BSAC

"Be Strong And Courageous."

These four simple words have been the source of our drive.

It's been carved as part of our identity even. 

The league is over, and yet again I'll say this -

Be strong and courageous is not merely a credo or motivational quote.

It's a lifestyle.

It must seep into every part of our lives.

So to my dear Spearhead family, remember to always Be Strong and very Courageous. 

"Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; do not be terrified, 

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

Joshua 1: 9

Read more...

Fulfillment

As mentioned in my previous post, GSN hosted a floorball programme and I had the privilege of meeting both Jill and Jacintha, two very talented players and coaches from Singapore. Jill, the renown floorballer who started her coaching company 13 Shining Stars partnered with GSN to conduct the 2 days floorball training with Jacintha being her assistant.

Jac' & Jill! :)

 

To know more about what the floorball programme was all about, please visit gatewaysports.com.my for your reading pleasure :)

On a more personal note, it was great to have so many young floorballers taking part in this event. I truly hope this training has given them an idea and a fresh perspective of coaching and playing. As for senior floorballers who attended the training, I hope that they are inspired afresh for the game. To me, just watching Jill play and listening to her stories and experiences has definitely given me an extra boost for floorball. It's always an encouragement to have people who have the same passion and vision.

Speaking to Jacintha during one of our meal time together, she shared with me how inspired she was to see how receptive and hungry we were to learn more about floorball. But more than that, she was inspired to see not just the passion, but the vision that drives the passion. It's another boost of assurance that we need to keep running the race with perseverance!

What thing I've learnt from the both of them is this - Even the best and the most successful person in the world will one day come to the realization that there is an emptiness inside that cannot be filled with mere temporal pleasures nor countless moments of success. Jill shared her life story and it depicted exactly that. No matter how good, talented and successful we are, it comes to nothing if we don't allow God to sit in the centre of our lives. If God is not in us, good simply becomes mediocrity, talent becomes ordinary and success becomes dissatisfaction. The emptiness can only be filled by Him and Him alone.

 Spearhead Floorball Club with Jill and Jacintha!

Read more...

Floorball!

Ah, it's going to be a great week of floorballing, meeting and networking with different people in the floorball scene. Excited for what's ahead!

On another note, took some time out to check out the State Development team at their weekly Balik Pulau Tuesday training. What an encouragement to see how much they've improved! Keep it up State Development team (STD)! Kudos to STD Coach Kuan Yang as well! Keep it up, bro'! 

Let's keep the passion along with the vision!

Read more...

Hawks

I remember playing in my first Penang League a couple years back for Minden UnderDawgs, that was our team name then. I recall how nervous I was. I couldn't even hold the stick right. I was sweating even before the game started. After four years, I still feel the same. But of course, in a more positive spirit. Tomorrow will be the start of my fourth outing in the Penang League.

Minden UniHawks is my birthplace as a floorballer. In fact, I'm convinced that UniHawks plays a significant role in my decision to stay back in Penang in the first place. Minden has been an essential piece of jigsaw that has its role in completing a bigger picture in regards to my life. So yes, Minden UniHawks is my birthplace, my team, my family.

Over the years, we've been commonly regarded as the underdog. Yet it is through being the underdog that I believe the club has formed a certain credo, a certain code of conduct. Many priceless values, lessons and principles were born forth from the struggles of rising out from being the underdog. Tomorrow will be our opening match. Again, the odds are against us. Minden UniHawks is still being known synonymously to that of an underdog.


Regardless, I'm excited for the match against Innebandy tomorrow night, a very good team both tactically and technically. It will definitely be challenging but at the same time, I trust that it will also be very fulfilling! Personally, I'm more excited for the new players in our club. They've shown great interest and commitment for the team and that's the first step to success! These days is very hard to get players to be committed. I'm glad that we have new family members playing alongside us in the league this year around. They'll probably be feeling how I felt 4 years back and hence, I'm glad I went through those terrifying nerve wrecking moments because when I see them tomorrow, I'd know what to say to them :)

Yes, the odds are against us. But ought we turn away from it? Nay, we shan't. Instead, we shall put on our game and make it even.

My fourth Penang League and who am I playing for?

I'm playing for Minden UniHawks.
Proud to be a Hawk.... or an underdog as some might say :P

Read more...

Dictators.

I felt compelled to put this down after Traiblazers' match on Saturday.

Everybody hates losing. Worst still, losing it big time. Looking at the scoreline at the end of the game, I knew it was going to be a bitter pill for the team to swallow down. Their courage was literally put under fire. As the final whistle was blown, I looked at my players and I could tell that they were beaten down, heads down and spirit broken. I saw dejection. But as they walked towards the secretariat bench to honour their opponents, I saw something else. I saw not individuals but a team coming together in spite of a deafening defeat. And I must say, I'm proud of them all.

Great teams don't emerge as victors on their first chase for championships. They toil through hardships and face heart-breaking defeats only to meliorate together as one. They are persistent because they do not allow defeats to slow down their advancement.

Great teams are dictators.
They dictate their progress even in times of regress.

To Traiblazers, remember...

Keep smiling as you progress forward :)

Read more...

The "Mean Machine".

Here's a short rap to inspire all Spearhead members after their body-aching push-ups in our last training session. Push-ups good! :P

This is the "Mean Machine",
It's gonna make you lean,
Doin' the push-ups till' your pass is clean!
If you hear me now, then put your sticks on the ground,
cause' it will take all nite, until you get it right!

SPEARHEAD!

Read more...

LOL & LWL!

My involvement in floorball has never been so great a deal until about 3-4 months back. How perfectly He orchestrates the symphony of events that took place is one that baffles my mind. From the birth of GSN to adopting floorball clubs in schools to forming Spearhead Floorball Club and to my personal journey in APAC 2010, the chronology of events that unfolded was the epitome of a Genius at work. He is the master planner and organizer of all things.

Getting myself more involved in floorball meant that meeting and possibly leading people would be inevitable. I've always been passionate about working with people. I find joy in reaffirming, encouraging, listening and possibly counselling people... But I'd never thought myself to be working amongst youth! He has His ways in training us. I must admit that in the initial stage, I was a little uneasy being amidst the group of youth I was working with. It has been a long while since I've been in touch with youth. Naturally, I felt a little 'disconnected'.

But their presence has made my personal race in life so much more meaningful and purposeful. They are a great bunch and it's odd how God teaches you a thing or two by first putting you in a position to teach. While you're at it, He begins to reveal what he has in store for you bit by bit. One of the key things I've learnt is that the word 'ministry' is merely a word used to compartmentalize different areas of focus. Yet at the same time, it's a word which holds each individual accountable as to how they live their lives. Ministry applies at a personal basis as well, knowingly or unknowingly, our lives - the way we communicate, live, speak and what we do - is a ministry in itself (1 Corinthians 10: 31).

Another key thing that I've learnt and something which I still struggle with once in a while is this whole issue of inadequacy. Many times when I look at the task which He has entrusted me with, I wonder to myself, "Why me when there are others who are far more capable??". Obviously, God being God, He didn't reveal to me His answer :P I'm a PhelgMel to begin with and add that up with a little low-self esteem, you'll get a person who constantly struggle with the issue of inadequacy. I've learnt this - If you're on your own, the truth that you'll get is that you will forever be in lacking. But if you're in Him and with Him, then you shall not be in lack (Psalm 23: 1). Ah, sounds theoretically simple, eh? But it isn't. The struggle is real, at least for me it is. Yet the truth remains as it is - If He is our shepherd, then we shall not be in want. Through our inadequacies, He will manifest Himself. This requires simple faith.

Nike puts it simply - Just do it.

Living out loud (LOL) and living without lack (LWL) for Christ is a constant challenge. But in order for it to be a challenge, you must first choose to accept it in the first place. Should you choose not to accept it, then it's not a challenge that you'll need to face altogether. So...

Are you LOL and LWL for Christ?

Read more...

APAC 2010: Looking Ahead

I have had the opportunity to represent Malaysia for floorball in the Asia PAcific Floorball Championship (APAC) for the past three years. This year, being the fourth time, I once again had the privilege to be part of team Malaysia as we headed down to Singapore for APAC 2010. I won't go into too much details on match reviews because IFF and Borak-Borak Floorball has already covered those areas. I'm just going to share my thoughts about APAC 2010.

Having been to three APACs prior to this, I know how tough and competitive floorball can be at that level. When we had our national trainings, our coaches have already drilled into our heads that our goal for APAC 2010 is to win a medal back - no more 'go-for-exposure' nonsense. I'm glad that was the goal they set out for us. Even though it sounds like a ridiculous and seemingly impossible task, it was an appropriate one.


Now, most would be asking - so what exactly happened to team Malaysia in APAC 2010?
What's with all those double-digits trashing?

Two very obvious things happened - we were physically and mentally outclassed. Dare I say, we weren't as prepared in these two areas as the previous year.

I for one, know that I wasn't physically fit. And at that level, fit is not enough - you have to be VERY fit. The Japs ran so fast they made us look as if we were taking a jog on court. Truth of the matter is, we didn't train hard and consistent enough to hit our peak. I'm culpable for that no doubt.

Lin Ken, still mentally strong! (can pose some more!)

But on a more personal note, the most disappointing fall back for me was our mental state. We had a hard time getting our hearts and minds into the game and that cost us dearly. And I'm not just talking about on court mental state. I personally feel the let down came from the benches as well. What one says and does on the substitute bench determines the morale of the team.

One person's actions and words will and can affect the entire team.

Simple things like nodding our heads in dejection every time we let in a goal, slamming our stick on the floor in frustration, lashing out at our own team mates for their mistakes and so on affect the team. I know I'm guilty of all these as well. All of these revealed to me that we have more than just mental weaknesses - maybe it has to do with our character as well.

What have I learnt from APAC 2010?

I've learnt that old habits die hard. As a team, we struggled to break away from the habit of getting into the 'underdog' mentality. I've learnt that, therefore, it is our duty as senior and experienced players to the younger ones in Penang/Malaysia to really coach and educate them in every area of floorball - not just from the technical side to the tactical, but also off court attitude towards the team and how they perceive themselves when they go head to head with a stronger team. It's time to 'brainwash' the younger generation to believe in their strengths. It is crucial for us, senior players, to really start investing our time in the younger players if we do want to see Malaysia floorball hitting a competitive level in the international scene. Having said that, to do all these, we must first get rid of our old habits - we need to get out of the 'underdog' mentality and immerse ourselves instead with the 'Champion' mindset.

Running for the future.

A friend asked me if I've wasted my money going to Singapore.

Knowledge and experience is never a waste. It is an investment if we learn from it.

We may not see the visual results of winning matches and gaining a medal just yet, but if we can channel those knowledge and experiences to the younger generation and facilitate them to grow in the right direction, then the 'interest' of our investment will be seen in years to come.

To say that it is a waste, or to throw in the towel because of the many humiliating defeats would be to kill off the many great potentials that we have in the younger generation. If we quit now, we extinguish the future of floorball in Malaysia.

What then is the significance of chanting aloud "Malaysia Boleh" each time before a match?

To quit, that's the ultimate defeat we'd ever have to face.

APAC 2010 has been a significant one for me. It reassures me of what I'm suppose to do and that is to start building champions. I may not be the one who will be bringing back a medal, but the least I can do is to empower others who can.

Read more...

When fun meets funD!

In Malaysia, there's an unmistakable football tag line that goes "Cakap bola, tidur bola, makan bola!". Well, the Penang Floorball Association (PFA) has decided to re-brand the 'makan bola' phrase to a more... er... literal sense.

On the 2nd January 2010, Saturday, PFA will be hosting a fund raising dinner at Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah, 26 Jalan Grove, 11400 Penang from 7pm-10pm! Lots of crazy fun stuff lined up! Band performances, dance, etc! All this for only RM25! It's really cheap!

Indubitably, floorball in Penang has grown rapidly and positively over the recent years. Clubs are growing, schools are following and players are improving. Moreover, this year we witnessed the milestone of floorball in Penang as it embarked on its first time ever Sukan Penang 2009, a state level affair, with the involvement of the Penang Sports Council!

Evidently, PFA is working hard towards the growth of the sport both at the state level and at the national level. They strive to bring floorball to a greater scale for the benefit of all floorball enthusiasts. However, this cannot be achieved without the concerted efforts of both PFA and the people - YOU!

As such, PFA is organizing a fund raising dinner. The purpose of the fund raising is really simply to help grow the sport to the next level. Floorball is a team sport. So, let's show them that we are team players in the floorball scene!

Don't hesitate any longer. You literally get to talk floorball and eat at the same time! What else can you asks for! ;) Those who are interested and want to get tickets, please feel free to drop me a line! I really hope to see you people there.

(This event is organized by the Penang Floorball Association)

Read more...

Mountain climbers.

As floorball in Penang chart its way into history, Bukit Jambul (BJ) too made history of their own as they participated in their first ever floorball tournament as a school and as a team! I had the privilege of leading and coaching them during the inaugural SUKPEN Floorball Challenge last week.

Floorball enthusiasts gathered at Shang Wu school for the SUKPEN floorball competition 2009!

I've not worked with schools before, hence, I had no experience whatsoever in regards to leading a school floorball club. So when the opportunity came, I had a certain amount of anxiety but also a fair share of excitement. It's been a while since I worked with youth. So it was a bit worrying thinking whether or not I'd be able to relate to this young group of sports enthusiasts. But after a few rounds of training with them, I found them to be a great bunch with great potential!

From left-right:
Calvin, Ruben, Zoe, Syahmi and Jay-Sern.

Indeed, they have great potential. Stepping into their first ever tournament, moreover, a state level competition, was truly a test of character in itself. Most of them have not played more than 5 times! They really did not know what to expect and I truly respect their courage for rising up during the competition. C'mon man, they had to face teams like Ztec and Innebandy! Woah, salute! Salute!

I'm glad that they had a complete experience. In fact, they had more than they bargained for. The first day of the competition seemed to be a bad day for BJ. Firstly, they only had one game in store for them. Secondly, they had to wait for at least a good 4 hours before their turn arrived. Thirdly, their first game was against Ztec!.... Waiitttt... Still got some more bad news...

When their turn to play finally arrived, they faced another hiccup! A major one in fact!

Power outage!!!!

Floorball in Penang created yet another history... Power failure in the midst of a match for the first time ever! Don't know whether to laugh or to cry when I think about it. But I must say though, it was quite an experience. I'm glad I didn't miss it. Hehe.

The BJ'ians taking a team picture in the pitch black hall!

Unfortunately for them, the competition had to be postponed to the following day. Thankfully though, the following day we didn't experience any sort of power failure. Phew!

My instructions to them were fairly simple - Firstly, I told them that character precedes winning. So at all times, display honourable and respectable character on and off court. Secondly, have fun lah and don't muka masam! =) Thirdly, after every game make sure they approach the opposing team and shake their hands. And I'm glad that they achieved all three! Great work BJ'ians!

Ztec vs. BJ!

The subs looking and cheering on for their team mates!

I'm not going to narrate what happened from their first match till' their final one. At the end of it all, I'm proud that they displayed a positive attitude and energy in the team. I'm glad that they learned their first and most important lesson through that competition - winning is not the means to judge the spirit and the heart of the team. Character will lead to bigger wins in the future.

BJ finished fourth in the competition. It's really quite a good position to be in considering the fact that they are a new team. I'm proud of every single one of them - Lisa, Eureka, Pei Li, Zoe, Sonia, Daniel, Ruben, Calvin, Aziz, Hafiz, Syahmi and Jay-Sern. They proved to themselves that there are no mountains to high for them to climb =) Keep climbing those mountains guys!

BJ Bahaya!

Keep it up BJ!

Read more...

A glimpse of the promised land.

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.

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! ;)

To the Mastermind and Genius behind it all, thanks! We'll continue to stand in line as we march forth towards Your promises!

Read more...

The Final Period

I was just thinking and it dawned upon me that it's been almost 4 years now since I first picked up a floorball stick.

4 years!
Gosh, how time flies!

Until today, friends back home are still wondering why in the world am I so hooked on to this unheard of sport. My answer is always the same when I face these sceptics,

"Aiya, you never try you never know... Once you try, I guarantee you sure jadi floorball-addict also...".

Nah, kao tim.

I remember the first time I started floorball, I was totally amazed and inspired by many the players in Penang (whom I still do of course :). That was probably the first key thing that really got me into the sport - to see players representing the Penang State and the National, how to not be inspired... Haha. That gave me an extra drive to my interest in floorball. But as I grew in the sport and in the team, I too evolved.

My first floorball major competition - UM Cup!

I recently watched a sport movie called "The Express" (click here to read movie review) about American football. Great movie with issues that I can relate to. Towards the end of the movie, the main character, Ernie Davis, says this;

"But football is just a game.
What matters is what you play for."

The Express.

It's true, isn't it?

Every now and then - when I have a crappy game, when I fail as a coach to impart values and knowledge to my players, when discouragement comes banging down my door, when harsh criticism becomes my best friend - I have to remind myself that floorball is just a game and then asks myself what exactly am I playing for. I'm not just talking about floorball per se, but more than that - life. Because that answer, whatever it may be to you, is the one thing that will keep you at the right track when you hit rock bottom or when you hit the peak of your career;
it keeps you growing while at the same time, keeps your feet grounded.

Floorball is great but life is greater.
And it's how you play your life out that counts when the final whistle is blown.

One main reason why I play floorball is because I want to emulate those players who first inspired me, people who's sheer presence itself brings much inspiration and encouragement (and again, I'm not just referring to the game of floorball, but also in terms of their life). Personally, I believe that that kind of presence is a gift from God. It is not something that you can earned by being the best around the court but something that's been given by the Creator, a 'talent' so to speak. I know I don't have much of that particular 'talent'. I probably won't be a great floorball player in Penang, or Malaysia for that matter, but even with the little that I have, the 1 talent that's been given to me, I sure do what to make use of it to the fullest.

In the movie, Ernie Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, a prestiges award in the American football arena. However, he was later diagnosed with leukaemia and was never able to play professionally again. Eventually, he died at the age of only 23 (Sorry guys, gave away the ending... Hahaha).

23.
I'm 24 this year.

The thing about life is this - we will never know how much more of it is in front of us.
I may well be in my 1st period, 2nd or maybe even the final period of my life. Who's to say, eh?

What have I done so far?
Have I encouraged anyone in my team?
Have I inspired players around me?
Have I given my all for the team?

Often, people say life is too short, so we must live by the moment - Enjoy while we can.
I say life is too short, so we must live in His purpose - Make Him famous while we can.

I just hope that at the end of the final whistle, my coach will walk up to me, puts his hand around my shoulder and say to me,

"Son, you played well."

(Wah, check out the player's number... 14!
Haha.
My jersey number... Freaky stuff)

Read more...

APAC 2009 Pyeong Taek, Korea: Play With Your Heart

Almost 6 months of gruelling training and everything ended just within the span of just 8 days.
Was it worth it?

Of course it was.

Yes people, I'm back in Malaysia, Tanahairku.
After spending a week in the very cold province of Pyeong Taek, Korea, for the Asia Pacific Floorball Championship (APAC) 2009, I'm back in the scorching weather of the Penang Island.
Ah, sweet.

As promised, here's an account of my experience in Korea of what I found significant and what I learnt along the way.

Upon arrival at the Seoul International Airport, we had to continue another two hours bus ride to Pyeong Taek (which is a much smaller city) where the competition was held.
Too bad it wasn't held in Seoul :(
Oh well.

Seoul International Airport, Korea.

Team Malaysia has landed!

We resided at the Kyonggi Tourist Hotel in Pyeong Taek. A little pricey but considering that they had already subsidised for us, it was actually quite reasonable and plus, the management was really good and the room was very comfy.
Two thumbs up for that! :)

Kyonggi Tourist Hotel

A Welcoming Banner!

Now, let's look at the weather forecast =P
The weather in Pyeong Taek was actually pretty cold. Most nights were below 0°C.
So yea, you can imagine how we Malaysians had to adapt to the dry cold air there. Apparently, it snowed one of the nights.
Pyeong Taek is actually a really small city known for its U.S military army base camp.

Pyeong Taek, Korea - A small cozy little city.

You see, we Malaysians love to do things a little different.
People usually celebrate and feast after the competition is over.
Well, we went to Korea with our Penang punya eat-all-out spirit.
Feast while we can!

See, even our coach is leading us by example :P

Korean food very the colourful... *drool*drool*
(But don't be fool by the noodles. It's cold!!! YUCKS!!!)

Although Korean food's nice and tasty, but ordering them can be a real pain.
Communication was a MAJOR problem for most of us and ordering a simple dish really test our sense of creativity.
But Malaysians being Malaysians, we MUST have our food.
Hence, we always find a way to get around it.

Team Malaysia memang boleh!

If there's one thing that stands out in this year's APAC is the fact that it was so efficiently organized.
Superb.
From the banner to the very accommodating personnels to the opening ceremony right up to the closing ceremony.
Korea Floorball Federation had the government's support, hence, the very detailed organization. They invested a lot in this campaign and made it look very professional and welcoming to everyone.
Job well done Korea!
The fact that it was so well organized made our stay and made the campaign a whole lot more exciting and memorable. Even our very own Team Malaysia's personnel, You-Lim Kim, was very friendly and helpful throughout our stay there.

You-Lim & I.

The opening ceremony was quite a big thing actually.
It was a pretty full fledge ceremony with performances, speeches and welcoming of each team.
We had to walk into the hall contingent by contingent and actually had to wave at the audiences! Weird man.
Team Malaysia had the shortest line amongst the rest.
We only had 10 players! The rest were at least twice our length! =p
Boy oh boy, was I proud to be Malaysian!

Team Malaysia at the opening Ceremony.


Officials and board of directors for APAC 2009.


The gigantic welcoming banner at the stadium.

The big question on everybody's head is still:

HOW DID THE MALAYSIAN TEAM FARE IN THE APAC CAMPAIGN?

Good news is that we finished 4th out of 6 teams. By far the best result in Malaysian floorball history :)
Results wise though, we could have done better in certain matches, especially the one against Korea.
Cis, that game we played really bad.
The results are as stated below:

25 Mar 09 (Wed) Jap - Mas 14-1

26 Mar 09 (Thu) Mas - Kor 2 - 11

27 Mar 09 (Fri) Mas - Aus 3 - 8

28 Mar 09 (Sat) Sin - Mas 5 - 7

29 Mar 2009 (Sun) Mas - Ind 25 - 0

On a more personal note, I think APAC 2009 is one of Malaysia's best outing as a team.
I say as a team because in spite of all the odds shoved against us, what not with key players pulling out literally at the very last second, we still clung onto one another.
We only had 11 players and with just two lines at a high level competition like APAC, it almost seemed ridiculous.
Even one of the Singaporean players asked us "Where are your other players?"...
My friend replied, "The rest in Malaysia lar"! :P

Donning the Malaysian jersey requires a certain level of pride balanced out with a sense of humility.

Being small in number is not always a bad thing.
On the contrary, it helped us bond a whole lot easier as a team.
Having been to three APACs, Korea being my third, it was clear that this particular recruited team built a deeper level of trust, commitment and relationship between one another. I guess the odds that went against us did in fact backlashed with some positive outcome in the end.
It built a certain level of mental strength indefinitely.

As an individual player, however, I must say I was somewhat disappointed with my performance. I think this time around I was more focussed towards the competition but was still struggling a whole lot with confidence issue. Obviously technically I'm not there yet but I know deep down inside, the root of the problem is my lack of self-believe and confidence.
Also, I believe the longer you play, the more you expect of yourself when it comes to competition. You want to deliver what's expected of you by your coach as well as your team mates.
On a brighter note though, I'm very much blessed by my team mates words of encouragement.
Thanks guys! :)

What have I learnt from APAC 2009?

If there's one thing I brought back (besides souvenirs and my memories of Girls Generation =p), it would be a phrase said by my coach when we were in the dressing room during our break, trailing far behind the Japs. He simply said,

"You guys have to play with your heart".

I know it may sound like a cliche line from a Disney-like Sports inspiring movie.. :P
But it somehow impacted me a whole lot.
It ignited a spark of fire.
If you think about it, in the circumstance that we were in - with just 11 players going up against the eventual champions, Japan - we weren't anywhere close to match them.
We lose out to them in numbers, we lacked in skills and we weren't tactically as good as them and yet the only hope that we had and that which matters most was that we played with our hearts out.
In that instant, it reminded me that any team, regardless of whether you're the best or if you're the underdog, is given a fair chance to step up and take ownership of what's arguably the most lethal weapon any sportsman can possess - Heart.

Play with your heart.

Besides floorball every other day, another significant event happened as well while I was in Pyeong Taek.
Let me give you a little background first;
Almost 2 years ago, I met a bunch of Koreans by pure chance.
I was walking out of USM to have my lunch when a group of 5 Koreans approached me asking me if I knew any cafeteria around USM where they could grab lunch as well.
Finding hard to explain to them the directions, I invited them to join me for lunch and ended up spending them lunch too just to prove that Malaysians are friendly people. Haha! :P
From there, we became friends. In fact, I became their tourist guide for the next couple of days and I even brought the Korean guys to visit my hostel room since they were utterly curious to check it out.
Eventually, I found out that they were Christians! :)
It's funny how God can bring people together, even if it's in such a short span of time.
I think I spent only about 3 days with them but even in such short time, I found them to be really a special bunch of people.
We ended up trading emails and they even bought me a thank you card!

Now, upon confirmation that I was selected to be in the Malaysia team, I decided to send an email to my Korean friends. I wasn't really expecting much from them and was a little anxious if they still have any little memories of me.
Surprise, surprise. They replied with much excitement! :)
However, my hopes of meeting them again was dashed when I realized that they were all residing in Seoul while I was in Pyeong Taek, two hours away.
Sigh.
But guess what...
They took a bus all the way from Seoul and came to spent just an hour and a half with me!
It was definitely one of the most memorable thing that took place besides floorball and all.
This time around, they took me out for lunch instead =p (Yes, Koreans are friendly people too).
It was great having lunch with them.
They even gave thanks for the food in Korean!
Awesome!

This just goes to show that whether or not I knew them for only 3 days old, whether or not I'm of different race and speak different language, we're all still connected through one body and that's the body of Christ.
Catching up with them at lunch, I found out that their trip to Penang the last time was actually a mission trip. They didn't tell me back then fearing that it may be a sensitive issue.
I count myself extremely blessed to be able to meet a group of random strangers with the passion to make Him famous.
I never thought I'd see them again and now, I'm looking forward for our next lunch outing. :)

In 2007 (when I still had my long hair :) when I brought them out to Pelita and teaching them to eat with their hands.


2009.
In Pyeong Taek, Korea.
A divine appointment. :)

I can go on and on about Korea.
But I'll just let the photos do the work...

The Japas vs. The Aussies


Team Korea vs. Team Australia


Team Malaysia with the Women's Korea Team.


The Men's APAC 2009 All Star team.


The Women's APAC 2009 All Star team.


APAC 2009 Champions - The Japs!
They memang power house!

Seriously, I thought I heard a Korean girl screaming for help...
:P

Above everything else, I want to just thank God for everything;
For the experience, the friendships, the team, the coaches, the safe journey to and fro, the protection and good health, the losses and the wins...
Indeed, His blessings are immensurable.
APAC 2009 will soon be but a distant memory.
Yet, a new beginning awaits us...
One that I'm sure will be more exciting.

For now, I bid farewell to Korea.
Say bye bye to Korea,
say hello to more Killas!

Goodbye, Korea.

Read more...