Tearful Hazim over the moon

SINGAPORE - Hazim Faiz Hassan was in a daze.

Clutching the TNP-Dollah Kassim Award in one hand and the Singapore Pools Passport to Excellence in the other, the National Football Academy (NFA) Under-18 striker could not believe that he had won.

As he ambled down the Jurongville Secondary School stage with a bemused grin on his face, the Football Association of Singapore's head of game development, Jita Singh, called him back up to deliver an impromptu speech.

Hazim obliged.

Upon reaching the podium, he quickly wiped away tears and said: "I'm shaking right now."

The 18-year-old composed himself enough to thank his parents, teammates and the other seven nominees for "sharing the experience" with him.

While his voice was shaky, the sincerity of his words shone through.

Later, the media and communications student at Singapore Polytechnic told The New Paper: "I didn't expect to win at all.

"As I was walking back up onto the stage, I didn't know what I would say, but I got it out in the end. "I wanted to reiterate my thanks to my parents, my teammates and my coaches, like my primary school coach R Govindarajan, because I would not have won if it weren't for them."

There is a story behind his tearful, heartfelt speech.

His father, Hassan Borhan, suffered a heart attack in 2009 and has been undergoing dialysis three times a week since 2009.

"It was a combination of everything," said Hazim, explaining the emotional moment.

"Over the last four years, my dad has been trying to cope because of his illness, and my mum has been trying to support the family... Plus the fact that the win was so unexpected.

"Just being nominated was enough for me. But winning it... I have no words."

TALENT

The award - which was initiated by TNP in partnership with Singapore Pools and the FAS in 2010 - recognises both talent and character, which typified the late Singapore legend Dollah.

In addition to a trophy, Hazim also won the Singapore Pools Passport to Excellence, which will see him go on an overseas training stint at a prestigious football club next year.

As Hazim celebrated his win by taking photos with his teammates, his beaming father watched nearby. "I am so proud of Hazim," said Hassan.

"When he was top-scorer in the Lion City Cup in 2011, I thought he could have won the Dollah Kassim Award then, but he didn't.

"But he just kept working hard and it paid off this time."

Ellya Hafsah, daughter of the late Dollah Kassim, gave the most glowing endorsement of the day.

Revealing how moved she was by Hazim's speech, she said: "If it were possible, I want every player to be like him, character-wise.

"He carries himself well... What a brilliant boy.

"He's someone my father would have been very proud of."

We want him to go as far as he can. The award is a way to inspire and motivate him further. Now, his target is to make it to the next level and we'll do our best to make the journey as smooth as possible.

I heard he went through a lot... It's so easy to give up. But Hazim has that commitment, discipline and determination to keep getting better. If it were possible, I want every player to be like him, character-wise. He carries himself well... What a brilliant boy. He's someone my father would have been very proud of. - Ellya Hafsah, daughter of the late Dollah Kassim

We hope this award is something that will motivate him to keep getting better, not only in football but in life as well. - Janet Seow, Singapore Pools' director of corporate services & public affairs

Hazim is typical of the players from the 1995 and 1996 batches of players - he is intelligent, capable and eager to learn. With commitment and determination, I'm sure all of them will have good careers ahead of them. - NFA Under-18 coach Dejan Gluscevic, who has coached the past three winners of the Dollah Kassim Award

msazali@sph.com.sg

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