Siblings keep family tradition going at KL Games

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a proud moment for Syed Ali Syed Akil’s family as he and his two children checked in for the final phase of the SEA Games training camp at a hotel here.

Syed Ali is the national coach for petanque.

His son Syed Akmal Fikri and daughter Sharifah Aqilah Farhana will be competing in petanque, which begins on Aug 19.

The 45-year-old Syed Ali, who is from Dungun, Terengganu, featured in the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games and won the bronze in the mixed triple event (comprising one man and two women).

The 20-year-old Syed Akmal will be making his second SEA Games appearance, having won silver in the mixed triple event at Singapore 2015.

For the KL Games, he will compete in the doubles with Saiful Bahari Musmin.

The 18-year-old Sharifah will make her Games debut in the doubles with Nur Thahirah Tasmin.

Syed Ali was proud to see his children following in his footsteps by taking up petanque.

“My son and daughter have kept the family tradition going by representing Malaysia,” said Syed Ali, who was also happy with the atmosphere at the hotel as 700 athletes and 248 officials checked in for the one-week training camp.

Syed Ali explained that Sharifah was selected into the SEA Games squad after finishing in the top 18 in the doubles with Nur Thahirah at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, in April.

“My son and I have won medals in the SEA Games. I want my daughter to make a memorable outing by winning a medal at the KL SEA Games,” he said.

Syed Akmal and Sharifah are studying sports science at Universiti Mara Malaysia (UiTM) in Shah Alam and have taken a break from their studies to focus on the Games.

Syed Akmal has taken a break from his studies since August last year.

“I want to make my family proud by becoming the first to win gold in the SEA Games," said the second-year UiTM student.

First-year student Sharifah credited her father for her ability to master the game of petanque.

“My dad has helped build up my confidence. I will not let him down at the Games,” said Sharifah.

All in the family: National petanque coach Syed Ali Syed Akil (centre), who is also father to Syed Akmal Fikri (right) and Sharifah Aqilah Farhana, helping them to unpack after checking in for the centralised camp at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.