‘Pulot boy’ now Sulu’s tennis ace

Levi Verora

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Radymar Awaluddin was once a "pulot boy" in Sulu. Now, he's one of the region's brightest bets to win in the Palaro.

TENNIS ACE. After being a "pulot boy" in Sulu, Radymar is now one of the ARMM's tennis aces. Photo by Rappler/Levi Verora.

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — After a dismal campaign in Lingayen last year, the contingent from Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will look once again to their tennis team to salvage a decent result in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa here.

One of ARMM’s seven medals in 2012 came from their racket team as their boys placed third in the elementary division. For Palaro rookie Radymar Awaluddin however, just being in Dumaguete is already an achievement after the colossal obstacles he had to overcome back home.

Out of necessity

Awaluddin’s love for the sport started two years ago not as a form of leisure, but out of necessity. Born in a poverty-stricken community, the 12-year-old Sulu boy had to find a way to help his parents to sustain their needs.

And he found the answer not in the fish markets along the coast or in the fields of his hometown, but in the tennis courts as a “pulot boy,” or a ball boy.

Juggling his time between studies, finding a way to help his family, and tennis, was a daunting task for the then fourth-grader. But while he was busy chasing balls, he also observed the players and how they moved with the racket.

Awaluddin earned 20 pesos per tennis match — already a big lift for his poor family — when he decided to try the sport himself. Before he knew it, he became a local hero when he started to compete for his school and in small tournaments.

Months went by and the tennis ace continued to improve so fast that his mother insisted he should go on with his tennis career. Awaluddin rigorously trained all year long, every single day, either before or after his classes. His hardwork eventually paid off as he qualified in this year’s biggest sporting affair: the Palarong Pambansa.

BACK FOR MORE. Radymar and his teammates, who won bronze in 2012, are looking to give ARMM tennis medals. Photo by Rappler/Levi Verora.

‘For the family’

The young Awaluddin dedicates his Palaro 2013 campaign to his family.

The eldest of three children, he felt the need to assist his mother, who works as a teacher in Sitangkay, Tawi-Tawi, and his father, who is a security guard in Sulu, for them to survive their daily struggles in life.

Throughout his games in Sulu, he was able to earn more than Php 2,000 for his parents for winning local tournaments.

Joining Awaluddin are returnees Amin Macaraob and Hamad Abdul Latep, the bronze medalists from last year. Like Radymar, Amin and Hamad chose tennis over other sports because they believe the sport could take them to many places.

“Tennis club presidents organize tennis cups and invite children from all over the region,” said Macaraob. He added, athletes join by paying a registration fee of Php 100 to get a chance to win up to Php 1,000. 

The three athletes know they are at a disadvatage compared to other contenders.

“We improvise our tennis rackets, and it is much heavier than those that can be bought from the stores,” Macaraob added. Their rackets are handmade from wood and other natural materials.

Aside from the setbacks in equipment, the team said they receive only minimal support and have to use their own money for practice.

Despite the flaws, the ARMM elementary boys tennis team seeks a podium finish this year. For Radymar, winning the gold is only a bonus. The victory he seeks is lifting his family’s spirits and giving them a helping hand. – Rappler.com

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