KUALA LUMPUR – The TNB Thunderbolts are accelerating the promotion of their junior hockey players to the national senior team as a wave of veteran retirements looms.
With several core national players now over 33, the Thunderbolts are seizing the opportunity to groom the next generation of national stars.
These include captain Marhan Jalil, 36, forward Faizal Saari, 35, goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman, 34, defender Faiz Helmi Jali, 34, and midfielder Fitri Saari, 33.
National junior coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin, who oversees the Thunderbolts, said the move is essential to maintain continuity in the national squad.
“We want Thunderbolts players to be drafted into the senior team, and preparation needs to start immediately,” he told Scoop when contacted.
“With the support we provide, we hope to make this transition fast.”
The Thunderbolts squad, which represents 90 per cent of the national junior team, will compete in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) next month as part of preparations for this year’s Junior Asia Cup (JAC).
While the tournament’s exact dates and venue are yet to be confirmed, it serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Junior World Cup, with six berths up for grabs.
The men’s MHL will feature ten teams in two sessions — April to May and October to November — while the women’s division comprises seven teams.
Nor Saiful highlighted the league’s value in providing rigorous competition. “The MHL offers 18 home-and-away matches, giving our players invaluable experience against senior clubs.
Teams like double champions Terengganu, Maybank, Tenaga Nasional, and Liaoning Club of China will be strong contenders. Despite these challenges, our goal is a top-four finish,” he said.
Achieving that target would be considered a bonus, as 80 per cent of the Thunderbolts’ squad are new players.
Experienced players such as Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Azimuddin Kamaruddin, and Adam Asyraf Johari, who featured in last year’s Junior World Cup in Madurai, India, will join Tenaga Nasional this season instead of the Thunderbolts.
Beyond the MHL, the national junior team is also exploring a playing tour ahead of the JAC to further sharpen their skills and cohesion. – April 2, 2026