The Malaysian men’s national indoor hockey team is set to make history as they prepare to participate in their first-ever FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place shortly in Poreč, Croatia from 3-9 February. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone for Malaysia as they step onto the global indoor hockey stage.
Excitement and Pride:
Team captain Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan expressed the team’s excitement and pride in representing Malaysia at this prestigious event. “It is the very first time Malaysia qualified for the Indoor Hockey World Cup. We are very excited to play in the World Cup. It is a new experience for us to play with the top teams in Indoor.”
Boosting Hockey Development in Malaysia:
The qualification is not just a milestone but a catalyst for the growth of indoor hockey in Malaysia. Najmi hopes this achievement will spur development and foster more age-group competitions, alongside the already established Malaysia Indoor Hockey League. He envisions Malaysia hosting a future Indoor Hockey World Cup.
Bridging Indoor and Outdoor Hockey:
All members of the Malaysian team play both indoor and outdoor hockey, which Najmi believes enhances their focus, accuracy, and quick thinking in both formats. He highlights the speed, space, and unique technical skills as the aspects he loves most about indoor hockey.
Learning from International Experience:
The team brings valuable lessons from international experiences, such as the FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Oman, where they won the silver medal in the inaugural edition. They recognise that there are major differences between the two formats, but the honour of representing the nation on a global stage and the aim of winning silverware still remain intact. Najmi and his team view participation in the Indoor Hockey World Cup as a significant honor and a chance to learn and compete against the world’s best. They also hope to play a future edition of the event on home turf!
Aiming High:
Despite being newcomers, Malaysia is entering the tournament with determination and ambition. “Our objective in this Indoor World Cup is to gain experience playing with the top teams and players. Even though it is our first time at the event, we are going to compete and give our very best to achieve the highest best result.”
A Call to Fans:
Najmi concludes with a heartfelt message to Malaysian fans: “I hope Malaysians will support our team through ups and downs. We will give our best in our first time in the Indoor Hockey World Cup. ‘MALAYSIA INDOOR HOCKEY TEAM BOLEH.’”
With this momentous debut, the Malaysian team is ready to showcase their talent and passion on the international stage, hoping to inspire a new era for indoor hockey in their country.
Find out more about the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup Croatia 2025 by clicking here.
