A glimpse of the promised land.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I was still in KL when I had my first glimpse of floorball. I was just 14 back then. Floorball didn't interest me at all. I brushed it aside thinking that it was a game only for 'sissies'. Well, God has a funny way of making me eat my words. Who would've known that years later, I would be part of a floorball family here in Penang, engrossed and totally sold out for the sport! ;)
I wasn't in Penang when floorball first started off. Hearing stories from the people who were there since day one always makes me wonder how was it like when it first began. From what I've heard, they used to play on rough cemented basketball court without any proper knowledge of the rules and regulations. C'mon, some even taught the wrong stuff!
It has been almost 7 years now since Penang first held a floorball stick. The tides have changed. Over the years, floorball has gained momentum through the efforts of pioneers who persistently ploughed through each season. They toiled against every obstacles and got their hands dirty so that we can have what we have today.
7 years is really quite a long time. To brave through a stormy ride for 7 years ain't an easy task. But 7 also represents a perfect number and truly, this year proves to be one that is significant as God opened a crucial door for the floorball scene here in Penang. It's almost as if God is saying, "Well done! And here's just a glimpse of what I'm going to give to you if you continue to move towards my direction!".
This year, floorball for the first time ever, was featured in SUKAN PENANG 2009 (also known as SUKPEN 2009)! Now, you'd be wondering what's so special about that? For years, the pioneers of floorball have been working hard towards making floorball a national sport in Malaysia. So to see floorball taken up by the Penang Sports Council with open arms is a small but essential step towards the growth of the sport as a whole. This is indeed a milestone for floorball in Penang.
Last week, I had the privilege to be part of the floorball contingent to witness the opening ceremony. 10 of us represented the Penang Floorball Association. It was truly an honour to be able to stand in line with my fellow comrades who had the same passion and most importantly, comrades who shared the same vision. I remember a challenge someone posted me once - "Would you be standing in line with the true vision of floorball or would you walk away and just be another passer-by?". Looking at where we are now, I'm glad that there are people who dared to take up the challenge and stayed in line even though at times the battle ahead seem a little too overwhelming.
I wasn't in Penang when floorball first started off. Hearing stories from the people who were there since day one always makes me wonder how was it like when it first began. From what I've heard, they used to play on rough cemented basketball court without any proper knowledge of the rules and regulations. C'mon, some even taught the wrong stuff!
It has been almost 7 years now since Penang first held a floorball stick. The tides have changed. Over the years, floorball has gained momentum through the efforts of pioneers who persistently ploughed through each season. They toiled against every obstacles and got their hands dirty so that we can have what we have today.
7 years is really quite a long time. To brave through a stormy ride for 7 years ain't an easy task. But 7 also represents a perfect number and truly, this year proves to be one that is significant as God opened a crucial door for the floorball scene here in Penang. It's almost as if God is saying, "Well done! And here's just a glimpse of what I'm going to give to you if you continue to move towards my direction!".
This year, floorball for the first time ever, was featured in SUKAN PENANG 2009 (also known as SUKPEN 2009)! Now, you'd be wondering what's so special about that? For years, the pioneers of floorball have been working hard towards making floorball a national sport in Malaysia. So to see floorball taken up by the Penang Sports Council with open arms is a small but essential step towards the growth of the sport as a whole. This is indeed a milestone for floorball in Penang.
Last week, I had the privilege to be part of the floorball contingent to witness the opening ceremony. 10 of us represented the Penang Floorball Association. It was truly an honour to be able to stand in line with my fellow comrades who had the same passion and most importantly, comrades who shared the same vision. I remember a challenge someone posted me once - "Would you be standing in line with the true vision of floorball or would you walk away and just be another passer-by?". Looking at where we are now, I'm glad that there are people who dared to take up the challenge and stayed in line even though at times the battle ahead seem a little too overwhelming.
Standing in line alongside the rest of the floorball troops!Marching into the hall during the opening ceremony was really quite special. Even though I wasn't exactly the first batch of floorballers or pioneers, I still felt a great sense of pride of what they've achieved up until that very moment. The walk into the hall was an assurance that a new chapter is about to begin, one that is filled with greater obstacles and bigger victories. At the end of the ceremony, Penny came up to me and said, "When you guys walked into the hall, I got teary. It was an emotional moment because as I witnessed you guys marched into the hall, I was witnessing God answering our prayers that very moment". It's true, without God in the equation, floorball would not have journeyed this far, or exist for that matter. Thanks Dad! You da' man! =)
Marching with pride and thanksgiving into the hall.
The various contingent lined up during the opening ceremony. I had chat with a friend this afternoon via msn. Interestingly, I found myself sharing with him what people once shared with me - the vision of floorball. I had a full circle moment there. It's always a joy to see young potential rising up in the floorball scene and even greater to see them catching and owning the vision. My personal prayer for many of the younger players would be that they'll see floorball not merely just as a sport but beyond that. It is beyond the euphoric feeling of winning medals. It is more than just achieving technical and tactical skills. Floorball is about instilling character. It is about empowering, impacting and changing lives. It is about acknowledging the mastermind behind it all and keeping to that blueprint of His.
It is about Him.
Will floorball ever going to make it to the national level?
Of course it will. I have no qualms about it.
But until that day comes and even when that very day arrives, let's continue to cling on to that vision, playing the positions that He has assigned us to and play it at the level best we can. Let's not walk nor stray away.
And so, to the pioneers of floorball in Penang, job well done! I'm glad to be able to be part of the floorball family in this tiny but very happening island! ;)
It is about Him.
Will floorball ever going to make it to the national level?
Of course it will. I have no qualms about it.
But until that day comes and even when that very day arrives, let's continue to cling on to that vision, playing the positions that He has assigned us to and play it at the level best we can. Let's not walk nor stray away.
And so, to the pioneers of floorball in Penang, job well done! I'm glad to be able to be part of the floorball family in this tiny but very happening island! ;)
To the Mastermind and Genius behind it all, thanks! We'll continue to stand in line as we march forth towards Your promises!
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