The thing about being a coach or instructor is you gotta be ready to not receive any recognition or praise. Others may get it instead. It shouldn't matter to you. Of course, as a human being, we crave recognition for our efforts but when we choose to coach, we have surrendered to anonymity.

Who personally coached Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi when they first started out? Who was Muhammad Ali's trainer? Indeed, we honour our sporting icons but less so our coaches and instructors.

I have always been ready to move away from the spotlight. There have been several times in the past where I purposely moved away from my athletes especially when they won or achieved something. Part of it is to not take the spotlight and glory from them in any way. Another, to see if they truly appreciate my help and seek me out to thank me.

So although it was not a competition or anything, no one knew it was 100% my efforts and ideas to prepare the kiddos for that performance. But of course, the parents get all the glory.

I'm not really upset. This is more like an observation for me. A reminder.

I love coaching silat. May I never get bored from it. But I gotta harden my heart even more when others get the accolades that I truly deserve.