Kuala Lumpur: National women’s hockey player Hanis Nadiah Onn accepts her suspension from the national team over a racist remark with an open heart.
Although disappointed, the 26-year-old said she remains committed to chasing the championship for the Negeri Sembilan team in the 2023 Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) campaign.
“As a professional athlete, I will put aside (this problem), and I am committed to my club because the club looks after my well-being. I also respect the club and the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation).
“If I perform well in the league and the MHC gives me an opportunity again (to represent the country), I will prove that I am still relevant to the national team,” she said after the 2023 Women’s MHL Charity Shield match here last night.
Hanis, who is also the 2016 Asian Player of the Year, said she was determined not to repeat the mistake, in addition to reminding other athletes to always be careful when making any posts on social media.
Yesterday, the youth and sports ministry was reported to have said an investigation committee comprising members of the National Sports Council (MSN) and the MHC had decided to suspend Hanis indefinitely and that she was not allowed to represent the national team at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games in May.
The decision was made following Hanis’ remark, related to the crowd attending Indian singer and composer AR Rahman’s concert at the Stadium Bukit Jalil here, last month.
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