SEREMBAN: BRANCY TEO has come a long way in her life in three decades.

From a rhythmic gymnast as a schoolgirl to sports aerobic athlete to her present passion of belly dance.

In 2007, Brancy also finished in the top four of Malaysia’s first season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ television reality show.

Brancy was only seven when she saw Farah Hani Imran and Lam Siew Kim perform on television during the Sea Games and in newspapers.

“Then, I pleaded with my father to allow me to join gymnastics in school in Kuala Kangsar. Having five children with little money in the family, my father said no,” recalls Brancy.

“We don’t have money for this sport and I don’t have time to send you to school for training, said my dad.

“After a year, at age eight, seeing my school friends happily going to school activities every Saturday, I finally tried my luck again. I asked him again.

“At that time it was compulsory for every school student to join at least one activity on Saturdays. Finally my father allowed me with the condition that I learn to do a full split, which I did in one week.”

On her early dancing days, Brancy said: “I tried once at Chinese cultural dance at school, but my father was against it and asked me to focus solely on rhythmic gymnastics.

“I was already in the Perak state team at that time. So, my father only allowed me to do two things, gymnastics and studies.”

After 10 years of training as a rhythmic gymnast, Brancy started taking up sports aerobics.

“Soon, I started to teach aerobics and took up courses for an aerobics instructor. And I met a group of fitness freaks from Kuala Lumpur. They were very keen in sport aerobics. So, I joined a small aerobic competition in Ipoh.

“Moving from rhythmic gymnastics to sport aerobic was the biggest challenge. I injured my wrists before my competition for the Hanoi Sea Games in 2003 in Hanoi.”

However, she managed to recover and compete in Hanoi. “It was the greatest experience ever. I met a lot of nice people and was so proud to be in the Malaysian contingent,” added Brancy.

“It was the first time sport aerobics was contested in the Sea Games and everything was a whole new experience for me.”

Finally she decided to move on to belly dance, due to her profession as the Group Ex manager of Celebrity Fitness in Penang.

“In 2005, I was posted to Penang as a Celebrity Fitness Group Ex Manager. As a Group Ex manager, we had to be very creative in the group fitness classes. I received requests from gym members for a belly dance class. I was new there in Penang and I couldn’t find any instructor to teach belly dance. So, I bought a DVD on belly dance, an instructional video for beginners. I learned the basics from the DVD and created a simple choreography to teach in fitness classes.”

“My very first mentor was Jillina from Belly Dance Super Star. She is an American belly dancer with many years of experience.

“Once I watched a YouTube of Wael Mansour, an Egyptian teacher. I wrote to him and asked his permission to learn from him. I had travelled many places but never to Egypt, and so I went there, despite it was being ‘revolution time’ in Cairo for an intensive course of belly dancing.”

Brancy claims that her husband Matthew Nekvapil, businessman, had been very supportive of her passion to become a belly dancer and arranged her to her have private lessons from Jillina in Los Angeles.

“Matthew is the man behind my success. He has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.”

She still conducts fitness classes to maintain her own physical condition as she continues to indulge in belly dance.

SEREMBAN: It’s triple joy for a set of triplet athletes when they took part in a triathlon in Port Dickson recently.

Nicholas Long Seh Kit, Matthew Long Seh Wei and Kelly Long Yin Wern took part for the first time in the 13th Port Dickson International Triathlon (PDIT13) at the Admiral Marina & Leisure Club.

Participating in the boys’ Under-9 category, Nicholas finished in sixth place, clocking 20 minutes flat ahead of elder brother Matthew who ended in 16th place in 22 minutes 38 seconds among 41 boys.

Their younger sister, Kelly came in seventh in the girls’ Under-9 in 23 minutes 29 seconds among 27 girls.

The trio who study in Year Two at SJKC Kuen Cheng (1) in Kuala Lumpur, completed the triathlon which required them to swim 150 metres, cycle 4km and run 800 metres.

Under the watchful eyes of their father, Sean Long Long, the triplets train in swimming on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm to 7pm at the Kuala Lumpur swimming complex in Cheras.

The kids, who are born on March 9, 2006, go for their running practice at the FRIM complex in Kepong and also go for piano classes.

The energetic boys also play football where they take the opportunity to make friends outside school while Kelly goes for ballet classes.

Matthew’s hobby is reading, while Nicholas loves football and swimming. Kelly spends her free time drawing.

They are also Level Two skiers, having braved snowy slopes in Sapporo, Japan in 2012 and in Whilstler, Canada last year. They plan to go again in December this year.

Kelly said: “We enjoyed our very first triathlon where we were excited but tired at the end.

“We raced against others from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong.

“During the recent Fifa World Cup, I supported Brazil while Matthew is a Spain fan and Nicholas cheered for Germany.”

Matthew said: “We started swimming at 18 months old and started competitive swimming this year with the Ikan Bilis Swiming Club.

“We started cycling since we were four years old, so competing in the triathlon became easier for us.”

Nicholas said: “Our mother Pauline Ho, who is an auditor, ensures we get enough protein by cooking eggs, fish and beef for us.

“Kelly wants to become an artiste or actress when she grows up while Mathew wants to be a scientist and I aim to become a sportsman.”

For the record, the Port Dickson International Triathlon began in 2002 with 387 athletes from 17 countries.

This year, the event attracted 2,210 athletes from 44 nations including 1,703 local competitors in the kids, sprint and Olympic distances over two days in Port Dickson.

SEREMBAN: TAN YAN LING was in a class of her own at the SJKC Chung Hua Mantin’s annual athletics championships recently.

The eight-year-old outclassed the rest of the field in the Under-8 30m sprint to win her gold medal and added a silver in the 50m.

Her elder brother Tan Kai Cheng,9, won the silver in the Under-9 100m.

The siblings were cheered on to victory by their parents and grandmother who were seated near the grass track of the SMK Mantin field.

The cheerful Yan Ling said: “I am extremely happy to win my very first set of medals on my school sports day.

“It was truly a satisfying outing for both me and brother Kai Cheng as all our hard work and effort finally paid off.

“Kai Cheng will race against me every evening in our housing estate’s basketball court.

“He encouraged me to participate in the two sprint events and we had the full support of our parents who love sports.”

The meet commemorated the 101st year of this oldest school (in September 2014) in Mantin which is a former tin mining town in the Seremban District.

The pupils from Years One to Six had a field day by participating in sprint races such as 30m, 50m, 100m and 200m as well as the 4 x 100m relay events.

The overall champion was Blue House which accumulated 137 points, followed by Red with 110, Green had 95 and Yellow finished last with 90.

The best male athlete title was awarded to Year Six pupils Lee Kok Fung of Blue House while the top girl was Lee Kok Yi from Red House.

SEREMBAN: THE great music and entertainment was provided by a former athlete, and the mouth watering food was prepared by a former athlete.

That was part of the menu at a gathering of former Negri Sembilan athletes and coaches at a reunion dinner in Seremban recently. Happily, all those who came, feasted on the nostalgic moments and fond memories.

Although some of them had not met for decades, they had a great time recalling their training days together and the honours they brought for Negri Sembilan and Malaysia.

The musician for the night was former athlete Andrew Lawrence, 44, who entertained more than 40 former sportspeople and trainers. Andrew represented Negri from 1982 to 1989; and won silver in the 1986 Asean Schools Championships.

Andrew said: “My first coach was MSSNS coach MAA Anthonysamy who persuaded me to run when I was in Standard 5. Then soon after, I came under coaches Edwin Abraham and JV Jayan.”

“The passion still burns in me. If only I was 20 years younger, I would go back on the track and break records,” he added,

It was a walk down memory lane for S. Sathasivam who was delighted to catch up with old friends.

He said: “JV Jayan was the natural talent in decathlon from the 1960s to mid 1970s and he won the Sea Games gold with a record 6237 points in Singapore.

“He won the national decathlon title for a record seven times as well as the gold in the 400m hurdles.

“He was also Negri’s third singles player in badminton and the first singles player was the late Datuk Punch Gunalan. Jayan went on to become the state and national athletics coaching committee chairman.”

Among the national athletes from Negri nurtured by Jayan were Nur Herman Majid, Anto Keney Martin, R. Morgan, R. Thangavelu, S. Rathimalar, S. Vasu, Christine Chatterton and many others.

Jayan also found jobs for several athletes. P. Sasthri, who was St. Paul’s Institution’s best 800m runner in the 1980s, said: “Jayan recommended me for my present job in Public Bank, where I have been working for the past 32 years.”

The dinner’s organising chairman, Anto Keney Martin, 48, (a former Paulian), donned national colours in many international arenas, and winning gold and bronze medals in the Sea Games.

Keney rewrote the oldest national record in track and field, which stood for 25 years, when he eclipsed the legendary Karu Selvaratnam’s 400 metres hurdles record at the 1989 national championships held at the historical Merdeka Stadium.

He went on to win the event at the National Championships for a record six times and represented Malaysia in various international meets, including the 1990 Asian Games, 1989 and 1991 Asian Track and Field Championships, and the 1989, 1991, 1993 Sea Games.

At his best, Keney Martin was ranked among the top 15 hurdlers in Asia in the 400 metres hurdles.

Keney said: “Jayan had helped so many athletes in so many ways.”

Former state sprinter K Hemavathy said: “I enjoyed those years when it was fun to run.”

The 63-year-old C. Chinnathamby a retired Telecoms Department employee and a former student of SMK King George, said: “Edwin Abraham coached me for the 5000m. I had the honour of representing Malaysia at the 1977 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.”

The sumptuous buffet dinner, which was cooked by former state athlete, Suria Kumar, culminated with the presentation of souvenirs to coaches such as Edwin Abraham, J.V. Jayan, Tan Foon Jeng, V. Murugayah, Stanley Sreedharan, Andy Low Siak San and Elizabeth Chong.

The evening of nostalgia came to a rousing end with everyone present putting arms around the shoulders of each other, displaying the spirit of unity and harmony among the races, and singing
to Michael Jackson’s Heal the World.

SEREMBAN: NEGRI Sembilan may no longer be big guns in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) but they proved to be kings when it came to the recent Malaysian Chinese Football Association (MCFA) Cup.

Negri downed Johor 1-0 in the MCFA Cup final held at UKM in Bangi with striker Yee Wai Chun scoring the winning goal in the 65th minute.

Captain Kok Wei Chee, who played the sweeper role, said: “We are glad to lift the MCFA Cup this time after we lost in the group stage last year. We were runners-up to Penang in 2012.

“The semi-final was tough as we battled Perak to 1-1 at full time, and won the penalty shootout 7-6.”

Johor were also stuck at 2-2 with Penang at full time in the other semi-final, and eventually won 4-1 on penalties.

The Negri team were managed by Negri Sembilan Chinese Recreation (NSCRC) president Richard Ho Sueong Chun and Willy Chan.

Sueong Chun said: “We are happy as our players were dedicated and performed their best until the end, and it was also a job well done by our coach (Khoo Wai Leong).”

NSCRC was the main sponsor of the team providing food, accommodation, jerseys and transportation.

Negri coach Khoo Wai Leong, who has an AFC’ C license, had been with them for the last 11 years.

“We had three months of intensive training at the NSC field in Bukit Jalil.

“Most of the players either work or study in Kuala Lumpur, Nilai or Seremban, so we trained in Bukit Jalil foru days a week.”

Wai Leong, who had also guided MCFA national team in 2006 in Hong Kong and in 2007 in Singapore, said most of the players from last year’s squad were dropped.

“Negri was in eight finals over the last 10 years except in 2008 and in 2013.

“We decided to drop half of last year’s players and introduced fresh talents to the team, aged 15 to 29. The youngest player is Oscar Lim, 15, from an international school in Kajang.

“We worked more on their fitness and mental strength to ensure our victory.”

SEREMBAN: FRANCIS Xavier Pritam Singh was beaming as he recalled his schooldays’ exploits at the Old Paulians Association (OPA) annual dinner held at the Royale Bintang Resort in Seremban recently.

Francis, 68, is a former Seremban post manager and was an OPA committee member until 2012.

“Back in 1964, I represented St Paul’s Institution in football, hockey and athletics.

“I am still playing badminton and was the state singles champion in 1976.

“Our 1964 batch took five years to regroup at today’s dinner to celebrate our 50th year through Facebook and the Internet.”

Ng Ah Ming was strong in athletics, representing SPI in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

He was a physical education lecturer in Specialist Teachers Training College (MPIK) from 1981 to 1987 and in Technical Teachers College (MPT) from 1987 to 1991.

Currently an insurance agency manager in Kuala Lumpur, Ng said: “Although I was a sprinter, I won the state combined schools meet in the A Division (boys’ Under-18) javelin.

“I recall being trained by DK Dutt and John House master Chin Kong Foo. Apart from being the athletics captain, I also captained the football team.”

Another schoolmate is Richard Lim Kong Poh, who was a teacher and athletics coach in La Salle Petaling Jaya and SMK Sultan Abdul Samad.

Lim has lived in Adelaide, Australia with his wife Agatha Fah and two daughters since 1988.

With his left shoulder in a sling, he said: “Unfortunately, this afternoon I had a fall near a shopping centre in Seremban Two just hours before this dinner but I was determined to attend it to meet all my former classmates.

“Back home, I still play badminton in a club and do gardening during my free time.”

Also residing in Adelaide are Vincent Chong and wife Gidget Chui.

Chong, who has two daughters and three grandchildren said: “I retired from the RMAF as an acting Lieutenant Colonel and worked in Adelaide as chief pilot and flight instructor until I hurt my back.

“In the SPI athletics A Division team, I was a 100m, 200m and 4x100m runner as well as a sergeant in the Cadet Corps.”

Hilary Sta Maria had the honour of serving SPI as the principal from 1998 to 2004.

Hilary, who represented SPI in athletics as well as football and hockey as a forward, said: “It was good to have had the opportunity to meet up after having left school 50 years ago.”

PUNNIN Kovapitukted emerged a double champion at the Port Dickson Open Tennis Tournament at the Royal Port Dickson Yacht Club (RPDYC) recently.

Thailand’s Punnin trounced Selangor’s 13-year-old Jodie Luo Zhiyun 6-0, 6-0 in the girls’ Under-14 final.

The following day, the powerful lass edged 16-year-old Nurin Nabila of Negri Sembilan 7-5, 7-5 in the Women’s Open final.

The cheerful Punnin said: “As I am only 11 years old, I am very excited to win two titles in two days.

“Although the weather changed from rainy to blazing heat in these three days, I was able to adapt well to emerge victorious.”

Her compatriot Thanaphak Trisattayakul beat Ahmad Deedad 7-6, 6-4 in the Men’s Open final.

The determined Ahmad later partnered Joshua Jorden to turn the tables on Thanaphak, who partnered Jirayu Limpathum, to win the Men’s Open doubles 6-7, 6-3, 10-6.

Organising chairman Anthonysamy Ysahipu said the Men’s Open champion was awarded RM4,000 with the total prize money RM22,400.

“With the objective of developing tennis, junior events were started in 1980. Competition is held for the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 age groups,” said Anthonysamy.

“Participation has been increasing every year and in 2013, a total 64 juniors competed.”

The PD tennis Open was started in 1962 as an amateur tournament.

“RPDYC is the only private club in the country running a tournament for 50 years.

“Over the years, PD Open has attracted players from Singapore, Thailand, India, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, France, Korea, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea.”

SEREMBAN: LEE Yong Chee is one of those prolific athletes who are assets to their teams.

The 14-year-old won four gold medals in three days at the SMK Mantin’s 44th Athletics Championships at its school field recently.

She won the 800m, 1500m, and then anchored her Perdana House to victory in both the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays in the girls’ Under-15.

Not surprisingly, Yong Chee’s strong performances earned her the best girls’ Under-15 and overall best female athlete awards.

Yong Chee said: “I thank God, my parents, teachers and my coach (M. Sandiran) for their support and the training I have received.

“I hope to represent my school in the MSSD Seremban 1 and MSSNS meets next year.”

The overall best male athlete was Mohd Amirul Syafiq of Perdana House with four gold medals in the boys’ Under-15 100m, 200m, long jump and 4 x100m.

Powered by Yong Chee and Amirul, Perdana House became the overall champions at the meet.

Perdana House accumulated 345 points, followed by Saga (140), Kelisa (130), Inspira (126), Persona (123), Exora (116), Iswara (114) and Waja (73). The school’s sports houses are named after Proton and Perodua national cars.

Form Five student Yap Kok Neng said: “The atmosphere of the sports day is made merrier with the participation of the eight sports houses and uniformed units in the march-past competition.

“The students practised spiritedly and the team members cooperated well with the mascot to add colour to the competition.”

The march-past was won by Inspira with 259 points, followed by Iswara (255) and third placed Exora with 234.

Athletics teacher Bala Sinnasamy said: “From last year the number of sports houses has increased from four to eight.

“So, the number of athletes participating has increased two-fold.

“Thus, many students have the opportunity to take part in the sports day.”

Another athletics teacher, Siti Razemah Razali said: “This meet acts as the platform to choose our athletes for our MSSD Seremban 1 meet next March.”

“We managed to get two gold, six silver and two bronze medals in Paroi this year.”

SMK St Paul (SPI) held its Standard Taking (ST) exercise or sukan tara with seven events held over three days recently.

They were the 100m, long jump, 400m, shot putt, 800m, high jump and discus.

These events, which are the basic athletic events for secondary school children involve sprinting (100m and 400m), middle distance (800m), vertical jumps (high jump) and horizontal jumps (long jump).

By participating in all seven events, a student will know his standard compared to boys his own age in his school.

The aim of ST in secondary schools throughout the country by the ministry of education is to assess school boys and girls of their athletic skills, according to their age groups.

In addition, it serves as a selection platform for house masters (teachers) to identify their talented athletes before all schools hold their annual athletics championships from June to July every year.

The athletes, who are the top two in each event, will qualify on merit for next year’s school team, pending their attendance for school practices.

The best performer in the ST among the Under-14 boys (Form 2) was Marshall Jacob Foo who finished sixth in the boys’ Under-15 combined event, namely quatathlon (110m hurdles, long jump, high jump and 800m) with 980 points at the MSSD Seremban meet in Paroi in March.

All rounder Marshall said: “The centralised training I have undergone prior to the MSSDS1 meet, helped me to come out top on all seven events in the ST.

“My strongest event is the discus throw and my weakest is the 800m.

“I plan to work and push myself harder until next March, so as to win one of the top three medals at the MSSDS1 meet.

“The best way is to attend the twice weekly training in school, then work out in the gymnasium and run on the City Park jogging track in Seremban Two.

“These components will build up my skills, muscles, flexibility, stamina, power and endurance to achieve my goal,” said Marshall.

Another student who shone was the diminutive William Chew Wei Quen, who runs, throws, jumps and plays basketball like any other boy despite his size.

SEREMBAN: NOOR Ainaa Amawi Ampandi will not be short of inspiration in her desire to be a top squash player.

For starters, she will have Penang-born Nicol David and Ong Beng Hee as her inspirers.

Ainaa won the girls’ title at the 16th Ong Beng Hee & Nicol David (OBHND) Trophies squash championships held recently at Seremban’s SMK Seri Pagi Senawang courts.

She lifted the trophy, named after seven-time world champion Nicol after defeating Wong Heng Wai 12-10, 11-5, 11-9 in the girls’ singles final.

The 12-year-old pupil of SK Jalan Raja Muda in Kuala Lumpur is an ardent fan of Nicol.

Noor Ainaa said: “I picked up squash at the age of five and it is my only sport since then.

“I am happy to have won this time because I lost to Sabah’s Jessica Keng Jia Hui at Chung Hua High School (STCH) courts, also in Seremban in May in the girl’s Under-12 event at the MSSM meet.''

“I have been training two hours per day, six days a week prior to this meet under state coach Lawrence Kwan and my personal coach Rashidi Abdul Hamid.”

Jessica grabbed the bronze by defeating Negri Sembilan’s Kiroshanna Manoharan 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-1 in the third place playoff.

In the girls’ team semi-finals, Kiroshanna helped Negri beat Selangor 2-0 while Kedah defeated Sarawak 2-0.

The hosts’ fine run came to an abrupt halt when they were bundled out 2-0 by top ranked Kedah in the team final.

Sarawak overcame Selangor 2-0 to finish in third place in the team event.

In the boys’ singles final, Kedahan Kiven Shanmugam beat Nathan Kueh Sze Bing of Sarawak 12-10, 11-4, 11-7 to lift the Ong Beng Hee trophy.

In the third placing match, Duncan Lee Yung Yii of Sabah beat Kelantan’s Amir Amirul Azhar 11-9, 11-5,13-11 to win the bronze.

In the boys’ team event, Kiven helped the Kedah team to edge Sarawak 2-1 in the team final.

In the semi finals, Kedah defeated Selangor 2-0, while Sarawak edged Penang 2-1. Penang beat Selangor 2-0 to take the team bronze.

Kiven, who studies in Year Six at SJKT Thiruvalluvar in Anak Bukit in Kota Setar, won the boys’ Under-11 bronze at the Hong Kong Open in August in 2012.

The consistent Kiven said: “I started playing when I was seven and am happy to repeat my double success (singles and team titles) in Seremban once again after the MSSM meet in Seremban five months ago.

“I train under Chong Pak Kau at the Hijau Kuning Sports Complex in Alor Star six days a week for three hours a day.

“I finished eighth in the boys’ Under-13 at the British Open meet in January.”

The champions received their trophies from the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Ong Beng Hee, who donated four racquets to boys' team champions Kedah, said: “The tournament is the brainchild of SRAM, and it is
to spot more talents from the states.

“We have unearthed players such as Ivan Yuen, Ng Eain Yow and Low Wee Wern who started off as national juniors.

“Young players need financial support to play in as many meets as possible to improve their skills and this sometimes is taxing on their parents.”

Tournament director Thiagarajah Seladurai said: “The Squash Racquets Association of Negri Sembilan (PSNS) has been given the honour this year to host the OBHND meet by SRAM.

“This tournament is named after two of Malaysia’s best known world ranked players, and is promoted annually by SRAM and sponsored by Milo to bring together the best of the states’ under-12 players to show their skills individually and in a team event.”

The states that took part this year were Kelantan, Penang, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak , Sarawak, Sabah, Malacca, Kedah and Negri Sembilan.

“This is in total 96 of the best under-12 players in the country.

“They pit their skills in the elite and development categories in the first three days and in the team events in the last three days.

“The OBHND meet was held at two separate venues namely the courts at SMK Seri Pagi, Senawang where the boys played, and at the S2 Sports Complex where the girls’ games were held.”

The tournament was organised by PSNS with the cooperation of the State Sports Council and the sports unit of the Negri Sembilan Education Department.

SEREMBAN: NERISSA Spencer Dass is a champion sprinter, thanks to her elder brother Saswin Anthony who plays football for SMK Bukit Mewah in Seremban.

The 15-year-old Saswin coached Nerissa from Thursdays to Sundays for one to two hours for one month after her Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR).

As a result, Nerissa was awarded the best girls’ Under-12 athlete at SK Taman Rasah Jaya’s (SKTRJ) 18th Annual Athletics Championships recently.

She won gold medals in the Under-12 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m and a bronze in long jump under the guidance of teacher Abd Kadir Ismail.

Nerissa was unbeatable in both the sprints, finishing ahead of Mittra Harikaran and Tharishini Marimuthu who had to settle for two bronze medals.

Nerissa, whose ambition is to excel in athletics when she goes to secondary school next year, said: “Last year, I returned home with only silver medals in both sprint events.

“Since I was edged out of the gold medals by Mittra, I was pushed to train harder and focused more on speed since I am a tall girl.

“My brother Saswin raced with me during training. Before UPSR, I trained only on weekends and to build up my strength, I eat one boiled egg everyday.

“I am happy this year as even my younger sister Nimeesha, 10, took part in the girls’ Under-10 shot putt.”

Mittra said: “Athletics is a fun sport for me since I have many friends in school who love to compete.

“Nerissa, Tharishini and I have been friends for six years since we were in Year One.

“Last year, I brought home gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m gold.

“This year due to less practice, I won only silver in the 100m and 200m but took gold in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m alongside Nerissa as a Yellow House teammate.

“My mother (R. Samoondispari) and father (R. Harikaran) always watch me run during athletics meets and buy new sports clothing for me.

“They emphasise the importance of balancing both studies and sports.”

Tharishini said: “Last year I won bronze in the girls’ Under-11 100m and 200m as well as silver in the 4 x 100m, 4 x 200m and high jump.

“This year I won the girls’ Under-12 high jump gold, bronze medals in the 100m, and 200m bronze as well as silver in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m.

“I am happy to have won one gold medal this year under the guidance of Red House teachers Zuraida Ahmad and Anis Elma Abdul Razak.

“In March, Mittra and I represented SKTRJ at the MSSD Seremban 2 meet in the girls’ Under-12 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m in Paroi.

“In addition, I also competed in high jump.

“I play badminton at school and with friends in Taman Rasah Jaya to build my agility and speed like my idol, Usain Bolt.”

Meanwhile, Green House pipped Yellow House to the overall champions title with 193 points to 192 at the end of the meet.

Blue House finished third with 177 ahead of last placed Red House who accumulated only 118 points.

GEORGE TOWN: WHEN he was a boy 62 years ago, Singodayan Sillappan was full of energy, jumping around and diving – the good traits of a football goalkeeper.

As a Year Four pupil of SJKT Ladang Geddes in Bahau, he started playing as a goalkeeper in 1952. He went on to become Negri Sembilan’s first choice custodian in the Malaysia Cup competition. From 1963 to 1969, he was the state’s No 1, playing alongside Ponnudurai, Raghavan, Sundarajoo, Chow Kwai Lam and Peter van Huizen.

Recalling his childhood, the sprightly 72-year-old Singodayan said: “I love football because I enjoyed performing acrobatic skills such as diving and jumping. ”

Arumugam Pillan, the Negri rightback from 1982 to 1984, said: ” I remember that in Station Padang back in 1963 when Negri played Malacca, Negri won 1-0 because Singodayan was good in stopping high balls. He would position the defenders to cover the scoring angles of his opponents.

“Singodayan played one year in 1963 together with me in the Gandhiji team in the NS league, where we played against teams such as the Town Council, General Hospital, Police, Army, Postal, NEB, Telecomms, Malay Club, Pasma Teachers Club, NSCRC and Chin Woo.”

But Singodayan admitted he is disappointed with Negri’s current poor form in the M-League.

“For the past two years, I feel sad that Negri is no longer top in Malaysian football but I hope they will rise again with dedicated coaches.”

Last year was the worst season for Negri who finished 12th in the Super League and were relegated to the Premier League. They failed to win promotion this season.

As a secondary school student of Seremban English School, Singodayan was part of the state’s combined schools team in 1960. From 1962 to 1969, he worked in Labu Estate as a supervisor, from 1970 to 1983 in Bertam Estate in Alor Gajah, and from 1984 to 1998 in Yong Peng Estate in Johor where he retired.

In September 1969, Singodayan, who was born in Ladang Geddes on April 19, 1942, had to stop playing football because his mother was sick in Madras.

His father Sillappan was an estate supervisor who migrated from South India. His mother Pawayi Palaniappan, who came from South India, was a housewife caring for three children, where Singodayan was the youngest child.

Singodayan is married to Sarasu Ponnan of Labu, Seremban and they are the parents of five boys and two girls. Following in his footsteps are his sons Ramesh, 46, and Shangar, 42.

Ramesh played for Negri in the Bardhan Cup in 2006 and 2007. Shangar is a ‘B’ licensed FAM coach who in 2009 and in 2010, guided the Negri Under-15 and Under-18 school teams.

Singodayan coached Shangar when he was playing as a striker for the SK Yong Peng Under-12 team in Johor in 1984 and when his son was part of the 1989 MSSD Batu Pahat champion Under-18 team.

“My dream is for my grandson Kishor, 9, a Year 3 pupil of SJKT Lorong Jawa to be selected as a MSSNS player one day,” said Singodayan.

“Young aspiring players must have discipline, be more focused and have keen interest to excel in football at national level.”

Singodayan’s current pastime is watching sports events especially the English Premier League and M-League matches on Astro as well as reading the newspapers.

SEREMBAN: MANY girls may love the sounds of pop music or the piano. But for Gan Mei Yee, what is music to her ears is the sounds of smashes and squeaks of shoes on the badminton court.

The aspiring shuttler from Mantin said: “I love badminton because I am excited by the sounds of strong smashes and squeaks of my rubber shoes on the court.”

Mei Yee started playing badminton at the age of eight in SJKC Chung Hua, Mantin in 2006.

Four years later, she emerged as the girls’ Under-12 singles and doubles champion in her school.

In 2011, Mei Yee partnered Wong Yih Neng to bagging the girls’ Under-15 doubles bronze at the Seremban One District Schools Sports Council (MSSDS1) tournament.

Last year, she partnered Khetisswary Ramachandran to the girls’ Under-15 doubles crown at the MSSDS1 meet.

This year, Mei Yee, a Form Four student of SMK Mantin, bagged the girls’ Under-18 doubles silver with Khetisswary at the MSSDS1 meet and reached the quarterfinals of the MSSNS competition.

The 16-year-old trains at the Mantin badminton courts from 4.30pm to 7pm on Tuesdays under coach Noor Hidayah Md Yunus and trains on her own on other days.

“By playing badminton, I can reduce my stress of studying in school.

“My sister (Gan Hui Yee), father (Gan Chee Chai) and mother (Lee Yoke Kuen) provide me with encouragement, buy badminton equipment and cheer me on when I play in competition.

“Hui Yee, 24, who was a MSSNS player from 2005 to 2007, also teaches me the techniques in badminton.

“My most memorable moment is when I became the 2013 girls’ Under-15 MSSDS1 champion in doubles because I faced many formidable opponents.

“I believe that hard work, confidence and humility have helped me in badminton.

“I hope to become a Negri Sembilan senior player one day.”

Her coach, Noor Hidayah said: “She has high commitment, good agility and quick leg movements.

“She has the ability to receive fast services and smashes from opponents.”

SEREMBAN: ONCE again, it was time to reminisce about their days of prowess, how they were faster, higher and stronger than others.

For many former Negri Sembilan athletes, it was an occasion to talk of past glories at the Maktab Perguruan Ilmu Khas (MPIK) reunion dinner at the Royal Sungei Ujong Club in Seremban recently.

Anuar Idris, 52, who is an assistant director in the Sports Division of the Education Ministry, was beaming as he recalled his exploits in sports.

While studying at SMK Mentakab, Anuar excelled in athletics, football, hockey and sepak takraw.

“From 1982 to 1984, I represented MPIK in football, tennis, basketball and volleyball,” he said.

During the 1996 Malaysia Games, he was the team manager for former national sprinter Azmi Ibrahim.

“In 2010, our national team for the 2nd Asean Schools Games emerged champions in Kuala Lumpur where I served in the secretariat.

“My most memorable moment was in 2010.

“I was then the team manager for Asean Primary Schools Sports Olympiad when our team emerged overall champions in Jakarta.

“After we touched down at KLIA, our Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin invited us to his office to congratulate us.

“I still play tennis for the Malaysian Education Sports and Culture Association and Kajang Club.

“Our 1984 batch took two months to regroup at today’s dinner at six tables to celebrate our 30th year through Facebook, WhatsApp and Internet.”

Subramaniam Rathnam, who has been teaching at SMK St Paul for 11 years, said: “In MPIK, I took part in athletics and basketball.

“Currently, I am a hockey coach and team manager for the state age group and MSSNS teams.

“I am also involved in organising this reunion of 30 over MPIK physical education college mates today.”

Siti Halijah Sarani used to take part in athletics in MPIK. Now, she is a curricular senior assistant at SK Alam Megah Dua in Shah Alam.

She was a PE teacher at SMK Damansara Jaya from 1985 to 1993.

“I trained the school’s netball team who won medals in the MSSD Petaling meets,” she said.

“The qualities of a good athlete are keen interest, discipline and regular training to achieve success at any level.

“As a teacher, I always emphasise on the balance between studies and sports.”

Lee Voon Choong was a swimmer, gymnast and tennis player when he was studying at MPIK.

Now a remisier in Seremban, Voon Choong used to be a teacher and sports secretary at SMK Tanjong Sepat (SMKTS) in Kuala Langat from 1985 to 1990.

“SMKTS produced MSS Selangor players in basketball, volleyball and athletics.

“I still play tennis thrice a week and represent the Royal Sungei Ujong Club in tournaments.”

ONG Kui Hua was glad she attended the Negri Sembilan-level World Arthritis Walk and Awareness Campaign in Seremban Two’s City Park on Oct 8.

The 47-year-old from Sikamat was among some 700 people of all ages who took part in a fun walk and had free health checks.

Trainee occupational therapist Kuan Jee Min from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was on hand to explain the basic facts of arthritis to Ong, who said: “When we are young, we have to exercise regularly, control our body weight and reduce sugar intake to prevent diseases.

“Practising a healthy lifestyle can save us unnecessary medical bills in our golden years.”

Another participant, Foo Ai Lian, enjoyed playing the puzzle game Blowing The Ball with her friend Joyce Yong.

Foo, who has a son aged 26, said it is better to go for regular medical examinations to prevent illnesses from getting worse.

“As a member of the Persatuan Artritis Negeri Sembilan (Pans) for the past year, I have learnt a lot of useful facts about arthritis. Now, I am here to teach others to learn more about this painful condition.”

The campaign was a collaborative effort by Pans, Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital (TJH) in Seremban and the State Health Department.

The fun walk was flagged off by the wife of the Menteri Besar of Negri Sembilan, Datin Seri Raja Salbiah Tengku Nujumudin.

The first 500 early birds who registered for the walk received a T-shirt, umbrella and goodie bag from Pans.

The event included a health talk and quiz, children’s mask colouring contest, free medical checks (comprising tests for body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol), correct joints exercises and an arthritis clinic.

SEREMBAN: FRANCIS Xavier Pritam Singh was beaming as he recalled his schooldays’ exploits at the Old Paulians Association (OPA) annual dinner held at the Royale Bintang Resort in Seremban recently.

Francis, 68, is a former Seremban post manager and was an OPA committee member until 2012.

“Back in 1964, I represented St Paul’s Institution in football, hockey and athletics.

“I am still playing badminton and was the state singles champion in 1976.

“Our 1964 batch took five years to regroup at today’s dinner to celebrate our 50th year through Facebook and the Internet.”

Ng Ah Ming was strong in athletics, representing SPI in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

He was a physical education lecturer in Specialist Teachers Training College (MPIK) from 1981 to 1987 and in Technical Teachers College (MPT) from 1987 to 1991.

Currently an insurance agency manager in Kuala Lumpur, Ng said: “Although I was a sprinter, I won the state combined schools meet in the A Division (boys’ Under-18) javelin.

“I recall being trained by DK Dutt and John House master Chin Kong Foo. Apart from being the athletics captain, I also captained the football team.”

Another schoolmate is Richard Lim Kong Poh, who was a teacher and athletics coach in La Salle Petaling Jaya and SMK Sultan Abdul Samad.

Lim has lived in Adelaide, Australia with his wife Agatha Fah and two daughters since 1988.

With his left shoulder in a sling, he said: “Unfortunately, this afternoon I had a fall near a shopping centre in Seremban Two just hours before this dinner but I was determined to attend it to meet all my former classmates.

“Back home, I still play badminton in a club and do gardening during my free time.”

Also residing in Adelaide are Vincent Chong and wife Gidget Chui.

Chong, who has two daughters and three grandchildren said: “I retired from the RMAF as an acting Lieutenant Colonel and worked in Adelaide as chief pilot and flight instructor until I hurt my back.

“In the SPI athletics A Division team, I was a 100m, 200m and 4x100m runner as well as a sergeant in the Cadet Corps.”

Hilary Sta Maria had the honour of serving SPI as the principal from 1998 to 2004.

Hilary, who represented SPI in athletics as well as football and hockey as a forward, said: “It was good to have had the opportunity to meet up after having left school 50 years ago.”

PUNNIN Kovapitukted emerged a double champion at the Port Dickson Open Tennis Tournament at the Royal Port Dickson Yacht Club (RPDYC) recently.

Thailand’s Punnin trounced Selangor’s 13-year-old Jodie Luo Zhiyun 6-0, 6-0 in the girls’ Under-14 final.

The following day, the powerful lass edged 16-year-old Nurin Nabila of Negri Sembilan 7-5, 7-5 in the Women’s Open final.

The cheerful Punnin said: “As I am only 11 years old, I am very excited to win two titles in two days.

“Although the weather changed from rainy to blazing heat in these three days, I was able to adapt well to emerge victorious.”

Her compatriot Thanaphak Trisattayakul beat Ahmad Deedad 7-6, 6-4 in the Men’s Open final.

The determined Ahmad later partnered Joshua Jorden to turn the tables on Thanaphak, who partnered Jirayu Limpathum, to win the Men’s Open doubles 6-7, 6-3, 10-6.

Organising chairman Anthonysamy Ysahipu said the Men’s Open champion was awarded RM4,000 with the total prize money RM22,400.

“With the objective of developing tennis, junior events were started in 1980. Competition is held for the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 age groups,” said Anthonysamy.

“Participation has been increasing every year and in 2013, a total 64 juniors competed.”

The PD tennis Open was started in 1962 as an amateur tournament.

“RPDYC is the only private club in the country running a tournament for 50 years.

“Over the years, PD Open has attracted players from Singapore, Thailand, India, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, France, Korea, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea.”

SEREMBAN: LEE Yong Chee is one of those prolific athletes who are assets to their teams.

The 14-year-old won four gold medals in three days at the SMK Mantin’s 44th Athletics Championships at its school field recently.

She won the 800m, 1500m, and then anchored her Perdana House to victory in both the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays in the girls’ Under-15.

Not surprisingly, Yong Chee’s strong performances earned her the best girls’ Under-15 and overall best female athlete awards.

Yong Chee said: “I thank God, my parents, teachers and my coach (M. Sandiran) for their support and the training I have received.

“I hope to represent my school in the MSSD Seremban 1 and MSSNS meets next year.”

The overall best male athlete was Mohd Amirul Syafiq of Perdana House with four gold medals in the boys’ Under-15 100m, 200m, long jump and 4 x100m.

Powered by Yong Chee and Amirul, Perdana House became the overall champions at the meet.

Perdana House accumulated 345 points, followed by Saga (140), Kelisa (130), Inspira (126), Persona (123), Exora (116), Iswara (114) and Waja (73). The school’s sports houses are named after Proton and Perodua national cars.

Form Five student Yap Kok Neng said: “The atmosphere of the sports day is made merrier with the participation of the eight sports houses and uniformed units in the march-past competition.

“The students practised spiritedly and the team members cooperated well with the mascot to add colour to the competition.”

The march-past was won by Inspira with 259 points, followed by Iswara (255) and third placed Exora with 234.

Athletics teacher Bala Sinnasamy said: “From last year the number of sports houses has increased from four to eight.

“So, the number of athletes participating has increased two-fold.

“Thus, many students have the opportunity to take part in the sports day.”

Another athletics teacher, Siti Razemah Razali said: “This meet acts as the platform to choose our athletes for our MSSD Seremban 1 meet next March.”

“We managed to get two gold, six silver and two bronze medals in Paroi this year.”

SMK St Paul (SPI) held its Standard Taking (ST) exercise or sukan tara with seven events held over three days recently.

They were the 100m, long jump, 400m, shot putt, 800m, high jump and discus.

These events, which are the basic athletic events for secondary school children involve sprinting (100m and 400m), middle distance (800m), vertical jumps (high jump) and horizontal jumps (long jump).

By participating in all seven events, a student will know his standard compared to boys his own age in his school.

The aim of ST in secondary schools throughout the country by the ministry of education is to assess school boys and girls of their athletic skills, according to their age groups.

In addition, it serves as a selection platform for house masters (teachers) to identify their talented athletes before all schools hold their annual athletics championships from June to July every year.

The athletes, who are the top two in each event, will qualify on merit for next year’s school team, pending their attendance for school practices.

The best performer in the ST among the Under-14 boys (Form 2) was Marshall Jacob Foo who finished sixth in the boys’ Under-15 combined event, namely quatathlon (110m hurdles, long jump, high jump and 800m) with 980 points at the MSSD Seremban meet in Paroi in March.

All rounder Marshall said: “The centralised training I have undergone prior to the MSSDS1 meet, helped me to come out top on all seven events in the ST.

“My strongest event is the discus throw and my weakest is the 800m.

“I plan to work and push myself harder until next March, so as to win one of the top three medals at the MSSDS1 meet.

“The best way is to attend the twice weekly training in school, then work out in the gymnasium and run on the City Park jogging track in Seremban Two.

“These components will build up my skills, muscles, flexibility, stamina, power and endurance to achieve my goal,” said Marshall.

Another student who shone was the diminutive William Chew Wei Quen, who runs, throws, jumps and plays basketball like any other boy despite his size.

SEREMBAN: NOOR Ainaa Amawi Ampandi will not be short of inspiration in her desire to be a top squash player.

For starters, she will have Penang-born Nicol David and Ong Beng Hee as her inspirers.

Ainaa won the girls’ title at the 16th Ong Beng Hee & Nicol David (OBHND) Trophies squash championships held recently at Seremban’s SMK Seri Pagi Senawang courts.

She lifted the trophy, named after seven-time world champion Nicol after defeating Wong Heng Wai 12-10, 11-5, 11-9 in the girls’ singles final.

The 12-year-old pupil of SK Jalan Raja Muda in Kuala Lumpur is an ardent fan of Nicol.

Noor Ainaa said: “I picked up squash at the age of five and it is my only sport since then.

“I am happy to have won this time because I lost to Sabah’s Jessica Keng Jia Hui at Chung Hua High School (STCH) courts, also in Seremban in May in the girl’s Under-12 event at the MSSM meet.''

“I have been training two hours per day, six days a week prior to this meet under state coach Lawrence Kwan and my personal coach Rashidi Abdul Hamid.”

Jessica grabbed the bronze by defeating Negri Sembilan’s Kiroshanna Manoharan 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-1 in the third place playoff.

In the girls’ team semi-finals, Kiroshanna helped Negri beat Selangor 2-0 while Kedah defeated Sarawak 2-0.

The hosts’ fine run came to an abrupt halt when they were bundled out 2-0 by top ranked Kedah in the team final.

Sarawak overcame Selangor 2-0 to finish in third place in the team event.

In the boys’ singles final, Kedahan Kiven Shanmugam beat Nathan Kueh Sze Bing of Sarawak 12-10, 11-4, 11-7 to lift the Ong Beng Hee trophy.

In the third placing match, Duncan Lee Yung Yii of Sabah beat Kelantan’s Amir Amirul Azhar 11-9, 11-5,13-11 to win the bronze.

In the boys’ team event, Kiven helped the Kedah team to edge Sarawak 2-1 in the team final.

In the semi finals, Kedah defeated Selangor 2-0, while Sarawak edged Penang 2-1. Penang beat Selangor 2-0 to take the team bronze.

Kiven, who studies in Year Six at SJKT Thiruvalluvar in Anak Bukit in Kota Setar, won the boys’ Under-11 bronze at the Hong Kong Open in August in 2012.

The consistent Kiven said: “I started playing when I was seven and am happy to repeat my double success (singles and team titles) in Seremban once again after the MSSM meet in Seremban five months ago.

“I train under Chong Pak Kau at the Hijau Kuning Sports Complex in Alor Star six days a week for three hours a day.

“I finished eighth in the boys’ Under-13 at the British Open meet in January.”

The champions received their trophies from the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Ong Beng Hee, who donated four racquets to boys' team champions Kedah, said: “The tournament is the brainchild of SRAM, and it is
to spot more talents from the states.

“We have unearthed players such as Ivan Yuen, Ng Eain Yow and Low Wee Wern who started off as national juniors.

“Young players need financial support to play in as many meets as possible to improve their skills and this sometimes is taxing on their parents.”

Tournament director Thiagarajah Seladurai said: “The Squash Racquets Association of Negri Sembilan (PSNS) has been given the honour this year to host the OBHND meet by SRAM.

“This tournament is named after two of Malaysia’s best known world ranked players, and is promoted annually by SRAM and sponsored by Milo to bring together the best of the states’ under-12 players to show their skills individually and in a team event.”

The states that took part this year were Kelantan, Penang, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak , Sarawak, Sabah, Malacca, Kedah and Negri Sembilan.

“This is in total 96 of the best under-12 players in the country.

“They pit their skills in the elite and development categories in the first three days and in the team events in the last three days.

“The OBHND meet was held at two separate venues namely the courts at SMK Seri Pagi, Senawang where the boys played, and at the S2 Sports Complex where the girls’ games were held.”

The tournament was organised by PSNS with the cooperation of the State Sports Council and the sports unit of the Negri Sembilan Education Department.