KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) fixtures have left the Maybank team up in arms.
Maybank expressed their unhappiness with the fixtures because they have to play six matches in 13 days, and six of their players will be leaving for Austria on Jan 19 to play friendly matches in preparation for the Indoor Hockey World Cup in Porec, Croatia, from Feb 3-9.
The six Maybank players are Najmi Farizal Jazlan, Meor Azuan Hasan, Ashran Hamsani, Izham Azhar, Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi and Aslam Hanafiah.
Maybank will open their MHL campaign against Armed Forces on Jan 4 followed by matches against Terengganu (Jan 6), China's Liaoning Team (Jan 10), Nurinsafi Sporting (Jan 12), UiTM HA-KPT (Jan 15) and Matador Club (Jan 17).
And Maybank will play their remaining matches after their players return from Croatia.
Maybank team manager Zam Zam Mohd Ali said they are unhappy with the MHL fixtures. "It's going to be a real challenge for my players as they will be involved in the MHL and in training for the Indoor World Cup in such a short time.
"The six are our key players, and they won't have much rest in the MHL. We were hoping that the MHL will be held after the Indoor World Cup, but the Malaysian Hockey Confederation competition committee have their own ideas."