THIS may sound cliche but discipline is one of the vital factors to be successful in sports. That goes for whatever we are doing to fulfil our dream in life, as well.
Royal Military College (RMC) in Sungai Besi, established on July 3, 1952, provided this disciplinary aspect. And it offers something special -- military style. Known as "Malaya Sandhurst" at times, RMC has all it takes for one to achieve his goal later in life. Its motto "Serve to Lead" tells it all. I was at this prestigious school from 1984 to 1988.
Champion School Tournament 1987
After getting 5As in the Standard Five Assessment, my father Datuk Haji Nawawi Reduan and late mother Cikgu Katemi Haji Jemangin decided to enrol me at RMC. My excited father applied and it was not before long I was called up for an interview at Terendak Camp in Melaka, armed with my co-curriculum.
I was very active in sports when I was at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Bandar Hilir -- getting involved in swimming, football, hockey, table tennis, badminton and sepak takraw. Being active in co-curriculum helped a lot when it comes to getting a place at RMC.
RMC assisted and supported me all the way in my growth as an athlete, besides my parents.
The school taught me to be well disciplined and be mentally tough as well as instilling a winning mentality.
Royal Military College Hockey Team
Initially, I played football at RMC but everyone knew I also excelled in other sports like hockey, swimming, sepak takraw and table tennis. I took up football following in the footsteps of many of the seniors. It was a tradition in the school.
Then one day, when I was in Form Two, both the captain of the football and hockey Under-14 teams asked me to decide which one I wanted to play and focus on. Surprisingly, I decided football! Again, who does not love football?
It seemed to be the right choice then. I ended playing for Under-15 RMC, which won the Kuala Lumpur Schools title at the historic Merdeka Stadium. I also part of Kuala Lumpur Under-15 side in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) football tournament and helped Kuala Lumpur to emerge champions.
After Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP), I decided to play hockey. This was because I had nothing much to do after the examinations. I told myself I had nothing to lose too. So, I decided to attend an Under-15 KL Schools selection in preparation for the MSSM hockey tournament. During the selection sessions, players from other schools realised I was a football player with RMC as well.
I was selected for the MSSM hockey tournament in Johor Bahru. I ended up being selected to represent the national Under-15 team and played two matches against Singapore.
When I was in Form Four, I decided to be involved in more sports besides football and hockey so I entered swimming and water polo representing RMC.
Water Polo and Swimming Team
It was in Form Four that I received a call-up from Kuala Lumpur schools for the MSSM Under-18 hockey tournament. I also received a call-up to represent Kuala Lumpur in the Under-18 Rahman Cup football tourney.
Unfortunately, both tournaments were held at the same time! Thus, I had this painful decision to make. Hockey or football? Hockey or football?
I gave it a deep thought and also seek advice from my parents to make a decision and RMC hockey coach and teacher Datuk Major (R) Baskaran and teacher Gurmit Singh. In the end, I decided to choose hockey as I felt it could help me in achieving my long-term dream of being an Olympian.
The decision made was fruitful as I was involved in three Olympics -- Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.
For the record, when I was at Form Five, I was with the Malaysia Under-18 hockey squad for a playing tour of Japan.
I am thankful to my parents and those at RMC for supporting me all the way in achieving my Olympics dream. My father, for instance, drove all the way from Malacca to Kuala Lumpur whenever there was a tournament just to support me. It must be said those days there were no highways and as such the travelling time would be longer.
Alpha Company 1984 - 1988
After Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), I was supposed to join the cadet wing as a trainee and within two years would be a lieutenant. However, I decided to lead a civilian life since nobody advised me on making a decision and in fact, I was worried I could not join national training if I joined the cadet wing. If somebody gave me advice that I could join the cadet wing and at the same time attend national team training, I would be an army officer now.
Received The Jemaah Pentadbir Award (excellent in sports) at my passing out parade 1988
Before saying goodbye to RMC, during the traditional passing out parade, I was named as the winner of an award (Jemaah Pentadbir Award) by the college administration for my excellence in sports. All said and done, I am indebted to RMC to be what I am now. Thanks to all those teachers who taught me a lot. – The Vibes, October 16, 2020.
