KUALA LUMPUR – Muhammad Adam Ashraf may be surrounded by experienced players on the Speedy Tigers team, but the Tumpat-born lad from Kelantan is ready to fight for his game time under the tutelage of national head coach Sarjit Singh.
Much like a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly, Adam, 18, is driven by his ambition to make significant appearances for the national side before he reaches his twenties.
Adam, who was recently named to Sarjit’s 30-player camp to prepare for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Nations Cup in May, has already demonstrated his potential by becoming Malaysia’s youngest ever selection for the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup last year.
He showed outstanding showmanship by becoming Malaysia’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals – one each against Belgium, New Zealand, and Chile – despite his team’s debacle campaign, where they finished 12th under the guidance of head coach Amin Rahim.
Speaking to Scoop, Adam said that it was a dream come true moment for him to be a part of the senior national team in just a span of a year.
“To be frank, I still feel like I’m living in a dream. Playing for the senior national team has always been my biggest goal since I was a young boy. It was not an easy journey for me. Coming all the way from Tumpat and being selected for coach Sarjit’s team is by far one of my biggest achievements.
“The fact that coach Sarjit chose me based on my performance in the Junior World Cup was something really special for me because I didn’t get to play in the Malaysian Hockey League like all my other teammates due to my SPM examinations from January to March this year.
“The moment I got called up, at first, I was nervous during the training sessions because I finally managed to be on the same turf with players like Fitri Saari, whom I grew up idolising.
“But I made sure that I didn’t squander the opportunity given by coach Sarjit. I remained focused on impressing him and coach Sukri Mutalib throughout the sessions.
“I had the experience of playing in the Junior World Cup last year, and it will be great if I happen to be selected for the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament this year.
“I may have been selected in the 30-player list, but I won’t rest until I secure a spot in the final 18-player list,” said Adam when contacted.
Adam caught the attention of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) during a Malaysian Schools Sports Council tournament at the age of 12.
Since then, he has showcased his prowess on various international stages, including the Phnom Penh Sea Games, Oman Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup, and the Sultan of Johor Cup last year before being selected for the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup.
Despite facing life’s obstacles, Adam remains resilient and focused on his passion for hockey.
“I’m still young and have a lot to learn. I am used to facing obstacles in life and have overcome them on numerous occasions.
“Many doubted my capabilities, and some even hated and were jealous of me for whatever I have accomplished at such a young age.
“But I have never taken any of those as a threat, and my goal for now is just to keep going and succeed in whatever I do without paying attention to those who hate on me,” Adam added.
Sarjit, 61, was appointed head coach by MHC on a two-year contract.
His main target is to build a formidable team for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and lead the Speedy Tigers to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In addition to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the Nations Cup in Poland, Sarjit’s team will participate in the Asian Champions Trophy in Inner Mongolia, China, scheduled to take place from September 8 to 17.
The Speedy Tigers are currently ranked 13th in the world, with 1,828.27 points. – April 8, 2024