Joseph Lee/Red Sports
Ng Hanbin in action for Singapore during the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images for SSC)
Ng Hanbin, 24, is fit and raring to go at the SEA Games, after battling a tough bout of tonsillitis which caused him to be hospitalised and left his hopes of heading to the SEA games in the balance. Thankfully, he recovered and was able to make the team.
This will be his second trip to the SEA Games. At the 2011 edition, he was part of the team that finished fifth.
Red Sports caught up with Hanbin in the lead up to the SEA Games.
Joseph Lee: What challenges have you faced heading into the SEA Games?
Hanbin: I have been caught up with tests and exams two months before the SEA Games, which led to missing some trainings and the training trip in Philippines.
Following that, I was down with tonsillitis with a low platelet count and was hospitalised for five days. Few days after I got discharged, I travelled to China with the team and strained my patellar tendon during the games. But well, these minor setbacks are only going to push me to the next level.
What do you hope to achieve from this SEA Games?
Hanbin: Having a closer bond with my teammates and better team chemistry both on and off court would be priceless. Definitely a medal. That has been the driving force for our team making individual sacrifices to commit to the national team, or you can say, family.
Apart from that, being able to contribute to the team would hold great significance for me, so as to make up for the lackluster performance in the previous SEA Games.
What was your training like in the lead up to the SEA Games?
Hanbin: We had training trips to Philippines and China where we played four and five games respectively. Back home, we train about five nights a week.
Who is your role model?
Hanbin: I don’t exactly have a role model. But if there has to be one, it would be Jeremy Lin. Not because of the success that he is enjoying right now, but the story behind his success is just inspiring.
When and how did you get started in your sport?
Hanbin: Thanks to my buddy back in my primary school days, who persuaded me to take up basketball instead of Scouts. Initially, basketball was just a CCA (co-curricular activity). I’ve no idea since when and how it become my passion and a big part of my life.
Which schools did you play for?
Hanbin: Temasek Polytechnic and now I’m currently in Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).
What is your best school sport memory?
Hanbin: It would have to be being awarded the SIM Sportsman of the Year Award this year, but it would not have been possible without my teammates and the management committees.
If you did not play basketball, what sport would you play?
Hanbin: Ultimate Frisbee.
Any pre-match-event rituals?
Hanbin: No specific ones but I do watch some basketball motivational videos at times to get some adrenaline rush. Apart from that, a good pre-game warmup is essential.
What is your biggest motivation?
Hanbin: Quotes can be useful reminders to motivate myself from time to time. As such:
“I’m not working hard to please other people; if I start thinking in those terms I would put too much pressure on myself. I play basketball because this is what I love to do. My audience is God.”
“Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard.”
Ng Hanbin Biography
Age: 24
DOB: January 13, 1989
Height: 194cm
Weight: 86kg
Sport: Basketball
Favourite Food: Chicken Rice
Current Occupation: Student, Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)
Significant achievements:
2013 South-east Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship – 3rd
National Basketball League (NBL) 2011 – Top scorer
National Basketball League (NBL) 2011 – Top 3-point scorer
All of us at Red Sports wish Hanbin all the best at the 2013 SEA Games! Do drop Hanbin a note of support in the comments section if you can. We’re sure he’ll appreciate it. You can also upload photos showing your support of Hanbin on Instagram using #ourteamsg, or on the Team Singapore campaign’s website: www.ourteamsg.com
[…] words can describe my feelings now,” said Ng Hanbin, who almost missed the trip to the SEA Games. “I really hope all doubts and skeptics about […]