President with a new vision.

Ong Beng Hee has proven that we are not, Nicol David has proven that she can beat people     at the world level. She has beaten Rebecca Chiu who has always been in a way of her benchmark in Las Vegas Open.  I am glad to see that Nicol is back. She is somebody that we feel who is very dedicated to the game as a professional and knows what it takes to become a world champion. Today the level of squash in Malaysia is a world class squash. We can beat anyone that is thrown into the court. Beng Hee proven it recently at the Squash Super Series Final where he beat world No. 4, John White. That is quite an achievement. For squash, I don’t think that we are “Jaguh Kampung” anymore. I don’t think our players crack when playing outside Malaysia. We are well up to the task.

The Bukit Jalil squash centre is build for Commenwealth Games 1998 but since then, the centre is yet to become a national training centre. Is there a move to make it national training centre?

There is. We are working very closely with National Sports Council. We are trying to get some people to help us to lower the cost of operating at Bukit Jalil. We know one of the problems of that complex is the air conditioning. It is all or nothing system. Now with the help of some friends, we have a group to re-engineer the system. They are going to put in fans and blowers to lower the temperature so that it is playable.  Yes, we are targeting to use Bukit Jalil as our training centre in the near future.

Education is the priority of most parents for their children. This factor, has in a way impedes the growth of professional sports in the country. What are your views and advise?

There are two things that happen in the last 10 to 15 years. One, parents and general public has disassociated education and the age level. For instance, it used to be that by the age of 18, you should complete your secondary school and by the age of 23, you are suppose to finish your tertiary education. Now, I see that people accept that you could be older or younger at any point of your education level. Parents, allowed their children to pursue professional sports and earn a living from there. From SRAM point of view, we are trying to provide a safety net for our players. For those who are very keen to pursue squash as well as education, we have worked with some university to tailor a programme for the athletes. This programme will allow the athletes to follow the courses on the different time schedule.  For this I have to thank the Ministry of Education for allowing the athletes to be able to have an education programme together with their professional sports career.

Our government is promoting sports culture in the country, which was clearly shown through some of the major international sporting events like F1, Le Tour Langkawi, the X Games, but we still see empty stadiums during local soccer matches, sports facilities under utilised, politicking in the national sports associations. How do you foresee this endeavour to be achieved by the government?

I think all this boils down to individuals. I think we have to realize everybody involved in any sports, be it in SRAM or others, why they are there, and their purpose whether it is an elected or appointed post and to make sure that they can deliver whatever they promised.  I am not wish to speak about other sports, I am here voluntary and I have to fulfil the responsibilities. The job required that I promote squash in all forms. If anyone point at anytime, that the things I do are no longer in interest of squash or it’s players and coaches, they have the right to say stop. I should be well aware and know that my presence are no longer required by the game.  To me, it will be disappointment, if the Ministry of Youth and Sports has to come down and tell us how to run the show.  As for empty stadiums, there should not be anything stand in the way for the public to enjoy the game.  Similarly players must have a professional attitude. Then it will attract people to come.

As a cooperate leader, how do you divide the time between your busy cooperate schedule and your sporting interest?

Ah… I love the game. I play it three times a week and it is scheduled in my weekly events to play squash. Being a cooperate person, you need to have a discipline. Some people says that cooperate people are very hard to see because they are very busy. Busy because we are sticking to a schedule. For SRAM, all anyone has to do is call my secretary and find a time slot. It is not difficult to allocate my time for squash, either playing or for the association because I stick to a schedule. It is something I love to do.

You have four beautiful children. Do you encourage them to be a sport personalities in the future?

Whether they will be sport personalities or not, I don’t know but I would want them to enjoy sports, the way I did when I was a kid. Sport is a central part of my life until now. To me, I would encourage any child to pick up a game of sports and excel in it. Sports develop good discipline of a child, keep the child healthy and very alert. In any games, there are always strategies involved. There are no longer, the good force that used to be or the stamina. You need to be smart to win today.

What are your advise to the Malaysian athletes?

Work hard. Love the game that you chosen to be good at and be the best you can be. Believe me, having thousands of people cheering you on and applaud you when you cross the finish line is an experience of a lifetime.

Thank you, Dato’ for you time.  

My pleasure. 

Page 1