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Najib gives under-fire players pep talk

The under-fire national football team received a pleasant surprise when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dropped by to watch them train at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

Najib also took time off from his hectic schedule to give the players a pep talk and motivate them ahead of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup championship, which Malaysia and Thailand will co-host from Nov 24-Dec 22.
Malaysia are the defending champions.

“You who don the national colours are special and the chosen ones … to uphold the image of the nation. So, don’t be discouraged when things don’t go smoothly but fight back with vengeance because the true hallmark of a champion is on how one bounces back from defeat,” Najib told the players.
“In fact, the duty of the Prime Minister is similar to that of a footballer. If we achieve success, we’ll be applauded. But if we fail, we’ll be criticised. Take this as a challenge.”

He said that the national team should not be discouraged despite of the recent string of poor results (winless in their last four warm-up matches). He, instead, encouraged them to redouble their efforts to get the desired results.

“You can be down but you are not out, yet. If you succeed, march on and scale greater heights. The whole nation is behind you. I bring this message from the Cabinet too, showing our undying support and faith in the Harimau Malaya to retain the AFF Suzuki Cup,” said Najib.

This was the Prime Minister’s first visit to the Wisma FAM ground and he spent about 20 minutes watching the team train before giving them a pep talk. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek was also present at the field.

Skipper Safiq Rahim later made a pledge to the Prime Minister, promising him of their total commitment in trying to retain the Cup.

“We are touched by the support shown by the Prime Minister and we promise we won’t let the nation down,” Safiq said after handing over a national jersey to the Prime Minister.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal said it was “an honour to have a really special guest” at the training ground yesterday.

“If I am not mistaken, this is the first time that the Prime Minister has taken time off from his busy schedule to give the players a motivational talk. This is and extraordinary day for us,” said Rajagopal.
“We must realise that it’s not easy for the Prime Minister, with his hectic schedule, to come down here and motivate the players.”



THE STAR

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