From midfield to frontline
a new ball game for police players now on frontline duty
Until just over two weeks ago, he was playing in midfield, trying to save his side from relegation after they had been docked three points in the Super League. Now, Mohd Hariz Irffan Mohd Nazri is a frontliner manning roadblocks to help save the country from a pandemic. Kudos to the Cops.
PETALING JAYA: While most Super League players are staying fit behind closed doors, Police midfielder Mohd Hariz Irffan Mohd Nazri is playing a much bigger role under the movement control order (MCO).
Mohd Hariz is a traffic policeman and is among 14 of the Super League side’s players to serve on the frontline during the MCO as all footballing activities have been suspended from March 18 to April 14.
The 21-year-old, who juggles being a policeman and a footballer, believes he is having his tenacity tested harder on the streets than on the football field.
He said handling the public’s behaviour at the checkposts can really test his patience.
“We get all sort of weird reasons from the public when we are manning the checkposts. Some of the reasons don’t make sense at all but we all have to be strict in our duty because this concerns everyone’s safety,” said Mohd Hariz.
“I have been working round-theclock, we don’t get enough rest. Sometimes I only have time to eat at home before going to bed. Once I wake up, it’s back to work the next day.
“At times, we have to work for 24 hours and sometimes for 12 hours.
The shift varies so it is tough for all of us.”
The Lipis local admitted that he is missing football and hopes the Covid-19 crisis ends soon so life can return to normal.
“I hope everyone prays that things get back to normal soon... I myself am missing football, especially being on the pitch with my teammates.”
Meanwhile, Police skipper Mohd Safiee Ahmad said it was part of a policeman’s job to be exposed to elements on the field.
“I’m working in Kuala Lumpur and this is the first time I see the capital is not busy, although there are people not adhering to the MCO and staying at home,” said the Sarawakian centreback.
“We are exposed to the danger as the risks are higher on the frontline but life goes on and we need to do our duty ... I do hope we can return to the field with the team soon.”
The Cops are currently placed bottom of the 12-team Super League after four matches with a deficit of two points. They were docked three points by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for failing to pay salaries to their players and officials last season.
But full points for the policemen who are putting their lives on the line, so the rest of the country can sleep in peace.