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Sunday November 15, 2009

Ramlan hopes athletes share his passion and vigour to excel

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: Long-serving medical practitioner Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz stepped into his office on a late Thursday evening with a big smile on his face.

He had just had a quick workout with the SEA Games-bound national paddlers.

“I caught up with the table tennis team and there was a chance to play with them, so I gave it a go. It was a good workout, all right,” said the 50-year-old, a little breathless.

The National Sports Institute (NSI) supremo is cherishing his new role as the chef-de-mission of the SEA Games contingent for the very first time.

Ping pong diplomacy: Chef-de-mission Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz having a go at table tennis against SEA Games-bound paddler Beh Lee Wei at Gymnasium Three in Bukit Jalil on Thursday

He has been given the mandate to lead the 393-member squad to Laos in December and, for the last few weeks, has been diligently spending time with athletes and coaches from different sports despite his busy schedule.

Leading a team to the Games may be a new role for Ramlan but he has pledged to play his cards right.

Having attended many major Games as a medical chief for almost two decades, Ramlan admits that he has learnt from the best.

“I have worked with so many chefs-de-mission. And I hold the late Tan Sri Alex Lee in the highest esteem,” said Ramlan.

“My first outing with him was at the 1990 Olympic Games. He treated everyone with respect. He was truly a man who touched people’s heart.”

Being the director general of the National Sports Council (NSC) for two years and NSI chief for many years, Ramlan also has enough experience in dealing with coaches and officials.

And he is one who doesn’t tolerate nonsense as he seeks to ensure the best possible conditions for the athletes.

In Laos, the athletes will be Ramlan’s main concern and he intents to do his best to take the pressure away from them.

For a start, he will go against all his predecessors by not setting any personal medal targets.

“I am not a magician with a crystal ball. And I am not here to bask in their glory. If they fail, I fail too. I am here to serve, share and believe what they have set out to do and accomplish,” said Ramlan

“Rather than getting more medals than the previous Games, I would rather focus on the processes in achieving excellence.

“We need to create a performance-mastery climate and this takes place during the training sessions.

“The coaches too should do their best to lessen the pressure on the athletes.”

Ramlan also said that he wanted the athletes to be more determined.

“It is not about the outcome but how an athlete — especially the first-timers — overcomes an unseemingly insurmountable challenge. That will set the tone for the rest of their career,” he said.

Being one who places emphasis on the scientific approach in sporting excellence, Ramlan also hoped that athletes would focus on three important aspects — physical, mental (intelligence and emotional stability) and nutrition — in their development.

“Like riding a bicycle, this should be second nature to them.

“They should practise this on a daily basis. Parents too can play a major role in inculcating this habit in their children from a young age.”

Ramlan also hoped that the athletes would work hand in hand with him to make the Laos outing a memorable one.

“I am not a leader who likes to stand on the shore and give instruction to a group of people in the boat to row. I would prefer to be in the boat with them.

“And I hope that I will get 100% commitment from the athletes and officials to pedal with me with the same passion and vigour.”

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