KUALA LUMPUR – Pakistan national hockey player Abdul Mannan has been ruled out of the remainder of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) campaign after failing a fitness test with Matadors Hockey Club.
Mannan failed the fitness test after a recent hospitalisation at Assunta Hospital for an appendix issue, which sidelined him from training for a week.
As he has yet to fully recover from his illness and regain match fitness, Matadors have decided to send the 21-year-old versatile defender back to his home country for further recovery tomorrow.
Speaking to Scoop, Matadors’ team manager Sarwan Singh expressed his disappointment at the situation, acknowledging that losing a player of Mannan’s caliber will have an impact on the team.
“He’s a very talented young player, and we worked hard to secure his signing months ago. It’s unfortunate to see what he has had to go through.
“With him unable to play after failing the fitness test, we have no choice but to send him back home, as we cannot register him for the remaining matches in the league.
“Although he wished to stay with the team and support them as a spectator, we advised him to return home and spend some time with his family in Pakistan. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) also wants him back.
“This is undoubtedly a big blow for the team, as he is such a versatile player for us. But this is part of sport, and we have to move on,” said Sarwan when contacted.
At the same time, Sarwan expressed relief at finally having his full squad available, as several of his key Pakistani players were previously absent due to domestic commitments.
Earlier, Scoop reported that Pakistan national team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, along with Abdul Hannan Shahid and Rana Muhammad Waleed Ashraf, had been recalled by the PHF for a domestic competition.
“Though Mannan is not with us, I am pleased that the rest of our squad is now available, which gives us confidence.
“We hope to give our best when we take on Liaoning in our next match,” Sarwan added.
In addition to Ammad, Hannan, Rana, and Mannan, Matadors also have Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Zikriya Hayat, Abdul Waheed Ashraf, and Usama Bashir—players who have represented Pakistan at various levels, including the Junior World Cup and the senior team.
The team has further bolstered its squad with two Indian national players, enhancing its international presence. The roster also features a mix of Malaysian Indian and Punjabi players aged 15 to 21, alongside seasoned athletes from various MHL teams.
The league debutants have struggled so far, losing four of their first five matches and conceding a total of 22 goals.
Matadors currently sit seventh in the ten-team MHL standings with three points. – February 4, 2025