KAMPUNG BOY KIM SENG SHOWS THERE IS LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Tony Mariadass

Taking every challenge with a positive approach see’s Kim Seng rise to conquer

BANTING: Former international defender, See Kim Seng, is proof that there is life after football, if one plans well, works hard, willing to face challenges, be prudent and keep one’s feet firm on the ground always.

The 56-year-old father of five daughters, who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri Sembilan in 1994.

He has managed a heavy machinery business successfully from 1995 to 2013, before recession saw him fold the business, then set up his own heavy machinery company for a few years, and after his last job during the building of KLIA 2, decided to go into managing a golf driving range at the Desa Driving Range at Shah Alam – his second, after the first in Bandar Baru Kelang in 2015, where his contract of the range was not renewed after three years - and now runs a seafood restaurant – Attapka – since February.

Kim Seng who took up golfing after football and was a single handicapper, also runs a coaching clinic for children at his range, but now has asked his friend to run it, because he has to concentrate on his seafood restaurant.

“I was lucky that I had people who were willing to assist me and my name as a footballer helped. But in the end, I had to prove myself and work hard to make the business successful,” said Kim Seng who had a tough life growing up.

“For instance, it was friend and my football fan, who asked to set up the heavy machinery business. The current golf range owner - David Lee Cheng Chew – has given me a good rental price as his business was down and wanted to turn it around. The seafood business belonged to my youngest brother (Kim Huat), who asked me to take over as his health was ailing.

“I come from a family of seven and was the fifth. As a 12-year-old I used to follow my late father (See Thiam Sem) who ran a fruit shop, to buy coconuts and fruits, from plantations by bicycle first before he got a motorcycle.

“Coming from a small town and kampong, I knew what hardship was all about and was always prudent and saved whatever I could for a rainy day.

“It is not how much you earn, but how much you can safe. A father can give his son 1 million ringgit, but it will all come to nought if the son does not know how to utilise the money well.

“I was very careful not to be distracted by the bright city lights when I played football. I did not earn much as compared to players these days, but I managed to safe and did not spend unnecessarily or spoil myself.”

Kim Seng said life was no different in his football career where he had to work hard and make sacrifices.

“Nothing came was on a silver platter,” said Kim Seng

Kim Seng started playing football as a striker, as a kampong boy with estate players near his home.

Chinese educated at his primary school SRJK Simpan Morib and later at SM Sg Manggis till Form Three and in SMK Telok Datuk, he first played for his school teams, before turning out for the Kuala Langat District team in the Selangor premier league.

It was with the district team that Kim Seng was spotted by the late international midfield maestro Wong Choon Wah, was who playing for Selangor Chinese Recreation Club (SCRC), when playing in the league match in Banting.

“Choon Wah and the team officials offered me a job and asked to come to the city and play for them. When I told them I was only 16 and still in school, they were surprised,” said See laughing aloud who said he was well built then itself from all the hard work he had to undergo.

“They then asked me to play for them on match days and I would travel to KL taking a bus on game day in the afternoon and return home about 10pm. My older brother (Ah Hock) would wait at the bus stand in Banting and bring me home on his motorcycle.”

Kim Seng went on to play for Selangor schools in the Rahman Cup and Razak Cup and donned national colours in the Asean Schools football championship for two years – 1981 in Jakarta and 1982 in Bangkok where he captained the team.

It was in 1984, that he was selected to the Selangor team and with a star-studded team with the likes of the late Mokhtar Dahari, K. Rajagobal, Norbit Shah and other notable names, he warmed the bench and only played one match against Armed Forces.

Next year, frustrated, he returned to just play in the Selangor league for SCRC. It was here that late Chow Kwai Lam spotted him and took him to play for Kuala Lumpur in late 1986.

See  Kim Seng (right) in KL colurs in defence with teammate Chow Siew Yai

It was Dr Josef Veglos who took charge of the KL team in 1987, that converted Kim Seng from a striker to a defender. He played for KL till 1992 (wining the Malaysia Cup for a record three times – 1987-1989), before moving to Negri Sembilan for two years before he called it quits.

Kim Seng standing back row far right with KL Malaysia Cup team with their trophies  1988 treble champions Malaysia Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield

As a national player he has a winner’s medal from the 1989 Sea Games under English coach Trevor Hartley and a 1993 Merdeka tournament medal under Australian coach Ken Worden besides playing in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and King’s Cup in Thailand where he captained the team.

“I am glad that I have managed my life well after football and in something totally unrelated to football. My advice to young footballers is not just look at jobs related to football after the playing days. Venture out and take whatever opportunities are available and work hard it to make it a success.

“I am also glad that besides having done well in business, I have also educated my children well and also got them involved in sports,” said Kim Seng proudly, whose wife, Wong Show Mei was a Tanggak district volleyball player.

His youngest daughter, See Wye, who turns 13 on Aug 29, is his apple of the eye and competes in the SportsExcel Junior Golf Circuit and has represented SportExcel at the New Delhi Junior Open championship last year.

See Wye a student of SMK Bukit Jelutong, also excels rhythmic gymnastics having had podium finishes in several events, including the Vitrigo International Championship, Pesta Gimnastik (champion, group exercise) and the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) competition.

Kim Seng said he is equally proud of his other siblings, See Min, 26, (former Bukit Jalil Sports School and wushu junior national champion and now nutritionist at National Sports Institute), See Man, 23, (third year law student at Multimedia University, See Moon, 22 (graduate in Language from Universiti Malaya specialising in Italian) and See Won, 21 (waiting for entry to University). Both See Moon and See Won, also represented Selangor schools in rhythmic gymnastics.

Kim Seng with his princess standing from left  see Min, See Mon, See Man and See Won  and seated from left wife Doris Wong Show Mei and youngest daughter See Wye

 “I tried to get my other daughters involved in golf but they complained it was too hot. See Wye was different. She didn’t complain about the heat at all and from the way she swings the club and I saw natural talent” said Kim Seng of See Wye whom he introduced to the game when she was eight.

While Kim Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant, starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open his shop from 11am to midnight, he was not going to neglect to see See Wye become a top women golfer.

His wife now manages the driving range besides her own business of cleaning services.

Former veteran international. a member of the 1972 Munich Oympics qualifying tournament in Seoul, V. Kalimutu, drops by at Attapa Seafood to support Kim Seng

While Kim Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register and making sure the food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his customers.

Kim Seng taking order at his restaurant

Kim Seng keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting and not all of them are doing well.

He also sponsors one or two tables each other for poor families around the area working with the Community Service centres.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab.

Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot 325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.

ENDS

Built like a champion

By Tony Mariadass

tonym@gmail.com

Esther’s inspirational quest of glory

Esther Vergeer’s journey to stardom is bound to inspire any budding sportsman and women.

It was no easy path for the 34-year professional athlete who claimed 42 singles and doubles wheelchair Grand Slams and seven Paralympic titles - made up of four singles and three doubles titles - throughout her career from 1999 until her retirement in February 2013.

Known as the Dutch grand dame of wheelchair tennis, Vergeer was born in Woerden, Netherlands, started playing tennis at the age of 12. She crowned her professional career on a winning streak of 695 singles and 444 doubles matches!

Vergeet was eight-years-old when she had three internal haemorrhages caused by a blood vessel defect which put her under the surgeon’s knife.

After the third operation she woke up without sensation in her lower legs and ended up in a wheelchair.

Wheelchair-bound, she was no way inclined to sports until she became paralysed.

“I was young and news that I am paralysed devastated me. But I need a way out to be living my life again and saw sports as an outlet,” said Esther when met at the ‘Power to inspire’ forum at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club last Sunday.

“Sitting in a wheelchair and looked for a sport which I could compete in and tennis and basketball was an option.”

After playing wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketballs, Esther chose tennis and turned her dreams into action.

At 17, she was unofficial world champion - a title she went on to retain 13 times in a row.

She then went on to become one of the world’s greatest Paralympic athletes of all-time.

“There is a great deal I went through to achieve my dreams of being the best.

“To say I want to get motivated, is easy. But one has to ask oneself why you want to be the best. Are you prepared to give everything and make sacrifices to achieve your goal?

“I worked hard and to achieve the desired results that it came to a point was addicted to win. That was my motivation to stay on top.”

Esther said it was sport that has given her a new lease of life.

“I am what I today because of sports.

“Sports is a tool. It is not just about fame, money or easy life,” said Esther who win the Laureus Award for Sportsperson with a disability of the year in 2002 and 2008.

“I only got some funding after I got some results and was only given one paid tournament to play in. I had to use money from my winning for other tournaments, training and exposure.”

Esther said to be champion, it takes total dedication.

“There are no shortcuts. One has to be very detailed and everything one does. One must take control and chart ones destiny. Key to success is training, mentally be strong, physically in the best shape possible and setting goals at multiple levels.

“Dealing with circumstances and situation is utterly important. There is no blame game in sport. You have to take charge and handle each situation differently. There is no excuse for failure. You have to have solutions. One cannot blame the weather or match official for ones defeat. If you have failed it is only because of yourself.

“Pushing myself to the limits was one of the reasons for my success story. One has to be innovative. I am control freak and a perfectionist.

“I took lessons from many top athletes and tried my best to be like them.

“To be a champion, does not happen overnight and by chance.”

When Esther retired, she said it was a difficult decision.

“But it was a decision I had to make after examining myself. I asked myself if I am still motivated to do the same thing and remain in top. I found that the toll was taking me,” said Esther.

“It was a difficult decision. On one hand I was tired, on the other I was going to miss everything I was doing.

“But in the end I was satisfied with what I had achieved and wanted to spend more time with my family.

“But sports is in my blood and it was time for me to give back to the sports which has given me so much.”

After retirement she started the Esther Vergeer Foundation, Team ParaStars and took on countless ambassadorships.

She runs the Esther Vergeer Foundation which encourages children and youngsters with physical disabilities to participate in sports.

Esther launched her biography ‘Fierce & Vulnerable’ during the USTA Membership Appreciation Day, at the 2014 US Open in New York.

In the book Esther candidly shares her life story interspersed with quotes from people of her inner circle, sporting career and business associates. From her parents to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, from her elementary school teacher to her sponsor, from Johan Cruyff to her opponents in sport.

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic said this about Esther: “The career of Esther tells me that everything is possible if you truly believe. And that great things can be accomplished if you visualise yourself achieving them and dream big.

“Esther’s career is one of the most remarkable and outstanding careers in the history of sport. Esther inspires not just people with a disability, but also people without. Her charisma motivates everyone she meets to be positive about themselves and about life in general. Esther is a great example of somebody who never gives up, regardless of her disability. I know she will transfer this fighting spirit and love to her foundation and to the philanthropic world.”

Esther’s career could not have been better summed up.

The Babolat International Tennis Academy

 Press Release

The Babolat Duta International Tennis Academy, Malaysia’s first tennis academy with a centralized facility and professional coaches, celebrated its Official Launch recently.

 Aiming to increase levels of participation in tennis, providing appropriate development pathways for young players, the academy was officiated by Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister. The launch was also supported by many important people in the Malaysian sports arena, such as Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (right) of Olympic Council of Malaysia,  Datuk Zolkeples Embong (second from right) of National Sports  Council, Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Salehuddin Mohamed, the President of Kuala Lumpur Tennis Association and several others.

 Duta International Tennis Academy (formerly known as Duta Junior Tennis Academy) was established in 1999. It is the premier and sole tennis academy in Malaysia. It was founded by V. Selvam (right on the first pix) Malaysia’s tennis legend and best ever player of all time. It started with only one program and 20 students. Now it has several different programs and has about 100 trainees from kids to high performance players.

 In November 2010, Duta International Tennis Academy teamed up with RSH (Malaysia) to bring a new and progressive beginning to Malaysian Tennis. This collaboration is known as Babolat Duta International Tennis Academy, which is also the first Babolat Tennis Academy in the world.

Ahmad Shabery was very impressed with the academy and aims to use it as a platform to discover new tennis talents in Malaysia. He praised the implementation of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) recommended training method – the Play & Stay campaign, and commended on the collaboration and initiative by RSH (Malaysia) to help develop tennis within the nation. The Youth and Sports Minister announced that the Sports Ministry plan to erect a gym at the academy to help make it become a more comprehensive training centre, and he called upon more sponsors to help the Academy realize future areas of development in areas such as competitions.

The academy has contributed a lot to Malaysia’s tennis scene since its establishment. The academy has produced talents such as Khoo Er Yang, currently the highest ranked Malaysian player on the ITF Junior Circuit (ranked 373), in recognition of the support and sponsorship by Yayasan Sime Darby.

The Babolat Duta International Tennis Academy is spearheaded by Malaysia’s tennis legend, V. Selvam, one of Malaysia's best professional tennis players. He reached the highest world ranking of 390, and holds several other records, namely - the youngest No.1 tennis player at age 16 in the Malaysia’s Book of Records. Over the years, he has consistently played a key role in bringing victory to the Malaysian Davis Cup Team.

“I believe the union of the academy and a renowned international brand like Babolat will help us expand and reach out to more potential tennis players, bringing international expertise to Malaysian shores. We are very lucky to be associated with Babolat,” says V. Selvam about the partnership between the academy and Babolat.

Gautier Berthe, the Asia Pacific Manager for Babolat also talked about his excitement in being associated with the academy and sees much opportunity in it.

The Official Launch also proved to be a significant day for V. Selvam, with him saying “This was my 15 years dream so today the dream come true, and I thank god”.  He also expressed gratitude to the Sports Minister for officiating the academy.

 Babolat Duta International Tennis Academy offers different levels of quality tennis training on court and off court. They adopt the ITF Play & Stay campaign that focuses on “Serve, Rally and Score” whereby beginner players play the game from the first lesson. The campaign aims to retain players introduced to the sport by ensuring that their first experience is positive, enjoyable, yet educational.

 Jens Hiestermann, Director of Coaching of the Babolat Duta International Tennis Academy, says, “The ITF Play & Stay method promotes the use of slower balls and smaller court size that allows players more time and control to develop in efficient techniques and advanced tactics. Young children are able to learn the game faster, staying longer while having fun.”

 The Babolat International Tennis Academy offers four (4) different programs. They are the Kids, Junior, Elite and High Performance program. The Kids program is for children under 10 years old while the Junior program is for children aged 11-18 years. Beginners start off with the B-Ball and Kids ball - tennis balls used in the program that are 75% and 50% lighter than a standard tennis ball. As students progress and grow, they move up to playing with the Intermediate ball, a ball which is 25% lighter compared to the standard tennis ball. Eventually, they progress to using the standard tennis ball in court. The Elite program is for players who are more serious about tennis. The program uses the standard tennis ball in training while still using the slower balls when necessary, such as learning a new technique or in a warm-up.

The High Performance program is an intense tennis program for players who want to take up tennis professionally at national and international levels. It involves training 5.5 days a week with 2 sessions a day. This program is to help players to be the best that they can be, pushing individuals to reach the pinnacle of their game on and off the tennis court.

 “We are proud to be part of the academy to help cultivate Malaysia’s tennis talents. There is much potential in Malaysia. By bringing in experienced and professional coaches like Jens to the academy, we are able to contribute to the tennis scene, slowly placing Malaysia in the map of the World of Tennis,” says  Gupta, CEO of RSH (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

 RSH (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is the exclusive distributor for Babolat products in Malaysia. Babolat is the oldest company that specializes in racquet sports and was founded in France in the year 1875.  Babolat’s products consist of a wide range of tennis, badminton, squash equipment and accessories. The Babolat tennis racquets have also been used by top players such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters.