Badminton: Hafiz meets his match in Nadzatul

Happy couple: National coach Misbun Sidek performing the blessing ceremony for Hafiz andNadzatul Shima during the reception in Seremban on Monday.– LOW BOON TAT / The Star

SEREMBAN: National shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim ended his bachelorhood when he married long-time sweetheart Nadzatul Shima Mohd Nazari here on Monday night. 

Hafiz had known Shima since the early days of his badminton career and they continued to maintain the relationship after he started playing for the country. 

“My wife is not a badminton player but I met her during the MSSM (national schools) championships in Penang eight years ago. We took it from there,” said the national number two, who currently trains under Misbun Sidek. 

The wedding reception was held at the Town Council hall. His wife’s parents are from Seremban and Hafiz will have another wedding reception in his hometown Kota Baru this weekend. 

Hafiz, who won the All-England title in 2003, is not in the team for the Sudirman Cup (world mixed team championships), which begins next Monday in Glasgow. He will also not compete in the Thai Open early next month. 

He will make a return to international competition in China and the Philippines later next month.