PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his congratulations to the Malaysian men’s hockey team after they secured qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium.

In a post on Facebook, Anwar praised the squad for their dedication, discipline, and extraordinary fighting spirit, highlighting the combined efforts of the players and coaching staff.

“However, I believe there is still room for The Speedy Tigers to refine their play and improve their performance ahead of the World Cup stage. The entire nation will undoubtedly provide continuous support and encouragement for all of you,” he said.

The national team narrowly lost 4-5 to Japan in the third- and fourth-place playoff during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, on Saturday.

Despite the defeat, Malaysia remains in a strong position to compete in the World Cup, currently ranked 15th in the world, ahead of Wales in 16th and Poland in 20th, who faced off in the same round of qualification.

In a separate post, the Prime Minister also congratulated Malaysia’s track cycling icon Datuk Azizulhasni Awang on winning the keirin event at the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Perth, Australia.

“I pray that The Pocket Rocketman continues to excel and brings even more success to the nation in upcoming competitions,” Anwar added.

The messages underscore Anwar’s commitment to celebrating Malaysian athletes’ achievements on the global stage and promoting national pride in sport. – March 8, 2026