STUDENT-athletes must understand they can seek help without shame.
They must move away from the stigma of only seeking help when facing serious debilitating issues, National Sports Council (NSC) head of the Malaysian Athlete Career and Education (MACE) secretariat Datuk Shalin Zulkifli said.
Most still view consulting a sports psychologist as taboo, believing that physical strength automatically translates to mental toughness, she added.
“This, however, is far from the truth, as evidenced by the top 10% of Olympians and world-class athletes who actively work on their mental health.
“In my 30 years of experience as a top elite athlete, there have always been services available to us, such as sports psychologists and counsellors at the National Sports Institute, as well as counselling and athlete well-being transition services at MACE, but these resources have not been fully utilised.
“Student-athletes must understand that mental health services are there to support them, and are not a sign of weakness to focus on improving their mental health and resilience,” she said.
Having a strong support system and a good plan in place goes a long way in helping student-athletes excel in both their education and sporting career.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Health Sciences Assoc Prof Dr Garry Kwan said fostering a close relationship with coaches, academic advisers and fellow teammates enables student-athletes to tap into a network of encouragement and resources.
“Well-rounded student-athletes excel in their academic pursuits, manage their time effectively and have strong discipline.
“Creating a structured daily schedule that allocates specific time slots for training, classes, studying and rest can also help these talents be more organised.
“By planning ahead and setting clear goals, neither their academic nor athletic pursuits is neglected,” he said, adding that tools such as planners or digital calendars can aid in tracking assignments, training sessions, and important deadlines, allowing them to optimise their time.
UM faculty of Sports and Exercise Sciences senior lecturer Dr Rizal Mohd Razman said some student-athletes are self-motivated and naturally excel at managing their responsibilities, finding ways to attend classes, complete assignments, and coordinate between their coaches and lecturers, without needing extra guidance.
Prof Rizal, whose former charges include Olympians like high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa, diver Ooi Tze Liang and swimmer Leung Chii Lin, recalled how these “exceptional student-athletes” kept a low profile, were humble and always tried their best to fit in “just like regular students”.
“In the 90s, we had Brian Jayhan Siva and Calvin Fernandez, who were studying medicine while representing Malaysia at the Olympics in hockey.“They were all highly self-motivated, leading to success both in academics and sports,” he shared.
Prof Rizal said prioritisation is key.
These days, student-athletes don’t have to sacrifice their education or passion for sports, he added, as they don’t have to participate in every competition or attend every class physically.
“Competitions and tours can be scheduled during semester breaks, and theory-based classes can be attended online or through recorded sessions, which is feasible with today’s technology,” he said, stressing that balancing academics and sports is a collaborative effort.
Most athletes struggle to achieve this balance on their own but when coaches, lecturers, parents and athletes work together, everything falls into place smoothly.
“This, however, is not normally the case, particularly for student-athletes who compete at the state or national level.
“They often receive allowances from sports associations or councils –sometimes substantial amounts equivalent to a salary – which leads sports administrators to believe that these athletes are answerable to them,” he said, adding that this makes it difficult for student-athletes to navigate the complex training schedule, competitions, and academic responsibilities.
Prof Rizal said the demands from their respective sports can be stressful, making the experience overwhelming.
Setting small performance-oriented goals, instead of large achievement-based goals, he said, can prove more effective.
Citing the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Road To Gold (RTG) programme as an example, Prof Rizal said the national project introduced last year to coordinate the country’s efforts in hunting for Malaysia’s maiden gold medal at the Olympic Games, could prove counter-productive.
A total of RM72mil was allocated to boost the ecosystem of athletes under the Podium Programme during Budget 2024, including RM20mil under the RTG initiative.
The RTG could be setting the majority of our talents up for failure, said Prof Rizal.
“The fear of failure is a huge and unnecessary mental burden, and it is not something that all student-athletes are capable of coping with.
“It is healthier to aim for small performance increments, such as lowering the finish time or reducing the number of errors per game,” he offered.
While respective sports councils have psychologists on hand to help athletes cope, and education institutions have counsellors to help students with their mental well-being, Prof Rizal suggested talking to former top-level student-athletes.
“Based on my experience, it’s most helpful to talk to the seniors who have been through the challenges, the highs and lows, and the stress that comes with it all.
“They truly understand what it takes and can offer the best advice and guidance,” he said.
Finding a balance
I’m currently studying sports and exercise science at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology to deepen my understanding of the human body and improve my athletic performance through scientific principles. Initially, I considered studying veterinary medicine, but my passion for sports sparked my curiosity about why athletes from certain countries excel in specific sports, leading me to pursue sports science. I strive to excel in everything I do, but one can only do so much, which is why I try to strike the right balance between sports and academics. Fortunately, my university supports my athletic pursuits by allowing me to adjust my class schedule to better fit my training. For example, I can reduce my course load by deferring a few subjects, which helps me manage my time more effectively. However, I still work hard to catch up on missed classes and prepare for exams when I’m away for competitions. My advice to others is not to be too hard on yourself. Do your best, but also learn to adjust your expectations and find the right balance that works for you. – Esther Joy Chen Hong Li, 21, triathlete
I’m pursuing a law degree at Taylor’s University. I chose law for its versatility, which opens doors to various career paths. Education teaches us many important things, such as time management and the need for having enough sleep, while also expanding our knowledge in specific areas of interest. I try to balance my commitment to sports with maintaining consistency in my academic performance, but the focus can never be equal. During exam seasons, studying often takes precedence while during game seasons, training becomes the priority. I manage this balance by making sacrifices in other areas, and it’s important to me because it’s my dream. – Luke Jarod Anthony, 24, college basketball player
I wanted to be an engineer growing up, but swimming competitively meant I might not have enough time to dedicate to the rigour of an engineering degree. Ultimately, I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Computer Science at UCSI University, a field that interests me and shares some similarities with engineering. I give my very best in training and competing in the pool, and when I’m not in the water, I focus on my studies and hobbies like playing basketball. Balancing sports and academics really depends on the season and the nature of the competition. Excelling at sports goes far beyond showing up on the day to compete. It requires intensive training, single-minded focus and the drive to do your best. To all my fellow student-athletes, stay dedicated, follow your coaches’ advice and always maintain your focus. – Steve Khiew Hoe Yean, 21, national swimmer
