KUCHING: Sarawak women hockey have been given a boost with Sarawak player Elizabeth Epui Martin being selected for the Junior World Cup Squad which will kick-off in South Africa from April 1-12.
It is the first time a Sarawak player has been given the honour to represent the nation in the tournament which is also a first for Malaysia as the nation had never qualified for the prestigious world junior tournament.
Elizabeth Epui, who had impressed the national selectors in the Razak Cup tournament and the ongoing National Junior league for clubs, had also been turning out for the national team in the 5S Olympic Asia Cup which was held in Bangkok in 2018.
The Bintulu-born Elizabeth, who was formerly from SMK Sebauh in Bintulu and SMK Paku, Bau is among 20 other players called up for the date in South Africa,
According to Sarawak women coach S. Sri Sakrunathan, Elizabeth, a Kenyah had been playing regularly for Sarawak having played in age group competitions such as the Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Under 21 in Bau, and also played for Sarawak in Sukma 16.
She had also been exposed to national club level competitions having played in the Peninsular and had also represented Malaysia in the 5S Youth Olympic Asia Cup which was held in Bangkok in 2018.
She is described by Sakrunathan as a very promising player who plays a key role in the team, namely for the Razak Cup and the current national league.
“This is the first time that a player from Sarawak is selected to play in the Junior World Cup while Malaysia have never qualified for this tournament before but this time, they are able to participate due to the withdrawal of Japan.
“It is a high-level international tournament with top teams like Germany and India playing and Elizabeth deserves the call-up as she is a quality player having been impressive in the recent tournaments.
“Elizabeth deserves a national call-up as she has been performing well in the Razak Cup and the current,” said Sakrunathan.
Elizabeth is with the Sarawak SUKMA squad based in Klang and is undergoing national squad training at the moment in Kuala Lumpur. The Sarawak squad will be staying put in the Peninsular until the SUKMA competitions in Kuala Lumpur which will be held at the latest rescheduled date in September.
