from the quarter-finals will be fixed next week.

The preliminary round will end this weekend but Nur Insafi have completed their fixtures.

Meanwhile, the competitions committee have decided to postpone the start of the proposed Open knockout tournament to next year.

The competition for districts and clubs affiliated to the MHF and state HAs is being introduced to allow the smaller clubs to play at the national level.

“We have already secured the sponsors but we are running short on time.

“In fact, the sponsors are keen to start this year. But we felt it better to start early next year to give the teams ample time to prepare,” said Rahim.