KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Rugby Union (SRU) head coach Suhaimi Amran has urged Malaysia Rugby (MR) to implement stricter standards for pitches used in competitions.
Two of Selangor‘s players suffered serious injuries during the Agong’s Cup last month.
Selangor‘s Faiz Danial Abu Hurairah suffered a broken tibia while Megat Na’el Syahmi Rosllan suffered fully ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligaments (MCL) during their group stage match against Kedah in Mergong, Alor Setar.
Suhaimi, who is former Singapore national head coach, claimed that the pitch conditions in Mergong were not up to par on match day.
“Roughly half the pitch was waterlogged, it was very muddy as it had rained heavily a few days before and the grass was almost at calf-level,” said Suhaimi recently.
“Two of our players suffered serious injuries against Kedah, one of which resulted in a broken leg (Faiz).
“The tackle (which caused it) was vicious but the injury could have been avoided if he could have gotten his leg out of the mud.
“I believe his leg was stuck and he was not in a good position. We cannot blame anything but the ground (pitch), it was not level, it was (essentially) a paddy field actually. Not up to standards.
“He (Megat Na’el) got his foot stuck and after that a change of direction when getting tackled caused a full tear in his ACL and MCL.”
Both players required surgery, covered by SRU, due to the injuries they sustained and will be forced to take time away from both playing and work.
Suhaimi urged MR to take pitch standards seriously as players’ careers, both on and off the pitch, are affected when they suffer serious injuries due to poor pitch conditions.
“I believe every coach, every player and every team hopes that we can have good venues to host these matches,” added Suhaimi.
“We understand that we do not have millions of Ringgit to spend on rugby venues but at least give us a good field that is playable and will not compromise our players welfare.
“There has to be a system or protocol in place to ensure that playing venues are checked before matches are played. We cannot take this for granted.
“Our players are not professional players who have a guaranteed payout and millions in the bank. When you are injured, it is hard to earn a living.
“Injuries can also affect a player in the long term. As a former player myself, there is not a day I don’t wake up with pain in my hips or achilles (tendon).
“Having good quality venues and pitches will also raise the image of rugby in Malaysia. Sponsors will be happy when they are associated with a good looking, presentable venue.”
MR secretary-general Fahmy Jalil said the national body is aware and has taken steps to prevent pitch-related issues from recurring.
“We have constantly reminded our state affiliates of the pitch standards that must be met when hosting matches,” said Fahmy.
“This season, we only had one pitch-related issue and it was during this match.
“Kedah had initially submitted a different venue to be used for the match which we vetted and approved.
“However, due to unforeseen circumstances they were forced to change the venue just two days before the match.
“We will continue to remind our state affiliates of the importance of maintaining good pitch standards and will also look to ensure these standards are met.”
Selangor went on to reach the quarterfinals of the Agong’s Cup where they lost to eventual finalists Johor.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
