SportCheck: Ramli's fond memories

Ramli Hashim polishes his racing bicycle. Pic: AIZUDDIN SAAD.



2009/09/09

Vinashal Pillai

UNABLE to stand up without struggling due to diabetes, former national cyclist Ramli Hashim still manages a smile when asked about his exploits with the national team.

Like many greats before him, Ramli began his cycling career from humble beginnings when residing at Clementi, Singapore.

Ramli's interest in the sport started at age 12 but he got seriously involved when he got his first bike at the age of 19 in 1965.

Fitted with 24-inch road tyres, it was purchased on credit from his friend.

"I had been asking my father for a bicycle for a long time but he always found an excuse not to get one," said Ramli.

His love for cycling grew and he would cycle along Ayer Raja Road and Pasir Panjang Expressway in Singapore everyday. Then in 1965 Ramli got his first taste of near-success when he finished second in a sports carnival in a senior category.

"I was supposed to race in the novice category but I drafted myself into the seniors instead. I just wanted to see how good I was racing with the bigger boys," added Ramli, now 63 and living with his wife in Selayang, Selangor.

Ramli joined the Malaysian Police in 1968 when his family relocated to Malaysia and went on to compete in several big events including the Singapore Sea Games and Tokyo Asean Cycling Championship in 1973, the Bangkok Seap Games in 1975 and the New Zealand Commonwealth Games in 1979.

But his proudest achievement was his three-silver haul in the 1,600m time trial, 800m massed start and 4,800m massed start at the Seap Games in Singapore.

Although he did not win gold, Ramli's feat came as a surprise as he had only three months of competitive experience.

"Twice a month for every month I would cycle from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca as part of my personal training regime," he said.

"In those days we had centralised training under the tutelage of Alwi Ahmad where Fraser's Hill was our training ground but individual training was also encouraged."

Ramli would also cycle the Cheras-Kajang-Sungei Besi route to improve his endurance level.


Initially, he would take two hours to complete the route but gradually slashed it to just under 59 minutes.

His last big event was the 1983 Manila Sea Games after which he retired from the sport.

"The difference in parents' attitude towards their children's involvement in sports today has changed dramatically from my days.

"Our young athletes today are blessed with parents who support and encourage them." added Ramli when asked about the role parents play.

The father of two retired from the police force in 2001 but his health deteriorated when he was diagnosed with diabetes which has plagued him for the past seven years. Ramli is also on medication for his weak heart due to a heart attack suffered early last year.

With a monthly pension of RM1,000, Ramli's plight was answered when the National Athletes Charity Foundation (Yakeb) stepped in to help.

Yakeb's 1Ringgit 1Malaysia campaign was launched to assist former athletes like Ramli with their medical needs.

Yakeb is offering two coverage plans -- for former athletes below the age of 69 and for those above 70.

Donations and sponsorship should be channeled to Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan -- Tabung Yakeb, Maybank Account No: 564847005696 or SMS YAKEB1 to donate RM1, YAKEB2 for RM2, YAKEB5 for RM5 and YAKEB10 for RM10 and send to 33898. Each SMS costs 50 sen.

For enquiries, contact 03-89964841/4844 or visit www.yakeb.org.my.

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