KUALA LUMPUR – A new star in the making?
With the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup set to kick off in less than six days, all eyes are on 17-year-old Muhammad Adam Ashraf, who has etched his name in history as the youngest-ever Malaysian selected for the prestigious tournament.
The midfielder, hailing from Tumpat, Kelantan, caught the attention of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation during a Malaysian Schools Sports Council tournament when he was 12 years old.
The player later showcased his skills on international platforms, including the Phnom Penh Sea Games, Oman Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup, and the Sultan of Johor Cup this year.
Speaking to Scoop, Adam shared his thoughts on being selected for this momentous occasion.
“Honestly speaking, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, as the aura is very different when playing in the World Cup compared to all the other tournaments I’ve participated in.
“Coming from a village in Kelantan, I worked hard to build my career and get to this level.
“I have the experience of competing with those who are older than me in previous major tournaments, and since I have been selected, I want to use this platform to prove my worth.
“The World Cup atmosphere will make me stronger, and I will carry the pride of my country on my shoulders, and I am determined to make Malaysia proud on the world stage,” Adam said.
Adam also expressed gratitude to head coach Muhamad Amin Rahim for selecting him as one of the tournament’s 18 players, and he hopes to repay his coach through his performances.
“It’s a dream come true. All this while, I was watching the tournament on television, and now I’m going to take part in it.
“It takes a lot of courage for coach Amin to select me, as I’m the youngest of all the players in the team. I respect his decision. I’m ready to challenge myself and give my all,” Adam added.
The team that played in the Sultan of Johor Cup, where Malaysia finished seventh out of eight teams last month, form the core of Amin’s World Cup squad.
The FIH Junior Hockey World Cup, set to unfold in Kuala Lumpur from December 5 to 16, will see Malaysia competing in Pool A alongside defending champions Argentina, Australia, and Chile.
As the curtain lifts with the opening match between France and Egypt in Pool B on December 5, the Junior Speedy Tigers will commence their campaign against Chile on the same day. – November 29, 2023