ZAINAL Abidin Abdul Malik
Sports Personalities of Singapore,
Accession Number 002626
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 18
Total Reels
- Zarina bte Yusof
Interviewer
- 07:59:03
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 18
Metadata
- 21 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Date and place of birth. Description of village. Family background. Occupations of father and mother. Father was Malaysian, came to Singapore in 1950s. Childhood memories. Involvement in sports during school years. Childhood games. Feelings on going to school. Recollection of school. Physical education. Description of school. Sports days. Involved in extra-curricular activities. represented school in soccer and sepak takraw. Lost interest in studies. National service opened his eyes on importance of education. Love for sports intensified during National service. Also involved in music.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 18
Metadata
- 21 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:28:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Volunteered to play drums in band. Eventually joined Police Band. Given trombone to play. Did not play well. Joined Police Pop Band instead. Beginning to lose interest in soccer. Introduction to squash. Confident of being able to pick up squash fast and well. Benefits of being goalkeeper. Started playing squash.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 18
Metadata
- 21 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Recognised more for squash. Continued to participate in small competitions and coaching courses. Worked for racquet company Sunrise. Motivated to pursue squash. Support given by Sunrise for pursuing squash. His target for squash. Invited to try for national squad. Selected for national squad; represented Singapore in East Asia Squash Championship in Thailand, 1979. Won National Championship, 1979. First experience at representing Singapore. Left Sunrise, 1980. Worked for Glory Sports. Sponsored to train in England. Experience in England. Experience at first East Asian Championship. Known for his "deceptive play". Family support. How squash affected him and family. Relationship with siblings.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 18
Metadata
- 28 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Pressures experienced as eldest in family. Responsibilities as eldest. Interest in music. Reasons for leaving musical band. Influence of Shell Sports Club on his interest for squash and sports. Learnt from other squash players. Popularity of squash in 1980s. Downfall of squash in 1990s. Achievements of squash in world scene.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 18
Metadata
- 28 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Coaching course in 1978. Lack of qualified coaches then. Slow development of squash in early 1980s. Eric Cooper's contribution to squash. Sponsorship by Ascot. Exposure to sponsor. Further elaboration on East Asian Championship in Thailand. Standard of competition between local and international events. Absence of squash in Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Asian and Commonwealth Games. Reasons for non-inclusion at SEA Games.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 18
Metadata
- 28 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:25:13
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Experience in London for training stint. Coping with cold weather. Acclimatising to cold weather. Getting around. Difficulties encountered. Costs of expenditure in London. Description of squash courts in London then. Squash courts as social focal point. Most valuable lessons learnt from London. Dedication to squash. Playing in tropics by Caucasian players. Changes to squash courts to give fair vantage to Caucasian players.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 18
Metadata
- 19 Mar 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
World Championship Tournament in New Zealand, 1983. Lessons learnt from this tournament. Influence of tournament on interviewee's performance. Became more aware of his performance. Competition from comrades. How he maintained his competitiveness. Advantage of experience. Benefits of being top player. Challenges of being good businessman. Family life. Support given by spouse. Importance of family support. Relationship with family.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 18
Metadata
- 19 Mar 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he maintained close relationship with daughter. Squash and his daughter. Popularity of squash in schools. Torn between squash and work committments. Special diet before training/tournament. Represented squash even after retirement. Committment to squash. Considerations before making comeback to squash. Downfall of squash. Role of Singapore Squash and Racquet Association (SSRA). Misconception of unpopularity of squash.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 18
Metadata
- 19 Mar 2002
Recording Date
- 00:28:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Feelings towards lack of promotion for squash now. Recreational squash still very much alive. Chances of revival of squash. Lack of development for younger players. Need to make facilities more available in schools especially. Monetary rewards for winning championships. Sportsman of Year Award. Criteria for selection for this award. Feelings when he eventually won Award in 1986. What Award meant to squash.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 18
Metadata
- 18 Apr 2002
Recording Date
- 00:25:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Citation/reproduction requires written permission from interviewee
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Affiliation to International Squash Players Association (ISPA). Role of ISPA. Importance of ranking in squash circuit. Best ranking for him. Progress of other countries in squash. Importance of international exposure. Participation in ISPA-sanctioned games. Used to be based in England. Won Plate event in Birmingham in 1987. Challenges he went through in this event. Feelings at winning Plate event.
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