Thursday April 24, 2008
By LIM TEIK HUAT
PUTRAJAYA: Strong mental preparation, one aspect overlooked in the past, will be given more emphasis as the Olympic-bound athletes gear up for their biggest assignment in Beijing come August.
With 20 athletes from eight sports having qualified so far and nine from badminton almost certain to make the grade, Malaysia look set to send their biggest ever contingent to the Olympics.
Malaysia had 26 athletes in the Athens Olympics four years ago.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday that athletes who had qualified for the Olympics would not just be prepared physically but also mentally.
One for the album: The nine athletes are all smiles after receiving the National Sports Council incentives yesterday. From left: Mohd Azizul Hasni Awang, Junaidi Mohd Nasir, Mohd Edrus Mohd Yunus, (cycling), Yuan Yufang (athletic), Mohd Rizal Tisin, (cycling), Leong Mun Yee, Elizabeth Jimie, Pandelela Rinong (diving) and Hasli Amir Hasan (shooting). He stressed that the mental preparation of the athletes could well be the difference between success and failure.
“The country’s expectations are high and the athletes will be subjected to high pressure atmosphere.
“It is important for us to help them handle the pressure and be comfortable going into the competition.
“Sports psychology sessions will be an important part of preparations for this Olympics for everyone concerned,” said Ismail.
Malaysia have not won an Olympic medal for the last 12 years and the shuttlers, understandably, will be feeling the most pressure in the Beijing Olympics in August.
Badminton may be Malaysia’s best chance of ending the medal drought but Ismail said other sports would be set their respective targets.
“We do not want to put undue pressure on everyone but all the sports with representatives must have their own targets,” Ismail said after handing over incentives to nine athletes, who have make the cut for Beijing.
The athletes each received RM5,000 from the National Sports Council (NSC) for earning qualification on merit for the Beijing Olympics over the past two months.
They are entitled to a monthly allowance of RM1,000, which is paid out from the time they qualify until end of August.
The nine athletes are national walker Yuan Yufang, women divers Leong Mun Yee, Pandelela Rinong and Elizabeth Jimie; men’s track cylists Azizul Hasni Awang, Mohd Edrus Yunus, Rizal Tisin and Junaidi Nasir; and men’s rapid fire pistol shooter Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan.
Josiah Ng, also part of the cycling squad bound for Beijing, was also on the list but was not present to receive the incentive.
Josiah who competed in Athens four years ago is currently training in the United States.
Ismail said they were hoping for more Malaysian athletes to join the cast for Beijing.
Those who are still trying to qualify are from athletics, weightlifting, women’s archery and women’s hockey.
National 110m hurdler Robani Hassan and high jumper Lee Hup Wei are hoping to make the cut from either the Thailand or China Opens next month while the women’s recurve archers will be vying for a place in the world qualifiers in France in June.
No comments:
Post a Comment