KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey squad goalkeeper, Hafizuddin Othman is feeling good, positive even with the return of senior goalkeeper S. Kumar to the national team after avoiding a lengthy suspension after failing a dope test at the Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh in October last year.
Even though Kumar has been regarded for the longest time as being the Malaysian Tigers number one custodian, Hafizuddin does not feel sad or disappointed, in fact he sees Kumar’s return as a welcome boost for healthier competition in the national team.
Throughout the six month period he was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned substance Sibutramine, by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), Hafizuddin had the more chances to keep goal during international matches, together with fellow national custodian Hairi Abdul Rahman.
"It is an obvious fact that Kumar is the national team’s most experienced goalkeeper and I feel he will be able to help the team at the Asian Games in Indonesia.
"In fact, I personally feel that Kumar is still the country’s No 1 goalkeeper.
"Whatever it is, I will still go all out and compete for the No 1 spot with both Kumar and Hairi, said Hafizuddin.
Hafizuddin added that he has no other choice but to compete with his fellow custodians and prove his worth to get the nod from national coach Stephen Van Huizen to be between the posts for the national team.
"The coach has already told us, that if and when Kumar does return to the national team, it does not mean that he will be the No 1 choice for the Asian Games.
"In fact , the three of us will undergo selection and the best among us will keep goal,” he said.