Ghana defender Rashid Sumaila has debunked claims that Asian leagues are low profile, insisting they are highly competitive.

Speed, strength and extra energy are the requirements to survive in the Asian leagues and without them, a player can't survive there according to the former Asante Kotoko defender.

In an interview with Amansan TV, the soft spoken defender said "Many people think the Asian leagues are for players who are nearing their retirement. But that is totally not it."

"You can find out more from Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Kasola, Awal Mohammed and all the other Ghanaian players who have played in Asia before. You need strength and extra energy to survive there."

He added that a player whose work rate is low will have his contract terminated as has been the practice of the Asians.

"If your work rate is low in any of the Asian leagues, the club pays you off and terminates your contract. That is a sign of calls for hard work," he added.

Rashid Sumaila won the Kuwait League with Al Qadsia as well as emerging the best foreign player in the Kuwait Premier League.