The best thing about my column is that I now have a regular public platform to promote our Malaysian athletes. Our sportsmen and women are truly remarkable people. They are talented, extremely humble, and never fail to say “hello” or “thank you.”
I will not lie, there are some young athletes that need sharpening in the manners department. However, they are always quickly reminded by their teammates to constantly greet their colleagues and coaches at the beginning of each training session.
That is why sports is such a great life teacher.
One person, who is fit, hard-working, loves his sport and is the most polite guy in the world is Malaysian Rugby forward – Samuel Rentap AKA SAM.
It is sometimes hard to remember that Sam plays Rugby, as he is so soft-spoken.
I worked with Sam when we selected him for the Malaysia Valke Rugby team that my business partners and I put together for the 2019 & 2020 Global Rapid Rugby (GRR) competition.
Sam loves his Rugby so much that he told me he wanted to relocate to South Africa in the off-season to improve his game.
From my experience, not many young Malaysian athletes are brave enough to make such a move, mainly due to language, religious and cultural reasons.
But Rugby is what Sam is all about.
Unfortunately, our GRR competition was put on hold because of the pandemic, which meant Sam’s goals had to be tweaked.
So rather than dwell on what could have been, let me share with you what Samuel Rentap is all about:
AGE: 23
HOMETOWN: Kuching, Sarawak
RUGBY POSITION: Openside Flanker
CURRENT STUDIES: Civil Engineering
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Malaysia Valke Vs. Western Force, August 2019.
NATIONAL CAPS: 3
CAREER OBJECTIVE: Play professional Rugby in Japan.
FAVOURITE FOOD: Burgers and ribs.
I then asked Sam what was the one positive that came of the pandemic.
Sam said, “Well Covid gave us plenty of time to think about many things – Rugby and life. So I took the time to reflect on what I am good and not so good at.
"With that, I identified my weaknesses and I am now constantly trying to turn those weaknesses into strengths, which will make me the ultimate Rugby player that any coach must always select.”
Like I always say, now that is #WinningMentality
Ben Ibrahim is a TV Commentator, Sports & Media Consultant. In his career, he has also worked for FIBA, FISU and Foxsports.
He also set-up the Malaysia Valke Rugby Club, which played in the Global Rapid Rugby competition.
You can contact him on his public Facebook page or his Instagram @benibrahim_
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