NSC DG to meet hockey striker Faizal to iron out problems

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail will be asked to meet national hockey striker Faizal Saari who is reported missing from the national squad.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said it was important to obtain the real picture of the situation involving the young national striker.

Khairy said Faizal had contributed enormously to the success of the national hockey squad and did not want any action taken that may jeopardise the future of the Kelantan-born player.

"I am also in a dilemma on what to do with this athlete. I can meet him but I am asking Ahmad Shapawi to see him first. If the minister were to meet him first, it will be like sidelining the association.

"This is because MHC (Malaysia Hockey Confederation) failed to resolve the issue, and I am asking Ahmad Shapawi to meet Faizal, to find out his problems," Khairy told reporters after launching the new version of Rakan Muda here Tuesday.

The media had reported that Faizal and his younger brother, Mohd Fitri were not seen with the national squad in a friendly match against Egypt at the Bukit Jalil national hockey stadium here on Monday.

They were also reported missing from national squad training sessions after appearing in the World Hockey League Second Round campaign in Singapore last month in which Malaysia emerged champions.

On another matter, Khairy repeated his call to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to take firmer action against supporters who insisted on bringing banned items such as flares into stadiums.

Among the recourse was higher fines on the football associations involved to send a stronger message to fans on the regulation, he said.

"To inspect all fans at the stadium gates will be impossible. I have seen the situation myself.

"If FAM was bold enough to take action in terms of fines and banning fans, then perhaps supporters will realise their folly that their team will be the losers," he said.