PETALING JAYA, Aug 15 — I looked at the camera and smiled, still in complete disbelief.
He had his arm around my shoulder. My dad asked me to move in closer.
“I can’t fit the both of you in the camera”.
I wondered why he wouldn’t just take a couple of steps back. I looked up again. I was eight-years-old, staring excitedly at the camera, standing beside my idol, Mirnawan Nawawi.
Mirnawan was by far the best hockey player I have had the privilege to play with.
He was an excellent leader, a prolific goal-scorer and the best teammate any player can have. He spoke with such authority on the field, it was befitting that he received the nickname ‘Boss’.
To elaborate on Boss’ achievements on the field in a single column would be folly. He was oftentimes regarded as the greatest hockey player to have donned the national jersey.
He played in two World Cups, three Olympics and a host of other major international tournaments in his 13-year span with the country. He racked up 319 international caps and 220 goals - some, the best ever scored in modern day hockey.
He was voted as one of the top ten players in the world by the International Hockey Federation in 1999, an accolade unmatched by any other player in this country, at least to my knowledge.
He was also a really cool guy.
He was always ready to lend a ear, specifically to the younger players in the team. I remember going up to him after a spell of really bad form and asked him what to do. He replied, “You don’t train hard enough, and that is why your form is poor. Go 100% in your training and it will show in your game”. He gives advice straight up, no frills.
Just like how I enjoy my whiskey.
He also has an amazing penchant for food. He spoke of it with unbridled passion, often times leaving us salivating at the end of every conversation. This probably contributed to his talent in cooking.
I clearly remember trying his fried rice in a training camp overseas and being seriously impressed. A couple of us gave him the name Chef Wan (short for Mirna’wan’ and yes, like the famous local chef) — behind his back of course — to commemorate his culinary brilliance.
The last time I shared the field with my idol was at the 2002 KL World Cup. He was captain, I was a fringe player. He was also my roommate. I never understood how he tolerated me.
I believe that our stint as roommates made him a better man. He learned key values like patience and control.
I looked at the camera and smiled. Memories flooded my mind. He had his arm around my shoulder. We were taking a photo for our company’s first year anniversary. I looked up again.
I was 28 years old, staring excitedly at the camera, standing beside my idol, business partner and dear friend, Mirnawan Nawawi.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
