KUALA LUMPUR: "I am an Indian, I would have felt it much earlier if she was a racist."
That was the frank opinion of Negri Sembilan hockey coach K. Rajan who will be having Hanis Nadia Onn on his team for the Malaysian Hockey League second season starting today.
National player Hanis, 27, had made a racist statement on social media regarding the AR Rahman concert at the National Stadium which implied the venue must be smelly.
"I have known Hanis for a long time as she has been with the national team for almost a decade. She played for Negri Sembilan in the MHL last season and helped win the League title and silver in the Overall final.
"As a player, she is always helpful and likes to joke with her teammates. I have never seen her being a racist on any matter.
"I believe she made a mistake with that statement and time will forgive her.
"Everybody makes mistakes, and deserves a second chance in life. Let's not bury her for one folly in life," said Rajan.
Last season striker Hanis scored 12 goals for Negri to be second behind team-mate Nuramirah Shakirah who had 20 goals.
Both will be the twin terrors again for Negri who aim to win a double this season.
National women's coach Nasihin Nubli said Hanis is one of his best players, highly disciplined, and she has a down to earth attitude.
"She has many Indian friends among the hockey fraternity and they assimilate well without any problems as Hanis has a friendly nature." said Nasihin.
The National Sports Council (NSC)-Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) fact-finding committee found Hanis guilty as charged by the socmed netizens court after her statement went viral. She has been suspended indefinitely from national duty.