BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (19 Dec 2011) – A new competition format has been drawn up for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) 2012 where organisers will now allow up to five over-aged players to take part.
The annual HBT meet previously had an age limit for players under the age of 21-years-old. But with Brunei wanting to rely on their SEA Games squad for the HBT 2012, allowing over-aged players in the tournament which they are hosting is a good idea.
The Sultanate side have six players born in 1990 and they are Adi Said, Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Ak Army Mazhisham Pg Hj Muhamad, Md Aqmal Hakeem Abd Hamid, Mohammad Hushaimee Manaeh and Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin Pg Hj Sallehuddin.
“We haven’t confirmed any players yet and we are definitely looking for the best. We need one who can exercise leadership and handle the players both on and off the field,” said former Brunei international Rosanan Samak, who is the assistant coach of the team.
The Brunei had just returned from the 4th Borneo Games at Samarinda, in East Kalimantan, Indonesia where they picked up the silver medal behind winners East Kalimantan.
The HBT begins on 21 February 2012.