If there is a will, there is a way to the top
Discipline, passion and patriotism are three factors for China’s amazing hosting and performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games, which began with the official opening ceremony last Saturday.
These are three factors, which if emulated by Malaysian citizens and sportsmen and women alike, which can propel Malaysian to greater heights.
Not that Malaysians do not have the three qualities, but definitely not in the same degree as the Chinese.
Be it Chinese athletes or their citizens, their commitment towards their nation’s success is unquestionable and at the highest level.
China are targeting a record 200 gold medal from 61 disciplines, 40 sports from the 481 gold medals at stake. A total of 12,400 athletes from 45 nations are competing in Hangzhou.
The host came close to the 200 mark the last time they hosted the Games in Guangzhou in 2010, when they won 199 gold medals.
Surely a target which looks like they are on the road to achieve.
China have won a whopping 1,473 gold, 994 silver and 72 bronze since they made their debut in 1974 – competing in 12 out of 19 editions since 1954.
Malaysia on the other hand, who has competed in every Asian Games since making its debut in 1954 competing as Malaya between 1954 and 1962.
Bowling and squash have provided Malaysia with its most gold medals. In 2014 bowler Shalin Zulkifli became the first Malaysian athlete to win eight career medals at the Asian Games, including four gold, while star squash player Nicol David is the most successful Malaysian at the Games with seven gold medals.
Both David and Zulkifli won their ninth Asian Games medal in 2018 and also became the first Malaysians to compete at six editions of the Games in Indonesia.
Athletics and badminton have also proved to be lucrative sports for Malaysia over the years. Sprinter Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan and badminton player Boon Bee Ng have won more medals than any other male Malaysian athlete.
Between 1962 and 1966 Jegathesan won four gold, two silver and one bronze medal, including the sprint treble of victories in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m in 1966, while Bee Ng claimed four gold, one silver and two bronze from 1962 to 1970.
At the 2018 Games in Indonesia, the NOC posted its third-best performance with seven gold among 36 total medals.
Malaysia has won a total of 63 gold, 101 silver, 148 bronze medals for a total of 312 in 18 editions.
Malaysia has a population of 32.37 million.
Esports made it’s debut in Hangzhou, and China won a gold medal already.
That is China. They mean business and once it is an official sports at a Games, they go all out win gold medals.
Basically, it is the discipline, determination and dedication of the athletes and the kind of strict training which see them achieve.
The athletes are not pampered and have to undergo long hours and rigorous training, without any complaints and having to make numerous personal sacrifices. The athletes shed, sweat, tears and even blood to achieve their goals.
Of course their huge population of 1.425,672,352 equvilant to 17.72 percent total world population, gives them a huge base to select their athletes from.
But then again, a huge base is no guarantee to success, without proper development programmes from a young age, proper coaching, sacrifices, the discipline and determination of the athletes and the desire to bring honour to their nation.
It is no different in China’s effort to make this Asian Games Zero-waste Games.
It required the discipline and support of their citizens, who toed the line to adhere to all requirements to keep the city spin and span.
Zero-waste Asian Games refers to the minimisation of solid waste, the maximisation of supplies, utility and the 100% environmental disposal of materials during the application, organisation and process of the largest comprehensive Asian Games.
Central Hangzhou’s plans to reduce carbon emissions is the use of green electricity and cutting-edge technologies fitted in perfectly for the host to deliver the first carbon-neutral Asian Games.
Asian Games family and visitors were greeted to vehicles, including scooters and motorcycles, which were moving silently utilising electricity, was indeed a welcoming sight.
China as the inventor of fireworks, doing away with the traditional fireworks display at the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games and replacing them a digital light show, without taking away any glamour witnessed at opening ceremonies, was indeed commendable.
The giant digital Torchbearer who joined Olympic gold medallist Wang Shun to light the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, marked that fireworks was a thing of the past.
The Opening Ceremony saw heavy technology used to mesmerise the crowd at the Stadium and those watching on television. Several special effects like the ‘digital fireworks’ was not visible to the spectators at the stadium, except seeing it on the big screen at the stadium.
It was sheer discipline and determination to deliver an unique experience, which saw it become a reality.
Without doubt, a very commendable act by the people of China, to showcase to the world what they are capable of.
If only the people and athletes of Malaysia can emulate what the Chinese have displayed, we will definitely be moving to higher grounds.
Yes, Malaysia is a diversified nation with several races and culture, but when we can live harmoniously respecting each others believes and culture, surely we can work together to make our nation better, while the athletes can strive even harder and making sacrifices to bring honour to our nation.
