Meet Malaysian gymnastics’ new leader Rachel.
Focused, vibrant and a lady with a mission – newly appointed Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) president Rachel Lau is a breath of fresh air as she seeks to restore the image of gymnastics in the country. At 32, she’s one of the youngest sports leaders in Malaysia and the first female head in the MGF. The entrepreneur and former rhythmic gymnast has vowed to fix the wrongs in the association. Under her leadership, one can expect good governance and transparency. Starsport’s T. AVINESHWARAN spoke to Rachel to get a glimpse of her vision and plans for the future after yesterday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Starsport: Congratulations on winning the post. How does it feel to be the youngest person to head MGF?
Rachel: It’s terrifying and exciting! I’ve been continuously told that I’m the youngest NSA (National Sports Association) president and the only female head for MGF, so it’s nice to be the one shattering gender glass ceilings and age stereotypes. In Malaysia, too often people are boxed into a mould, judgements are made based on little information, and we’re always told no. I’m glad my parents rooted in me the ability to think independently.
My father used to say, follow your heart, for the reasons will come later. When I was approached a month and a half ago to take up the position, I told everyone that I would take it but I’ll serve with two conditions – I’m allowed to make real changes, and bring a brand new team. Currently, we have assembled a new group of highly qualified individuals who come from an array of fields – PhD scholars, lawyers, financiers, entrepreneurs and doctors who can contribute in their own way. I’m confident that with the diversity and the backgrounds, the team as a whole will be able to move MGF and Malaysian sports to greater heights.
Starsport: You were in gymnastics before. Did you ever think of helming MGF when you joined the corporate world?
Rachel: Never. The last competition I took part in was the Asian School Games in Bangkok in 2002. Fatigue from a decade of training overwhelmed me, and I vowed never to return to gymnastics. However, maybe I used the word “never” too lightly – I also said that I would never return to Malaysia when I left (for Australia); never start a business here, and never work with my closest friends because that’ll sure ruin one’s friendship.
I’ve come full circle and did everything that I said I would never do! Maybe the heart has a way of finding its way home. I did rhythmic gymnastics and trained under Dr Svetlana Mekantsishvili. I was picked to be part of the 1998 Commonwealth Games selection programme that went on a nationwide hunt to pick little kids into the back-up squad now.
Starsport: What’s your vision and aspiration for Malaysian gymnastics?
Rachel: A friend asked me why I’ve taken up this post, and I told him the reason is relatively simple – I get to help the kids. People fear change because it is unknown, but real change doesn’t mean breaking things. It means keeping the culture, traditions and values that have shaped the sport and keep what’s unique while pushing the boundaries of the sport and reinventing ourselves to try something new, something crazy and something fun.
For me, I’m looking to change the sport from within. Innovating and making it fun for the gymnasts, hav- ing people participate and engage in it. We have all the necessary ingredients to succeed in the global arena.
Starsport: What’s your game plan during your four-year term as the president?
Rachel: I believe we have immense potential. But the issue is we see weak characters with the lack of discipline and mental strength. On a national team level, our newly appointed vice-president Dr FarrahHani Imran (head of plastic surgeons at UKM), who has a degree in mental health, will devise a programme to enhance the mental strength of our gymnasts. Another vice-president Al Hambra Tun Juhar will look into the discipline.
Our technical skills are strong but I believe we’ll need to invest more in the gymnasts’ health and well-being. We’re going to work smarter by bringing in new technology to enhance productivity instead of training aimlessly. Another vice-president, Tengku Ahmad Ridhwanuddin, who has a PhD in data science, will look at some ways of using predictive data to reinforce some of the training. I used to train four hours on weekdays and eight hours on weekends, and I believe there’s a way to maximise the effects of the training instead of using brute force.
Starsport: The primary assignment this year is the SEA Games in the Philippines – what’s your expectation?
Rachel: The National Sports Council (NSC) have set an eight-gold medal target for gymnastics. It’s achievable – after all, Pablo Picasso said everything you can imagine is real, so why not? Let’s shoot for the moon. In the mean time, we’ll devise new training programmes and strength- en their mental health and nutritional well-being.
I anticipate being hands-on and working with the coaches, nutritionists, ballet trainers and physiotherapists to see how better we can push our athletes to bring them to their peak performance. Also, I would like to see us taking more risks and pushing the athletes further in their performances. There will be controlled testing throughout the year – and all are invited to come and watch.
Starsport: The Olympics is next year, and many are talking about medals and plans. What can we expect from the MGF for the Games in Tokyo?
Rachel: We’re unfortunately a long way from being a medal prospect at the Tokyo Olympics (none of the gymnasts have qualified). What we need to do is to restart some of the development programmes that have served us well in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 2017 SEA Games.
Starsport: The MGF have suffered a massive budget cut. Will you appealing to the Youth and Sports Ministry to re-look into it?
Rachel: We should not be relying on the ministry for continued funding but we’ve to start positioning MGF as a stand-alone entity that can be self-reliant in sustainable financing and operations.
The key is to put in place programmes and revenue- generating events and activities that can support the federation’s daily operation. We will be bringing in worldclass gymnasts from Russia to conduct classes. So far, three world and Olympic champions have confirmed their attendance.
The body also want to host professional judging courses to upgrade the quality of local technical officials. I’m a believer of technology, I would like to have an MGF database.
I would also like to start an academy for younger talents. Nonetheless, the Sports Minister (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman) has been kind enough to invite us for a discussion, where we will work together to implement further plans.
Starsport: Will you bring in former Malaysian gymnasts to beef up the coaching staff?
Rachel: Yes, I think it’s a pity that we’re relying on foreign talents. While I spent most of my career under a Russian, I believe it’s time for us to create a local talent base. We’ve identified six and eight talented individuals that we’ll be looking at to develop further. This will be done in tandem with the new state development programmes that will be rolled out if the Ministry of Sports approves.
Starsport: How is the MGF going to work in synergy with the states or clubs to ensure there is a continuous pool of athletes for our country?
Rachel: Clubs are a great way to encourage private participation. We have engaged numerous clubs on how to streamline activities among MGF, state associations, districts, schools and clubs. Clubs and schools are the first interaction of a gymnast into gymnastics, so it’s crucial that we regulate and govern all clubs to ensure safety standards and the standard of coaching is up to par.
Starsport: What’s your take on the future of Malaysian gymnastics? Rachel:
Great potential, we have the right physique and strength to do well in the sport, as long as we can break through our own mental barriers.
Hopefully, with the new development programmes and initiatives, we’ll be able to create a new pipeline of talent into the system.