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Funny this, as I stroll the streets of KL I react with envy and almost feel like crying as I witness what Jamaica could be.... A society that is modeled on our pre independence economics, goverment and private industry. I dont envy the ethnic tensions that simmers under the surface.. Yet we creat artifical divisions...
And here is a retired military man lamenting in anger.. For those who would take this as a good thing.. I would give up all our gold medals to reduce our murder rate to that of Malaysia.... I would give all the silver medals for turning an economy over to that of malaysia..
Ask a fundamental question do any of our sprinters actually train in Jamaica... All or most operate overseas and use our flag...
In fact last week as I watched the Malaysian Super cup, I thought the football clubs should be targeting countries like Malaysia, Japan ot get our talent making money...
Lack of physique is no excuse
LT KOL (RTD) RIZAL ABDULLAH Taiping
March 28:
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WATCHING the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, I couldn’t help but wonder at the awesome power of the Australians and Jamaicans and the consistency of the Kenyans in long-distance running.
The Australians and Jamaicans won almost every race. The Kenyans have, of course, been synonymous with long-distance running for as long as I can remember. It really is a wonder how they have been able to dominate that field for so long.
They seem to have inexhaustible reservoirs of talent and world champions. When one retires, there is always another to replace him.
Not us. We have never found the likes of Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan, M. Dattaya, Ishtiaq Mubarak and Nurherman Majid. Unlike the Kenyans, we have no continuity.
What struck me about the Australian and Jamaican athletes was their physique and sheer determination and will to win. They are world-class in every sporting event in which they take part.
We may argue that they should be, because of their physique, which we Malaysians are generally lacking in. But what about skill, grit and determination? Surely, we, too, can attain those qualities if we have the will to be the best. But alas, some of our athletes are sorely lacking in these qualities.
Our diver, Yeoh Ken Nee, for instance, was in a good position to get a gold medal in the three-metre springboard diving event, but gave up after the second dive due to fever. Where is the grit and determination? That, I believe, is an example of being too manja.
Some of our athletes, though, have shown true grit. Mohamed Shahrulhaizy for instance, in the men’s 50km walk, knew he was a distant last but did not give up and finally finished his race long after the other competitors had gone home and were probably watching him on television!
I believe sports to the Australians is what nasi lemak and teh tarik are to Malaysians. Perhaps when they make a date, they say, "Hi mate! See you tomorrow at the tennis court!"
For us, Malaysians, it is, "Hi friend! See you tomorrow at the mamak stall!"
We must change our mindset on sports. Emulate the Australians, Jamaicans and Kenyans. Lack of physique is no excuse. If we lack brute strength, we can excel in sports requiring skill.
Champions are not made overnight. It requires a lifetime of effort and training. It needs a lifetime of dedication and the participation of parents, teachers, trainers, friends, politicians and administrators.
In short, to train a champion, all Malaysians must play a role. We must cultivate the sport culture in our society. Only then would we be able to sustain our efforts and produce an inexhaustible line of champions like the Kenyans do. Are we there?
And here is a retired military man lamenting in anger.. For those who would take this as a good thing.. I would give up all our gold medals to reduce our murder rate to that of Malaysia.... I would give all the silver medals for turning an economy over to that of malaysia..
Ask a fundamental question do any of our sprinters actually train in Jamaica... All or most operate overseas and use our flag...
In fact last week as I watched the Malaysian Super cup, I thought the football clubs should be targeting countries like Malaysia, Japan ot get our talent making money...
Lack of physique is no excuse
LT KOL (RTD) RIZAL ABDULLAH Taiping
March 28:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WATCHING the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, I couldn’t help but wonder at the awesome power of the Australians and Jamaicans and the consistency of the Kenyans in long-distance running.
The Australians and Jamaicans won almost every race. The Kenyans have, of course, been synonymous with long-distance running for as long as I can remember. It really is a wonder how they have been able to dominate that field for so long.
They seem to have inexhaustible reservoirs of talent and world champions. When one retires, there is always another to replace him.
Not us. We have never found the likes of Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan, M. Dattaya, Ishtiaq Mubarak and Nurherman Majid. Unlike the Kenyans, we have no continuity.
What struck me about the Australian and Jamaican athletes was their physique and sheer determination and will to win. They are world-class in every sporting event in which they take part.
We may argue that they should be, because of their physique, which we Malaysians are generally lacking in. But what about skill, grit and determination? Surely, we, too, can attain those qualities if we have the will to be the best. But alas, some of our athletes are sorely lacking in these qualities.
Our diver, Yeoh Ken Nee, for instance, was in a good position to get a gold medal in the three-metre springboard diving event, but gave up after the second dive due to fever. Where is the grit and determination? That, I believe, is an example of being too manja.
Some of our athletes, though, have shown true grit. Mohamed Shahrulhaizy for instance, in the men’s 50km walk, knew he was a distant last but did not give up and finally finished his race long after the other competitors had gone home and were probably watching him on television!
I believe sports to the Australians is what nasi lemak and teh tarik are to Malaysians. Perhaps when they make a date, they say, "Hi mate! See you tomorrow at the tennis court!"
For us, Malaysians, it is, "Hi friend! See you tomorrow at the mamak stall!"
We must change our mindset on sports. Emulate the Australians, Jamaicans and Kenyans. Lack of physique is no excuse. If we lack brute strength, we can excel in sports requiring skill.
Champions are not made overnight. It requires a lifetime of effort and training. It needs a lifetime of dedication and the participation of parents, teachers, trainers, friends, politicians and administrators.
In short, to train a champion, all Malaysians must play a role. We must cultivate the sport culture in our society. Only then would we be able to sustain our efforts and produce an inexhaustible line of champions like the Kenyans do. Are we there?
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