KUALA LUMPUR – National paragliding athlete Muhammad Nurniqmat Ruslan tragically died during a training session at Hua Hin beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand on Friday.
Nurniqmat, 31, fell into the sea during a paragliding training session and despite rescue attempts by friends, including fellow athlete Rafiee Aziz, strong currents hindered their efforts, and Nurniqmat was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Hua Hin, Bernama reported.
A funeral prayer was also held at a mosque in Hua Hin before his body was transferred to the Darul Abideen Mosque Islamic Cemetery in Bangkok, where he was laid to rest at 6pm local time yesterday.
The death of the national athlete has deeply affected his family, friends, and the Malaysian sports community as he was a dedicated sportsman, having qualified for prestigious events such as the pre-World Cup Paragliding competition in India this February and the Asian Championship in Kazakhstan this May.
Rafiee, 48, who was present during the incident, described Nurniqmat as a talented athlete and shared that the weather conditions at the time of the accident seemed favourable before the tragedy struck.
Nurniqmat’s father, Ruslan Mehat, 64, shared emotional recollections of his son.
“My son had just given me and his mother some money for our Umrah pilgrimage. I never thought it would be his last gift to us,” he told Bernama.
Ruslan expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, which facilitated the body’s transfer from Hua Hin to Bangkok.
He also revealed that Nurniqmat, who worked as a technical support engineer at an IBM factory, had undergone a kidney transplant two years ago, with Ruslan himself as the organ donor.
“Nurniqmat was very happy after receiving the kidney and was often grateful that the organ I donated was a perfect match for his body,” Ruslan added, his voice breaking with emotion.
He also leaves behind his older sister, Nurliyana Farhah Ruslan, who is a staff member at Bernama Radio. – January 5, 2025