Mini Chess Festival prepares young prodigy for global competition
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine-year-old Nik Aimee Camilla Nik Ahmad Farouqi is proving that age is no barrier when it comes to making bold moves on the chessboard.
The youngest of four siblings, Nik Aimee recently took part in the Mini Chess Festival (MCF), a tournament organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation in collaboration with the New Straits Times Press (NSTP), held during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair.
The event served as an important warm-up for Nik Aimee, who is preparing to represent Malaysia in two upcoming international tournaments — the Ashgabat 2025 International Chess Tournament in Turkmenistan from June 15 to 19 and the Eastern Asian Youth Chess Championship in China from July 20 to 30.
Speaking to NSTP, Nik Aimee said 6, upon observing her father and older brothers playing at home.
"My interest began when I watched my father play. I practised a lot with him and my older brothers.
"My passion grew even more after I became the Under-8 champion at the National Youth Chess Championship," she said when met at the World Trade Centre during the MCF.
Offering a total prize of RM20,00, there are four categories — children, adults, open and team tournament.
It was officiated earlier by Media Prima Bhd On-Air Presentation News and Current Affairs Division general manager Kamaruddin Mape.
Also present were Harian Metro Group Editor Husain Jahit, Malaysian Chess Federation president Akramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur managing director Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, asked whether she was nervous, Nik Aimee said she felt calm ahead of the two major tournaments, adding that it would not be her first time playing abroad.
"I have played in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and also Italy before," she said.
Her father, Nik Ahmad Farouqi Nik Abdul Aziz, 43, who is also a chess coach, said he recognised his daughter's potential early on, when she took second place in an under-7 tournament.
"We did not force her. I would just play chess in front of her. From there, we saw her interest and gave her exposure.
"Since then we have focused on helping her improve her performance.
"She represented Malaysia at the World Youth Cadet in Egypt two years ago, and again in Italy last year," he said.
Nik Ahmad Farouqi said the MCF was part of their preparations for the Turkmenistan and China tournaments.
"It helps her to maintain her performance and focus. I also ask her to track her own progress. These tournaments help us assess her current level and identify areas for improvement."
He added that the offer to compete in Turkmenistan came just a day ago, after MCF confirmed her selection as a national athlete based on her past achievements.
"It is not easy to get opportunities like this. Now the challenge is to prepare her mentally and physically.
"We want to push her to perform, but not to the point where she burns out. She knows she is carrying the national flag, and she takes that seriously," he said.
The upcoming tournament in China will see participation from 15 players aged nine and below, from countries including China, Japan, and Malaysia.
Nik Aimee is expected to represent Malaysia as one of its youngest competitors.
Meanwhile, her mother, Nik Aleena Nik Abdul Rahman, also 43, said the family was focused on supporting Nik Aimee in every aspect, including emotional well-being and school commitments.
"She is still a child, so there are days when she does not feel like training. We have to monitor her emotional state, energy levels and even her diet.
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Mini Chess Festival prepares young prodigy for global competition
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine-year-old Nik Aimee Camilla Nik Ahmad Farouqi is proving that age is no barrier when it comes to making bold moves on the chessboard. The youngest of four siblings, Nik Aimee recently took part in the Mini Chess Festival (MCF), a tournament organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation in collaboration with the New Straits Times Press (NSTP), held during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair. The event served as an important warm-up for Nik Aimee, who is preparing to represent Malaysia in two upcoming international tournaments — the Ashgabat 2025 International Chess Tournament in Turkmenistan from June 15 to 19 and the Eastern Asian Youth Chess Championship in China from July 20 to 30. Speaking to NSTP, Nik Aimee said 6, upon observing her father and older brothers playing at home. "My interest began when I watched my father play. I practised a lot with him and my older brothers. "My passion grew even more after I became the Under-8 champion at the National Youth Chess Championship," she said when met at the World Trade Centre during the MCF. Offering a total prize of RM20,00, there are four categories — children, adults, open and team tournament. It was officiated earlier by Media Prima Bhd On-Air Presentation News and Current Affairs Division general manager Kamaruddin Mape. Also present were Harian Metro Group Editor Husain Jahit, Malaysian Chess Federation president Akramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur managing director Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim. Meanwhile, asked whether she was nervous, Nik Aimee said she felt calm ahead of the two major tournaments, adding that it would not be her first time playing abroad. "I have played in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and also Italy before," she said. Her father, Nik Ahmad Farouqi Nik Abdul Aziz, 43, who is also a chess coach, said he recognised his daughter's potential early on, when she took second place in an under-7 tournament. "We did not force her. I would just play chess in front of her. From there, we saw her interest and gave her exposure. "Since then we have focused on helping her improve her performance. "She represented Malaysia at the World Youth Cadet in Egypt two years ago, and again in Italy last year," he said. Nik Ahmad Farouqi said the MCF was part of their preparations for the Turkmenistan and China tournaments. "It helps her to maintain her performance and focus. I also ask her to track her own progress. These tournaments help us assess her current level and identify areas for improvement." He added that the offer to compete in Turkmenistan came just a day ago, after MCF confirmed her selection as a national athlete based on her past achievements. "It is not easy to get opportunities like this. Now the challenge is to prepare her mentally and physically. "We want to push her to perform, but not to the point where she burns out. She knows she is carrying the national flag, and she takes that seriously," he said. The upcoming tournament in China will see participation from 15 players aged nine and below, from countries including China, Japan, and Malaysia. Nik Aimee is expected to represent Malaysia as one of its youngest competitors. Meanwhile, her mother, Nik Aleena Nik Abdul Rahman, also 43, said the family was focused on supporting Nik Aimee in every aspect, including emotional well-being and school commitments. "She is still a child, so there are days when she does not feel like training. We have to monitor her emotional state, energy levels and even her diet.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
'The Blessed One' tells his football story in new book [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: You hardly hear about local footballers, current or former internationals doing this, but the legendary Datuk K. Rajagobal is coming out with a book about him and Malaysia football. While a number of players turned to punditry on TV, radio or social media, Rajagobal is turning literary putting his thoughts into words. For years, his fans and friends have been urging him to write a book. His autobiography, titled "Inilah Saya K Rajagobal, which means "This is me, Rajagobal", will be launched at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, from 11am-1pm on May 31. The book, which is in Malay, not only chronicles Rajagobal's distinguished career — it offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the heart and mind of a man in his heroic journey through Malaysian football over three decades. A great player on the field, Rajagobal was profoundly influential as a coach, a mentor, and a symbol of national resurgence. During his time, he restored pride to Malaysian football after guiding the national team to numero uno status in Southeast Asia. Now, the man, affectionately known as "The Blessed One", is ready to share the full breadth of his story, the triumphs and the tribulations, in his much-anticipated autobiography. Rajagobal was one of the few players who had the rare opportunity to play alongside the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, the late Datuk R. Arumugam and Datuk Santokh Singh in the great Selangor team of the 1980s. Rajagobal's career was shaped by these three great stars, and he went on to become the dashing right winger in the magnificent Selangor team that dominated Malaysian football in those days. "Mokhtar had the attributes — you know, never say die. He's fearless, his work ethic. That taught me about hard work. Arumugam, too, he was good under pressure, he was cool. He taught me how to handle this type of situation in a stressful environment. "And then came Santokh, he was a rock in defence. He taught me how strong you must be mentally. These are the things I learned from them. We played together, we worked together in PKNS." Regarded as one of the country's wiliest coaches, Rajagobal has lit up Malaysian football, both on the field and in the dugout. "It's a legacy, to inspire, to share my experience, my journey. Not only a smooth journey — the hardship, the lows and the highs. What I can maybe give this younger generation, coaches or players, is that it's not just a journey, but you have to work hard. Hard work, discipline, resilience, strong character, maturity. This is what I want to share with the whole nation," said the 68-year-old. The book will trace Rajagobal's story from his days as a student at Setapak High School to his emergence as a budding striker with Cholan Youth in the Selangor Football League in 1975. After impressing with Cholan, he was employed by PKNS and eventually played for Selangor from 1978 to 1984 — a golden period that saw him line up alongside some of Malaysia's most iconic players. "The moment which I cherish is in 1979 when I played for Selangor against Singapore in the Malaysia Cup final," he recalled. "That was my first Malaysia Cup final with Selangor, that's the moment which I think I cannot forget. Selangor had legendary players, including Singapore, and to win 2-0 was a special moment." Rajagobal admitted he never imagined that he would one day be a coach, let alone handle Harimau Malaya. Rajagobal's coaching career spanned across teams like PKNS, Selangor, Kelantan, Sarawak, and Brunei. But it was with the national sides — Harimau Muda, Malaysia Under-23, and the senior national team — that he left an indelible mark. "It was not easy as you go through the process of being a player. To be honest, I never thought of this, being a coach. But as it progressed, I was thinking... I was quite interested after I was given a chance to be the assistant coach for Selangor. The first one was the Malaysia Games in Sarawak. After that, I said, it is my responsibility to give back whatever experience we have learned." That decision would set him on a path that changed Malaysian football forever. He led Malaysia to a historic gold medal at the 2009 Laos Sea Games and followed that up with the country's first AFF Championship success in 2010 — a moment that remains etched in the nation's memory. "After 20 years, we won the Sea Games. That was the beginning. Definitely, it was a proud moment. It was a moment that the nation celebrated. Then came the AFF Suzuki Cup, that was another moment which gave me happiness, emotion, and made the whole nation proud." For Rajagobal, the achievements were never about personal glory. "It's not only me — the whole nation, the players' contribution. At that time, probably nobody believed that the national team would do well. So all of a sudden, the turning point — and this gave hope for the football fraternity. And that was, I can say, the proudest moment, which I cherish. Still, at times, it brings back memories — the situation, the atmosphere." Now, through his autobiography, Rajagobal hopes to pass on those memories, and more importantly, the values he lived by. "It is not only the story about me. It is the story about others to learn and to feel, going through all the stages, and to be a better person in life — for their family, for the nation, and to be a strong character in any challenges we want to face." Even a man of his accomplishments admits to moments of doubt and second-guessing. "There have been regrets. Why I didn't do this? Why I didn't do that? But regret is like when there are golden opportunities — probably I should have taken earlier," he said. "You know, that is probably one of the regrets when probably there have been offers here, offers there. I would have taken it. But at the end of the day, I think I made the right decision. At that time, probably I had regrets. Now looking back, no regrets." From being a young footballer growing up in Setapak, to winning the Asean crown — the AFF title in front of a nation in rapture, Rajagobal's story is not just one of sporting success, it is one of perseverance, humility, and an unshakeable belief in the power of football to unite and uplift. More than just a personal reflection, the book, which is in Malay, is a gift — a message to every aspiring coach, every young footballer, every child who dares to dream. As Rajagobal put it, "It's not just my story. It's a story for others to learn from, to be inspired by, and to believe that with hard work and faith, anything is possible."
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Today's news in pictures - Tuesday, May 21, 2025
MISSED what happened today? Here's a glimpse at what happened throughout the country in photographs. KUALA LUMPUR – National singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong in action against Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long Angus at the 2025 Malaysia Masters in Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. NSTP/ASWADI ALIAS KUALA LUMPUR – Preparations in full swing at KLCC for the 46th ASEAN Summit, expected to gather 20,000 participants including heads of state, delegates, and officials from ASEAN members and dialogue partners such as China and the Gulf countries. NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH JOHOR BAHRU – Final preparations underway for the 2024/2025 PKR National Congress at Persada Johor International Convention Centre. NSTP/NAJMI NOR'AZAM KUALA LUMPUR – Istana Negara gears up to host a royal luncheon by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for foreign dignitaries attending the 46th ASEAN Summit, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the People's Republic of China. BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR – The ASEAN Malaysia 2025 logo seen in front of the Petronas Twin Towers ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit scheduled for May 26 and 27. NSTP/AHMAD UKASYAH
