KUALA LUMPUR: Giving duit raya (raya money) is now common practice during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration and it's something up-and-coming men's doubles badminton player Muhammad Haikal Nazri looks forward to.
Deep in the heart of the 21-year-old, nothing excites him more than giving duit raya to his relatives when he is back in his hometown.
The fourth of five siblings said that being a national shuttler has enabled him to continue this practice, which is common among those who have reached adulthood and have a career.
"This will be the third year that I am giving away duit raya. Giving duit raya is a joyful feeling because when we were younger, we would get duit raya and now it's the other way round.
"I am not from a wealthy family but I give what I can," he said when met recently.
According to the Kelantan-born shuttler, he also gives the duit raya to the elders among his relatives, including his uncles and aunts.
"But I know they don't really care about the money and, instead, would pray for my continued success in badminton. Perhaps, it's their prayers that have led to me achieving the success that I am currently enjoying," he said.
Muhammad Haikal, who won the Orleans Masters 2024 men's doubles title with Choong Hon Jian (in France on March 17), can't wait for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri announcement, which is expected tomorrow, as he looks forward to enjoying delicacies like roti jala, lemang and ketupat. — BERNAMA