Cikgu out to chalk up great chapter

SHUKRI Mutalib is just as good with chalk and a drawing board, as he is with a hockey stick.

The Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) teacher made his international debut in the 2005 Rotterdam Junior World Cup, and now at the age of 31, he will attempt to create history by playing in the final of the Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The player from Trolak Utara, Perak, was spotted by coach Paul Lissek while playing in the national Junior Hockey League as a 16-year-old, and the German duly drafted him into the national juniors training squad.

And coach Sarjit Singh gave Shukri his big break by including him in the Rotterdam squad.

The prolific midfielder has survived the test of time with Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, the only other 2005 Junior World Cup player still in the squad.

And this year alone, the Cikgu led Malaysia to become champions in the World League Round Two, and fourth in the World League Semi-finals to claim the 2018 World Cup ticket.

He was also on the team when Malaysia won their only Asia Cup bronze medal in Chennai, 2007.

Shukri’s never-say-die attitude is his forte.

“We have beaten top Asian teams this year (India, South Korea and China) and we are going into the tournament as the second ranked team behind India.

“There is no pressure on us, as we have already qualified for the World Cup, but still we have to maintain our grip in the region by being consistent in Dhaka,” said the soft-spoke skipper.

With the Cikgu in midfield, Malaysian fans can expect a fighting chance to land the elusive Asia Cup gold medal in the 10th edition.