Athletes told to be focused

SPORTS Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (left) has told the Beijing-bound athletes to remain focused, keep working hard and stick to the training programme.

Malaysia is chasing its first Olympic gold medal and Ismail Sabri feels that the RM1 million 'carrot' for a gold medal should not be the only motivating factor.

"I have seen some athletes in training and preparing for the Olympics and I am proud of them. They have put a lot of effort and sacrifices into this cause, so I hope they will be able to strike gold," said Ismail Sabri after the launch of Kuala Lumpur MotoPark (KLMP) Extreme Park in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

With a total of RM9 million allocated for the Olympics, the National Sports Council (NSC) and National Sports Institute's (NSI) intensive programme has been set for the 33 athletes, and Ismail Sabri wants the association to continue its support of the athletes.

"It's very important at this stage that the athletes get all the support they can and not just moral support but also spiritual," added Ismail Sabri, who will be meeting the athletes on Friday at an official dinner.
"The Beijing programme started four years ago, and my only request now is let's go all out and do it and make Malaysia proud.

"Competing in the Olympics is not only about winning, we must fight the battle well so that all Malaysians will know that the athletes have given nothing less than their very best."

Earlier, the minister launched the Kuala Lumpur MotoPark (KLMP) which was formerly known as the Bukit Jalil Family Park.

KLMP is a community-centric infrastructure project which will engage and involve ordinary Malaysians. It's a centrally-located complex that aims to provide the public with two key features - affordability and accessibility.

The project will fill a vacuum in motoring needs, and is on the lookout for other private entities to work with as elevation partners. It is expected to be in operation by the later part of this year.

NST