Hakim out to prove his worth in world meet debut
PETALING JAYA: No experience? No worries.
National bowler Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam (pic) wants to show that he has enough confidence to rock it in his Men’s World Championships debut in Hong Kong from Nov 23-Dec 5 after being named in the sixman team.
The 19-year-old aims to put up a medal-winning performance to solidify his position as one of the best in the national team.
He was not among the national team’s ‘Big Six’ comprising seniors Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan and Ahmad Muaz Fishol, but while he fought hard to earn his berth in the six-man squad by finishing fifth, Muaz fizzled out in the gruelling two-week 90-game selection roll-off last week.
It was certainly a remarkable breakthrough for Tun Hakim considering he was just promoted to the senior squad in April.
“I was lost for words after making the World Championships team,” said Tun Hakim, the Asian Youth Championships boys’ singles gold medallist in Manila last year.
“The competition was really stiff as it was contested at the highest level and I’m just so glad to be able to finish in the top six.
“It has been an eventful journey since I made the senior team this year. I finished runner-up at the Thailand Open and I went for the PBA Tour stint in the United States and now, I’m set for my World Championships’ debut.
“Having made the team, I hope to bring glory to the country. I want to give my best shot and try to win not just one, but a couple of medals hopefully.”
The Youth and Sports Ministry announced recently that the Podium and Kita Juara Programmes would be merged next year and Tun Hakim wants to prove his worth by doing well in the World Championships and earn a place in the new programme.
Tun Hakim was roped under the Kita Juara programme geared for the 2019 Philippines SEA Games alongside two others Shahrukh Amin and Hafiz Zainnuddin in April.
“We’re unsure what’s in store for the team, but I’m certainly looking forward to be part of the new programme next year. I’ll let my performance do the talking,” he added.