Long-term trainings needed to produce young athletes - Shahidan

The participation of 13 Malaysian athletes in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championship in Ukraine next month is the result of long-term training, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said.

He said efforts to produce young athletes in track and field events had finally borne fruit and this could never be done in a short period of time.

"Efforts to produce good athletes in track and field events take some time to bear fruit. These athletes need to be nurtured from a very young age," he told reporters when met at the Malaysian Athletic Union-Bank Rakyat National Junior and Senior Athletics Closed Championship 2013 here today.

Shahidan, who is Perlis Athletic Association president, also advised young athletes not to leave the sport as it was not easy for the country to produce an excellent athlete.

"If they want to sulk and move to represent other states or countries, it's up to them, but I really hope they will stay in the sport," he added.