SHAH ALAM, Sept 16 — While much of Malaysia went about its usual routine, 19-year-old horseback archer Haddif Hamidi was thousands of kilometres away, carrying the Jalur Gemilang at the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 6.
Few back home may have known about his sport, but for the young athlete, the competition represented something far bigger than a place on the international stage — it was the moment a dream he had pursued finally came to life.
“Competing at the World Nomad Games has been my goal (since I started the sport),” he told Media Selangor in an interview at Amazing Stable, Batang Kali, on September 11.
Unlike conventional archery, horseback archery requires an extraordinary combination of equestrianism, balance and precision. Athletes must gallop at full speed along a 100m track, firing three arrows in just six to seven seconds across three separate runs.
Adding to the challenge, the horses are assigned by draw at the venue on the day of the competition, leaving no time for the athletes to become familiar with their steeds.
“Right after drawing lots, the event starts, so it really depends on our skill and how well we can bond with the horse. If we can bond, thank God. If not, it’s okay,” Haddif said, adding that while dealing with unpredictable horses is difficult, the recent World Nomad Games presented even bigger tests.
A freezing downpour brought temperature down to 9ºC and left his hands numb, he lost his spectacles during his first run, and missed the mandatory horse test session the day before as his assigned horse was absent.
Despite these issues, Haddif refused to give up. He eventually finished in ninth place out of 74 athletes at the Games.
“I view every situation as a valuable experience and learning lesson,” he said.
Humble beginnings
The second of three siblings, Haddif’s journey into the sport began far from the international arena.
Coming from a family passionate about reviving traditional sunnah sports, he was first introduced to archery around 2022 and later took up horse riding as his interest grew.
Around the same period, the COVID-19 pandemic brought his mother’s travel agency to a standstill, prompting his family to shift their focus towards establishing the Maahad Tahfiz Sahabat Quran Malaysia and the Al Abthal Equestrian Archery.
“When COVID-19 hit, I started with just archery, then slowly moved to horse riding. When I turned 16, that was when I started combining both sports,” he said.
With just two horses and no professional tracks available for training, Haddif faced an uphill battle. He had to balance his studies with rigorous training, while funding his early ambitions out of pocket by renting external stables whenever a competition approached.
That perseverance eventually paid off, with Haddif going on to represent Malaysia at major international events.
He secured silver in the Senior Tower 90 at the Open Gauchoux 2025 in France and finished among the top seven in the same format at the International Horseback Archery Master Tournament 2025.
Today, Haddif has also taken up coaching, passing on his knowledge of the niche sport to more people.
Greater support, recognition
Representing Malaysia on the international stage has come with a heavy financial burden. For much of his journey, Haddif and his family have had to bear most of the expenses.
“Throughout all the competitions I've attended, my family managed everything from flights to accommodation. We also did some fundraising, and some relatives helped out as well,” he added.
While the support has helped him pursue his ambitions, Haddif knows relying on personal funds alone is not sustainable as he has his sights set on more elite international competitions.
Beyond sponsorships, he said simple visibility and institutional recognition are crucial first steps for the sport’s growth.
“I hope that after this, there will be more support. I’m not asking for much; just support in terms of media (coverage) and for people to start recognising us. Maybe then, more brands or people might want to sponsor us.”
He also expressed hope that sports bodies like the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) would provide greater support for athletes competing in less popular sports.
“Maybe with sponsorship from KBS, we can achieve more victories, because I am confident Malaysia has many (horseback archers) with great potential,” Haddif said.
