MIRI: Jack Ho is all geared up for the upcoming 2009 Australian University Games in the Gold Coast from Sept 27 to Oct 2.

The student of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus aims to bring sporting glory not only to the university but also Sarawak and Malaysia.

He will be a member of Curtin University’s cycling team at the Games and as one of Malaysia’s top triathletes, is confident of a strong showing on the back of a winning streak of late.

In his most recent international event, the inaugural Xterra Malaysia Kuantan Off-Road Triathlon 2009 on June 6, he placed second in the 20 to 24 years old male category.

His feat has secured him a spot in the 2009 Xterra World Championship in Maui, Hawaii, in October.

Before this, he finished top in a string of local and regional events, such as the Port Dickson International Triathlon, OSIM Singapore International Triathlon ITU Asian Championship, Xterra Japan Triathlon and Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU WC Series.

He has been keeping to a rigorous training regimen and will spend a month’s intensive training with his teammates in Perth ahead of the Games.

Indeed, Ho has his work cut out for him in the coming months. Immediately after the Australian University Games, he will jump straight into the Dextro Energy ITU Triathlon World Championship, also in the Gold Coast, before heading to Hawaii. However, as a dedicated athlete, he revels in competitions.

“It takes a lot of passion, perseverance and self-belief to get through the challenging times but nothing is impossible once you set your mind to it,” he said.

Ho is an old hand when it comes to sports. He developed a strong interest at a very young age, has been competing in sports since 15, and professionally in the triathlon since 2006.

At 24, he thinks the time is right to compete at the highest levels such as international triathlons, world championships and perhaps even the Olympics.

“I’m fulfilling my dream of being a world-class triathlete. For me, it’s not a hobby, it’s a career,” he added.

According to Curtin Sarawak’s pro vice chancellor, Dr John Evans, the university is most honoured that Ho has been selected for the Curtin team.

“It means a lot to us. I’m sure he will do us proud. We also hope his achievements will be an inspiration to other Curtin Sarawak students to excel both in sports and studies,” Dr Evans said.

He added that being a relatively new university of just 10 years, Curtin Sarawak has yet to fully develop its sports talents but with its inclusion in Australia’s Elite Athlete Friendly University Programme (EAFU) as part of Curtin University, it is only a matter of time before it has a thriving sports fraternity on its campus in Miri.

The annual Australian University Games features teams from a large number of tertiary institutions.

Since its inception in 1993, it has grown to be Australia’s largest multi-sport event and the flagship event on the university’s sporting calendar, attracting over 6,000 competitors each year.

The EAFU, meanwhile, is an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission. Curtin University became part of the EAFU in 2004, and through its Elite Athlete Programme, helps athletes balance their sports and study commitments.

It also promotes Curtin to prospective student athletes, giving them the opportunity to achieve academic and sporting excellence.

Being a branch campus of Curtin University, Curtin Sarawak is eligible to enrol its student athletes in Curtin’s Elite Athlete Programme and the EAFU. Athletes must be enrolled students and competing nationally or internationally in their chosen sport.

Ho is now into his fourth semester of the diploma of business programme at Curtin Sarawak, and how does he balance his sports and study commitments?

“Self-discipline and good time management are crucial as I have to train full time yet have classes to attend.

“It’s certainly not easy but I’ve managed well so far. For instance, I would complete my assignments in advance to accommodate my training and I would schedule my training sessions in between lectures or at the end of each day.

“Being in Curtin’s Elite Athlete Programme will also help. For example, exams can be taken off campus or at an alternative time due to my sporting commitments. That will help me meet both my academic and sports commitments,” he said.

Curtin, through its Elite Athlete Programme, aims to help students by facilitating flexibility in their course of study and providing support to ensure athletes complete all components of their academic studies as well as their sporting commitments.

Ho’s long-term goal is to qualify as a financial analyst as he has a deep interest in finance in addition to sports.

In the meantime, he will continue pursuing his dream of becoming a world-class triathlete, at the same time, completing his current course at Curtin Sarawak.

He looks forward to progressing to a business degree programme at the university, and possibly enrolling for post-graduate studies later.