National athletics legend Datuk Marina Chin says sports and education go hand in hand to shape character and enable continuous learning for athletes.
KUALA TERENGGANU: Sports and education cannot be separated as both go hand in hand to shape a person’s character and development according to national athletics legend Datuk Marina Chin.
Marina said involvement in sports would not only create high-performance athletes but allow them to have continuous learning that will help build careers after retirement.
She explained that athletes can transition into roles such as coaches and movers in the development of sports nationally after their competitive careers end.
“Even though I started as an athlete, I kept on developing into a coach and got involved in sports development and such,” she told reporters after the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin convocation ceremony.
Marina received an honorary doctorate in sports science from Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah during the ceremony.
The learning and development process for national athletes seems to be developing with more former athletes returning to provide their expertise in coaching, education and sports administration.
She added that the sharing of knowledge and experience is a vital step in improving the national sports ecosystem.
“I feel that when we learn, we also share knowledge and experience and try to improve the situation in sports wherever we see room for improvement,” she said.
Marina noted that Malaysia is still in this process of developing its sports ecosystem through knowledge sharing.
She cited former pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu as an example of an athlete who gives back to the country after finishing her competitive career.
“Many athletes, like Roslinda Samsu, after finishing their careers as athletes, give back to the country in the form of giving lectures on sports science,” she explained.
These former athletes also become involved as coaches and members in boards such as the National Sports Institute and the National Sports Council.
The involvement of former athletes in various levels of sports administration and development will churn out more rounded and effective athletes in the future.
Marina also noted that Malaysia had accomplished quite a number of achievements by nurturing world-class athletes in many fields.
She acknowledged that there was always room to improve in other sports beyond those where Malaysia has already found success.
“My hope is to see Malaysia continue to progress and all sports capable of nurturing world champions,” she added.
Marina expressed her desire to see local coaches reach international standards in their coaching capabilities.
She emphasized that continuous learning and development remains essential throughout an athlete’s career and beyond. – Bernama
