KUALA LUMPUR: If you can play in more than one position in the national hockey team, chances are you will get the nod from chief coach Sarjit Singh.
"Priority will be given to players who can play in midfield as well as either in defence or frontline.
"In modern hockey, players need to play in various positions," said Sarjit who called up 46 players for national training on Tuesday.
Muhajir Abdu Rauf may just meet Sarjit's requirements as he can play as a striker and he can marshal the midfield.
The 24-year-old from Sabah played as a striker for Maybank and scored eight goals in the recent Malaysia Hockey League.
Muhajir received his first national call-up in 2022 and played Test matches against Australia in Perth.
Last year, national coach A. Arul Selvaraj switched Muhajir's position to midfield.
This led to him being twice named as the most promising player in two matches against Japan and South Korea in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai last July.
The pony-tailed Muhajir, who admitted he is inspired by Sabah national player Shello Silverius, said: "I thank coach Sarjit for the national call-up, and I want to impress him.
"My goal is to help Malaysia win the Asian Games gold in 2026 and qualify for 2028 Olympics," said Muhajir.