Thursday September 13, 2012

Silver medallist to use NSC reward to buy his parents a house

By AFTAR SINGH

SEPANG: Archer Hasihin Sanawi intends to use the RM200,000 he will get from the National Sports Council (NSC) incentive scheme to buy a house for his parents – Sanawi Mat Nin and Safiah Mat Yah.

This, he said, “is my way of showing my gratitude to them”.

The 29-year-old Hasihin, who arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) early yesterday morning with the rest of the Malaysian contingent from London, said “I would not have won the silver medal in the men’s individual recurve (wheelchair) in the Paralympic Games if not for their love and prayer”.

Our medals: Paralympians Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli (left) and Hasihin Sanawai showing their medals to Tun Abdullah Badawi (centre) and Tun Jeanne Abdullah at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang Wednesday.- CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

“My parents are from Indonesia but they are very caring and loving. They encouraged and motivated me after I broke my spine when I fell while repairing the roof of his parents’ house in Sungai Buloh seven years ago,” said Hasihin, who was in tears after hugging his parents at the airport.

The fall left the former building contractor paralysed from the hip down.

“I thought that I would be a burden to my parents for rest of his life. But they encouraged me to take up sports. So I took up archery two years ago, and it changed my life. I not only qualified for the Paralympic Games in London but I also capped my debut by winning the silver medal,” said Hasihin, who is a bachelor.

Hasihin, the third of four brothers, thanked God and his family for supporting him when he was depressed after the accident.

“My parent encouragement and motivation was the key to my success. I could have never achieved anything if not for them. Although we were poor and stayed in a small wooden house in Sungai Buloh, my parents and brothers were always there for me,” said Hasihin, whose parents are both labourers.

Under the National Sports Council (NSC) incentive scheme, Hasihin will receive RM200,000 for his efforts in the Paralympic. He will also get a monthly training allowance until the next Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Hasihin said he wants to encourage more disabled people to take up sports.

“Don’t feel sorry for yourself if you a disabled. You must strive to prove to the able-bodied people that you too can contribute towards the nation. Parents can play an important role in helping disabled children achieve their dreams and goals. I am proud of my parents,” said Hasihin, who came within a whisker of winning the nation’s first gold medal at the Games.

In the nerve-wracking final, the Malaysian and Italian Oscar de Pellegrin were tied at 5-5 and it the boiled down to a one-arrow shootout.

The Italian hit a nine. Hasihin could only manage an eight.

Hasihin admitted that nobody knew about him until his silver-medal effort at the Paralympics.

“Today, I have become a celebrity ... so many journalists are here at the KLIA to interview me. It really feels nice. I feel like I am on top of the world,” said Hasihin, who is also delighted that he has moved from 19th to fourth in the world rankings after winning the silver in London.

“Although I am already 29, I will go all out to win the elusive gold in Rio de Janeiro in four years’ time ... I want to create history by winning the first gold in Paralympics.”

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