KUALA LUMPUR: Noorain Mohamed Arshad was only seven when her father passed away and she went to live with her grandmother in Bera, Pahang.
Being the only child and living apart from her mother, who came here to look for a job, the Tanjung Karang-born Noorain took solace in hockey.
She loved it so much that she enrolled at the Indera Mahkota Secondary School in Kuantan when she was in Form One.
The boarding school is said to be one of the best hockey schools in Pahang.
From then, there was no turning back for Noorain, who can play in midfield as well as up front.
She not only represented Pahang in three Malaysia Games (Sukma), in Terengganu (2008), Malacca (2010) and Pahang (2012), but was also called up for national training on Jan 19.
The good news is that the national women’s coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli is so impressed with her dedication and commitment that he has assured her of a place in the Malaysian squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games from July 13-23.
“Noorain not only has talent but she is hardworking too, and deserves a place on the national team,” said the former international.
The 21-year-old Noorain said that she couldn’t believe she would represent Malaysia, something she found out just 10 days into training with the national team.
“I was happy being called up for national training but being told I would play for Malaysia in tournaments after only 10 days of national training is unbelievable.
“It is a dream come true for me as I always wanted to represent the country,” said Noorain, thanking her mother Faiza Abas. The average built hockey player said she owes it all to her mum for all her sacrifices and support all these years.
“I would not have achieved my dreams if not for my mum,” said Noorain, who is pursuing a degree in sports science at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam.
Noorain will feature for Malaysia in the friendly matches against world No. 3 Germany and Japan (world No. 9) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil next month.
Germany and Japan will play two friendlies each with the national team in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
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