KUALA LUMPUR – This Year of the Rabbit, Malaysian athletes are hoping that the auspicious time of Chinese New Year will usher in good fortune for the coming year.
As 2023 will see several important games take place, such as the Cambodia SEA Games and Hangzhou Asian Games, national athletes are preparing themselves early this year.
For national para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou, 2023 will be fully focused on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 34-year-old said he hopes this Lunar New Year will bring good health and fortune.
“I am still recovering from a heel injury. But I hope after Chinese New Year, I will be fully recovered and can return to training as usual,” he told reporters at the National Sports Council Chinese New Year celebration.
Liek Hou added that the celebrations in his household are simple, as his focus is to get back into shape to qualify for Paris.
“I will just be resting for two days…on the third day of Chinese New Year, I will be back to training.
“I need to focus on the upcoming tournament in Spain so I can’t afford to rest for too long.
“We are not doing much this year, just having a family meal. I am not even going to be visiting many family members,” he added.
He said that the qualifications for the Paris Olympics will come down to the six best performances of the year.
“I will try my best to win six tournaments that I will be participating in.
“But considering how my age is another factor, I’m worried about my condition and my ability to recover fully.
“I really hope that after this Chinese New Year, there will be no more injuries.”
Meanwhile, national diver Ng Yan Yee will also be having a short Chinese New Year celebration, as she is also focused on making her fourth Olympics appearance in Paris.
“It is everyone’s dream to make it to the Olympics…making it there is not as easy as it may seem.
“To qualify for it itself is a very good achievement. Athletes should not look down on themselves if they are not medallists,” she said.
Yan Yee said she will only be taking a day off for the Chinese New Year celebrations before plunging back into training right after.
“I don’t really have many plans for Chinese New Year, because I only have a day off. I can’t even go back to Ipoh this time.
“I won’t be participating in the SEA Games this year, but there is still the Asian Games, and I have a lot to prepare for that,” said the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games double-gold medallist.
She also said that having a short Chinese New Year holiday is not too bad, as the number of festive periods in Malaysia means that public holidays come around often.
“My personal target this year is that I am free of injury, and I can finish every competition with a happy face,” she added.
Also at the celebration was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who wished all Malaysians a prosperous Chinese New Year.
“Happy Chinese New Year to all Malaysians out there.
“We have many traffic operations out there during this time, so everyone should be extra cautious when driving back to their hometowns,” she said.
Hannah also advised road users to reduce their time spent on mobile phones while behind the wheel, and to also reduce screen time when spending Chinese New Year with their families.
“It is hard to get the chance to meet each other now, especially with busy working schedules.
“So please use this time well,” she added. – The Vibes, January 22, 2023
