Michaela from Malaysia Women's Floorball team share with us her SEA Games experience....

This week we have another representative from Team Malaysia (Women’s) – Michaela Khoo Lee Ann to share with us her wonderful and memorable SEA Games experience and journey towards the games. Some background of Michaela first, she is 18 years old this year and started playing Floorball at the age of 15 years, it’s been 3 years since she started.

She makes her international debut for Malaysia Women Floorball team in 2015 during the SEA Champions held in Singapore last December. Michaela plays as a goalkeeper, but she is very keen to learn how to play as a player as well. Currently she is playing for Innebandy!Co, a club base in Penang, Malaysia. Innebandy!Co is her first club and according to her she will be transferring to a new club soon.

I went on to ask Michaela how did she felt when she know that she have been selected to represent Malaysia Women’s Floorball for the 28th SEA Games held in Singapore, she reply – “At first I didn't think I would be able to make it into the team because the other goalkeepers who were fighting for a spot were really good as well. When I was told I was selected, I was shocked but at the same time honored that I could represent my country in SEA Games.” She added, “It was truly a privilege being able to play in SEA Games. I would say that it opened my eyes to a lot of new things. Having played only in state competitions, participating in SEA Games made me realize that there is so much more to learn and improve on.”

Prior to SEA Games, we started training early in November 2014. However, we were only able to meet up once or twice a month because the players in our team were scattered all over Malaysia. That made it difficult for us to train together on a regular basis.

When I asked Michaela what was her greatest moment during the 28th SEA Games, she casually responded, “Blocking the legendary Jill Quek's shots! Just kidding. Perhaps walking into the court donning the national jersey at the age of 18 with my closest friends was my greatest moment. Some people wait a lifetime for such opportunity. I really thank God for it. All glory goes to Him.” She added, “The greatest moment for my team as a whole was during our match against Thailand. We were down 3-1 in the second period and knew that our chances of beating them were very slim. Instead of giving up, we really encouraged one another and persevered as a team to finish the game strong.”

Going into 28th SEA Games, the personal goal set by Michaela was to give her all during the game and be able to walk out of the court without any regrets. Other than that, it was to gain experience and to learn new things from the other teams. She shares with us her team’s goals, “We knew we were going up against giants and it was going to be a tough fight. So setting an achievable target was necessary for the team. Getting into finals was the target; and besides that, gaining experience and playing as a team. We didn't make it into the finals but we played as a team and fought our hearts out for every game. As for some of us, like myself, who took part in an international competition for the first time, gained valuable experience from it as well.”

When I ask Michaela to use 1 word that best describe her, she replied - “Growing, A very close friend of mine, whom I respect and look up to, always reminds me that I am still young and have a whole life ahead of me. Life is a never-ending process of growth and learning. One is never “too smart” or “too experienced” for anything.”