Saturday July 4, 2009
Former hockey international thrilled to be up close with Roger Federer
By Y.P. SIVAM
DURING his playing career, former hockey international K. Balasingam had met several sport icons, but none was as friendly as one whom he had met recently – Swiss tennis master Roger Federer.
Balasingam, who had played for Malaysia in the 1975 and 1978 World Cup competitions, had the privilege of spending three hours with Federer.
One for the album: Balasingam with Haas. The 58-year-old Balasingam, who is now the executive director of Ostel, had the opportunity to meet Federer courtesy of his friend Dr Ravi Ponniah.
“I was in Europe in May. When I met Dr Ravi, he informed me that he had an invitation to attend a family day organised in conjunction with the French Open in Roland Garros. As he knew that I was a great fan of Federer, he offered me the opportunity,” Balasingam said.
The holiday camp was part of the organisers’ programme to promote the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris. The organisers had offered tickets to 20 people to be part of the programme, and Ravi, who is from Seremban but has settled in Britain, was one of them.
Balasingam said he had the opportunity to spar not only with Federer but also with Tommy Haas.
“I did not play any game with Federer but went through a 30-minute sparring session with him. When I told him I was from Malaysia, he was excited as he recalled his visit here last year.
He said he loved Malaysia as well as the food.
Obliging a fan: Federer (right) signing Balasingam’s tennis racquet. “I had met so many professionals but none was as friendly as Federer. When I told him that I had played in the 1975 and 1978 World Cup hockey competition, he told me: ‘I am very happy to play with a World Cupper,’ and I was unable to reply,” Balasingam revealed.
Later, Balasingam had a sparring session with German tennis ace Haas and also attended a lunch with the two players.
“I wished Federer all the best in the French Open (Federer went on to win the men’s singles title, beating Robin Soderling in the final). I was happy when he won the French Open as it was one title which had eluded him,” Balasingam added.
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