GE15: sports fraternity prepares wishlist for incoming govt

KUALA LUMPUR – With the 15th general election looming, Malaysians are already looking forward to who will form the incoming government.

No matter whichever coalition wins, Malaysian athletes – former and present – shared with The Vibes their hopes for the fraternity when the new government takes charge.

Speaking to The Vibes, former national gymnastics queen Farah Ann Abdul Hadi said she always wished for one thing in sports – fairness.  

I want Malaysia to be fairer in all aspects, that is what we are still lacking on. We need to be more accepting of all cultural backgrounds and celebrate diversity, especially in sports.  

“I think we can be such a stronger nation if we start accepting our differences and build each other up.

“I hope the new government can help Malaysia achieve this,” she said.  

At the same time, the seven-time SEA Games gold medallist added that the Safe Sport Code of Conduct is essential in sports and hopes it would be implemented irrespective of the government in charge.  

The safety and welfare of athletes, especially children and teenagers, as well as everyone else in the sporting arena is very important, regardless of who is in charge.  

“Those in charge need to be knowledgeable and help those in need because it is the responsibility of everyone involved to protect our athletes,” she added.  

Recently, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC) have completed the Safe Sport Code of Conduct and are ready to have it implemented in all sports associations by year-end.  

Meanwhile, national mixed doubles shuttler Goh Liu Ying hopes the change in sporting management will mean closer attention is given to the development of future athletes.  

Liu Ying, who recently announced that she would retire after next year’s Malaysia Open, had shared her concerns for the lack of young mixed-doubles players in the national setup.  

She said after the election, more attention should be given to development programmes in order to identify potential talents and grow the talent pool.

The government needs to pay some attention to sports development as the talent pool we currently have is not as big as it should be. 

“We can’t just be waiting for talent to emerge, but we have to build potential talents into future national athletes,” she said.   

National triathlete Muhammad Haziq Junaidy, who recently emerged as the fastest Malaysian male at the Ironman 70.3 Langkawi race, said other multi-sport events athletes have proven that Malaysia capable talents to compete on the world stage. 

I want them (the new government) to give more opportunities and see that this sport can really go far because we have athletes that have performed well.  

“If sports such as duathlon and triathlon are given more attention and more support from the government, then surely they can go much further,” said Haziq, who will be preparing for the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games. 

Ironman 70.3 Langkawi’s first female Malaysian to finish, Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid had brought home the silver medal in the women’s individual duathlon at this year’s Hanoi SEA Games.  

He added that if those in charge want to see results, the assistance should already be in place.

“You can’t say that you will only give support when there are results. It does not make any sense.  

“If you want to develop athletes, you have to do it from the ground up. If they fail today, does not mean they will stay that way. They will improve with the right support and backing,” he added. – The Vibes, November 10, 2022