Equestrian pioneer blazes a winning trail
MIRI: State equestrian athlete Adi Sebli scored a double first for Sarawak when he won the Class SJ15 70cm-80cm (Accumulator) event at the EAM Masters I organised by the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) in Ipoh, Perak recently.
Adi beat 14 other riders to register Sarawak’s first ever victory in the state’s debut at a national-level equestrian competition organised by EAM.
Kuchingite Adi, 39, who rode ‘Super Sain Versuvio’, was representing the Sarawak Equestrian Sports Association (PSENS).
“It has always been my dream to represent PSENS and winning the competition was the moment I feel very happy. I felt extremely proud to represent Sarawak,” he told thesundaypost.
Adi has been a member of PSENS since 2012 although he has been actively involved with the sport for almost two decades.
“My interest in equestrian sport started at A’Famosa Resort Melaka in 1998. Since then, I have been attending horse riding lessons and courses to become a certified instructor,” he said.
He has been active in Peninsular Malaysia where he gained valuable experience in equestrian competitions representing clubs such as Perak Turf Club, Darulaman Equestrian Park and Selangor Turf Club Riding School in show jumping, dressage and competitive endurance riding events.
Adi also worked for two years with the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable and trained several riders including the children of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu.
The sporting pioneer is also determined to become a qualified instructor accredited by Malaysian Equine Council (MEC), EAM, Equestrian Australia (EFA) and the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS). This will put him in good stead as he seeks to coach equestrian talents from Sarawak in the near future.
Meanwhile, Adi’s historic debut has got PSENS team manager Zulkifli Ahamat excited.
“It is hoped that through our participation at EAM Masters 1, we will be able to boost the development and progress of equestrian sport in Sarawak,” he said adding that PSENS will continue to guide and train more athletes and riders to represent Sarawak in the future. Zulkifli said Sarawak can fall back on the vast experience of pioneers like Adi and Abdul Halim Alihan to further promote the sport.
Abdul Halim has represented Malaysia in several horse racing championships in Malaysia and abroad. He also won the gold medal in a team event at the Myanmar SEA Games in 2013.
“Equestrian sport in Sarawak has a great future and we have what it takes to make this sport become popular in the state. We have the potential and enough resources to make equestrian to become one of Sarawak strong bets at national competitions or events,” Zulkifli said.
“To encourage more people to take part in the sport, we need a proper place and location to set an equestrian centre. We also need our state government and local government agencies to assist and support our efforts to develop equestrian sport and activities for Sarawakians,” he added.
He expressed his gratitude to Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is an PSENS honorary member, and the state government for the support and assistance provided so far. PSENS welcome those aged seven and above to join the association and get involved in equestrian sport. They can contact PSENS (call 082410401 or 010-7751963) or visit their office at Lot 38, Tingkat 1, Kompleks Kubah Ria, Jalan Matang, Kuching.