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Steps to improve the quality the nation's sport |
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Improving the quality of sports in a country is crucial in maintaining
competitiveness on a global scale. The recent defeat of the national soccer team
in the World Cup qualifier to Singapore, and the loss of national badminton hero
Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the recent World Badminton Championships highlights the
declining quality of sports in Malaysia. These events, along with the poor
performance of athletes in other sports such as hockey, sports, swimming, and
others, have sparked negative reactions among sports fans in the country. To
address these issues, several concrete steps must be taken to improve the
quality of sports in the country.
One of the main areas that need attention is to overhaul the governing
committees of sports associations. It is no longer a secret that many sports
associations in Malaysia are led by political elites. Examples include the
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Malaysia Hockey Federation (PHM),
and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Unfortunately, these leaders,
who are elected by consensus, often use the associations as a platform to
further their personal political agendas, resulting in neglect of the
development of sports and athletes. Their lack of knowledge and understanding of
the sports industry, along with the changes taking place, has led to the decline
in the performance of our athletes. To address this issue, former Prime Minister
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on political leaders to step down from
their positions in sports associations, so that the development of sports can be
handled by those who are qualified. The leadership of these sports associations
must therefore be overhauled and new faces with a background in sports and a
high sense of responsibility must be given the opportunity to develop the
quality of sports in the country.
In addition, athlete development programs must also be improved and given a new
direction in order to produce athletes who are competitive. The government,
through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has provided enough funds to support
sports development programs in the country, such as the establishment of the
National Sports Council (MSN) and the National Sports Institute (ISN). These
programs cover critical aspects such as finance, coaching, nutrition,
psychology, and others. On this issue, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Sabri
Chik once criticized the way the national soccer players were fed during the
Asian Cup, which he considered inappropriate for athletes. According to him,
proper nutrition and hydration are important factors that can affect the
performance of athletes on the field. Therefore, programs aimed at improving the
diet and hydration of athletes must be given priority, as well as programs aimed
at improving their mental preparation, such as mental toughness training.
Another important aspect that needs attention is to provide better facilities
for athletes. The provision of quality sports facilities will not only improve
the performance of athletes but also encourage the development of sports at all
levels, from grassroots to the elite. The government must work with private
companies to provide better facilities, such as high-quality training centers,
modern stadiums, and indoor sports halls. Additionally, the government must also
provide incentives for private companies to invest in sports facilities, such as
tax breaks and other financial benefits.
Finally, to improve the quality of sports in the country, there must be a change
in the mentality of the public towards sports. The public must be made aware of
the importance of sports and its role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and
nation-building. Sports should not be seen as a secondary activity, but as a
crucial part of a nation's development. The government must also play a role in
promoting sports by providing funding and support for sports events, as well as
recognizing and rewarding the achievements of athletes. The media also plays a
crucial role in promoting sports, by providing extensive coverage of sports
events and by highlighting the achievements of athletes. |
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