KOTA BARU: Teenagers Zumika and Sasha Azmi did not realise that they had made history when they won the bronze medal at the Kuala Lumpur 2017 Sea Games.
Zumika, 19, and Sasha, 17, managed to garner the bronze at the T-20 Cricket, where the team beat Singapore for the third placing.
News on the sisters’ achievement in the Sea Games had spread rapidly among the Orang Asli settlements, not only in Gua Musang, but also in other districts and states.
It is believed that the sisters are the first in the Orang Asli community in Kelantan to represent the nation and win medals in a regional sporting event.
Zumika said she and Sasha, who sat their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination this year, would continue to play the sport as it had been their favourite game since they were young.
“We are proud to be Malaysian. Hopefully, more Orang Asli youth will follow in our footsteps, representing their states and the country in sports,” they said.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan chairman Mustafa Along said the two were an inspiration to the younger generation of Orang Asli.
“Many Orang Asli people are proud of the two sisters. Before this, no other Orang Asli in the state has managed to go this far in sports.
“There were a few youth who showed interest in sepak takraw, but they had have gone halfway and decided to stopped halfway and returned to their villages.
“I believe they could not remain separated from their parents any longer,” joked Mustafa.
Their father, Azmi Badul, said no words could describe his feeling when his daughters clinched the bronze.
The 42-year-old Temiar Orang Asli said he was thrilled by his daughters’ victory, despite their winning only the bronze.
“I cannot express how grateful I am to see both of them receiving the awards.
“Although they won only bronze medals, my family and I, as well as the other Orang Asli in Kelantan, particularly in our hometown, Gua Musang (are grateful),” said Azmi, who is from Pos Gob.
The father of 13 said his daughters’ victory had become a hot topic among the Orang Asli community for its significance.
“All the effort made going there (to Kinrara Academy in Kuala Lumpur) to watch them play paid off. I have received a good reward.
“They played well and beat the Singapore team.
This proves the Orang Asli are talented in sports. However, they must be given the opportunity (to play).”
Azmi said he and his family would continue to support the two, as well as their other children, if they were interested in joining other national games.