Although it was a case of so near yet so far, Omani sailors Musab al Hadi and Waleed al Kindi came up with a performance in the Indonesian waters that far exceeded their own expectations. The duo competed in the men’s 49er class at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang and finished fourth, missing what could have been a historic bronze for the Sultanate. The pair of Musab and Waleed came together only eight months before the Asian Games and to stitch up a fourth-placed effort is a commendable one. Musab’s face is a mixture of disappointment and achievement when quizzed about the near miss, where they were pipped by India in the overall standings.
“We had trained well, although we had just eight months together. We assessed the conditions and gave it our best shot. We were almost in tears after the results were announced, we felt someone else is wearing the medal which we could have been wearing,’’ he said. “We were shocked and surprised with our performance since the level is so high and we were in the second position until the final race, the 15th. Unfortunately, we just could not get our best act together and finished in the fourth spot and Singapore, who were not really doing well up until then, raced excellently to claim the second place in the last race.’’
Waleed echoed similar sentiments as Musab soon after the end of the 15th race in which the Oman team finished fourth.
“I could barely sleep for two nights after the race since I was thinking so much about how we missed out on a medal. It was very disappointing and hard to digest since we came so close. I can never forget that day, it was a difficult day for both me and Musab’’ the Suwaiq man added.
Musab felt the major difference between the other teams and Oman was the weight, skills and the level of experience together as a team.
“I felt the other teams had sailors who have been training and spending time together on the water for many years, possibly four or five years or more. This makes a huge difference in a competition where the level is so high like the Asian Games,’’ he added.
However, the 29-year-old Musab, who hails from Muscat, feels irrespective of the result that came about in Indonesia, they have come through a huge learning curve.
“We now know how to approach and compete in high-profile events such as this. We have learnt the ability of accepting things, learning from it and moving on. So, we are in a better position to face such situations in the future,’’ Musab stated.
STARTING EARLY
Musab started racing at the age of 19 and actively since June 2009 and it has been a challenging ride for him since then.
“The Asian Beach Games in 2010 was my first test and it was similar like here in Indonesia and I finished fourth and missed a medal. It happened to me again at a World Championship where I came fourth and lost out on a medal by one point,’’ he added.
Musab said he has been wanting to get rid of this bogey for a while now and the mission is still on.
During the course of his nine-year career, Musab says the most important thing that he has learnt is to maintain a healthy relationship with the team.
“I feel the one thing that I have learnt is to have a good relationship with your coach and team staff and management.
There is a lot of pressure before big tournaments and it is important to stay calm and be in a positive frame of mind,’’ he added.
With the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo just two years away, Oman’s participation in the ultimate sporting spectacle will hinge on the Olympic Test event to be held in early 2020.
“I think we will know about the qualification only after the Olympic Test event that could be held in January or February of 2020.
We have an opportunity but we have to see how it pans,’’
Musab added.
Musab and Waleed have excellent support systems with their families rallying around them. “My family including my wife and two kids, they are always supporting me. Off late they are missing me but still there is a lot of support,’’ reveals Musad. Waleed’s father keeps him motivated and in high spirits staying in touch over the phone. “My family supports me a lot and my father texts me almost everyday,’’ he added.
Haridev Pushparaj
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