MSN told to instill a champion's mindset

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Council (MSN) which celebrates its 50th anniversary today has been urged to instill "The Champion's Mindset" to take national sports aspirations to a higher level.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said MSN employees have to have the mindset as the development of a great and respected sports champion must start from the institution.

"The world is changed by your example; not by your opinion. If MSN staff themselves have the mindset of a world champion, it would be easier for the same wave of thinking to be possessed by athletes and would-be athletes.

"The Champion's Mindset is the path to our excellence in many sporting events. as there are so many Malaysian achievements in history which we could recall, " he said during the launch of MSN Golden Jubilee which was broadcast live on MSN's Facebook and YouTube sites today.

He said the determination of the mind was also the lifeblood of the success of national heroes who toiled to bring honour to Malaysia's name at the highest level such as Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, Datuk M. Rajamani, Sazali Samad, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Nicol David, Ziyad Zulkifli and Abdul Latif Romly.

SPORTS-MSN (REEZAL MERICAN) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR

The determination of the mind is also inherited by champions such as Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Pandalela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Lee Zii Jia at the moment, explained Reezal Merican.

"The coming years and decade, will actually test the seriousness and commitment of all of us. The real challenge is for us to produce more world-class athletes.

"While we are proud of history, we need to create more success stories and new names etched in gold for sports. As the Minister of Youth and Sports, I assure you that I will continue to provide strong and solid support for the continued success of MSN for the years and decades to come, " he said.

MSN established under the Malaysian National Sports Council Act 1971 and the National Sports Council Act (amendment 1979) was launched by the Second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein on Feb 21 1972.

During these five decades, MSN has been a catalyst in the development of talent and preparation of athletes for high performance sports through programmes such as Jaya 98 programme, Gemilang 2001 programme, Road to Rio 2016, Kita Juara 2017 programme and Road to Tokyo 2020.

The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and MSN director-general, Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.

-- BERNAMA