Good year in sports arena
I REFER to the report “On top of the world” ( The Star, Dec 5). Congratulations to the Malaysian women’s bowling team consisting of Esther Cheah, Sin Li Jane, Natasha Roslan, Shalin Zulkifli, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, on winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Las Vegas ( pic). Special tribute goes to Shalin, 39, who started bowling when she was nine years old and has represented Malaysia since she was 13!
In the spirit of Malaysia Boleh, we were able to produce five world champions in sports this year – cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, diver Cheong Jun Hoong, Paralympics shot putter Ziyad Zolkefli and long jumper Abdul Latif Romly. Never in our sports history have we accomplished this feat.
Without doubt, all these achievements would not have been possible without the firm and full support of the Government, particularly the Sports Ministry, which provided some world-class sports facilities.
Kudos too to the National Sports Council, Olympic Council Of Malaysia, national, state and district sports associations and the Education Ministry, especially the Malaysian Schools Sports Council, the most important body for sports development and performance.
We should also commend the coaches who work tirelessly and selflessly to mould their charges into world-class athletes.
Naturally, we hope our world champions would be able to inspire their fellow Malaysians, students in particular, to emulate their exemplary mindsets and will to stay focused at all times to realise their dreams of achieving sporting glory.
Perhaps, to stimulate interest and create awareness of the achievements of our world champions, the media or sports authorities could organise a competition for the public to choose Malaysia’s Greatest World Sports Champions, past and present, in badminton, squash, lawn bowl, water skiing, silat, wushu and weightlifting, among others, regardless of the age-group competitions – youths, seniors or masters (veteran) groups – as long as they are recognised by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and International Olympic Councils.
Truly, these world champions deserve the appreciation, admiration and adoration of Malaysian sports fans for successfully putting the country on the world sports map. For me, the Malaysian world bowling team is our country’s greatest sports champion after I watched their stunning performance. Incidentally, Malaysia has won the world team title three times now, the other victories being in Kuala Lumpur in 2003 and Monterrey (Mexico) in 2007.
My choice might prompt fellow Malaysians to talk about who is Malaysia’s greatest sports personality, a topic that transcends race, religion and culture, instead of politics.