A decade on, Santubong meeting yields petanque title

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KUCHING: A meeting in Santubong during preparations for the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Sarawak in 2016 has blossomed into a longstanding partnership, with Pahang players Nur Thahira Tasnim and Norita Abdul Latiff returning to the same venue on Sunday to win the women’s doubles title.

The pair first crossed paths in Santubong when Tasnim was involved in preparations for the 2016 Games, while Norita was already competing in the petanque scene.

Almost a decade later, they returned to the venue as teammates and emerged as champions at the 18th Sri Santubong Open Doubles Petanque Championship, running from Oct 3 to 4 at Nurir Rahmani Mosque Petanque Arena and SMK Santubong.

For Tasnim, who has been playing petanque for around 16 to 17 years, it was her first appearance in the Seri Santubong Open despite having visited Sarawak several times before.

“I have come to Sarawak many times, but this is my first time taking part in this open tournament.

“And for me, it is very lively. The atmosphere here is very lively and the reception has been great, with so many people here,” she told Sarawak Tribune.

Norita, meanwhile, has been playing since 2002 and is no stranger to Santubong, having competed there before.

But her relationship with Tasnim goes beyond simply being teammates.

Known as ‘Ibu Angah’ among fellow petanque players, Norita said she had looked after Tasnim from 2018 when she served as manager of the Pahang SUKMA team.

“She is like my daughter. From 2018 until now, whenever we take part in competitions outside Pahang, I am usually with Tasnim”, she said.

Tasnim recalled that their first meeting came during preparations for SUKMA Sarawak 2016, when she was involved in the pre-SUKMA programme at Santubong.

That first encounter eventually developed into a partnership that has continued well beyond the Games.

For Norita, who started playing petanque in 2002, the journey has seen her take on different roles alongside Tasnim, from manager and mentor to regular competition partner.

And their return to Santubong has now produced perhaps their most fitting chapter yet.

Ten years after first meeting at the venue, the pair left with the women’s doubles title, adding a championship to a partnership that began on the same grounds.