SportCheck: Ride the Delhi momentum

(From left) National hockey player Baljit Singh, Sports Ministry secretary general Datuk Mohid Mohamed, Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Deputy Sports Minister Gan Ping Shou at the second Sports Industry Convention yesterday. — Picture by Syarafiq Abd Samad

THE growth of sports as an industry depends much on the successes of the national athletes.
And Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek believes that Malaysia's 12-gold haul in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games is a big boost for the sports industry.

Ahmad Shabery said the performances of the athletes have captured public's interest which is needed for creating a sports culture.

The minister pointed out that a sports-oriented mindset is crucial to making sports a lucrative industry.
Ahmad Shabery, who officiated the second Sports Industry Convention (KISMAS II) at the Mines Resort City yesterday, said China is a prime example of how success on the field has elevated the country into a leading market in sports industry.

He is confident that the convention will stimulate and create awareness about the sports industry in the country.

"We must be proud that our athletes have done extremely well in the Commonwealth Games, winning 12 gold and finishing seventh out of 71 countries, which was even higher than New Zealand, one of the stronger nations in sports.
'The success is timely for the Sports Ministry which is trying to promote sports as an industry."

"Sports industry is indeed a new territory. If we start now, we can be the leaders among our neighbours. We hope to create the awareness, hype and interest among the public in sports.
"The interest in sports creates habit, and multiple habits turn into sports culture. When this is achieved, the sports industry will grow tremendously as the public is willing to invest to purchase equipment and other needs to be associated with sports.

"We have seen sports industry outrank car industry in developed countries and we have also witnessed not only America and European countries dominating but Asian nations such as China and Japan are also in the fore.

"Li Ning is a prime example of how quality and demand can elevate a new brand ahead of some of the movers and shakers in the business and we, too, must tap on our own brand.

"People have come out with criticisms on the failure of the Thomas Cup team while questions have been raised on the decline of sepak takraw.

"However, in terms of the sports industry, the Thomas Cup is still a success as Proton reached some 1.7 billion people in China and Indonesia as they contested the final.

"When we talk about sepak takraw, people should be talking about our own brand, Gajah Emas, and how to make it a global success.

"If we are not careful, China might become the leading manufacturer of sepak takraw balls once they start showing serious interest in the game.

"There are so many other areas we can progress and we are looking forward to ideas and methods that can make Malaysia a fast growing nation in the sports Industry."

Although Ahmad Shabery said the emphasis will still be on performances, he stressed that the sports industry is an integral part of success and should be seen in a different perspective.

He pointed out that though England invented cricket and football, the nation is not so successful in terms of performance but yet the two sports are a huge industry there.

The three-day convention, which will end tomorrow, features foreign and local experts and speakers on 10 different key elements which can help the sports industry grow in Malaysia.


Read more: NST