In the short meeting, after attending the “Inisiatif Negaraku” event by Malaysia Airlines at Perdana Putra here today, Najib said Malaysia was proud at the achievements of Nur Anisah, 17 and Afiqah Zahra, 7, who competed in the under-17 years and under-7 years categories at the 2017 World Schools Individual Chess Championship in Romania from April 22 to May 1.
Salihin, who is a Bahasa Melayu teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Udang, Klang, was reportedly forced to sell his second house in Segamat, Johor, for RM65,000 to take Afiqah Zahra and his eldest, Nur Anisah, to the competition due to the absence of a sponsor.
The prime minister said the related ministry acknowledged Salihin’s sacrifice and that of other parents who sent their children to the competition.
“This (shows the) determination of parents and their commitment to their children. We will make sure such talents are nurtured and supported in the best possible manner, because despite being individualistic in nature, it (this trait) bears the name of ‘Negaraku Malaysia’.
“Congratulations, Cikgu Salihin and all Malaysian participants of the 2017 World Schools Individual Chess Championship,” Najib said.
Salihin, 45, who is also a chess coach, said his two children trained a minimum of six hours a week among themselves, friends and computers to participate in the nine-round international competition.
“Afiqah almost emerged champion but drew in the eighth and ninth rounds, Because her moves did not work out, she fell into fifth place in the world for the under-7 Years category.
“The final two rounds were very important and I pressed her to win.
“She tried her level best. After round eight, she went into a room and bawled her heart out in abject disappointment at her moves which did not pan out.
“But I see Afiqah has big potential because her level of thinking in chess is far more mature,” he told reporters after the meeting with the prime minister.
Salihin said Nur Anisah, who won the “Woman Candidate Master” title at the East Asian Chess Competition in South Korea, drew with team-mate Vivien Ngieng in the under-17 years women category.
“I thank the prime minister for inviting us. He encouraged us to continue our efforts to reap more successes and bring honour to Malaysia.”
Nur Anisah said her parents’ sacrifices were huge and she wanted to excel at all chess competitions she is taking part in to bring honour to her family and country at the international level.