KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is giving local players a bigger platform to shine by reducing the number of foreign players in the domestic league.
The move comes after clubs highlighted the need to provide more opportunities for Malaysian talent.
“We have reduced the foreign quota from eight to three and they must have at least played for their national team,” said MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal when contacted.
He explained that the decision ensures clubs focus on quality, rather than simply bringing in foreign players without high-level experience.
“We don’t want clubs to bring in foreigners without experience or who have never even played high-level hockey. Instead of bringing in lower-quality foreign players, it is better for a team to include locals. That will benefit us in the long run,” he said.
Subahan added that the ultimate goal of the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) remains the development of the national team.
“We want clubs to hire more national players because, at the end of the day, the main purpose of running the domestic league is to benefit the national team,” he explained.
He also said that competing alongside skilled foreign players will continue to sharpen the abilities of local talent.
“The league will be competitive, and it will benefit our players as they get to play alongside good quality foreign players, that’s for sure,” he said.
To ensure balance on the pitch, MHC has increased the total number of combined foreign and national players from six to eight, maintaining competitiveness while giving Malaysian players the spotlight they deserve.
Earlier, Nurinsafi Sporting told Scoop that the hockey club will be withdrawing from the MHL, ending a two-decade presence in the league.
The Penang-based club is set to withdraw from this year’s competition, with sources indicating that the revised foreign player quota has significantly impacted their ability to remain competitive. – April 3, 2026