BLOG VERSION
IT has been a while since Malaysian sports had multiple success in
the international arena, all at one go.
Last weekend was special with great news of
achievements in athletics, badminton, hockey, golf, squash and water-ski.
In South Africa, Olympian Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli rewrote the
24-year women’s 100m record after her 11.45s time erased the previous record of
11.50s set by G. Shanti in 1993.
Zaidatul also went on to set a personal best timing of 23.80s in
the 200m.
In Canberra, another Olympian, high jumper
Nauraj Singh Randhawa, national record holder (2.29m) won the Canberra Grand
Prix with a clearance of 2.25m.
In badminton Lee Chong Wei won his fourth
All-England title defeating China’s Shi Yuqi, while Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu
Ying, became the first Malaysian pair to reach the mixed doubles final, only to
settle for the runners-up spot losing to China’s lu Kai and Huag Yaqiong.
In hockey, the men’s team won the World League
Round Two top honours by beating China after penalty shoot-out in Dhaka and
qualified for the World League semi-finals to vie for a place for the World Cup
in India.
In golf, 23-year-old Gavin Kyle Green has
emerged as the national No 1 dethroning Danny Chia after his runner-up finish
at the Indian Open and also the highest-ranked Malaysian on the Official World
Ranking (OWGR), climbing from No 365 to a career best of 234.
In squash, Nicol David the former world No 1
currently No 7, bagged the Ciudad de Floridablanca Open title (her 81st
title from the Professional Squash Association –PSA) in Colombia, to end her
18-month title drought.
In water-ski, in Melbourne at the prestigious Junior
Moomba at the Yarra River, talented Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah won a bronze medal in the tricks event against a world class field.
Reigning
world champion Anna Gay of the United States topped the competition with 10,220
while Canada’s Neilly Ross, the world meet runner-up was second with 8,450.
It is Aaliyah’s third medal at the Junior Moomba. She was a silver
medallist in 2014 and 2015. She was 4th in
2016.
With Anna
ineligible next year and Neilly turning 17 next year, Aaliyah’s turn to win the
Junior Moomba is surely not far from now.
She has
another four more Junior Moomba to compete in.
Certainly
achievements which is a great boost for all sports and a shot in the arm with
the KL Sea Games in August.
Indeed, a
welcome scenario for Malaysian sports which have been bombarded with more
brickbats than accolades in recent times.
However, Olympic
Council of Malaysia president, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tunaku Jaafar, rightly
pointed out on Tuesday after the Council’s executive monthly meeting, that all
results did not happen overnight or by a stroke of luck.
“It is
indeed a grand week for Malaysian sports with so many remarkable achievements
from several sports all at the same time,” he said.
“It
certainly augurs well for the future of Malaysia sports and other sports
associations should take the cue to emulate the success of these successful
associations.
“It must be
underlined that the success did not derive from thin air. Both athletes and
association had put in lot of work to achieve the results.”
However,
Tunku Imran cautioned NSAs and athletes not to rest on the laurels and be
satisfied with initial success.
“Everyone
must continue to work hard with long term goals and at the same time emphasis
on grassroots development to ensure we have a steady flow athletes coming
through for the future.”
Indeed a
timely reminder because it has become a habit to bloat over any little success
and soon lose focus and the ultimate goal.
Yes, all
associations and athletes who have brought success over the weekend should be
applauded and given a pat on the back without e going overbroad.
All have to
view and analyse the success in the right perspective.
Success at
the Sea Games is important especially since it is held on home soil, but it
should serve as the stepping block for bigger achievement at the international
arena.
We cannot be
just contended with emerging overall champions at the KL Games.
For
instance, Chong Wei has a mission to win the World Championship title for the
first time, the hockey team has to qualify for the World Cup, the athletes
should be looking at excelling at the Asian Track and Field championship, Gavin
should continue to soar to greater heights, Nicol should strive to use her
victory to beat higher ranked opponents, while teenage skiing sensation should
aim for the sky.
But at the
same time, both associations, coaches and media, should not be quick to write
off potential athletes and athletes who are going through a bad spell.
It is never
rosy when one is at the top or having achieved results. There will be many challenges,
temptations and many a hurdle to clear.
The athletes
should be given encouragement, moral support, expert guidance and training to
get them to perform at their peak.
Take for
example Olympian divers Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri who are going
through some bad spell and fighting hard to bounce back.
There are
already critics and on the verge to write them off.
It was the
same with Nicol, but her steely character has seen her bounce back.
Chong Wei
also faced the same situation after his knee injury last month.
Both Nicol
and Chong Wei were questioned if they were going to retire.
,
Today, as
they have gone on to win titles, everyone is singing praises.
Let us treat
our athletes with better dignity and respect.
We all want
to see our Malaysian sportsmen and women achieve the best results, but let us
support them in good times and bad times.
After all
they are human.
Athletes
themselves, owe it to the Malaysian fans and their sports to give their best
each time they go onto the arena and not short change them.
Sport
governors too should be fair to sports associations and athletes.
There should
be better evaluation of sports and athletes with the next Asian and Olympics
Games in mind.
Athletes who
have the potential to rise to the occasion in two or four years or even beyond,
should be given opportunities to get the best training facilities, coaching and
exposure.
We cannot be
just looking at athletes who have won medals to be in programmes like the Podium or Kita Juara, if we are looking at long term results.
It is really
puzzling that Malaysian hockey which is world class ranked team and have a
proven track record, is not in the Podium programme.
Let us all use
last week’s achievements by several sports as a further launching pad to
further excellence and putting Malaysia among the nations to be noted in the Asian
and world sporting map.
TONY
is a sports
journalist
with close to
four
decades’ experience
and
is passionate about
local
sports.
He
can be reached at
tmariadass@gmail.com
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