My Favorite Sport

In this post, I want to share my basketball journey, what I gain, and what basketball help me till now.

When I was 10 years old, my brother introduced me to basketball because I was getting fatter and fatter during those times. Normally he will bring me together with him and play with his friends in the neighbourhood basketball court. There were times when they start to play full court (5v5), and I'm not allowed to play because I was too small in size and do not have any experience. Whenever this happen, I will sit along the side of the court and watch them play and there were times I told myself I must be better and play with them. From then, things slowly changed.

I decided to join the school basketball team in P4, but I was being stopped by my form teacher as I am very weak in my studies, so my form teacher advised me not to join. During that moment, I also not sure what I am thinking, so I listen to her advice. But that does not stopped me from playing. I continue to play at the basketball court and train alone every Saturday morning.

When I got into Secondary School, I join the basketball team, that was my very first basketball training. Fortunately, I got into the school team (I am wearing #12). Was so happy about it. I remember that after every basketball game, I will wash my basketball jersey with my hands. (For only few months because it was very tiring after training or games.)

When I was in 14 years old, I decided to join basketball club because I feel that I started my basketball journey late and I need more exposure and need to gain more experience. From then, I trained 6 days a week, 3 days in school and 3 days in club. Around this period of time, I know there is this national basketball team and also came across national athletes representing the national for SEA Games wearing red blazer. I do not know why, I fall in love for that blazer. I must represent Singapore for the SEA Games.

When I was in 15, I got into the National Youth Team. When I got the jersey with the flag on the left chest, I was super happy and could not sleep at night. Same thing, I wash the jersey with my hands after every training (only few months 😅).

During 2006 end of the year when I was 18 years old, I was promoted to the National Men's Team. During the first training, I told myself that I am getting nearer to my goal - SEA Games.

In 2009, Singapore Slingers was formed and took part the first season of ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). During the first season, Slingers going to select 8 local players from the National Men's Team and was thinking about how great will it be to be playing in the professional basketball team in Singapore, just like NBA! 🤣 Fortunately, I was one of the 8 players during the first season of ABL.

During the season, bad thing happened. I had a head injury during training when we were preparing for the semi-final. I had to go through emergency operation and part of my skull was replaced with plastic. During that period, I was worried and afraid that I could not go back to basketball court. Was thinking about my goal.

During one of the reviews after the second operation, I asked my doctor whether I can go back on court. And his replied was, "Sure, why not?" After hearing this, I was super happy about it and I decided to wear headgear during basketball to have extra protection. The timing was perfect as the National Team was preparing for the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

When we were having training to prepare for the SEA Games, I got a news from the office that I am not allow to wear headgear during basketball competition. After hearing the news, I was abit lost and shocked as I fought all the way back to the National Team and just because of this rule, I cannot play in the SEA Games? This is so unfair.

Fortunately, Basketball Association of Singapore and Singapore Sports Council helped me to appeal regarding the headgear issue. In the end, I am allowed to wear headgear for competition.

During my basketball journey, I learned and experienced alot of things.

1. I got to know many people around Singapore and also, I got to know other players in other countries.

2. You have to learn how to work as a team and how to get along with the team, on and off the court. And we get to go overseas often, we need to get along with each other habits and accept it.

3. And most importantly, when you are going through a hard time or difficult time, there will be people to help and support you. That's why there's a saying, the harder you work, the luckier you get.

For those of you who are in any sport or going anything in life, always work hard, there will be people helping you along the way and always remind yourself why you started the journey.

Cheers!