Singapore Diary: Malaysians Nauraj And Adi, Jump And Throw Together

By Massita Ahmad Bernama's correspondent across the causeway shares her take on the island city of Singapore. This week, Massita Ahmad writes on her coverage for the two-day 78th Singapore Open Track & Field Championships last April. SINGAPORE, May 10 (Bernama) -- "Please contact Nauraj Singh. He just qualified for Rio Olympics. The information we have, he is staying at Hotel 81 Tristar, Onan Road." The WhatsApp message which also included the phone number of the hotel was sent to me by the Sports Desk Chief Farhana Azmi in Kuala Lumpur. At that time, I was about to switch off the computer to go home as it was getting late. The Malaysian athletes were in Singapore for the two-day 78th Singapore Open Track & Field Championships going that started on April 28 and where Malaysia grabbed nine gold medals. Malaysian contingent of about 50 athletes led by Salim Parlan, SEA Games Team Manager for Athletics, stayed at the hotel. I contacted the hotel to speak with Nauraj but failed to get the room number as it was done through group booking. However, my call was put through to one of the team managers known as 'Azman'. Azman asked me to come to the hotel as all athletes will be attending a briefing at 8.30pm. I had no choice but to rush to the hotel that took me a 30 minute-train ride from the city center of the republic. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Azman who asked me to join the briefing held at the lobby of the hotel. I was looking for Nauraj when the athletes one by one started to gather at the lobby. I saw a slight thin and tall guy and I was quite sure that could be the national high jumper who qualified for the Summer Olympics on merit. Next to Nauraj was a guy who looked rather stout, both were talking and occasionally laughing together. I was not aware that the briefing would go on for two hours and I was in the group of national athletes listening to their achievements on that first day. Exactly at 10.30pm, Azman brought Nauraj and the plump guy to meet me at one corner of the lobby. I interviewed Nauraj and thought I have a story in the end, at least until I turned to the 'other guy' who sat next to Nauraj. It was a pleasant surprise that the 'other guy turned out to be national shot put athlete Adi Aliffudin Hussin. Adi Aliffudin started his story about losing his spirit to continue his struggle in athletics following the death of his coach Mohd Nazar Abdul Rahim in 2013. "He trained me for 11 years. It took me sometime to get back the 17 metres throw record. I was 'down' after the death of late Nazar. Nauraj and 100 metres national swimmer Nazmizan Mohammad, are among friends who encouraged me not to stop," said the 28-year-old Adi Aliffudin. While listening to this guy, Nauraj suddenly took my notebook and started writing something. Earlier I had asked Nauraj to write his recent achievements in track and field. In my heart, I thought Nauraj might have a long list of achievements as he has yet done and continued writing. But I was in for a surprise. "I hope you can help to write this. Adi Aliffudin Hussin. 17:54m, a national record holder and personal best for Shot Put at 2011 Palembang Sea Games; 16.96m at 2015 Singapore Sea Games; and 17:43m at Singapore Open 2016." "These Adi's records. He won gold today," Nauraj said while passing back my notebook. Apparently he was 'busy' writing Adi's achievement, complete with all the records and games that his buddy took part. "You remember all of Adi's records?" I asked. "Of course. I will sit in front of the TV with a Malaysian flag cheering for Adi," Nauraj replied. It was past midnight when I left the hotel, thinking to myself the bigger story that night is that there is nothing like being good buddies. --BERNAMA