AHMAD Osman Merican @ Osman Merican
Sports Personalities of Singapore,
Accession Number 002672
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 17
Total Reels
- Zarina bte Yusof
Interviewer
- 07:29:41
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 17
Metadata
- 11 Jul 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Date, place of birth. Father's occupation. Family's sporting background. His siblings. His childhood. Grew up in village in Penang. Effects of World War II on family. Brother executed by Japanese. Education in family during war. Feelings of war as child. Lived in front of Japanese training school. Witnessed violence by Japanese troops. Stole food. Surrender of Japanese troops in 1945. Widespread looting. Conditions in village just before Japanese surrender. Worthlessness of banana notes. Parade of defeated Japanese soldiers. Life after surrender. Started schooling in 1945. Became active in sports. Enjoyed badminton. First experience at hurdling. Not interested in studies.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 17
Metadata
- 11 Jul 2002
Recording Date
- 00:25:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reason for dropping out of Francis Light School. Helped mother with household chores. Came to Singapore in 1957; reason for it. Experience at coming to Singapore alone. How his life changed. Description of Onan Road in 1957. Went to night classes. Lived in Gian Seng flat. Description of flat. His homesickness. Description of Singapore then. Transportation in Singapore then. Carpet washer. Did odd jobs between 1957 and 1959. Adaptation to life in Singapore. Decided to be policeman. Recruited as police officer. Salary as recruit. Description of Police Academy. Adaptation to regimented way of life. Recruit's training.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 17
Metadata
- 11 Jul 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he handled academic requirement for police force. Demands of athlete. How he was chosen for hurdling. Annual race with Royal Malaysian police force. Initial performances. How involvement in athletics influenced his character. By 1960, he was third best in Singapore. Trained without guidance until 1962. His self-designed programme. Designed his starting blocks. Athletics gear. Aspired to represent Singapore in 1963. Balance between career and athletics. Privileges enjoyed by athletes in Force. How he met his coach, Tan Eng Yoon. His need for coach. Coached by Tan Eng Yoon until 1967.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 17
Metadata
- 30 Jul 2002
Recording Date
- 00:29:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Relationship with coach, Tan Eng Yoon. Description of Tan Eng Yoon. Relationship between coach and athletes. How he coped with coach. Training programme. Training schedule. Supplementary nutrition. Social life. Experience at having coach. Target set by coach. Set his own personal target. Also member of Achilles Club. Description of hurdles race in Southeast Asia Peninsular (SEAP) Games 1965. Selection for SEAP Games. Effects of Independence in 1965 on him as athlete. Received Singapore citizenship.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 17
Metadata
- 30 Jul 2002
Recording Date
- 00:28:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family reaction to him renouncing Malaysian citizenship for Singapore's. Centralised training at Farrer Park. Spirit of camaraderie during centralised training. Effects of centralised training on his psyche. Typical day at centralised training. Typical diet. Curfew imposed. Benefits and privileges he enjoyed. Atmosphere while preparing to depart for Kuala Lumpur for 1965 SEAP (Southeast Asia Peninsular) Games. Allowances given. Description of Games village. Feelings before race. Atmosphere at stadium. Motivating factors. Created new record. Feelings at beating his friend.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 17
Metadata
- 15 Aug 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Experience at running relays. Tan Eng Yoon created new tactic for relays. Why hurdlers could also run relays. Feelings at running 4x400m. Versatility of athlete. Teamwork in 4x100m. Mental toughness. How coach instills mental toughness. Relationship with athletes from other countries. Emulating exercises from other athletes. Media coverage on SEAP (Southeast Asia Peninsular) Games athletes. Was in limelight. Effects of media coverage on private life. Negative publicity. Had girlfriend who was also hurdler.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 17
Metadata
- 15 Aug 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How coach looked upon him having girlfriend. Confrontation with Indonesia in 1963. How he still managed to train despite his mobilisation. Patrols during Confrontation. Athletic meets still went on despite Confrontation. Involvement in racial riots. Witnessed riot. Background on racial riot. Curfew imposed. Training during riot. When curfew was lifted. Normal training resumed after riot. Fitness level after riot. Injuries sustained.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 17
Metadata
- 27 Aug 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Preparations for Asian Games 1966. Selection process. Level of confidence. Personal problems that plagued him during Asian Games. Selected for relay team again. Relay team was disqualified because of dropped baton. He lost hurdles race. Strengthening mental toughness. Description of hurdles race. Unhappy with treatment given to girlfriend. He fumbled with baton that resulted in disqualification of relay team. Felt that 1966 Asian Games was last Asian Games he would participate in.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 17
Metadata
- 27 Aug 2002
Recording Date
- 00:27:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Optimum age for hurdler. He lasted 15 years in hurdling. Retrospection on Asian Games 1966. Performance of Singapore contingent in 1966. Level of organization and competition at Asian Games. Facilities available. Sent to disciplinary hearing after Asian Games. Sensationalised by media. Feelings towards sensationalism. Continued training after hearing. Time trials for Commonwealth Games in Jamaica in 1966.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 17
Metadata
- 12 Sep 2002
Recording Date
- 00:26:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Foreign coaches for athletics contingent. Benefits of having foreign coaches. Needs of Asian athlete. Preparations for Commonwealth Games. Centralised training. Participating countries. Atmosphere at Games. Feelings while being led to starting blocks. Effects of crowd on his psyche. Professionalism of foreign athletes.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
