16 players shortlisted in quest to retain SEA Games rugby gold
KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen players have been shortlisted by Malaysian Rugby in their challenge to retain the men’s rugby Sevens gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.
Ten of them are from the squad that won Malaysia’s first-ever gold in the rugby competition at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2017.
They are Wan Izzuddin bin Ismail, Muhammad Siddiq Amir Jalil, Mohamad Safwan Abdullah, Muhammad Ameer Nasrun Zulkeffli, Muhammad Zulhisham Rasli, Muhammad Azwan Zuwairi Mat Zizi, Zulkiflee Azmi, Muhamad Firdaus Tarmizi, Muhammad Dzafran Asyraaf Mohamad Zainudin and Mohamad Nur Azri Azmi.
Malaysian Rugby secretary Jamaluddin Salim said the 16 players would sign a contract with the National Sports Council (NSC).
“The 16 players will be given monthly training allowance by the NSC until the end of 2019.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in the quest to retain the gold. The players will not only train but will also compete in as many tournaments as possible to prepare for the Games,” said Jamaluddin.
Saizul Hafifi Mohd Noor (pic) has been retained as the coach while Professor Ahmad Naim Ismail was named as the team manager.
The team will start training next month and they will compete in the Borneo Sevens in Sandakan, Sabah, in March.
Jamaluddin said they had targeted the team to finish in the top four in the tournament.
“The national team will also feature in the Asian Rugby Sevens series in Jakarta in August and we want Malaysia to win the Division Two tournament to gain promotion to the top division next year.
“We were relegated to Division Two this year but we have faith that the team can win the tournament and be in the top flight in 2020.
“The tournament in Jakarta is also important as all the South East Asian countries like Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore would compete in the tournament.
“We are also planning to send the team to train in Japan in preparation for the SEA Games. We are waiting for Japan Rugby Union to confirm the dates,” said Jamaluddin.