BANGKOK: Aiman Syafiq Tariki had a dream international debut, winning the SEA Games team compound gold medal and giving veteran Juwaidi Mazuki a run for his money.
Yet, it could also be the last international games for the 19-year-old from Terengganu.
The reason? His educational commitments come first and he needs to attend classes from morning till evening.
His college refuses to allow him to defer his studies in order to join full-time training with the national team in Nilai.
“Yes, this could be my last Games because studying and training is tiring. I have classes till evening, then I join training at 5.30pm in Nilai, be there for less and hour and then travel back to Seremban,” said the Physical Education student at Raja Melewar Campus Teaching Institute student.
“It takes about 20 minutes to travel from Seremban to Nilai and I ride my bike. I wish I could train full-time and defer some semesters but if my institute doesn’t allow it, then I have to consider my future as a national archer.
“I want to keep going, so I do hope something happens and they would hear my plea.”
Aiman, together with Juwaidi Mazuki, Md Syafiq Md Arifin and Alang Ariff Aqil Mohd Ghazali got the Malaysian archery team’s first SEA Games gold in Thailand yesterday, winning the men’s compound team final against Thailand 232-228 at the Thailand Sports Authority Archery Range here yesterday.
Thailand’s quartet comprised Sirapop Chainak, Sippakorn Kohkaew, Peerapat Pattanapongkiat and Ratandanai Wongtana.
The 35-year-old Juwaidi, who had a hard time beating Aiman in the quarter-finals of the individual event, was also hoping the authorities would help train fully with the national team.
“Potential like his is hard to find in the sport of archery. I hope someone can help him. His performance as a junior is actually close to the standard we want,” said
“In the past, we had juniors that we had to develop slowly but Aiman is a natural talent,” he said.
Juwaidi also said talent like Aiman can build a better future for the compound event.
“I do not know how long I am going to play.
“I have competed in seven SEA Games. The young ones like Aiman have to come up.”
“I am surprised this happens in our sports. I do know it is not easy to get clearance from teaching institutes. Even Malaysia Games (Sukma), it is hard to get clearance. It is not as easy as other universities. Maybe this interview might change things.”
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