KUALA LUMPUR: After making their Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) debut in 2009, and having won many doubles and trebles, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) have made a quiet and mysterious exit this year.
Initially rumours were rife that the university side would not compete this season, but Malaysian Hockey Confederation competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet quashed the rumours on Friday.
However, Anil Jeet confirmed today about UniKL's non-participation in the MHL.
"After MHL entries closed (on Jan 28) UniKL did not send their form but verbally expressed interest to play in the MHL, so they were given until Feb 7 to do so.
"However, UniKL failed to meet the deadline, and we have replaced them with the National Hockey Development Team which will have some senior players to guide the youths," said Anil Jeet.
By virtue of being last season's league champions, UniKL were supposed to play TNB Cup champions Terengganu Hockey Team in the Charity Shield on Feb 18.
"Since we have removed UniKL from the fixtures, the Charity Shield will be discussed during the MHL team managers meeting," said Anil Jeet.