Raya Interview With FoRza

October 15, 2007 by Chapree

While majority of us are happily celebrating Hari Raya with our families, some of us have to celebrate far away from hometown due to responsibility at hands. That is exactly how Sophian “FoRza” Shahirul Raya celebration for this year. He is part of KL Taufan, our national team at Championship Gaming Series Pan-Asian Finals.

I heart my new baju raya says FoRza a.k.a Mario. Credit: TheCGS.com

Since the Pan-Asian Finals starts on 2nd Hari Raya, he have no choice but not to go back to his hometown in Sabah due to lack of time. Instead of emo-ing over his fate, he is busy practicing with his partner in crime, Luige.

I managed to catch him on Raya eve while he was having a break from practice. Read the excerpt after the break.

Chapree:
Where you at now, bro?

FoRza:
At Bun’s (Malaysian GM) office right now, training together with the rest of Team KL.

Chapree: Say my hi to them!

FoRza:
Guys, Chapree says hi!!

Team KL: HI CHAPREEEEE~bleh bzzz bzzz (inaudible noise - are they drunk or something? LOL)

Chapree:
LOLZ, hi guys! Back to the show, how’s your preparations for Pan-Asian Finals?

FoRza:
It’s quite good…for 2 weeks worth of training. LOL!

Chapree:
No problem transitioning from NFS to PGR?

FoRza: Well, there were some tiny-tiny problem. It’s expected, you know, changing from arcade to simulation style of play and for Luige, he have to get himself used to gamepads after using keyboards for the longest time. The cornering method is different, the handling is different but yeah, we managed it well I guess.

Chapree:
Speaking about Luige, how is your partnership with him going?

FoRza:
Its been really good. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. He cover me more than I cover him during practice and of course, this fella got natural talent in games, so it is pretty awesome.

Chapree:
Good to hear that. How about the rest of Team KL preparations?

FoRza:
Hmm, let’s see…FIFA preparations is fantastic. Some [W|nDs] members are here to help out Loon. For the rest of us, we having some problem to find players to practice with. The CS team are currently playing with Fusion and few more teams online. DoA are doing ok as well, got few people practicing with KL’s rep. For PGR, me and Luige just practice as hard as we could with each other.

Chapree:
Do you think your previous visa problem is a blessing in disguise? You know, since now you get to represent our country again?

FoRza:
Yes, but my morale was affected pretty badly by the incident. I hope I could do well at Pan-Asian so that my morale will be up again.

Chapree:
Pretty tough cookie there. Enough about CGS, let’s talk about Raya! This is your second time celebrating Hari Raya without your family around, right?

FoRza:
Correct, last year I have to celebrate Raya in KL since I was competing at WCG Grand Finals in Monza, Italy. The flight back reached Malaysia on the first day of Raya.

Chapree:
How does it feel this time around?

FoRza:
It felt the same. I missed my family and my mummy obviously (EMO!). But at least, I’m not in oversea like last year so I still can feel the celebration. Despite the Raya mood, my main focus is still to help KL get Top 4 in Pan-Asian.

Chapree:
Haih, I’m so kesian with you, bro. Ok then, it’s time to wrap up this interview. Any Raya wishes to people out there?

FoRza:
Got got…To my mummy, I’m sorry I didn’t go back for Raya in 2 years. If there’s time and AirAsia ticket availablity, god willing, I’ll come home next month. Doesn’t matter for 1-2 days but as long as I can see you and the rest of the family.

Of course to all Malaysians especially to all my friends, Selamat Hari Raya and wish us luck for the upcoming event. Not to forget…hi Jessica!

Chapree:
Hmm, who is this Jessica *wink wink*…well, that’s all from me. Good luck to you and the rest of the team. Selamat Hari Raya! Duit raya lai lai lai lai!

FoRza:
Hahahahah, you wish la duit raya! Selamat Hari Raya to you too!

Posted in Championship Gaming Series, Events, Interviews, Microsoft, PC