Handball!

I have watched Handball on a few occassions on TV and I found it to be a truly fascinating game. The running, jumping, throwing and everything else about me captured it. I remember watching Handball when we had cable back then and my mum promptly asked me to change channels. Much to my annoyance. I always wondered why the goalkeeper could not save the ball when the goalpost he is tending is so small. The shots do not even seem that quick. Well, on TV at least.

Today, I finally got a taste of Handball. One of my colleagues, Alfiyan, asked me if I was willing to attend a Handball course. Since I had my other partners in crime joining in the fun (Soffian and Hirman), I jumped at it. The following day, I realized that I have an assignment due on Monday. One that I have not started. I still have not started it and it’s due in two days’ time! Yikes! 1500 words. Against better judgment, I carried through with my commitment. After all, I already registered for it, it wouldn’t be professional if I pulled out. The course was conceived to promote the game and since a team will be sent to the Youth Olympic Games, a pool of players need to be created.

From the moment we did some drills on passing, defending and shooting, I was hooked. Apparently my arm was not strong enough as my shots lacked power. I was sweating and panting away in no time! I looked forward to the mini tournament. When it started, we met…. of all teams.. the Singapore Youth Olympic Games team! Bollocks! They were secondary school kids, but their skills were truly breathtaking at times. They pulled us out of position and scored with relative ease. I was the goalie in the first half and they scored effortlessly! Now I know how the goalies in the TV felt like. Felt really useless and hopeless. Things weren’t any better in the second half when I played outfield. They were physical and one of their boys was so tall that we called him Yao Ming. Final score 12-2 to our young Olympians. At least we managed to score.

But soon, we got the hang of things and the next game we played were much better. We won our next game 7-1 and then our last game 5-3 to book our place in the semi-finals. Then we did a truly Malay act. We upped and left. By the time the semis came around, it was already 5pm and most, if not all, of us were nursing injuries. Sore shoulders, pulled muscles and in my case, a sprained wrist after stopping a bullet of a shot. We decided it was best that we left. So one lucky team got a bye into the finals. If they won the competition, they better thank us for we would have beaten them if we played. Hahaha..

If only this game were around earlier, I would have made it my second love, after football. I didn’t get to score a single goal, thwarted by some good keeping and let down by some substandard shooting. But I had tons of fun and even though I felt guilty for not using the time to do my assignment, it was still a fulfilling experience. And I made through the day without feeling the knee, despite jumping and landing on my left foot most of the time. Yay! I recommend the game to people looking for a good workout. If we ever buy the balls, I will definitely introduce the game to my pupils. I’m sure it will be lots of fun!

The Number Nine Report

Reading blogs and comments on Jaz’s, Ayyub’s and Redbacks webpages got my mind racing. There were a few thoughts lingering in my head as well regarding my footballing activities. Took so long for the thoughts to materialize onto my hallowed website. Been so caught up with things lately. Work, studies, assignments, projects and whatnots. I’ve hardly had any time to relax, apart from the occassional and brief XBOXing sessions. I’m so worn out that I stepped out of my lecture at SIM halfway. Now, I’m at my old alma mater Singapore Polytechnic, enjoying the peace and serenity that the night brings.

I played two football matches over the weekend. Irresponsible considering I had an assignment to complete just 2 days later. Well, It’s just so difficult to pull myself away from football. On Saturday, I played with Stamford and on Sunday, with Redbacks. Unfortunately, we lost both games but I have to say the emotions I felt from each game could not be any more different.

It’s true what Jaz said, with Stamford I was giving it large to my teammates, blasting them for every mistake they made. It’s funny considering I am the one guilty of such mistakes when I play with the Redbacks. It’s as if a different me was playing with Stamford. By the end of Sunday, I was wondering why was I putting in this Jekyll and Hyde performances for two teams that are so close to my heart?

I suppose team chemistry had a lot to do with it. Playing with Stamford every week on the fields of City Hall, then Marina, for many years have allowed me to establish a bond and understanding that I have not been able to enjoy with any other team. Up till this day, I am still thrilled to wear the blue jersey of Stamford, albeit, the shirts are all worn out and tattered. But to me, it just adds to the mystique of the team. It was where I honed my skills as a stopper as I formed a formidable reputation as a solid but otherwise dodgy centre-back. My performances earned me the nickname “Kai-dinand”. Hahaha.

When I was asked to play as the sweeper in the second half that day, I was a little worried. For a few reasons. First, I have not been in the backline for a few years. Second, our opponents just put 4 past us in the first half alone, so I was assuming I was in for a torrid time. Third, I just don’t know if I would be of any use to the team there. By the end of the game, I was truly reveling my return to the backline. I enjoyed the game so much that it made me think if I should consider another positional change at Redbacks. More than the game, the playful banter that we had after the game and the shrill laughters all around were evidence of a team that is just passionate about the game and thankful to be able to spend a day out with friends and family and enjoy one another’s company, regardless of the result. We play because we love it, and we love each other. We were 4-0 down at half-time and at the end of the game, we clawed back to 4-3, before they scored the decisive goal. 5-3 in the end, from 4 goals down at half-time. How’s that for character?

However, on Sunday, things were different. Kai the key player who played the day before reverted back to his bit-part player status at Redbacks. I become this mute player who does what others want him to do with the delusion that by doing so, he gets to stay longer on the pitch. Admittedly, I allowed myself to be reduced to that state. For a few reasons too. First, there are better players in the teams. Players who I accept to be the fulcrum of the team, thus I accept my status as a supporting role, a willing peripheral figure perhaps. After all, regardless of what I do, I’m the automatic choice for substitution and substitute. I’ll play only one half at most. There is this running joke I tell the other players: “Even if we only have 11 players and one person gets injured, I’ll still be the one to be substituted!” Ok, I admit I’m bitching here. But I’ve come to a point that I don’t really care anymore. It’s almost as if I’m going through motions. There’s no motivation. I’m sad, I always seen myself as one who puts my team before myself. The type who puts his body on the line for the team. I tore up my knee thrice for the Redbacks as the team’s destroyer. Making tackles I shouldn’t be making. All in an attempt to win back possession, to prevent the opponents from scoring. I never scored dozens of goals nor did I create numerous scoring chances for my teammates. But what I did, I did for the team, so that everyone around me can do their thing. Damn it man, I was the ORIGINAL DESTROYER! To the extent that I destroyed my knees as well. Where’s that player now? Where’s that fire?!

Second, I accept that I could no longer keep up with the pace of the game that the team is playing. It’s going way too fast for my creaking knees. When I see players like Ayat, Faiz, Ming, Ayyub, Aidil, Ridwan zip all around me, it’s apparent I’m becoming the odd player out. There are times I scratch my head trying to figure out how I fit into this master plan. Seriously!

Third, the enjoyment factor is no longer there. When I told Ayyub that I was considering hanging up my boots, I was serious. I told Yun of my thoughts even before I left for my holidays. Imagine, I play on Sunday and my knees will swell until Wednesday. I end up hobbling around school. It seriously affects my performance, especially when I’m teaching P.E. and training my takraw kids. Come to think of it, I can’t even stand in front of class for prolonged periods. How the hell am I going to teach??? I suppose that in my time-scarce days, I realize that there are other things that I need to dedicate my time to other than football. But fret not, my retirement will not happen immediately or suddenly. It will be gradual. As long as I am willing to drag myself all over the island to play the game I love so much, I will continue thrilling my opponents and antagonizing my teammates.