Woodball Champion Eyes Top-Five Spot in Men’s Open Category
Aims to Continue Success in International Competitions
KANGAR, October 24 – Amsyar Sirhan Saifullah Saharuddin, the 2024 Woodball World Cup junior champion, is driven to secure a top-five spot in the men’s open category within the next five years.
At 18, Amsyar Sirhan, a student pursuing a Diploma in Sports Science at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Perlis branch, expressed confidence in achieving his goal, given his experience in the sport, which began at the age of 12.
"I plan to continue honing my woodball skills, and my recent World Junior Champion title serves as a motivation to make my mark on the global stage," he said in an interview with Bernama.
Inspiration from Family and Woodball Training
Amsyar Sirhan, who successfully defended his title for the second consecutive year, credited his mother, Asmawana Aziz, 40, a woodball athlete from Perlis who represented Malaysia in the China tournament, as his inspiration. He also thanked the Perlis State Woodball Association (PWNPs) and UiTM for their support during the championship.
"During the two weeks of woodball training, I was fully focused on various aspects, including swing techniques, shot positioning, and direction," he said.
Inspiration from Family and Woodball
Amsyar Sirhan’s triumph in the World Junior Championship was shared on the UiTM Perlis Sports Unit Facebook page. The 2024 Woodball World Cup was held in Shaoxing, China, from October 14 to 20.
In his free time, Amsyar Sirhan enjoys the support of his younger brother, who is in Form One, and his parents, who are all passionate about woodball. He expressed his desire to compete in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand next year.
Support from Organization and Woodball Community
PWNPs president Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin expressed pride in Amsyar Sirhan’s achievement, noting that it demonstrated his skill and proficiency in woodball.
"We aim to further enhance his performance by involving him in more competitions, especially at the Asian level," Kamarudin said.
The PWNPs has also plans to establish a Woodball Youth Academy in Perlis to encourage greater youth participation in the sport, in collaboration with the State Education Department to identify new talent.
Conclusion
Amsyar Sirhan’s determination to succeed in the men’s open category is a testament to the growth and development of woodball in Malaysia. With the support of his family, the PWNPs, and UiTM, Amsyar Sirhan is poised to make a name for himself in the international woodball scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Amsyar Sirhan’s future goal in the sport of woodball?
A: Amsyar Sirhan aims to secure a top-five spot in the men’s open category within the next five years.
Q: What inspired Amsyar Sirhan’s success in the World Junior Championship?
A: Amsyar Sirhan credited his mother, Asmawana Aziz, and his family’s passion for woodball for his inspiration and motivation.
Q: What are the plans of the Perlis State Woodball Association to support Amsyar Sirhan?
A: The PWNPs aims to further enhance Amsyar Sirhan’s performance by involving him in more competitions, especially at the Asian level, and establish a Woodball Youth Academy in Perlis to encourage greater youth participation in the sport.