Wearing Malaysia’s colours a dream come true for chess player Tan Wei Hao

SHAH ALAM – For every Malaysian athlete, donning the national colours is more than a mere formality; it is the ultimate symbol that years of sacrifice, discipline and belief have finally been recognised.

For Malaysian chess player Tan Wei Hao, that moment was realised when he saw his name listed for the SEA Games squad.

“To be honest, I have only cried twice in my life. The first was when I passed my bar exams to become a lawyer. The second was when I saw my name on that list," he said on Sinar Daily’s Sports Matters podcast.

The selection marks Tan’s first-ever call-up to represent Malaysia at the SEA Games, a dream he has harboured since his school days, inspired by watching national sporting icons proudly wear the Jalur Gemilang on the international stage.

“This is my first time. Since secondary school, it has always been my dream to wear the SEA Games jacket.

“Every time we see players like Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei wearing the Malaysia shirt, it makes you hope that one day, you can get one too," he added.

That dream, however, was hard-won. Two years ago, Tan narrowly missed out on selection, a disappointment that could have ended his pursuit.

Instead, the setback sharpened his resolve when the opportunity arose again this year.

“Two years ago, I missed that opportunity. This year, they opened the selection again. I am getting older and I know my time is limited, so this chance really mattered to me," he said.

Balancing a professional legal career with elite chess training demanded sacrifices that often go unseen. After long working hours, Tan would return home not to rest, but to prepare for the board.

“After work, I would go back and train until 11 at night. No social life, nothing. Just constant training, waiting for that one opportunity.

“When the selection was confirmed, it felt as though everything finally made sense. All my hard work over so many months had paid off. Imagine if I hadn’t been selected; an entire year of training would have essentially gone down the drain," he added.

For Tan, wearing the national jersey represents more than personal glory; it is a profound responsibility to the future of Malaysian chess.