TIGERS UNITED

PHOTO: AZLEY KASSIM The sudden passing of Malaysian rugby player Muhammad Khairul Abdillah Ramli , fondly known as Myko , has left a deep wound in the hearts of the nation’s rugby community, especially in Kelantan. The son of Kuala Krai passed away on May 10 while travelling home to Kelantan on an express bus. After stopping at Hentian Merapoh for lunch, the late Myko was reportedly struggling to breathe. His face turned pale before he was later confirmed to have passed away. His departure leaves behind grieving family members, close friends, and a rugby fraternity that knew him as a fearless warrior on the field. Tragically, just a day before his passing, Myko was still doing what he loved most, fighting for Kelantan on the rugby field. He inspired his team to a memorable victory over defending champions PDRM in the opening match of the Piala Agong . Playing as scrum half, Myko’s leadership, composure, and tireless contributions proved crucial in one of the biggest results of the to...

Malaysian rugby fans have plenty to look forward to as Malaysia Rugby unveiled its exciting 2026 calendar, featuring elite competitions, international fixtures, and strong development initiatives. The season begins with Piala Agong 2026 from May 9 to June 28, involving 10 teams. Defending champions PDRM return, while Johor are expected to mount a serious title challenge. July will spotlight the Union Cup XV Men’s Championship, now in its third edition. Malaysia’s Bunga Raya 15s will make their debut, joining defending champions Philippines , along with Thailand , Singapore , Chinese Taipei , and Guam . The Bunga Raya 15s are also set to compete in the Asia Rugby Championship Division 1, with venue and dates yet to be confirmed. Development remains a priority through the National Rugby Development Program (NRDP), now overseen by the Malaysia Rugby. As part of this effort, the Bunga Raya Cup Under-18 Championship will be held in July. On the international stage, Malaysia’s men’s...

For many years, Malaysia has welcomed foreign players into its domestic rugby scene, hoping they would raise the standard of local competitions. But despite their presence, our international performance has remained inconsistent. The national team once soared, winning Asia Division 2 and Division 1, and even reaching the Asia Top Division. Players like Duke Krishnan , Marc Le , Shahir Ashraf Rosli , Amin Jamaluddin , and a few outstanding Fijians made a real difference. But once they retired, and we relied mostly on local-based players, the Bunga Raya team struggled to maintain that level. What made Duke and Marc different? They played abroad. Duke featured in Japan’s Top League and Major League Rugby in the USA. Marc played in New Zealand and later Japan. Their growth overseas in structured systems, higher-paced competitions, and professional setups, turned them into game-changers for Malaysia. Playing abroad transforms players. They face new challenges, adapt to unfam...