Golden way to prove that unity is the winner
LEGENDARY American DJ the late Casey Kasem would conclude the video programme America’s Top 10 with his vignette of life advice, “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.”
And how does that speak for our SEA Games athletes? They did more than shoot for the stars.
A sensational target of 111 gold medals was on the cards for Team Malaysia at the SEA Games but the contingent turned in a bounty of 145 gleaming golden nuggets.
However, it wasn’t only about gold, was it? Because if spirit and harmony doesn’t exist in a team, little could be glossed over come crunch time.
Reams of newsprint and columns of virtual space on the worldwide web have extolled the virtues of what the human race can accomplish by coming together. And by walking the talk, Malaysia has succeeded in a double display of solidarity – KL2017 and our National Day.
Isn’t this the same sense of humanity that embraces us all, anyway?
Our athletes have spoken about home support, and how that has driven them that second faster or pushed them that step further, to get to the promised land of their sport. And we’ve all been there every step of the way.
The nation was inextricably glued during the SEA Games. Mamak stalls were packed, likewise watering holes. And many house parties were spent in front of the TV.
Team Malaysia brought the nation to its knees in its interest in the Games, binding us that much tighter in the process.
Together we celebrated, and together we rued missed opportunities, but that’s life.
Our diversity has been the single factor that has allowed us to thrive, in fact. There’s good reason why the Chinese and Indians like rock kapak (classic Malay rock). And there’s also good reason why the Malays love Hindi movies.
We’ve always been curious and largely appreciative.
It’s what has made 60 years of independence work, and why this year is a cornerstone for national achievements.
It’s ridiculous to even think that “muhibbah” had to be a sales pitch in our lifetime, what with the countless radio, TV and multimedia campaigns through the years. Malaysia never needed that.
We were always together, through thick and thin, KL2017 but a singular example, along with our grandly-celebrated landmark independent year.
In all likelihood, we could look back in years to come, pat ourselves on the back and laugh about how we couldn’t even have been kept apart.