KUALA LUMPUR: National No 1 goalkeeper, S. Kumar will know his fate the latest by April 5 after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) requested for a further 21 days to come to a decision regarding the sentence or punishment for the 38-year-old player.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said that they received an email from FIH earlier today with regards to Kumar’s case, where the goalkeeper tested positive for the banned substance Sibutramine during the Asia Cup campaign in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in October last year.
This latest development sees Kumar about to face two possibilities – FIH might mete out a sentence or set a date for a hearing.
"Before this we have already submitted all the necessary documents and evidence regarding Kumar to FIH with the purpose of filing an appeal.
"However today (Thursday) FIH have responded with a request for a further 21 days or at least by April 5 to make a decision.
"So there is a possibility that they might sentence him with no hearing or otherwise,” said Subahan when met during a press conference after the Sports Performance Analysis System handover ceremony at the National Sports Institute (NSI) here earlier today.
Subahan explained that he hopes FIH will not carry out a hearing so as to fast track the process which would enable Kumar to return to action sooner with the national team.
"I dare not speak further because I am concerned that it might disrupt the case. So let us all wait and see as to FIH’s decision.
"But we are hoping that Kumar can be available for the Asian Games in Indonesia later this year,” he said.
Kumar is now serving a temporary suspension where he is barred from playing or being involved in any hockey activities which includes turning out for the national team.
The veteran goalkeeper decided not to challenge the finding from the test of his B sample, and instead await for FIH to set a hearing date so that he could defend himself.