KUALA LUMPUR — Sibling hockey duo Nur Rahul Hrsikesa and Adam Hafiz Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi dream of replicating the legacy of Faizal and Fitri Saari, who have collectively netted 222 goals for the Speedy Tigers since 2009.
Speaking to Scoop, 27-year-old Rahul said he is determined to share the national stage with his 24-year-old younger brother, Adam, as the pair continue to make strides in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL).
“I have a dream of having a sibling pairing in the national team, and I strongly believe that day will come this year as Adam has been putting in a lot of effort into his gameplay recently,” said Rahul when contacted.
“He’s young and even more versatile than I am, and we have a lot of good chemistry on the pitch. This sport is our bread and butter, and of course, we wish to be in the same squad and bring more success to the national team.
“For that to happen, both of us have to put in the effort and perform well in this year’s MHL, turning our dreams into reality.
“The Saari brothers are definitely my inspiration, and I won’t stop until I make my dream come true. We’ll make sure we get the best out of each other and get on the national team’s radar.”
The Penang-born brothers currently lead the attacking line for Nurinsafi Sporting, but their MHL season began with two heavy defeats — 5-1 to Maybank and 8-1 to debutants Matadors Hockey Club.
Adam, who plays in the same forward position as his elder brother, has shown promise in his three MHL seasons (2022, 2023, and 2024).
Despite the rough start, both siblings remain optimistic about proving their mettle.
For Rahul, the road to the national team is not unfamiliar. He was included in a 20-player squad by head coach Sarjit Singh last year after scoring 18 goals in the MHL, finishing third in the scoring charts behind Terengganu’s Faizal (23 goals) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (32 goals).
He underwent assessments in friendlies against New Zealand and South Korea but narrowly missed out on the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup squad, where Malaysia placed fourth. However, Rahul made his national debut in the Nations Cup, where Malaysia finished seventh.
“I have no issue with whether or not I get a call-up to the national team from coach Sarjit, but my main aim is to prove to everyone that I’m here, giving my best performance,” said Rahul.
“I keep myself in standby mode, staying fit and consistently delivering good performances. It’s up to the coach whether he wants to bring me in, but I’m always ready for the national team.”
With Rahul’s ambition and Adam’s emerging talent, the Hrsikesa brothers are determined to make their dream of representing Malaysia together a reality. — January 17, 2025