Dear friends,
About 6 months ago, a colleague struck up a conversation with a passer-by who was curious why a bunch of youths were hanging out with her at the playground. She learnt that he was a police officer who also had a keen interest in sepak takraw. She then told him about the youth’s interest in the game and he offered to link her to others who were enthusiastic about the game.
Sepak Takraw is played in the neighbourhoods we engage, and caregivers come together to watch their children juggle a rattan ball without the use of their arms. As it is a non-contact team sport, sometimes we see a parent and their sons or daughters coming together to form a 3-person team called a regu to have a go against others at the neighbourhood court.
When I asked my colleagues, “How did the event go?” they spontaneously replied, “No fights and no disputes!” with a big smile. “It was lots of fun and everyone was applauding good play and not just their friends,” they added.
My colleagues were also touched by the gestures of support from the Kim Seng grassroots leaders and others from the national sepak takraw fraternity. National player Khairul Fahmi Yazid shared his journey to the national team, and the kids had great fun practising with him between games. And, when Khairul asked them if they had any questions for him, the first thing they wanted to know was his shoe size. I was later told that youth always want to know the shoe size of their sporting heroes but I am not sure why 🙂
For peace and community,
Gerard
