Malaysia Midfielder comes out of retirement to boost squad for Olympic qualifiers

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: Defensive midfielder Jiwa Mohan has agreed to come out of retirement to help the national hockey team in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Japan from April 5-13.

The Penang-born Jiwa had quit the national team in January to concentrate on his career with Sapura.

But injury to key defender Megat Azrafiq Megat Termidzi has prompted the team management to seek the help of Jiwa to provide an option in central defence.

Jiwa Mohan: Quit national team in January but agreed to return for the qualifiers.

The 25-year old made it clear yesterday that he was only returning to play in the Olympic qualifiers.

“I felt duty-bound to help the national team in their hour of need. I have agreed to attend training and see if I can fit into their plans,” he said yesterday.

“I’m not a shoo-in for the final team. I have to prove my fitness level and also show that I can still fit into the playing structure. But I feel that I will be able to cope with the training as I had left the team just a month ago when the team were playing matches.”

Megat Azrafiq is unlikely to make the squad to Japan. He has not trained with the team since suffering a leg injury in January.

Coach Sarjit Singh said that they were happy that Jiwa was willing to help them.

“Jiwa has been playing the defensive role for the team before he quit. If he can build up his fitness level, I am sure that he will be an asset to us,” he said.

Sarjit has been working with several players on a partnership in central defence with Mohamed Madzli Ikmar. Those who have been tried out include Mohamed Amin Rahim and Engku Abdul Malek.

Jiwa said that he would have no problem working with any of the players as they had all played together with him over the last few years.

“For me, the main thing is to work on the physical aspect and also on the defensive partnership,” he said.

Jiwa added that he had obtained leave from work for the next one month.

“I can give my full concentration in training and I hope that by the time selection is made, I will have showed that I have the ability to make a difference in the team,” he said.

The selection of the final 18 will be done on March 25. Only one ticket to the Beijing Games will be on offer in Japan and Malaysia will be up against Germany, Poland, Japan, Switzerland and Italy.