KUALA LUMPUR: Defender T. Perabu, who withdrew from the national junior team last year due to a personal reason, has been given another chance to play for the country.
Perabu, who converted five penalty corners for Universiti Teknologi Mara in the recent Malaysia Hockey League, is among 46 players called by head coach Sarjit Singh for national training.
Last year, the Kuala Lumpur player was said to have a bright future after scoring six goals to help Malaysia finish fourth in the Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman. And he looked set to play in the Junior World Cup in Bukit Jalil last December, but which he eventually missed after quitting the team.
Now, the 21-year-old is delighted to be given another chance to play for the country.
"I am happy that my dream of playing for Malaysia is still alive. I must thank coach Sarjit for giving me an opportunity, and I am not going to waste it,'' he said.
Sarjit said Perabu has proven himself in the MHL, and he now needs to prove himself through national training.
Sarjit will trim the squad to 30 players on April 1, and he will name the final squad of 18 before the six-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from May 4-11.