Second Chance | #KaranganBolaSepak
Second Chance | #KaranganBolaSepak by Aiman Roshizam
Do you believe in second chances?
After everything that hurt you, crush you, do you pick yourself up and go again? Or do you just stop and give up?
I started loving football since I was 4, back when I still couldn't utter a single word. I grew up admiring Peter Schmeichel, Fabian Barthez, Edwin van der Sar...Man Utd keepers right? Yes, I grew up in football as a goalkeeper, striving to become just like them in the future.
After a stroke of not-so decent luck at school, I was determined to train really hard during my University Malaya days, to achieve my dreams of going big. Football or futsal, as long as I get to be in goal for any big club. I went for trials. Rejected, dejected at some point as in some of them I was so close to being accepted, but I was still resilient. I still believe. I went to try my luck with my university seniors, traveled and played in a lot of tournaments, mostly futsal. Can you imagine a bunch of really good seniors picking you to be their main keeper? They saw my potential and told me they are going to help me grow and find a team in the future. They helped me in upping my game and I truly believe it will help me.
But it was just not to be.
I picked up a career-ending back injury during 2014 Sports Day. It was a dark day when I lost everything. From my study dreams to my sports dreams (football and futsal), even my private life. All gone. Depression creeps in. I stopped believing for so long. No football. No futsal. Not even going to a stadium. Not even watched anything related to those. I lost every hope I had in sports, blaming no one but my own weak self.
Until a friend took me to play FIFA Online 3. Esports football. I just tagged along thinking it was just an alternative for my inability to play football until a team picked me up, and I was signed with Happy Green. I played as a pro for some years, and that's where I became an adult and found a career, a place where I belong after countless unfortunate incidents. I went on to experience being a champ, a coach, a commentator, and most importantly, to feel the footballing vibe. And to recall why I love football so much. It is more than just people kicking a ball. Football has been a part of my life for so long, that I know exactly where am I headed should all these fun ends. I found my old passionate self back.
After FO3 scene ended, our community has since been on in our own ways. Most of us are focusing more on personal lives, some still pursue esports, but I chose a completely different path.
Because I know more than anyone, I have a lot of unfinished business with football.
I stepped back into football after I was done with my life as an esports player, this time with a different role. I was jubilant after been given my debut in football commentary, Selangor Champions League between Gombak Hypernova and KV United. I was happy as after four years the on-field door closed, another door opened in 2018. Since then I have called over 100 football games to date, won Suara Emas MFL in 2019 and am now also back in the futsal court, covering Malaysia Premier Futsal League. Heck, I even did volleyball commentary last year! Before, I wish to go big as a player. Now, I want to make my mark as a national, no, international commentator. I want to climb the ladder to be in Liga Super in the future, and ultimately, the World Cup. Believe that I am going to work the hardest among everyone so that nothing will make me crumble again. Football is to stay in my life until my life calls time.
So now, do you believe in second chances?
Note from padangbolasepak.com: During the Restriction Movement Order 2020 Malaysia to combat Covid19 - Padangbolasepak.com encourages you from home to write essays about our beloved game of football. Can be anything. Why you fell in love with it? Your first game watching or playing? Friendships forged? Etc. Stars the limit.
500-1,000 / more words.
The objective is simple. Sharing the joy of football. Challenge you to write about the joy you may want to share. As well as keep you occupied and encourage to write. Provided that you have nothing else to do. Email us your essay with a photo attached at contact@padangbolasepak.com & we’ll post on the website as well on social media.
Thank you and take care brothers and sisters