Humble Beginnings...

On the sixth floor of a high-rise building in an outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, overlooking a rather small ex-tin mining lake and the distant eastern foothills of peninsular Malaysia, a little girl takes her first basketball shot on a toy backboard attached to the side of her sister's cot. The girl walks up to the basket. She holds the ball in two hands. She gets into her ready position, knees slightly bent, balance on the balls of her feet, center of gravity allowing her a sway without falling over. Her eyes are set on the target. She eases her hands forward and, with a smooth follow-through, pushes the ball through the hoop. Instant success!!

...To her father the image unleashes dreams, hopes and aspirations that she will be healthy and active, that perhaps she will become an athlete and sport will be important to her, as it is to him. Perhaps he'll get a chance to coach her in little league, and shoot around with her in the park because she wants to. Maybe he'll watch her play varsity basketball one day. He sees himself in the stands, cheering and being proud. She'll win awards and medals and recognize the value of hard work and persistence. She'll recognize the importance of teamwork and cooperation and sportsmanship. She'll internalize the value of sport in society and learn to identify herself with it. She'll become a better person because of it. Daddy's thoughts return to the moment...

Irini smiles, celebrates and moves over to pick up the ball again. She's 100% from the line. Time for another shot. :-)