Thursday, July 10, 2014

Khairy Tells Glasgow-Bound Athletes To Be 'Fighters' Not Passengers

Every athlete in the Malaysian contingent for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games must be able to deliver their responsibilities and not just be passengers.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said based on previous achievement of the country in the competition (Commonwealth Games), the goal is to excel in their respective sports and accumulate as many gold medals for the country.

"Do not feel we cannot beat our opponent. Just look at the ongoing World Cup, who would have though five times World Champion, Brazil can be beaten on their home soil.

"And if we look at the team that beat them, Germany, we see a complete team that has individual strength, both physically and mentally, as well as collectively as a team.

"Therefore, every athlete must be prepared to do battle as an individual or as a team. We should not just be a passenger and not make our presence felt. If we are prepared, there is no reason to fail," he told reporters at the flag handing ceremony for the Glasgow bound Malaysian contingent, here today.

Khairy said the Malaysian contingent's preparations for the Commonwealth Games hosted by Scotland was on track, except for the injury to shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

However, Chong Wei's absence does not mean Malaysia cannot win a gold medal because we have potential players in the squad.

The 269-member Malaysian contingent led by chef-de-mission Datuk Ong Poh Eng, will see action 14 of the 17 sports contested, namely aquatics, weightlifting, badminton, cycling, lawn bowls, gymnastics, hockey, judo, shooting, athletics, table tennis, rugby, squash and boxing.

Throughout Malaysia's participation in the Commonwealth Games, the Malaysian contingent won two gold medals in Victoria, Canada (1994), 10 gold in Kuala Lumpur (1998), seven in Manchester, England (2002), seven in Melbourne (2006) and the best haul was 12 in New Delhi (2010).



-- BERNAMA 

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