We Went to the Wrong Airport 🥲💸
- Kawan Athletics
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Hi hi hi!
“Adik, you tahu kan you dekat airport yang salah. Sekarang dah tak sempat ke KLIA… cuba pergi counter tanya, boleh dapat tiket ke Terengganu lagi tak.”
Yes, we went to the wrong airport 😄
Ten of us, on the day of departure to Terengganu.
We had to repurchase tickets, lost time, and missed our test track. Expensive mistake, but also a reminder we won't forget.
Not the ideal start… but honestly, quite memorable.
But looking back, that wasn't the biggest takeaway from Terengganu.
Invitation Combination Event @ Terengganu
We were given a rare opportunity to be invited to the 3rd SSMT Invitation Combined Event (ICE) Championship. A combined event means athletes compete across multiple events, sprints, jumps, and throws, all added up into one overall result.
We only had about 2-3 weeks to prepare for a combined event. Everything was a bit rushed. Coaches and athletes had to squeeze in time and figure things out along the way. Due to limited facilities and stadium availability, we only managed one high jump session, and two to three sessions for long jump, throws, and hurdles.
We knew we weren’t fully ready. And the competition showed us exactly that.
But sometimes, you only really learn when you step into it.
What Terengganu Taught Us
Always double and triple check. Tickets, equipment, everything 😅
Be prepared. Arrive earlier, mark your events, don’t rush during trial time
Be brave to try. Touch the javelin, step onto the mat, just go for it
Stay focused. Competition is not the time to catch up with friends
Think beyond what you already know. Don’t limit yourself
Manage your emotions. Athletics may be individual, but your behaviour affects the whole team
Communicate clearly. Don’t just talk, make sure the message is understood. Listen, and act
We didn’t come back with everything figured out. But we came back knowing what we need to work on.
And that's a good place to start.
Also maybe a good reminder, NOT every Firefly flight takes off from Subang Airport 😄
Terengganu was just one part of the past few months.
Back home, things were building in a different way.
Quick one
Before we move on 😄We’ll be having an internal KA Time Trial on 17 May, open to Kawan Athletics members only (KJS included). If you’re keen, remember to register here.
Under Distance
Under Distance was a big one for us.
With over 250 participants, this was our biggest turnout so far for an external event that we organised. It's a sign we are moving forward, slowly but surely.
This time, things ran much smoother. Still not perfect, but definitely better.
With Runnoz Electronic Timing handling everything from lane assignments to final results and podium placements, it really took a lot off our shoulders. Less manual work, fewer errors.
Honestly, for schools organising sports days, this is something worth considering.
Of course, we still had our hiccups.
The stadium didn’t have enough hurdles for the hurdles events due to a miscommunication. Not ideal. Luckily, one of our members (Thank you Hong Xun!) stepped in and helped us get the hurdles we needed from the centre. We apologise to the team managers for the inconvenience.
We're thankful for the support from SMK Taman SEA, Tzu Chi International School, SJKC Salak South, Stella Maris, and Baracuda athletics club.
📹 Check out our video here:
KJS All Rounded Event
Our first in-house KJS competition. Small, but meaningful.
We had 7 kids across 2 categories, U6 and U8. For many of them, it was their first time experiencing a competition setting.
Events included Cross Hop Jump, 60m Hurdles, Rocket Throw, 60m Sprint, 4 x 60m Relay. A bit of everything.
What we liked most wasn’t the results, but how they handled it. Trying something new, waiting for their turn, and figuring things out on their own.
Parents played a big role here too. They were supportive, but importantly, giving space. That balance is not easy, but it makes a big difference in how kids learn.
Special thanks to Coach Saara for guiding them from day one and preparing them for this.
We’re now looking at how we can include some of these events into the Kawan Championship this December. More opportunities for younger kids is something we want to keep building.
Gotong Royong Day @ Kawan Centre
A simple day, but one that says a lot about the community we’re building.
11 regular members came together to clean up and reorganise the space. Some painted, some fixed what they messed up before (you know who you are 😄), and some baked for the sleepover.
Small things, but they matter.
It’s not just about training. It shows that the athletes care. They love the centre take ownership of the space, and look out for the people around them.
We love you!
All of these moments, big or small, are part of the journey.
Not everything goes smoothly.
Sometimes you prepare and still fall short.
Sometimes you mess up before you even start (like going to the wrong airport 😄).
But these are the moments that show you clearly what needs to improve.
And that’s where progress begins.
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