SUHAILI Laiman, is a well-known name in the national badminton arena, particularly among the group of athletes with disabilities (PwD).
His reputation and prowess are highly admired, especially due to his outstanding achievements not only at the local but also at the international level.
Hailing from Kampung Tanah Putih, Serian, the athlete had a 16-year career as a player, starting in 2002 and ending in 2018.
During this time, he established Malaysia’s name as the world’s number one player in para-badminton through his performances in the mixed doubles category.
However, time passes quickly, and his glorious achievements and experiences are now just memories.
In other words, Suhaili’s outstanding dominance as a para-badminton player did not continue, and no player from Sarawak has been able to continue his legacy until today.
This raises questions about why and how this could happen when all the necessary sports facilities, especially badminton courts, are available.
After retiring in 2018, why have we not seen any Sarawakian player from the same para-badminton category emerge to continue his dominance?
The sports journalist of New Sarawak Tribune’s sister paper, Suara Sarawak, Faizal Bujang, has attempted to trace the exceptional journey of this 60-year-old individual, both as an athlete and a para-badminton player.
How do you view the lack of continuity in producing high-credibility badminton players at present?
SUHAILI: It is indeed difficult to discuss, but it holds significant importance. There are various contributing factors to consider from different angles.
Can you elaborate on this matter?
SUHAILI: The main issue that needs to be focused on is why there is a lack of Sarawak-born players who are able to follow in my footsteps and conquer the world stage.
This may be due to the individual’s attitude or the player themselves. During my time when I started engaging in badminton, things were quite different.
The principle I applied in my heart was simple; always strive hard if you want to succeed in any field you pursue. Adhering to these words has allowed me to put myself in a class of my own, making me respected not only in the Southeast Asian region but also worldwide.
What is the core essence that a player or athlete must have in order to succeed?
SUHAILI: To succeed in any field, especially sports, a high level of sacrifice is required. Imagine having to put aside all responsibilities towards family after being selected to represent the state or country.
However, the routine changes are only temporary because during training, I become more committed and focused.
How do you see the situation of a spouse who has to face unexpected circumstances throughout their career as an athlete or player?
SUHAILI: I feel very fortunate to have a wife Hashanah Abem who understands my career as a player very well. My wife often tells me to do my best as long as I can and that every sacrifice I make will be rewarded.
She says that nearly twenty years of being a professional player for the PwD athlete group is not a short time and various ups and downs had to be overcome before reaching the pinnacle of success as she is now.
What do you hope for after this?
SUHAILI: Like any other person, I hope that individuals will come forward to share their success and experiences as badminton players. Throughout my career in badminton, I managed to win more than ten gold medals while representing my country in various world championships, such as the Paralympics, the Para ASEAN Games, and other international competitions.
Similarly, I also won gold medals while representing Sarawak in national-level competitions, especially in the Para Sukma Games.
What is interesting about your journey as a player, which is referred to as a “gem from the Land of the Hornbills”?
SUHAILI: I have never lost in any of the matches I played in throughout my 16-year career, not only at the national level but also in international tournaments. Ironically, my remarkable achievement as an athlete with disabilities in the field of badminton proves my talent, which is still difficult to surpass even today.
It is understood that your disability is caused by a bone problem that occurred after you fell at the age of eight. Can you briefly explain that?
SUHAILI: The tragedy that happened actually taught me a great lesson in life. Starting from the incident that happened then, I managed to become a world-class badminton player until today.
The disability in my left leg witnessed me, who was once the world’s number one champion, suffering from pain beyond my control.
Can you share a little bit about it?
SUHAILI: The bone was dislocated from its original position and could not be restored to its previous state. As a result, there was a less than seven-centimetre transition in the bone’s position compared to my right leg.
Imagine that for a year, as the child of Laiman Kancil and Arot Kaili, I was unable to move like other people due to the difficulties my parents faced in taking me to the hospital or nearby clinics for treatment to heal my injury, which was an inevitable problem.
How did you feel at that time?
SUHAILI: That dark moment is still fresh in my mind. There are great lessons to be learned when I look back at my life journey, from being a normal child to becoming a person with disabilities (PwD) until today.
I did not complain, but instead, I always remain resilient and enthusiastic in facing such situations. For me, the passing of my late father, who went to the hospital for treatment, was like a beacon of light.
Even though the recovery efforts were made, it was too late, as the one-year time lapse made it difficult to recover from the injuries, as confirmed by the doctors.
What did you think after being labelled as a person with a disability?
SUHAILI: I have an extraordinary spirit that is unmatched by anyone in this world. I do not think about my disability, but rather the passage of time that unexpectedly takes me on a journey that I never imagined.
In other words, after completing my secondary education, I managed to place myself in a unique position by being accepted to work as a driver at the Simunjan Agriculture Department in 1988.
What happened after that?
SUHAILI: During that period, I began to dabble in the sport of badminton. I was often invited by friends to play and participate in local tournaments. Until one day, I was called upon to represent the Sarawak badminton team in 2002, and that was when my partner Cheah Liek Hou and I managed to create a surprise by winning the gold medal in the mixed doubles event at several world championships.
As I have mentioned before, I did not disappoint in every international tournament I participated and always brought back the gold medal.
It is understood that your wife is a motivator and a source of inspiration for you.
SUHAILI: As I became active in the world of badminton, I never forgot my responsibility to my family. In fact, even though I had to juggle my time between three things—my duties at the office, my family, and training—there were no constraints or problems that arose during that time.
I feel very fortunate to have a wife who understands my daily routine.
Sometimes I would train until the morning, even when I had to work. But my wife understands everything. Therefore, I would describe my wife as a source of inspiration, and she could be considered a mentor behind the success that has been achieved to date.
My wife’s perseverance throughout my 16-year involvement in badminton and her role as a beloved family member have never led her to complain or express any problems in our family life.
