SHAH ALAM, April 6 — “I always wanted to be a football player when I grow up,” those were the first words uttered by Hafizuddin Daud who made Malaysia proud in 2015 after a bagging a gold medal in the men’s singles petanque at the Singapore SEA Games.
Representing Malaysia for the fourth time, Hafizuddin said he will give his all to defend his title in petanque at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
“Being able to represent the nation since 2011, thought me a lot and I believe with these experiences I can deliver a gold medal,” Hafizuddin said.
Born and raised in Kelantan, the 25-year-old was exposed to petanque by his elder brother when he was 15.
“I find petanque boring when I first played it, I felt that I can’t go far as it is not popular like other sports.
“Instead of giving up on me, my brother stood by my side and guided me which made me to understand the game better and develop my interest,” Hafizuddin said.
Meanwhile coach Zani Lisa Mohamad said the squad have been training since October 2015, two months after the Singapore SEA Games.
“Among the challenges we face is that players often feel pressured during the games which distracts them from unleashing their full potential,” said Zani.
“We tried a different approach this year in which every training session is made as if it is a tournament to train players to be more confident and focused during games.”
Hafizuddin represented Malaysia in 2011 where he bagged his first bronze medal in men’s doubles at the Indonesia SEA Games.
In 2013 he participated in the men’s triples category and scored another bronze in Myanmar SEA Games and in 2015 he scored his very first gold medal in men’s singles at the Singapore SEA Games.
Malaysia are sending 16 players consisting eight men and women to participate in petanque in four categories namely singles, doubles, triples and mix doubles.
