We Malaysians love badminton too much, we get married to ‘em!

In the heart of London, around Euston and Camden, far and wide people come to play badminton. Every Sunday, a badminton meet is held at the Somers Town Community Sports Centre and interestingly, participation is dominated by Asian players who reside and are born in London. The organizer, 60 year old Malaysian, Suhaimi Idris has been organizing the meets for 20 years already. To begin, he had only played with 10 of his other friends.

“Today my club have 49 paid members. We do allow guests joining in but most of the guests are locals here,” said Suhaimi.

“Every year, the Malaysian embassy asks me to hold badminton tournament on their behalf because we are the only big Malaysian club, to celebrate Merdeka day.” Suhaimi continued. According to Suhaimi, every year, number of participants also increases. This year almost 60 participants joined the tournament. The tournament does not only limit itself to Malaysians, yet all races are welcomed. This is to encourage the concept of ‘muhibbah’ being promoted by the Malaysian Embassy.

For this couple, Badminton in London was their matchmaker indeed. Faris Fakri and Maisarah Sani, both 28 years old met in London through these Sunday meets. Faris was an accountant while Maisarah was a quantity surveyor. About a year before they dated, Faris had entered a tournament organized by Suhaimi and Maisarah was a regular member who found out about these sessions through the Malaysia Hall notice boards and that’s when the couple first set eye on each other.

“I was quite shy, I came with my brother and did not know anyone, even Suhaimi who invited me look like a Chinese and I did not acknowledge him only till a few months after.” Faris added. “People called him Atan over there” both Faris and Maisarah said simultaneously. “Faris had thought I was some typical ‘in the scene’ Malaysian student!” Maisarah joked when asked why they had not talked before. A year later, they dated after being partnered by Suhaimi in one of the Annual Merdeka tournaments.

According to Suhaimi, both had impeccable skills in Badminton. While Faris was once upon a time the state player for Kelantan, Maisarah was naturally just a sports enthusiast since young, despite the fact that her father was the former President of Squash Racquets Association Malaysia (SRAM). Both Faris and Maisarah were exposed to many sports but their hearts belong to the thrilling smashes of the badminton game.

“The best thing about badminton is that it takes only two to play and you’re good,” Maisarah commented. “Unlike football where you have to have a full team.” She continued

Now, both of them are back in Malaysia and married to each other. Currently, Maisarah is the proud owner of the Duduk Cafe and Faris runs his photography business under Faris Fakri Photography. Besides the fact that they met through a sport they enjoyed best, now both of them have resorted to doing what they love best as their future careers too.