26th – 27th August 2008
OUT OF KLANG VALLEY AND BACK
Got a call from Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) on 25th afternoon inviting me to participate in a workshop at Malacca on setting up the Association of Sports and Recreation for PWDs (state and national level) . I was asked to be there by the evening of 26th for the briefing. The workshop was on 27th August. Oh no... I thought how? I’m gonna miss the excitement of waiting for the announcement of the Permatang Pauh by-election results!!

I weighed the pros and cons and also quickly figured out how much that trip would cost me in RINGGIT for fuel and toll! Thought about it for a while... but then I just could not say ‘no’ to the invitation especially when the KBS officer insisted on my attending it as my name was recommended by a sports officer in her department. So I took it up as a national service!

26th August 2008
In the afternoon I dashed to the workshop to give my car a quick check-up. Got my mechanic to inspect the fluid levels in the various compartments under the bonnet, test all indicator lights and check the tyres. After checking he gave an ok, and off I went at 4.20 p.m.

It has been a few years since I did an outstation stint in my car. During my first twenty odd years I drove a lot especially to Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Alor Star and south to Seremban and Port Dickson. This was my first trip to Malacca.

Outstation driving is indeed a different ball game. I had to re-tune my brain. I had to keep a comfortable distance between my car and the vehicle in front and back – which is different on the trunk road; to ‘feel’ the speed of my car; compute quickly time needed to overtake a vehicle – depending on whether it is a car, lorry, tanker or bus, the clearance available, look into the rear and side mirrors to gauge the speed of cars approaching on the fast lane etc. These kept me alert and awake. Of course I also had my usual repertoire of sentimental Tamil old songs from the 1960s and early 70s to keep me company as I enjoyed the drive.

As it was a weekday there was hardly any traffic heading south. I took a relatively slow drive, admiring the scenic view on both sides. I think we are blessed to be living in Malaysia which still has vast areas of unspoilt natural beauty. Of course while approaching townships I could see some hillocks and plains being balded in the name of development. However it was a pleasure to get away from the hustle and bustle of Klang Valley for a change. The lush greenery and natural vegetation, the tropical rainforests, hills and mountains in the distance, the neatly planted rows and rows of oil palm trees were picture perfect against a clear blue sky – and it was soothing to the eyes and mind.

Upon exiting the Air Keroh exchange I thought I would soon be entering the town proper. When I saw no sign of it I called my friend Dawa, only to find out that I had to do another ten kilometers before reaching Malacca town.

I reached Malacca at 6.10 pm. I felt very alive and refreshed upon arriving. My first trip to the historical city. The hotel entrance was certainly unfriendly, with a flight of stairs and no ramp. But the organiser was there to meet me. She got the hotel staff to guide me to the back where I could park comfortably. I then used the rear entrance, which had a ramp. I knew it was not purpose built for wheelchairs, but for their goods trolleys. And from there I could use a lift.

As soon as I checked into the rooom washed and freshened up. Was able to catch a glimpse of the run up to the by-election results on tv. Then after a quick evening meal I went off to the seminar room for the briefing. Minutes before the briefing started I got the much awaited news – of course my friend who was there in Permatang Pauh said it was unofficial & the sms said Anwar had won by a margin of some 16,000 + . He later confirmed that the margin was 15, 671 votes. This further reiterated the growing influence of PKR.

27th August 2008
The workshop was attended by few local PWDs from Malacca and from KL. There were representatives from the Malaysian Paralympic Council, KBS, Dept. of Social Welfare, Dept of Youth & Sports Malacca and also coaches who train PWD athletes.

The workshop ended at 2.00 p.m. I drove back in the evening, not exploring much of the town as it was drizzling. Just did some sight seeing from my car. I drove past the Stadhuyst, the lighthouse and the Meuseum. There were plenty of tourists milling around, taking snapshots and going on joy rides in colourfully decorated trishaws.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN ..........

It’s here again! Every four years, ever since I was a child, I have eagerly awaited this event.

It was awesome! It was sheer bliss to be at the Bird’s Nest stadium right here in my living room. I was mesmerised by the opening ceremony of the 29th Olympic Games which commenced at 8.08 08sec on 08.08.08. Malaysia shared the momentous timing being in the same time zone. With its theme ‘harmony’ breathtaking performances depicting events from across the centuries of rich Chinese history and civilisation ‘unscrolled’ on to the centre stage and was so captivating!

The performances were interspersed with dazzling displays of fireworks. One of China’s four major inventions is gunpowder which is also used to make fireworks. The other inventions – the art of paper making, printing and the compass were also artistically woven into the stage choreography.

It was reported that eighty world leaders including US President George Bush, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Nikolas Sarcozy and HRH the Yang di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia were among the 91,000 people in the audience, while another 3 billion from around the world viewed from their homes.

The march past by athletes was led by Greece, honoured for being the birthplace of the modern Olympics. I was excited on seeing the Malaysian contingent led by Azizul Hasni Awang entering the Stadium. The Swiss contingent’s flagbearer was my favourite tennis star Roger Federer.

Few are aware that an athlete who is a disabled person is taking part in this Olympics. Natalie du Toit, a 24-year old swimmer from South Africa who is an amputee will be competing with able-bodied athletes in the 10km open water event. She was given the honour to be the flag bearer for her country. She will later participate in six events in the Paralympics too, from 6-17th September.

The Olympic Flag was carried by eight retired Chinese athletes and coaches, four of them women, of whom one was of Tibetan descent.

Eight torchbearers, all Olympic champions from China took turns during the last leg, after torch had travelled some 137,000 km through six continents over 129 days passing through 21 cities (including Kuala Lumpur). The climax of the ceremony, was ingeniously executed as the last torchbearer, ex-gymnast Li Ning was airlifted to ‘fly’ half-way around the stadium, with visuals of all other torchbearers trailing, to finally set ablaze the cauldron.

For the next 16 days I will feast with the Olympics.

But on a sad note, I dearly miss my neighbour Maraiah Naidu this time around. He was a noted Malaysian sportsman in the 1970s who had represented the country in the 400 metres in the Asian Games (1978),SEAP Games (1975) and SEA Games (1977). He then went on to mountain climbing, and did the Kala Pattar in the Himalayas in 1984. He made it a point to attend the 1988 Seoul and 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2002, but although still under treatment, he managed to attend the Athens Olympics in 2004. He told me “I cannot miss this one, it is just too special”. He came back feeling satisfied having achieved his dream. He passed away in June 2006.