Sibu MP encourages athletes to excel in sports

SIBU (Sept 18): Athletes should work hard and take advantage of the significant importance the government places on sports activities, said Sibu MP Oscar Ling.

He noted that this is evident in the array of incentives offered to the sports personnel who excel in the Paris 2024 Olympic games or Malaysia Games (Sukma).

“Outstanding athletes who achieve outstanding results in national or international tournaments and bring glory to the country are rewarded with monetary incentives.

“This should provide an added inspiration and motivation for them to push forward and aim higher,” he said at the opening of the 2024 Sarawak Youth Taekwondo Championship (MTF/ITF) held here last weekend.

The event, organised by the Sarawak Global Taekwondo Association (SGTA), saw 225 participants competing over two days.

Ling emphasised that athletes who win gold medals for the country are a source of pride not only for the nation but also for all Malaysians.

“This is something we have to pursue so that we can achieve the goal that our country has set,” he said.

He said the government also gives priority to outstanding athletes and has set a special quota for their admission to higher learning institutions.

“Although there are many athletes who spend a lot of time on sports events, many of them are also good in their academic studies due to the government policy of balancing studies and sports activities.”

Ling reminded parents to give full support to their children who show talent in any sport, including taekwondo, so that they can train hard and potentially represent the country.

He described taekwondo as a very disciplined sport, noting that those who practice it often exhibit high levels of discipline.

Also present at the event was SGTA President Abang Ahmad Zaini Abang Fauzan.