KUALA LUMPUR – Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a momentous celebration for Muslims worldwide as it marks their commitment towards a month of fasting as well as self-resistance and discipline.
As many people have planned a weeklong holiday to balik kampung (return to their hometowns), Malaysian athletes and sportsmen alike may not have the luxury of such time to prepare and plan for their holidays.
Some are either too committed to tournament preparations, while others are spending time overseas representing the country in international tournaments.
Speaking to The Vibes Sports, key sports figures shared their momentous past occasions during Raya and how different this year’s celebration will be.
Paralympic sprinter and long jumper Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi
Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, more commonly known as Dik Wan, will be celebrating Raya for the last time as a single man.
The 35-year-old, who won Malaysia’s first gold medal in the 2016 Paralympic Games in the 100m event, said he will be tying the knot at the end of the year.
“I am happy because I have been looking forward to this (getting married) for a long time. I hope she is the one.
“In the meantime, I want to focus on the two main championships this year, which are the Asean Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China.
“I have not prepared much for Raya because I need to be ready for the 2023 Asean Para Games in Cambodia on June 3-9. So, there is no long holiday for me and my teammates.
“I will be going to Ipoh because my parents are there as well as my aunts and uncles. Then, maybe I will go to Kedah and Perlis.”
Badminton player Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin
“This year, I get to celebrate Raya with my family because I do not have any tournaments going on. I am happy I get to spend time with them, although we have not planned anything specific.”
“Last year I had to skip Raya because the dates were clashing with the Thomas Cup.
“I will be celebrating Raya in Selangor.”
Badminton player Muhammad Haikal Nazri
“I have not gotten to celebrate Raya for the past two years… one was because of the SEA Games in 2022 and another was the Slovenia International in 2021.
“I am especially excited for this year because I and all of my relatives will be going back to celebrate at our kampung in Bachok, Kelantan.”
Badminton player Wan Arif Wan Junaidi
“Celebrating Raya at our kampung is different. Last year, we were busy training and preparing for the tournament, but returning to our kampung this year means we get to take some time off and just be with our families.
“I cannot wait to spend time with them. I will take this opportunity to go back to Kuala Terengganu.
“I am going to take the flight home because the traffic is bad.”
Pole vaulter Nor Sarah Adi
“When I was younger, my friends and I would cycle through the village, and count how many houses there were to collect our Raya packets. If there are 500 houses there and we get to collect RM1 a house, we could accumulate RM500.
“Sometimes we got more because some of our relatives would give RM10. It was the best time.
“At one time, I got to collect more than RM1,000. It was fun.
“For me, Jengka is a beautiful place and lively during Raya.
“Now that I am in the national squad, I need to make some sacrifices. During Raya, I cannot eat like everybody else because I have to watch my diet. I also cannot spend as much time at kampung as before.
“This is like last year when we were busy with the SEA Games.
“This year, even though I only have a day to spend, I really want to make full use of the little time I have.
“I am thankful that my parents are understanding of my career, and they have been supportive.”
Selangor FC striker Rauf Salifu
Ghanaian professional footballer Rauf Salifu is the second Selangor FC import player for the 2023 M-League season.
He was featured for one season in the MLS Next Pro League in the United States before he joined the Red Giants.
Being in Asia for the first time, the 21-year-old striker said he enjoyed his time in Malaysia as the weather was like his home country, which helped him to adapt well.
“This is my first time in Malaysia. I am very happy because I am a Muslim and being in a Muslim country helps me a lot.
“When I played in the US, it was difficult for me because they could not understand when it was time to pray during training. But here, I am thankful that that is not an issue.
“Ramadan has been great here for me. We need to break our fast before our training and our matches. It helps me to adapt well.
“Our training starts at 10pm. After iftar, we will perform our tarawih prayers, and then start our training.
“It is not easy, but we have to push ourselves so we can improve.
“I am very excited to celebrate Raya for the first time here. I cannot wait to experience it.”
Shot put (wheelchair) paralympic athlete Mohamad Zikri Zakaria
“Every Raya, my family and relatives gather at our kampung to prepare lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo).
“My family rarely buys lemang, because most of the time we make it ourselves. We prefer our own way of making it.
“Whenever we gather at my grandmother’s, my aunts get the rice ready and everyone else has their dedicated tasks too.
“Every year we cook at least 30 lemang because we have a big family. There are 10 people for my siblings alone.”
Tennis player Imran Daniel Abdul Hazli
“I spent my last Raya playing tournaments overseas as well. I have gotten used to it.
“The same goes for this year. I will be outstation playing tournaments and preparing myself for the 2023 SEA Games (in Cambodia).
“I will be away for two weeks. I might have time to celebrate Raya when I return, let’s see.
“I have lost count of how many times I spent Raya overseas for tournaments. It is a little weird at first. You do miss out on a few things, but I have gotten used to it by now.
“But what I miss most is getting to celebrate with my family.
“I wish for my friends and families to have a good Raya celebration. Have a great time and create beautiful memories.”
OCM & BAM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria
“I want to wish Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin to all Muslims, especially to everyone in the sports industry. We are fortunate that this will be the first Raya celebration free from the pandemic.
“I believe that this year’s Raya will strengthen and unite everyone in the sports industry, and I wish that all Malaysians will travel safely during this festive season.”
Squash legend Datuk Nicol Ann David
“When I was growing up competing and training with the Penang team, we always had Malay teammates that would invite us to their houses and celebrate Raya with their families. They were our extended family.
“We would always wait for those moments to get together. It was a nice feeling.
“This year, I went to the Ramadan bazaar for the first time. It was a grand experience for me.
“Some of the parents of the kids from my foundation (Nicol David Organisation) and my caterer set up a stall at the bazaar.
“Those were the two memorable moments for me leading up to Raya.
“With the foundation, we are very excited to see the kids playing squash, learning English, and just having fun.
“I wish for everyone to enjoy good moments with their families and friends. This is the time to reflect on all the great things and blessings that we have.”
The Nicol David Organisation was launched in June last year to support B40 and M40 children with an after-school programme, which includes squash training and English lessons.
Safe Sport Malaysia president Sarina Sundara Rajah
“As we get ready to embrace the joyous occasion of Raya, let us not forget the essential part of it all – the people. It is a time when everyone comes together in a celebration that brings unity and camaraderie.
“This value of togetherness remains one of Malaysia’s greatest strengths. So let us continue to keep the spirit of Raya alive in our hearts every single day.
“Have a meaningful Raya celebration, everyone!”
National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri
“Before this, I had not celebrated Raya for five years in a row because I was away for tournaments overseas.
“I do not have a kampung to go back to, so I celebrate Raya here in Kuala Lumpur.
“I always look forward to Raya because of the food. I just do not get Raya packets anymore.
“Indulging during Raya is not really a problem for me because I am trying to gain weight. I am trying to fill my body with more food.
“I wish for everyone to stay safe on the highway because traffic is going to be horrendous. So, please be patient on the road.
“After Raya, I will be departing to Montreal for the World Aquatics Diving World Cup on April 30.”
National diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg
“I am wishing my dear friends, especially my Muslim teammates, Selamat Hari Raya and to have a good holiday with their families.” – The Vibes, April 22, 2023
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