KUALA LUMPUR: Penalty corner specialist Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan has come out of retirement to play for the national hockey team again.
The Tenaga Nasional employee quit the national team in 2022 to study for a master's degree in business administration at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
He was among 46 players called up for training on Tuesday by newly appointed national coach Sarjit Singh.
Syafiq's services are still needed as he is a solid defender who score penalty corner goals.
He can be a good replacement for the country's top drag flicker, Razie Rahim, who retired from the national team recently.
Syafiq, 29, the captain of Tenaga, helped them win their first treble in the recent Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), scoring 16 goals.
Syafiq, who featured in the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, said although he is still pursuing a master's degree, he decided to come back to the national team as he has some unfinished business - which is to help Malaysia qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Malaysia have not appeared in the Olympics since 2000.
Syafiq, who has 95 caps and last played for Malaysia in the Asia Cup in Jakarta in 2022, said: "Coach Sarjit wanted my services and the first thing I asked him was what's the objective and target of the national team?.
"He said it's a long term programme between four and six years to develop young players to form a strong team and the target is to qualify for the Olympics.
"My role in the team is to help young players build their character to be good players.
"I don't really know how long my services are needed but as long as my services are needed, I will give my full commitment.
"I have just completed two semesters of my studies as I took a break last year. And I will juggle my time between studies and national training."
Meanwhile, after two days of national training, Sarjit said he had identified 18 players for his plans.
The coach said he will look for another 12 players to form the core of the 30-man national team. Initially, 46 players were called up for national training.
