TO break new ground in Asia, national coach Nasihin Nubli plans to send more Malaysian women's hockey players overseas.
After the national team's two years of "wasted" online training and with Covid-19 finally brought under control worldwide, Malaysia is taking this small window of opportunity to enable two experienced players to ply their trade in England.
Nuraini Abdul Aashid, 32, and Fatin Shafika Sukri, 26, will play for East Grinstead HC for a month in the English Hockey League (EHL).
And Nasihin has plans to send more next year.
"Our girls missed two years of playing and training on the artificial pitch because of Covid-19. As it is safe to travel again, Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) gave the two players the green light to compete with some of the best players in England in the EHL.
"Nuraini and Fatin are among the best in Malaysia, and this EHL stint will make them better for qualifying tournaments in Asia," said Nasihin.
It will be Nuraini's third season with East Grinstead, and a first for Fatin.
"East Grinstead have three Olympians (who played for Great Britain in Tokyo Olympics), and the EHL is a very challenging tournament.
"I have discussed with the MHC management, and there are plans to send more women to England as well as Europe to play in their leagues when the Covid-19 situation becomes much better next year.
"This will help the nation get better results in future Asian Games as well as Asia Cup (junior and senior) to enable women's hockey to finally break into junior and senior World Cups," said Nasihin.
Fatin and Nuraini had previously played for Butterfly Roma HC in 2018 and 2019.
