KUALA LUMPUR – One mother’s love for her son knows no boundaries, as she will always be ready and willing to sacrifice anything to see her son succeed in life.
54-year-old Monique Boone, who hails from Zeist in the Netherlands, travelled 10,166 km to Kuala Lumpur and gave up her busy work schedule just to support her son, Casper Berkman, who plays for the Jong Oranje at the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup, which started earlier this week with games played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Speaking to Scoop, Monique said that she is happy to see her son following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John Berkman, who used to play as a right winger for the Dutch team in the 1950s.
“At first, I considered watching my son play online because it’s challenging for me to take a leave due to my busy job as an educator.
“However, it’s December, and it’s a very important month of the year as parents will always spend time with their children in the Netherlands. So, I decided to sacrifice my work commitments and booked a flight with a few friends to be with my son.
“I am extremely proud of my son, it was not easy for him to make it into the Dutch team, given its competitiveness.
“There is potential for him to reach even greater heights, and being at this stage is a significant achievement, serving as a stepping stone for him,” said Monique.
She said that the Dutch squad, including her son, is performing well in the Junior World Cup, despite the challenging weather conditions in Malaysia, which contrasts with the colder climate they are accustomed to in the Netherlands.
Monique also said that she enjoys the atmosphere of the world cup and appreciates the hospitality of the Malaysian people.
“The world cup atmosphere is fantastic, and I feel very welcomed. The infrastructure of the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium is impressive and much larger than what we are used to in the Netherlands.
“Kuala Lumpur is a lovely city, and I genuinely like the Malaysian people for their friendliness and hospitality. I am enjoying my time here, and the local food is delicious.
“Besides myself, there are also several parents who are here with me, and we will be going to Genting Highlands during our team break,” Monique added.
Including Monique, a total of 40 fans have travelled from the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur to watch Jong Oranje play in the 13th edition of the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup.
Casper Berkman plays as a left-back for the reigning European champions, who won the title after defeating Germany 3-1 in the final in Ghent, Belgium last year.
Jong Oranje booked their berth in the quarterfinals of the Junior World Cup by defeating New Zealand 3-1 in their final Group D match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today. – December 10, 2023
