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SportCheck: Push for sporting culture

Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek (centre), Razali Ibrahim (left) and Zolkples Embong watch 110m hurdler Mohd Rohaizah Jamil in training at NSC yesterday. — Pic: EFFENDY RASHID
Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek (centre), Razali Ibrahim (left) and Zolkples Embong watch 110m hurdler Mohd Rohaizah Jamil in training at NSC yesterday. — Pic: EFFENDY RASHID

SPORTS Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, after avoiding making any statements over the last two weeks, finally announced his visions for Malaysian sport yesterday.

Ahmad Shabery, addressing the national athletes at the National Sports Council for the first time since taking charge of the Sports Ministry, said his visions is to see Malaysians becoming a sporting society, national athletes winning more medals at the highest level and sport turning into an industry.

Ahmad Shabery said although his visions are not new, he wants to ensure that these three areas are developed in order to see Malaysia becoming a proud sporting nation again.

Ahmad Shabery believes creating a sporting culture is the start towards bringing sport to the forefront.

"We need to become a sporting society where every Malaysian should be focused on at least one sport, If they are not involved in any sport at all, they should not be considered Malaysians," said Ahmad Shabery.
"Everyone should be asking each other what sport they are involved in and every child is urged to specialise in at least one sport.

"The athletes should not just be focused on competing alone but striving to win medals at every level -- from the Sea Games to the Olympics. Go as high as you can and our priority will be the 2012 London Olympics.

"Sports must also become an industry as a whole and it must be viewed as a career. Our athletes should not end up jobless when they retire and if sport can turn into an industry, it will provide a career at all levels.

"Children should not aim to become doctors or engineers but should be saying that they want to be sportsmen like Lee Chong Wei or (the late Datuk) Mokhtar Dahari.

"As I have promised, I am ever willing to listen to your (athletes') views and ideas on what I need to do as a minister to ensure sports reach the highest level.

"I'm not here to make drastic changes and I will not disrupt things that are moving smoothly."

Ahmad Shabery also had a discussion with NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong and other officials, inspected the facilities in Bukit Jalil and also visited the training sessions of the archers, shooters, track and field athletes, wushu, bowling and badminton.

Ahmad Shabery and Deputy Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim also took time to play a doubles match, partnering Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat respectively at the end of their visit.

NST

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