Nuraini, Fatin Shafika to play in English Hockey League

KUALA LUMPUR: Two players in the national women's hockey special project, Nuraini Abdul Rashid and Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri will have the chance to play in the English Hockey League when both of them accepted the offer to join East Grinstead H.C. for a month.

According to the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), both senior players will depart for England this week and will play for the England Hockey League (Premier) 2020 runner up team until Oct 18...for the 2021 season.

This is Nuraini's third appearance for East Grinstead. Her first was from September to December 2019 and second February to April 2020.

Nuraini said she was grateful with the opportunity and hoped to give the same performance she gave to the team two seasons ago. She also hoped to play her part and help the team finish at the top two of the league

"The league over there and in Malaysia is definitely different because England is the third best team at the Tokyo Olympic Games and three of East Grinstead players had also seen action in the Olympics, I believe I have much to learn from them.

"Of course I am excited to play with them and I want to continue to learn new things with them," said Nuraini in a statement issued by MHF.

Meanwhile, the opportunity to play for East Grinstead is the first for Fatin Shafika.

Prior to this, Fatin had played for the Butterfly Roma hockey club in Rome, Italy from September to November 2018 with Nuraini and rejoined the team from September to November 2019.

"I am happy and excited to see action in England's Hockey League. I will definitely take advantage of the opportunity. I also want to show them that Malaysia too have quality hockey players to play with them," she said.

-- BERNAMA