#ProjekKasutBolaOhana – providing a better footballing future for The Botaks
HANISAH Mat Hussin wakes up every morning to the chill and fresh morning air that seeps into her bedroom at her teaching quarters situated deep in the interior of Cameron Highlands.
Her daily routine is made up of preparing to teach a group of Orang Asli boys in SK Lemoi, the only school in the Orang Asli settlement which can only be accessed by anyone via a two-hour 4-wheel drive (4×4) from Ringlet.
For Hanisah, her living conditions can be considered basic but manageable compared to the Orang Asli boys, fondly known by their moniker, ‘The Botaks’, she teaches.
The Botaks shot to fame when Hanisah, fondly known by her twitter and instagram handle, ‘Si Bungolale’, tweeted about the extraordinary exploits of her students.
The Botaks, who emerged district football champions despite coming from the isolated interior where students travel daily to school by foot or, if they are lucky, by motorcycle, and continue their journey by boat.
“I am very active on social media especially twitter and instagram. After The Botaks emerged district champions, I tweeted about their achievement despite them not having proper footwear (boots) like the other teams,” said Hanisah with a sense of pride.
“I am already in my tenth year at this school. Here, we have three kampungs – Kampung Lemoi, Kampung Telimau and furthest of all Kampung Cenan Cerah.
“To get to Kampung Cenan Cerah is the most difficult as you can only get there by foot or motorcycle but even then you can only go halfway and then continue the rest of the journey by river,” added Hanisah.
“The players and students from Kampung Cenan Cerah have to travel for two hours everyday to get to school. Some pupils stay in the hostel and will travel together on Sundays to school and walk back together to their kampung on Fridays,” Hanisah revealed.
The plight of ‘The Botaks’ has caught the attention of TV personality Hanif Miswan, more fondly known as ‘Anip’, who read about the pupils’ exploits on social media and immediately got in touch with Hanisah to see how he could contribute.
Anip, also a keen footballer, plays for amateur team Ohana FC, who are involved in the Klang Valley League. He got his team together and shared the idea of contributing proper football boots for The Botaks.
His idea caught on immediately with his team players and later managed to rope in sports public relations consultant, Christoper Raj who helms Shekhinah PR, and #ProjekKasutBolaOhana was born.
“While many children are lucky to have parents who can afford the latest in footbball boots, The Botaks of Kampung Lemoi do not have that luxury. Most of them play barefooted or have to make do with cheap boots,” said Anip.
“These children, unfortunately, do not get very many opportunities in life and are very grateful for all the help and assistance they receive.
“‘Ohana’ in the Hawaiian language means ‘family’ and The Botaks are a part of the ‘Ohana’ football family. We have to ensure no one from the family gets left behind.”
For Charred Cirikwong, a sports executive with Shekhinah PR and one of the members of the travelling party, it was an unforgettable and touching experience to see the sheer joy of The Botaks despite them facing numerous obstacles.
“Seeing the smiles on these children’s faces was an experience that will remain with me always,” said Charred. “It is certainly a humbling experience seeing these kids make do with so little and yet never lacking in anything.”
Travelling for two hours from Kuala Lumpur, Charred had to endure another two-hour 18km ride in a 4X4 deep into the jungles of the Cameron Highlands. The party also had to overcome constant challenges in the form of mountains and narrow roads flanked by deep ravines. If one is not careful, a simple mistake could prove fatal.
On arrival at SK Lemoi, the visitors were greeted by 57 male students, among them the footballing ‘jewels’ who took SK Lemoi to the summit of the Majlis Sukan Sekolah- Sekolah Daerah Cameron Highlands (MSSD) 2019 and as champions will represent the district in the upcoming Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Pahang.
Facing numerous obstacles and challenges has not dampened the spirit of the Orang Asli children from the Semai tribe in showcasing their true footballing potential.
Two youngsters, Robin Zali and Lasaros Anuar, both aged 12, have already been called up to join the Pahang Under-12 squad for the near future.
But this would not have been possible if not for the efforts and sacrifices of three teachers who also double-up as coaches for SK Lemoi’s football team. They are Mohd Syafiq Mohd Karim, Mohd Akmal Haffiz A Karim and Zulzaidi Hashim.
“I am in my fifth year with SK Lemoi and this team proves that you can still succeed despite facing numerous adversities. Our boys don’t even have proper football boots. One of them even had to sew his boots ten times after it came apart that many times,” revealed Cikgu Syafiq.
“The Orang Asli’s attitude is different from the rest. They are receptive to orders and really respect us as teachers. I feel that this is something that gives them the edge over the other players,” he added.
“We have a limited pool of players. The male students who we have are from years four, five and six and they all represent the school and display real quality. From young, they spent their time honing their skills playing football every evening,” added Cikgu Syafiq.
For coach Zulzaidi Hashim, The Botaks are a team who are close to his heart. Zulzaidi himself is an Orang Asli but hails from a different tribe.
“I am not a stranger to them because I myself am an Orang Asli, only from a different tribe. The difference is, they are staying in the interior while I am living in a kampung in Maran, Pahang,” said Zulzaidi.
“After receiving this contribution and sponsorship we hope they (the players) will perform better for SK Lemoi. For next year, we have already started to train students from years two and three which will see many students graduating. We have earmarked 20 back-up players to replace them after this.”
Zulzaidi added: My sole purpose is to help the children of the kampung be it in studies or on the field. I hope they will look at me as a role model. Academic-wise, they are not that far ahead but what they lack is for their families to provide them with additional learning material.”
For Christopher, strategic partner of #ProjekKasutBolaOhana, he had no hesitation in signing up for this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project when the idea was put to him by Anip.
“Projek Kasut Bola Ohana is a CSR that is unique and close to our hearts. Even though Shekhinah PR had been involved in many CSR activities previously, we are touched to be involved in this special project that, hopefully, will unearth the hidden jewels of the interior,” said Christopher.
“This project will hopefully spread the message that football is a sport for everyone, and not just for those who have the means and access to the relevant facilities.
“Maybe one day one of these boys from the interior will realise his dream of becoming a professional player and perhaps don the colours of Harimau Malaya with pride at our National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
