Alia aims to make amends at the Games

PETALING JAYA: Shooter Alia Sazana Azahari (pic) is happy to return to Australia to settle an unfinished business at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast from April 4-15.

She missed on a podium finish in the 25m air pistol after finishing fourth in her Games debut in Glasgow, Scotland, four years ago.

She hopes to win a medal this time – especially when Australia is the place where the 25-year-old Alia made a firm decision to take up shooting as a professional career.

“It’s great to head back to Australia. I’ve good memories there,” said Alia.

Alia lived in Sydney from 2008- 2011. She completed her high school studies and pursued business management at the Uniworld Business College there.

Before moving to Sydney, Alia bagged a gold medal at the Malaysian Games (Sukma) and won a silver at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India.

“I was young and was just beginning to enjoy shooting when I moved to Sydney. I couldn’t take up shooting there because it was not easy to get the license to shoot,” she said.

“I tried to focus on studies but I was struggling. My mind was on shooting. Finally, I decided to give up studies and take up shooting full-time with my family’s blessing.

“I returned to Malaysia and within two years, I was in the national team.

“So, it’ll be great to go back to Australia and try to accomplish one of my goals of winning the Commonwealth Games medal. I also want to do well at the Asian Games and qualify for the Olympic Games eventually.”

The two-time SEA Games gold medallist Alia has been selected for the Games together with Bibiana Ng (women’s pistol), Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi ( women’s rifle), Johnathan Wong Guanjie (men’s pistol), Benjamin Khor (men’s double trap), Mohd Ezuan Nasir Khan (men’s rifle) and Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan (men’s pistol).