Aliff (Sembawang #5) blocks a spike by Nuriham (Marsiling #8). (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Yishun Sports Hall, Saturday, June 2, 2012 — Sembawang CSC Team 2 beat Marsiling CSC A 2-1 (15-12, 16-17, 15-12) in the Community Games sepak takraw tournament.
Marsiling, with veteran Azan anchoring the team, forced a rubber set after taking the second 17-16. However, they could not pull off a victory against a stronger Sembawang team.
“Our team has played together less than a year,” said Nuriham, 23. “We play behind Vista Point at Block 546 in Woodlands. I’ve been playing for seven years and it was Azan were brought us together.”
“I think the Marsiling B team is the strongest in our Cluster,” added Nuriham.
Despite his 45 years, Azan played a key role in his Marsiling team. After his game was over, we found him coaching his other Marsiling teams playing in the tournament.
“I’ve been the Marsiling CSC sepak takraw convenor for 12 years,” said Azan. “I saw Nuriham play at the void deck when he was 13 years old. I scout for players at void decks.”
“In 2007 and 2008, we were champions in the Inter-Constituency Games. In 2006, we were third,” added Azan.
“I’ve been playing sepak takraw since 1981. I tell my boys three ‘Ds’ — discipline, dedication, determination. I look after the younger boys. I tell them ‘No smoking, no drugs’,” said Azan, who played for the Singapore Malays football team in 1991.
“I think most of my players are good enough for the sepak takraw national team. Nuriham played in the national team for one year,” added Azan.
Besides football and sepak takraw, Azan also played badminton in his school days.
“When I was in Parry Secondary, I represented the school in badminton. When I was in the Singapore Vocational Institute from 1978 to 1980, I was the only Malay out of 200 people who made it to the school’s team. I was 12th in the trials,” recalled Azan.
Sembawang CSC 2 Lineup
Razali (#12), Alif (#21), Haikal (#2), Aliff (#5)
Marsiling CSC A Lineup
Amirul Putra (#15), Azan (#11), Nuriham (#8), Melvin Mark Thomas (#12), Irfan (#9)
More photos next page
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