Thanks Eric Foo for posting this article into our forum. Thank You Ariel Chew for coming to WCA to make help us out to spread the paintball awareness to people out there.
An Extreme Sport of the Colourful Kind
Words by Ariel Chew
Extreme, you say?
Some people say that paintball can cause massive injuries if the safety rules are not obeyed. Others say that the marker is actually a gun in disguise and therefore, could be deemed as a weapon.
But I have another theory why paintball is considered an extreme sport.
See, no one who has played paintball before can feel neutral about it. There are no two ways about it - paintball generates emotions to the extreme. Either they love it so much that they are addicted to it or they get totally freaked out by memories of being shot at or having to breathe through a suffocating foggy mask.
Does it hurt?
The fear is real. Tons of people have great concern over the amount of pain incurred should a paint pellet hit them. “It’s a frequent question among the first-timers who come to my centre. They would ask me if it would hurt badly,” said Gabrielle Sheila Sunam, the 28-year old operator of Kota Kinabalu Paintball Centre. “I would tell them to go ahead, play a game and experience getting hit themselves. If they can take the pain, good. If the pain’s too much for them, then they are free to stop after a game.”
“Of course it hurts!” chuckled 40-year old Garry Husband, one of the head referees of the recent Paintball World Cup Asia Series held in Xtion Paintball Park, Bukit Jalil. Which was why most of the referees were clad in at least two layers of jersey, despite the hot weather. Being protected from injuries by their clothing frees them to concentrate fully in refereeing the game instead of trying to duck away from the painful paint pellets.
“But the pain ceases to matter when the player is gripped by the sheer adrenaline rush of the game.” The English man also fondly known as Jabba the Hut proceeded to show me a round scar on the side of his neck. The scar had been there for years and years and was just one of many. The other referees also have their own battle scars, but it was the least of their concerns.
“You need to have guts to play paintball,” stressed Kamarulzaman, a 24-year old referee.
By the time a player qualifies for a tournament, the aches and pains of paintball are but a distant and forgotten fear. They are hooked to paintball because they like competition, movement, strategy and improving their skills.
Garry, who has been involved in paintball since 1986 had this to add, “It takes a certain type of person to be a paintball player. It also takes a particular type of person to be a marshal or referee. The player gets rewarded by the adrenaline rush and sense of victory when they win a game. The referee, however, has to get their kicks by some other means.”
A passion to ensure fair play and seeing the rules of the game being adhered to are the things that keeps him motivated to referee paintball tournaments all over the world. “I also love the fact that I make many new friends every tournament I go to. And to me, there’s nothing more fun than paintball, even twenty two years down the road!”
The referees of Paintball World Cup Asia 2008
Malaysia, the Paintball Hub of Asia Pacific
The history of paintball in Malaysia began barely 8 years ago when the first paintball game was held in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. The paintball fever only started gaining momentum from 2006 onwards when the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Tourism Ministry took an interest in the sport and promoted it to the masses. Thereafter paintball fields and teams started growing like mushrooms after the rain.
“Even though Malaysia is at its infancy stage in paintball (as compared to countries like United States of America and Europe that have about 20 years of head start), the Malaysian teams have quickly acquired the experience and skills to compete internationally”, said Raja Khairul of Skirmish Paintball Asia, the main sponsor for WCA 2008. Such was the glowing feedback received from the other international teams he met while competing in tournaments worldwide.
Skirmish Paintball Asia has implemented a few strategies to promote paintball in the country such as dropping the price of their products to 50% - 60% of their original price. “We want to create a greater awareness for this sport and to make it affordable for everyone to play,” said TC Gan, co-founder of Skirmish Paintball Asia.
Add year-long sunny weather, great infrastructure and ample land for playing fields to the equation, it is no wonder that Malaysia is the leading paintball hub for Asia Pacific and venue for the Paintball World Cup Asia (WCA) tournaments.
Started in 2006, the championship is the third in the series and is rapidly gaining popularity and participation from various parts of Asia and even Europe. The excitement was thick and palpable at the tournment which took place last weekend at Xtion Paintball Park, Bukit Jalil.
“Yeah phew, it’s definitely hot here but we love it!” said the cheerful members of WASP from Australia who were one of the participants of WCA 2008.
The Australian WASP team
Scenes from WCA 2008
Girls Wanna Have Fun, Too
Paintball is one game where girls get equal footing with guys. It’s not a sport that celebrates pure brawns and brutal strength. All you need is to be a team player, have good reflexes and be nimble on your feet.
Mahira, a sweet and petite 16-year old girl hails from Team Warrior. Together with her other guy team members, they won the MY-NPL 2008 Division 3 championship held on 1-2 November in Petaling Jaya.
“I like my team because everyone dares to take risks and try new strategies,” she said with a winsome grin.
When asked if she was treated any differently because she was the only girl in the group, she merely shrugged, “No, they treat every member the same. No special treatment for me at all but that’s fine by me.”
The dainty lass have been playing paintball for the past 2 years. It was a way to release the stress and tension of studying. Like any hardcore paintball player, she was not concerned about scars and pain caused by the sport. “I love having to make split second decisions and thinking on my feet. Although my ambition is to be a doctor, I also dream of being a professional paintball player one day.”
You go, girl.
Age Doesn’t Matter, Really
Young or old, everyone who’s anyone can play paintball. The young ones would prefer the tournament or speedball type of games. These games are typically held in the small confines of a playing field with colourful air inflatable bunkers and are over within 2 to 5 minutes. Being physically fit is a must at speedball.
The older ones (40 and above) normally prefer woodsball (games held in the jungle or larger fields). The bigger field size and typically larger amount of players lead to a longer playing time. This allows for scenario game playing such as ambushes, capturing of forts and protecting VIPs.
Habibah Abdullah, the youthful looking 54 year-old manager of Team Warrior said with twinkling eyes. “Paintball keeps me young at heart. It is fun, keeps me on my toes and gives me a zest for life. Anyone who wants to look and feel young should give paintball a try.”
The woman knows what she’s talking about. Her husband Roselan Yaacob competed in the Paintball World Cup Asia 2008 Division 2 with gusto and he’s 56 years old!
Habibah’s hubby Roselan
Team Warrior
A Healthy Hobby
A year ago, Habibah got involved in paintball for her son’s sake. Hafizil was 14 years old then and wasn’t very good in football or basketball. He loved paintball but was too young to join his older brother’s team. Habibah decided to scout around for players around her son’s age and soon Team Warrior (comprising youths) was birthed.
“I don’t regret my decision to form the team because I see such wonderful changes in each of the members’ lives. They learned how to work as one, how to care for each other and respect their teachers/trainers. They matured a lot in this one year,” said Habibah. “The changes are possible because the youngsters are so teachable and eager to learn.”
She was also grateful for the generous guidance given to her charges by experienced paintball players from other teams especially Killer Bees which is led by her 28-year old son Hafizin.
The unique and vibrant family has 3 paintball teams under one roof – Team Warrior managed Habibah, Team Killer Bees led by her son Hafizin and Team Rimba Bandits led by her hubby Roselan. They also run a paintball field set in a jungle called Kem Isi Rimba.
Looking at them, it’s safe to say that a family that plays paintball together stays together.
Some people shy from playing paintball because it can be a rather costly affair. The paintball marker, mask, paint pellets, rental of playing field and other related gear don’t come cheap. Still, the benefits derived from the sport make it worth every sen. It gets kids out of their stuffy computer rooms into fresh air and sunshine. It provides much-needed exercise and is a great stress reliever to city slickers. Best of all, it teaches discipline, teamwork and good sportsmanship.
So, what are you waiting for? Head for the nearest paintball centre to see if you have what it takes to play some fast ball.
Some Paintball Venues
Xtion Paintball Park
Location: National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil, 57700 Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
Website: http://www.xtionpaintball.com
E-mail: info@xtionpaintball.com
Phone: (Sales): +6(03) 8027 0658, +6(03) 8873 0658, +6(012) 293 0658
Kem Isi Rimba
Camp site: Jalan Kampong Orang Asli, Ulu Kemensah, 68000 Hulu Klang, Selangor
Website: http://www.isirimba.net
E-mail: abanglan@isirimba.net
Phone: +6(017)-280 1952 (Habibah Abdullah)
Kota Kinabalu Paintball Centre
Website: http://www.kkpaintballcentre.com
E-mail: info@kkpaintballcentre.com
Phone: +6(088)-727 445 (KK), +6(03)-3343 0723 (KL), +6(016) 845 9991 (Gabrielle)
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