With the zonal qualifying tournament to be held before the Azlan Shah Cup, players called up for the national team are expected to sit out.
However they will be able to play the Razak Cup proper as it will be held in July.
The MHF Competition Committee had in it's meeting on Feb 19 decided that the qualifying tournaments, to be played at zonal level, must be held between April and June.
Hence national players will not be able to represent their state teams for the April first leg matches.
And if the second leg matches are held in June, then the national players will also have to sit out as they will be preparing and participating in the Four Nation Invitational Tournament in Russia.
However there could yet be a loophole if the states playing host decide to hold the qualifying tournament a week after the Azlan Shah that is scheduled from May 5-15.
With each team allowed to register 30 players for the tournament, some states could well use the opportunity to blood talented youngsters.
Penang and Kedah will host the north zone qualifiers , while Kuala Lumpur have been given the right to play host to both legs in the absence of bids from Perak or Selangor.
The east zonal qualifier will see Terengganu and Pahang playing host while the south zone has Johor and Malacca respectively.
However with the pitches in Taman Daya out of commission for the next few months, it could most likely see Malacca playing hosts to both legs.
The Taman Daya Stadium require RM1 million to get back into shape.
