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In preparation for the 17th SEA Games in 1993, since the
host country was Singapore, we actually intended to have
training in Singapore jointly with their national team
about a month ahead of the Games, but due to various reasons
this plan was not realized. Thus, we left for Singapore
just two days ahead of the actual racing date. Unlike
other countries which brought their own racing boats,
we could only charter the best second hand boats from
Changi Sailing Club. We had no coach boats therefore we
had to join other teams to proceed to the racing grounds
at their convenience.
It was quite envious to see during the Games, our competitors
brand new racing boats with their specialist foreign coaches
giving all necessary advice in tuning and giving final
instructions just prior to the races. For us, we had to
do everything by ourselves. But we never felt discouraged
and with our utmost efforts we tried our best. When I
got third position in the third day of the regatta, I
was very pleased, and my morale escalated tremendously.
I tried my best on the fourth day race. But unfortunately,
one pulley got broken, and I had to retire from the race.
I got totally disappointed and decided not to take part
in rest of the races. However, with the encouragement
by U Thein Tun, U Moe Myint and Ko Sando, I continue my
races using a pulley from Phone Win and Kyaw Thu's Boat.
Finally, the Games ended and we did not get any prizes
for our Myanmar Team and it was certainly very sad to
watch other countries' flag raising with their national
anthems during prize distribution ceremony. Our team officials
tried their very best to sooth us by taking us around
Singapore as sight seeing. But the feeling of despair
never went away.
It
was my first competition in a foreign country and although
I very much wish to see our national flag raised along
with our national anthem it did not come true. Thus, all
I was thinking was how I could again try to get a medal
for our country.
Then
in October 1993, I was selected as a state scholar to
attend the PhD Program in Japan and had been away from
YSC for nearly seven years. During my further studies
in Japan the only opportunity I had to sail was when I
had an opportunity to sail a F-31 ( Trimaran ) from Yokohama
Beach to Anoshima, close to Hiroshima, and back. It took
about fourteen hours sailing roundtrip.
While I was there, there was a happy occasion for me to
meet our Myanmar Sailing Team in Fukuoka during the 1997
ISAF Youth World Championship. It was the first time that
our country had participated in such an event and I was
so happy that I had the opportunity to assist them as
a team supporter with the invitation from U Moe Myint.
During the event I was also very moved to see our former
OP sailors, who have all grown to become a new generation
of sailors in the double handed racing in the Int’l
420 and the Laser classes. Overall, Myanmar stood in the
mid position among nearly forty countries, and only about
two positions below the host nation team from Japan.
Before leaving for Japan
in 1993, I was responsible as the Honorary Treasurer of
the Club. Now I was again entrusted with the responsibility
as Vice- Commodore since early this year. Although my
dream when I was young was to bring honor and glory for
my Country and our Club as a competitor but now I can
hardly sail and spend most of my time in endless meetings
after meetings.
Finally,
I would like to give my advice especially to the young
OP sailors, the latest generation of our Club, that the
present situation of the Club is very different the days
when we were sailors. The Ministry of Sports is currently
giving its full backing, Myanmar Yachting Federation has
done a incredible task of enhancing the level of sailing
to its peak, Yangon Sailing Club continues to provide
training, supervision and every necessary support, especially
U Moe Myint, Past Commodore of YSC and Secretary General
of MYF who have assisted in providing new boats, best
sails, foreign coaches and training up to the racing ground,
sponsoring races with foreign teams. So the sailing environment
has very much developed. Now it is only with the endurance,
stamina, interest and efforts of the new generation to
achieve our aim to have Myanmar Sailing abreast with International
Standards. I therefore very much like to urge them to
capitalize the grand opportunity they have at present
and to try their very best for Myanmar Sailing. |
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