First time in a National Team - Asia Nation Cup 2026 Taipei

Most of you are not going to believe this. In my high school years, I was in the state champion team for chess and 3rd in table tennis. But never in my wildest dreams would I thought I could one day be in on a national team for any sport. 

While in most parts of the world, poker is recognized as a sport and as a respectable career path, unfortunately where I am from it is not seen in that light. I have made it a life mission to spread the positives of the game and industry, to build a community of respectful players, to bring the world of poker to my country, and my country to the world of poker. This week our team won the Asia Nation Cup 2026 and in my opinion was a milestone in the history of Malaysian poker. 

I am not going to go into too much detail about how we won, but it was dramatic to say the least. Joint 1st after day 1 and 2nd after day 2 of the round robin, we entered the final four and behind a talented Taiwanese team by 13 points after round 1. We pulled back to be within a point after round 2 and ended up 12 points clear by the last round. I am not only proud of how our team played and contributed, but even more so of how they conducted themselves, admirably represented our country with poise and class. Unfortunately in the heat of battle, some players from other teams resorted to angle shooting and some even using vulgarities on the table, as if no one else understood Cantonese. 

However most other teams were professional, friendly and respectful, especially our fellow finalist countries Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. Although we were divided by our flags, we were united by our love of poker. No one enjoys defeat, but how you react to one is the difference between champ and chump. I have only love and respect for them. It was fun reconnecting with old friends/adversaries and making new ones. 

I hope we brought pride, joy and inspiration to others, and paved the way for future national teams, showing them an example of how not just to win on the tables, but to win hearts. 

PS: Special thanks to people and organizations that made this happen. IMSA, WPF, APSA and MPF.