Let it rip!

I must say I've usually been quite impressed by the enthusiasm shown by some of the women folk at the New Straits Times when it comes to sport.
Just over a year ago, we got some of them to put on their futsal shoes and take on the best of the media world in the NPC Inter-Media Futsal Championships in 2008. They actually comitted to a month-long training regime under makeshift coach Nelson Fernandez @ Ridzwan Abdullah. My colleague Nelson's tactical know-how, I must also say, is not by any means sub-standard, as he molded that team into eventual champions.
You won't imagine how it felt to have coaxed the likes of Regina Lee and Evangeline Majawat to actually buy pairs of futsal shoes for the first time in their lives and then watch them lift the trophy, beating the likes of the seasoned Harian Metro girls, who had at that time competed regularly in inter-media and open competitions. Not only that, we had Sharifah Omar emerge top scorer and Jasmine Shadique the player of the tournament.
This time, we start of the NPC Inter-Media Games with the 9-a-side Hockey and Netball Championships at Kelab Aman on Saturday (Jan 23). It was former NPC president and current advisor Mokhtar Hussain's idea to hold the two sports simultaneously at the same venue, so as to create a carnival atmosphere. Well, I usually have a lot of trouble saying no to Mokhtar. So, off the ground this plan got and we're just days away from making it a reality.
It has been again, a big headache trying to get these women to just commit to representing the company. So many turned me down.
I only managed to secure the commitment of a core group of some of the newer staff like Natasha Ilyas and Halimatul Saadiah. Thank God, Sharifah Arfah who is from the same batch that entered NST through the great PETS 11 bunch of 2001, was on the same wavelength as I was and just as excited about this whole thing.
Just four turned up for the team's first training session yesterday evening. Incredibly, our receptionist Sumathi, who was so living in denial, actually came to watch, then decided to change into sporting attire and join in the fun. At the end of the session, I think she was pumped up about being in the competition.
It was so much like that 'old' futsal team, that were a bunch of naysayers at first, but then turned out to be the most disciplined, most enthusiastic, most excited bunch once the action started. Can you imagine, I actually dragged Halimah to the sports shop in Lucky Garden and forced her to buy a new set when she said she forgot to bring her attire!
Here she is in the brand new kit!

Sharifah (Omar) took charge of the training session which saw both the NST "A" and NST "B" teams together for the first time. Well, most of them at least. Natasha proved to be more than a handful inside the semi-circle and the rest of the team promised to show up training the next day.
This is mad. They just have two days. But I guess, enthusiasm could prove a vital element in ensuring this turns out to be a success for NST.
As for the hockey team, their goalkeeper is caught up with organising duties and was spotted recording the netball team on video. The first plan is for everybody to just show up on time at Kelab Aman on Saturday. We'll take it from there.
In any case, if you've got too much free time with nothing more interesting to do on Saturday, do show up at Kelab Aman in Ampang. I'm sure you'll at least be entertained. If your not too particular about the standards of hockey and netball.

Majulah Sukan Untuk Negara!!