Newcomer Tun Hakim wants to prove a point to the seniors
PETALING JAYA: National team newcomer Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam has vowed to make an immediate impact and give his seniors a run for their money.
The 19-year-old was among the three bowlers, besides Hafiz Zainuddin and Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli, both 18, being promoted into the main squad under the 2019 Philippines SEA Games ‘Kita Juara’ programme.
Last year, Tun Hakim secured two notable results winning the Asian Youth Championships (Under21) boys’ singles gold in Manila and boys’ Masters’ title at the Asian Schools Championships (Under-18) in Sarawak.
In 2016, he teamed up with Rafiq Ismail to bag a silver in the boys’ doubles at the World Youth Championships in the United States before capping off a fine campaign with another bronze in the boys’ Masters.
“When I first joined the national youth team two years ago, I told myself that I must get there one day (making the senior team),” said Tun Hakim, also the 2016 Thailand Open boys’ Open champion.
“I have been working really hard to be among the national elites, so it’s a dream come true for me. All the efforts I put in has paid off now.”
Now, Tun Hakim is eager to justify his inclusion by proving himself at senior level and has set his sights on Thailand Open men’s Open crown from April 11-14.
“I believe I have what it takes to take on the big boys despite being just the new kid on the block,” said Tun Hakim.
Tun Hakim, however, conceded that it would be tough for him to fight for a place in the six-man team to the Jakarta Asian Games ( Aug 18-Sept 2) and Men’s World Championships in Hong Kong (Nov 24-Dec 5).
The current first teamers in the squad are Rafiq Ismail, Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Timmy Tan and Ahmad Muaz Fishol.
But head coach Holloway Cheah has made it clear from the start of the year that there’s no automatic starter for the major competitions.