Kedah delay return to training by a week

The M-League teams have been given the go-ahead to train from Monday but FA Cup holders Kedah are in ho hurry. They will only return to training on June 23.

Most of the other teams have also opted to wait although Negri Sembilan returned to the field yesterday.

Kedah’s seasoned striker Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak prefers the slow and steady approach.

Zaquan said he was glad that Kedah were taking the measures set by Malaysian Football League (MFL) seriously and this gave the players confidence before returning to training.

“I think there’s no need for us to rush into training if the four criteria set by MFL cannot be met. We need to keep in mind that the RMCO (recovery movement control order) only ends on Aug 31,” said the 33-year-old who was among the first batch of Kedah players who had their swab tests yesterday.

The new rules require teams to conduct swab tests and submit the results to the MFL, appoint an official to coordinate and monitor the SOPs during training, name a closed training venue, and register the venue with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

“Teams have a month to start training and for Kedah, we will only start on June 23. This will allow the players who had returned to their home states to join us in Alor Setar.”

“Players will also have more time to prepare for the new norms on the training pitch. The coaching staff will also have more time to prepare the training plans.

The former national team skipper said he who will now risk exposure to the Covid-19 as he will be going out and may bring home the virus to his young children and wife.

“I need to be careful when training resumes. I’m staying with my family and their health and well-being is my biggest concern.”