Luqman released to join senior camp
UNIKL Ladies' Hanis Nadiah Onn eyes the WMHL top scorer award for the fifth time.
Malaya’s first training camp in more than a year will be held in Johor on March 22-30.
FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said: “We are finalising details, and it is in its final stages.”
The national body are expected to release the call-up list tomorrow.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe said the camp at Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) training centre will motivate the players.
“It is because JDT have the best training facilities in Southeast Asia,” said Cheng Hoe.
Belgian-based Luqman Hakim Shamsudin has been released by KV Kortrijk to attend the national camp.
He will have to observe quarantine for seven days before he can join the team.
“Luqman has been preparing himself with the Belgian club and is motivated to join the senior camp for the first time.
“I believe he will enjoy his stint with the senior team.
“He has a good future ahead of him as a striker,” said Cheng Hoe.
However, JDT’s Safawi Rasid and Selangor’s Halim Saari are injured and unlikely to join the camp.
“We will discuss with the medical team and see whether he (Safawi) can join the camp.
“However, we do not want to push him as the priority is for him to get back on his feet.
“I hope, however, he will be ready for the pre-World Cup/ Asian Cup in June,” said Cheng Hoe.
Liridon Krasniqi and Junior Eldstal will not be joining the camp.
Krasniqi made his A-League debut with Newcastle Jets as an 85th-minute substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC on Saturday, while Eldstal plays for Chonburi FC in the Thai League I.
The United Arab Emirates will host the remaining pre-World Cup/Asian Cup Group G matches.
Malaysia take on the UAE on June 3, followed by Vietnam on June 11 and Thailand four days later.
Malaysia are second in Group G with nine points from three wins after five games, behind leaders Vietnam on 11. Indonesia make up the group.
TERENGGANU Cycling Team (TSG) are looking to make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for all of their travelling team members once it is available.
TSG chief executive officer Che Ku Izmuddin Che Ku Mahmood said the move will make travelling to races easier in the future.
“The latest information we have received is that the quarantine period for teams travelling to the Tour of Thailand in May is only seven days for people who have been vaccinated,” said Che Ku.
“For those who are not, it is 14 days, which is double the time.
“From the feedback, this is likely the way things will be going forward (in many countries) as far as race organisers are concerned.
“Thus, to make travel arrangements easy, we will be asking all our team staff, not only the riders, to be vaccinated.
“We have been in discussion with the
Terengganu Sports Council regarding this and hope to get the shots done once it is available.”
Malaysia has begun administering Covid-19 vaccines but is limited to front liners for now.
The vaccination of other high-risk groups, including those above the age of 60, will begin next month.
Meanwhile, Che Ku disclosed that TSG will be splitting up into two squads for the Tour of Rwanda (May 2-9) and the Tour of Thailand (May 11-16).
After almost a year of not competing internationally, the Terengganu-based continental team enjoyed a strong return to racing in Turkey recently when they won three out of six one-day races (all UCI 1.2). Half of the TSG squad, including Grand Prix Velo Manavgat winner Harrif Saleh, remain in Turkey as they will be competing in the Tour of Mevlana on April 1-4.