The year promises much but will the nation rejoice or will it be a gloomy year on the sporting front? A wish list of what Malaysian sport delivers in 2016:
MALAYSIA strikes Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro. The wait has gone on for far too long and the nation must be put out of its agony. Millions have been spent on making the national athletes world beaters and those who qualify for the Olympics must head to Rio de Janeiro aiming for — at the minimum — podium finishes.
LEE Chong Wei ends his career with a major title. If any national athlete deserves gold in Rio de Janeiro, it is Chong Wei for he has singlehandedly kept Malaysia on the world badminton map. Despite the huge support the sport receives from the government and private sector, Chong Wei has been the only one to shine consistently over the last decade and he must — after settling for silver in the last two Olympics — get the better of China foes, Lin Dan and Chen Long, or anyone else who stands in his way in Brazil.
THE national cyclists, divers and archers translate their excellence on the international stage to medal winning form in the Olympics. Years of investment by the government will see Malaysia competing in Rio de Janeiro with hopes of medals placed on more than just badminton and — as diver Pandelela Rinong did in the 2012 Games in London — there must be more pleasant surprises four years later.
NICOL David, sadly, will not be competing in Rio de Janeiro as squash is not yet part of the Olympics but after a tough 2015, the eight-time world champion is determined to bounce back and Malaysians must give her maximum support. Nicol, like Chong Wei, has been an outstanding flag bearer for the nation and she deserves the best as she attempts to prolong a career that has seen her winning 80 titles on the women’s tour.
FOOTBALL is embarking on a new journey which is hoped will result in the national teams bringing honour — not shame — to the country. The M-League is fully privatised from this year onwards and with a professional body — Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) — running it, it is only right to expect more. With FMLLP concentrating on the M-League, the FA of Malaysia and its affiliates must focus on development, for the only way Malaysian football can rediscover its glory years is by working from the grassroots upwards.
HOCKEY is, despite its world ranking of 13, another sport in dire straits. Failure to qualify for the Olympics and Junior World Cup this year are major disasters and the Malaysian Hockey Confederation has to get its act together.
It is another sport that receives great financial support, but it has all gone to waste. Malaysia has not been represented at the Olympics since the 2000 edition in Sydney. The only way the wait will end is if more is done to produce quality players. Building teams from project squads is not the only way as MHC has to improve its scouting network to ensure the nation’s best are being picked.
TOUGH times are upon us and the national sports budget is sure to be affected as the government embarks on cost-cutting measures. Most, if not all, national sports associations (NSAs) are dependent on government funding but a reduction must not mean compromises in training programmes.
If anything, the NSAs must strive to find their own funding to supplement what they receive from the government. Malaysia will be hosting the 2017 Sea Games and the target must remain the same — emerging overall champions.
NO more athletes test positive for banned substances. Losing Chong Wei for eight months and now bodybuilder Sazali Samad for four years should open the eyes of athletes that they have to be careful in what they consume. The rules are such that there is no sympathy for athletes who fail dope tests and the National Sports Institute, National Sports Council, Olympic Council of Malaysia and NSAs must ensure athletes are properly educated.
The writer is a 1987 Sea Games taekwondo silver medallist, ardent Arsenal fan and NST Sports editor