Thursday November 15, 2012

Moulding future athletes

By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
farhaan@thestar.com.my

Officiating the event: Rosmah (third from right) at the launch of the Astro Badminton Camp in Larkin, Johor Baru. Looking on is Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (right), Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman (second from right), his wife Datin Professor Dr Jamilah Ariffin (fourth from right), Astro chief executive officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan, (second from left), Astro financial chief officer Ahmad Fuad Kenali (left) and state speaker Datuk Mohd Ali Hassan (third from left).

JOHOR BARU: Parents should encourage their children to participate in sports activities to help them become future world champions, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

She said parents played an important role in moulding their children to become future athletes.

“I believe Malaysian athletes can achieve the impossible in their chosen field if they show commitment,” she said after officiating the Astro Badminton Camp here recently.

The event saw the participation of thousands of children from 29 primary schools.

She said when it came to badminton, Malaysia was one of best, with many great past and present players.

“Badminton players such as the late Datuk Punch Gunalan, Ng Boon Bee, Tan Aik Mong, Tan Aik Huang, Silvia Ng and the Sidek brothers have won numerous titles and helped the country win the Thomas Cup.

“Datuk Lee Chong Wei has contributed to the nation’s achievement by continuing the legacy of our past players,” she said.

Rosmah, who is also the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) patron, pointed out that such legacy must be continued by grooming future talents to become the next badminton champions.

She urged young children to follow Lee’s footsteps by adopting the mentality of a winner.

“We must not let recent setbacks by national players dampen our effort and continue to ensure that Malaysia will have a new generation of players that is on the same level with our current and past badminton players.

The badminton camp will continue its search for talented pupils in six other states including Sabah and Sarawak.

Those selected will be given intensive training at Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara in Kuala Lumpur before representing Malaysia at a friendly match with the Korea Youth Badminton Club in South Korea.

Rosmah urged the camp’s participants to grab the opportunity given and showcase their talent.

“To become an athlete representing the country, I urge everyone to be highly disciplined with the mentality of a winner and team spirit,” she said.