Sabiamad has big plans in store for shooting

SUBANG JAYA: The return of former Olympian Datuk Sabiamad Abdul Ahad to the shooting scene as team manager is a huge boost for Malaysia.

The 58-year-old Sabiamad, who was the country’s first shooting representative at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, has been named as the team manager for the Myanmar SEA Games and he has big plans.

This is his first prominent role in the shooting arena since he retired as a player in 1990.

The old-timer, who is ready to raise the standard of shooting among the new generation of shooters, said that discipline was the key to success.

“A lot of things have changed since I represented the country at the Olympic Games. It was all about passion and commitment to the game,” said Sabiamad.

“I remember the good old days. I only received a token of RM50 as laundry allowance but now there are better perks. I used to wear only sandals when competing; now they have special shoes.

“Fitness is crucial in any sport and I used to swim and jog every day because I knew the importance of staying fit which is always disregarded in a sport such as shooting.

“I believe discipline is the key to our shooters’ success. I will instil this in them.”

His return to shooting is already seen as helpful to the national team as he has played a crucial role in getting Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to beef up the facilities at the current National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) shooting range.

For a start, an electronic scores target machine will be installed with features similar to those found at the Olympics. In addition, the infrastructure of the shooting range itself will undergo a make-over. These positive signs are part of Malaysia’s efforts to host the SEA Games in 2017.

“We are very thankful for such a young and vibrant Youth and Sports Minister who understands our needs which in turn will give us the winning hand in the sport. We hope it marks the start of better things to come for shooting.”

On the SEA Games, he said that he would be satisfied if the team wins one gold medal. Host country Myanmar has cut down the number of events and only 12 gold medals will be at stake.