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Thursday, August 25, 2016

Malaysia - Rio 2016 Olympic Games

MALAYSIA AND OLYMPIC GAMES
Malaysia first participated at the Olympic Games in 1964, and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except when Malaysia participated in the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. Malaysia has never participated in the Winter Olympic Games...


EU - Top of Rio Olympics Medal Table
The Telegraph/Sport/Olympics
Number of Gold Medals: 
EU = 81, US = 30, China = 19, Russia = 12, Japan = 10, Australia = 7
Olympics Medals by Country:
1 United States (Gold = 46, Silver = 37, Bronze =38)
2 Great Britain (Gold = 27, Silver = 23, Bronze = 11)
3 China (Gold = 26, Silver = 18, Bronze = 26)
4 Russia (Gold = 19, Silver = 18, Bronze = 19)
5 Germany (Gold = 17, Silver = 18, Bronze = 19)
6 Japan (Gold = 12, Silver = 18, Bronze = 21)
7 France (Gold = 10, Silver = 18, Bronze = 14)
8 Korea (Gold = 9, Silver = 3, Bronze = 9)
9 Italy (Gold = 8, Silver = 12, Bronze = 8)
10 Australia (Gold = 2, Silver = 2, Bronze = 2)
35 Thailand (Gold = 2, Silver = 2, Bronze = 2)
46 Indonesia (Gold = 1, Silver = 1, Bronze = 0)
48 Vietnam (Gold = 1, Silver = 1, Bronze = 0)
54 Singapore (Gold = 1, Silver = 0, Bronze = 0)
60 Malaysia (Gold = 0, Silver = 4, Bronze = 1)
The silver medals were obtained through badminton men's singles ace Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong (men's doubles), ChanPeng Soon/Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) and divers Pandelela Rinong/Cheong Jun Hoong in the 10m synchronised platform event. The bronze was contributed by Azizulhasni Awang (Keirin - Bicycle)
75 Tunisia(Gold = 0, Silver = 0, Bronze = 3)
77 Israel (Gold = 0, Silver = 0, Bronze = 2)
78 Austria, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Portugal, Trinidad & Tobago UAE (Gold = 0, Silver = 0, Bronze = 1)
The European Union is at the top of an Olympic medal tracker created by a German PR firm, leading to claims of Europeans attempting to take credit for Britain's extraordinary Rio success. 
The version of the medal table raised eyebrows after amalgamating Britain's golds with the medals won by other European countries to put it firmly on the top.
The EU medal tally was produced by German company Euro Informationen, which lists the European Commission and European Parliament as their most prominent clients, but was not commissioned by an EU body...

When he was asked to share his experience at Rio Olympics 2016, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei had this to say:
“I held my first racquet when I was a child and since then, I developed a pure and utter admiration for the game. Over the years I have been lucky enough to have found much success with the sport. Sure wins are great, championships are great, but there is something so unifying about sport in its purest form. I am extremely grateful for the camaraderie and support by my fellow Malaysians – so much so that it becomes overwhelming. The faith and believe they have in me motivates me and keep me going. Thank you, Malaysia – I could have never gotten this far without your support!” said Dato’ Lee Chong Wei.
Some say that today, playing sports is all about winning at all costs. What we must also remember is that that sport is all about the passion, determination and perseverance to excel and giving the best you can. These qualities are strikingly evident in Dato’ Lee Chong Wei at the recent Rio Olympics and all the matches he has ever played. We are incredibly proud of him as our national champion and we are honoured to have him represent the Samsung brand in Malaysia for all these years. Dato’ Lee Chong Wei, your aspirations has made Malaysia proud – Samsung shares the pride of your achievement”, added Mr Lee…
Sabah Gives RM100,000 to Olympics Medallist Tan Wee Kiong
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah-based Olympics silver medallist Tan Wee Kiong received RM100,000 from the state government and private contributors for his achievement at the recently concluded Rio Games.
After presenting the mock cheque to Tan, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the state was proud of the Johor-born Tan whose family settled in Tawau,  Sabah 16 years ago.
Tan, 27, had partnered with Goh V Shem to clinch a silver medal at the Olympics in the badminton men’s doubles final.
“We are proud to have a player representing Sabah who has carved a name in the international arena and we hope to see more achievements from him,” he said during a private luncheon with Tan at his official residence in Sri Gaya, Monday afternoon.
“This is also a gesture of appreciation by the state government as well as other private individuals for Wee Kiong,” he said, adding that the state government gave RM55,000 while other contributors gave RM45, 000.
Tan, who became a member of the Sabah Badminton Association since 2012, said he did not expect to be given such incentive from the state government, let alone a huge one.
“I am really surprised when I was told that I would be given RM100, 000 for the Rio achievement,” he said…

We Proud of You
Heart of Gold
Beasley will stay as long as Malaysians want him
The Star/Wednesday, 24 August 2016
By Lim Teik Huat

PINT-sized Malaysian cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has always said he will not be where he is today if not for his coach John Beasley.
With four World Championship med­als and now a prized Olympic bronze in keirin, Azizul’s success in a sport domi­nated by burly Europeans came after years of punishing hard work at his Melbourne base.
Beasley, who has been in charge of the elite squad since 2006, gave an assurance that he will be around to help Azizul make another bid for Olympic glory at Tokyo 2020.
There have been offers from five countries to lure him away but the Australian, whose contract is until the end of next year, said his heart is always with Malaysia.
“I’ll be around as long as Malaysians want me. I still have a lot to do to make cycling better than what it is now.
“If the National Sports Council, National Sports Institute and the Podium Programme are all on the same page, we can definitely achieve even better things.
“The next goal is to get Azizul on top and the other cyclists on the podium.
“I still have not got all the structure right. If we get them in place, maybe I will look at doing something else.
“I worked so hard to get cycling to where it is but we are still not finished, so I guess you are stuck with me until
you don’t want me,” he said.
Asked on why he loves Malaysia so much, Beasley replied: “I guess Malaysia gave me my first opportunity. When I was in the Australian system, I was just one of the many coaches.
“I started out with Josiah Ng and we had some success with him. Before I knew it, I was in charge of the whole programme.
“It’s very challenging and I love the many aspects of it.”
Beasley added it was a proud moment for him when Azizul stood on the podium flanked by the much taller Dutchman Matthijs Buchli and Britain’s Jason Kenny after the keirin final.
“It was a big moment for Azizul and the team felt very proud. We are hon­oured to give something back to Malaysia.
“Azizul worked so hard and I’m happy for him.
“Next year, we will give the seniors a break. We will ride but it is not the main focus as we want to rebuild the team.
“Of course, we will try to win the races we compete in but I also want to give them time to be with their families.
“We will give the younger ones like Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Mohd Khairul Nizam Rasol the opportunity to take part.
“We need to get as many races into them so they learn the craft. They can train physically well but they also have to learn the race craft.”

Reaching for a Higher Platform
Divers have come of age since their humble beginnings
By Lim Teik Huat
OUR divers have again showed they can be depended on to deliver at the world stage.
From a bronze through Pandelela Rinong in the 2012 Olympics in London, diving stepped up to provide a silver in Rio through the women’s 10m platform syn­chro duo, this time through Pandelela and her partner Cheong Jun Hoong.
It was a masterstroke of diving coach Yang Zhuliang who opted to leave out the most experienced member, Leong Mun Yee, after Jun Hoong-Pandelela dived con­sistently to claim silver at the same outdoor venue during the Diving World Cup in Rio in February.
Zhuliang was convinced that Jun Hoong- Pandelela would repeat the podium splash again in Rio. Jun Hoong-Pandelela did not disappoint as they grabbed the first ever synchro Olympic medal - and also the first for the Malaysian contingent in Rio on Aug 9.
The signs were already there for diving to deliver. Malaysia has bagged medals at the World Championships stage before this.
Pandelela then partnered Mun Yee to a historic first - a bronze in the 10m platform synchro at the 2009 world meet in Rome.
The duo repeated the feat in Barcelona in 2013 and it was Pandelela who stepped onto the podium for her first individual medal - bronze in the 10m platform in Kazan, Russia last year.
Amazingly, the rapid progress diving made as a medal contributor on the highest stage comes after just four Olympic cycles.
Before 1994, Malaysia had no facilities, no athletes and no history in in the sport except for a one-off participation at die
1971 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
It is due to the Jaya ’98 programme (to prepare athletes for the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games) which started in 1994.
Former National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad, who played a big part in the resur­gence of diving, recalled that the involve­ment started with Chinese coach Li Juirong, who was attached to the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Swimming Association at that time being recruited to train a group of youngsters from scratch.
“We singled out diving for the Jaya ’98 programme as the sport suited small-built athletes. With a proper programme, we believed we could win medals in the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
“Diving started from scratch. We had to build facilities, including dry gyms and also introduce programmes in Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak Sabah and Penang. One of the criteria in selecting divers was for them to leap from a 10m platform without showing any fear.
“We are talking about seven, eight-year olds being told to jump off a platform. Many were afraid but the ones who showed no fear were shortlisted for the next stage.
“We also realised divers spent more time developing their acrobatic skills on dry land rather than in the pool.”
After the basic facilities were in place in Cheras, more coaches from China were brought in and Malaysia managed to send divers - for the first time in 24 years - to the SEA Games in Chiangmai in 1995.
Malaysia returned home empty-handed from Chiangmai but hopes were raised
when Farah Begum Abdullah won the country’s first-ever medal - a silver - in the Jakarta SEA Games two years later.
The breakthrough came in 1999 in Brunei when Yeoh Ken Nee and Farah claimed gold medals. Diving has not looked back since then as a major contributor for Malaysia in the SEA Games.
National divers made their Olympic debut in 2000 with four qualifying for Sydney. The divers followed up with three bronze at the Asian Games for the first time in Busan in 2002.
At the Commonwealth Games, 3m springboard specialist Ken Nee and the 10m platform synchro duo of Bryan Nickson Lomas-James Sandayud claimed historic silver medals in Melbourne 2006 for the first time.
Pandelela capped a major achievement when she won the country’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 10m platform in New Delhi in 2010. Malaysia should thank Zhuliang for turning our divers into winners on the world stage despite the limitations.
“We still lack good facilities. This year we had to spent long periods in China because our usual venue in Bukit Jalil was closed for renovation.
“We do not have many options with our small number of divers and they have to train for more than one event.
“In China, there are at least 10 world- class divers for each event. If the regular ones do not meet expectations, they are replaced immediately for the next major competition.
“With these restrictions, we have achieved so much and we hope we can get better,” added Zhuliang.

Silver Lining From The Court
LCW's contribution already worth its weight in gold
The Star/Sport/24 August, 2016
By Kng Zheng Guan
DATUK Lee Chong Wei’s heartfelt apology was felt by all Malaysians on Aug 20. He didn’t need to apologise.
The world No. 1 and Malaysia’s leading shuttler for almost two decades had given his all. He tried very hard but fell just short again in an Olympic final.
In 2008 and 2012, Chong Wei was twice thwarted by old nemesis Lin Dan.
Hopes were raised for a first gold medal after the Penangite finally turned the tables to beat Lin Dan 15-21, 21-11,22-20 in the semi-finals.
However, Chong Wei appeared to be a spent force after the gruelling clash and went down 18-21, 18-21 to world No. 2 Chen Long.
For Chong Wei, who turns 34 in October, a third straight silver medal in what is likely to be his last Olympics is cer­tainly disappointing.
He will be 38 by the time Tokyo 2020 rolls around and it’s unlikely he will mount another bid for gold.
“I don’t think I’ll continue in four years time. I’ll continue until next year’s World Championships and see how my condition is,” said Chong Wei.
“But I’ll probably stop playing to give the younger guys a chance in the 2020 Olympics.”
The silver lining is that Chong Wei’s medal meant it was the best-ever showing by the badminton squad since the 1992 Olympics when the sport was first intro­duced.
The medals by Chong Wei, men’s pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying made it Malaysia’s biggest haul in badminton and the first time they have won medals in three events.
The previous best showing was 20 years ago, at the 1996 Adanta Games when Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock won a silver
in men’s doubles and Rashid Sidek took the men’s singles bronze.
Rashid and Kim Hock, who has served the country as player and coach, believes Malaysia could not have asked for more from the Rio squad.
‘To get three silvers is simply fantastic. At best, we’ve only made one final so to have three is really a great feat,” said Rashid.
“It’s definitely a cause for celebration as well. It’s good for the players too ... to feel a bit more appreciated.
“What made it even better was the sil­ver from V Shem-Wee Kiong and Peng Soon-Liu Ying since all the focus was on Chong Wei.”
Rashid however pointed out that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) need to start planning now for Tokyo 2020.
‘To repeat this feat would definitely be very difficult, especially in the men’s sin­gles where we don’t really have anyone to replace Chong Wei,” added Rashid.
“But BAM have time and they need to start planning now in order to achieve success in Tokyo.”
Similarly, Kim Hock believes V Shem- Wee Kiong can deliver a medal again in 2020.
“It’s their first Olympics and they will learn from this and become more mature,” said Kim Hock.
“What they need to worry about is the likes of Indonesia and China who have fast-rising young pairs waiting in the wings.”
And Malaysia needs the likes of Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Soo Teck Zhi, Soong Joo Ven and Cheam June Wei to step up to the plate fast.
There is also world junior champion Goh Jin Wei.
Hopes are high she will be ready to launch an assault on the gold medal in four years’ time.

Shazrin: Rio just right start for me
OLYMPIC debutant Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif (pic) is all smiles despite not making waves in Rio.
The teenager was placed 33rd out of 37 com­petitors in the women’s Laser radial.
Despite failing to reach her target of finish­ing as the best Asian sailor, Shazrin said she has returned home a lot wiser.
“Competing at the Olympics is really an eye-opener... this invaluable experience will motivate me to work harder to seal a spot at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020,” said the Pekan local who was the youngest sailor in her event.
“The waves and wind in Rio is something that I have never experienced before and I’m glad I managed to complete all eight races. I’ll take this result in my stride.
“When you race against the world’s best you pick up some pointers such as the different techniques used by the other sailors and I will try to use it with the help of my coach.”
The Langkawi- based sailor became Malaysia’s first woman to compete in the event at the Olympics after winning a silver medal in her debut at the Asian Sailing Championships in Abu Dhabi last March.
Shazrin said she will next shift her focus to the 2016 Youth Sailing World Championships in Auckland from Dec 14-20.
“This Olympic is just the beginning from me ... I learned a lot in Rio I will build on this expe­rience to come back stronger.”

 Josiah Feels Sport Psychology Can Make The Difference For Our Athletes
Nation's pride: Malaysian track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang celebrating his bronze medal achievement in men's keirin at the recent Rio Olympic Games.
The Star/Sport/24 August, 2016
By Lim Teik Huat
PETALING JAYA: Buddha once said the mind is everything. What you think, you become.
So could a better emphasis on sports psychology translate into a gold medal in Rio?
There may be room for argument but former Malaysian track cyclist Josiah Ng felt that mental strength is one common denominator all elite athletes can agree on.
The 2004 Athens Olympic keirin finalist, who posted his interesting observations on Facebook, said it would be interesting to find out how many of the 32 athletes have ever worked with a sports pyschologist. And of those who had worked with one before, how many have done it on a regular basis.
“We are sending our best athletes to the Olympic Games physically well prepared but mentally they are unable to cope with the lpressure and expectations.
“Before the Games, an athlete reached out to me via Facebook. This athlete told me that while he and his team-mates were the strongest and fittest they have been, they were missing the technical element,” said Josiah.
“Concerned, I called this athlete and one of the questions I asked: what their sports psychologist feed­back was. It turned out they had never worked with one before.
“I started working with one when I was 29 years old. I engaged one on my own accord and even paid him out of my own pocket for the first few months while I waited for approval from the sports adminis­trators.
“As a whole, most of my career- best performances were after I was 30. I would attribute 80% of that improvement so late in my career to my improved mental strength.
“Imagine if I had worked with one since the beginning of my career. Perhaps my fifth place in Athens Olympics would have been a bronze medal.
“After all, there was only a two-centimetre difference between third, fourth and fifth place or less than a fraction of a second at the speed we were riding.
“Let’s take Lee Chong Wei as another example. He has been ranked world No. 1 for 199 consecu­tive weeks. He is the most consistent player on the world circuit. He has also won every major out there except for the World Championships and Olympics.
“No doubt he is mentally very strong but perhaps his top tier Chinese rivals are just a fraction of a percent better able to cope mentally during crunch time. That could be the difference.
“I would love to know if he has been working with a sports psy­chologist on a regular basis.
“If it were up to me, every single Malaysian athlete in the elite pro­gramme would be required to work with a sports psychologist on a regu­lar basis. There would be assess­ment tests to track progression just like for their physical performanc­es,” added Josiah.
Sports psychology needs to be implemented in our training pro­grammes.”
“We also have to start looking more closely at the little things that we can improve upon. Marginal gains should be in the vocabulary of every staff member,” said Josiah.
And on a parting note, Josiah said contrary to what many think, suc­cessful Olympic athletes are not motivated by money alone.
“We don’t need more monetary incentives. Gold medallists are not primarily driven by money. They are driven by the desire to execute everything to perfection.
“That mentality is what we need to mine gold in Tokyo in 2020.”


Time to look ahead as the tributes
IPOH: Former badminton great Datuk Tan Yee Khan has two words for the current shuttlers - no regrets.
“You all played very well and so, there shouldn’t be any regrets.
“In fact, this is one of the best years in our country’s Olympic histo­ry,” said the 75-year-old former All England men’s doubles champion.
According to him, Datuk Lee Chong Wei had been under immense pressure to bring home the country’s first gold medal.
“It’s hard to play your best game under such pressure,” he said.
Tan also sang the praises of Malaysia’s mixed doubles team of Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying and the men’s doubles pair of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, who each brought home a silver from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
‘The last few matches played by the mixed doubles team were the best ever I've seen them perform where­as the men's doubles team has improved tremendously.
“They all deserve praise,” he said.
Tan said that rather than focus on the past, the shuttlers must now look to the future.
“They have to study their own matches at the Olympics and see where they went wrong. Learn from those mistakes,” he added.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said on his Facebook page that Malaysians were proud of the national hero’s performance.
“Although tonight is not Chong Wei’s, his fighting and never lose spirit is enough to make all Malaysians proud,” he said.
In an earlier tweet, Dr Wee asked which individual in the world could match Chong Wei’s achievement in securing three silver medals in three consecutive Olympic Games.
Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said: “It is very heartening to see them fight so hard.”
He added that it was equally heartening to see the unity shown in supporting the athletes.
Bloomberg TV Malaysia chair­man and former minister Tan Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi said Chong Wei had to be admired for his com­posure and style despite the unima­ginable pressure of carrying all of Malaysia’s hopes.
“We should be proud of this four- time Olympian, three-time silver medallist! TTiaf s a feat that won’t be easy to match for years.”
His wife, noted actress and pro­ducer Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, congratulated the Olympic medal­lists on her Instagram.
She posted, “Well done to our Malaysian Heroes who fought the world’s best and made us proud at #rio2016. What a lovely #merdeka gift for Malaysia!”
Reposting a photo collage of the Rio Olympics medallists by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, comedian and televi­sion host Harith Iskander wrote: “When you understand the hours, commitment, dedication, pain, slog, grit and work our Olympians put in then only will you understand that they are true heroes - and how they unite the people and the country is a power no one can manufacture."
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said Chong Wei would remain the hero the country can take pride in.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Chong Wei and Chen Long played great badminton in the final.
“Congrats for Malaysia’s three silvers,” he said.

Malaysians All Proud of Our Olympians' performance
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak are just as pleased with the performance of the Olympians.
Sabah Badminton Association supreme' council member Golubi Guntarek said winning and losing was part of a game.
“We Malaysians accept the silvers and bronze and are truly happy,” he said.
He said all the Malaysian Olympians had done their best and there was nothing more they could have done.
In Sibu, Sarawak Central Region Hotels Association chairman Johnny Wong felt the athletes had tried their best but “luck was not with them”.
“People should give them their full support so that they can do bet­ter next time,” he said.
Malaysia Amateur Volleyball Association president Dr Hii Sui Cheng said he felt proud to be a Malaysian.
“I was especially happy to see all Malaysians of different back­grounds unite and cheer for the Olympians,” said Dr Hii, a leasing company chief executive officer.
“As a sports leader, I will do my part to help the young people go for excellence."

Athletes come home to a hero's welcome
PETALING JAYA: The athletes who made the Jalur Gemilang flutter at the Rio Olympics will come home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday.
The plane flying the Malaysian shuttlers and divers will be given a water salute upon landing at the KL International Airport at 1,50pm.
The athletes will then be wel­comed by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, senior officials from the ministry, National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute.
Further details of the welcome reception will be released today.
  
Thumbs Up to the Malaysian Contingent
PETALING JAYA; Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has praised Malaysia's Olympics conti­ngent for its best ever performance at the Rio Games.
“As the Rio Olympics draws to a close, the Malaysian contingent goes home with five medals: four silver and one bronze.
'This is the best achievement by the Malaysian contingent in the his­tory of our participation in the Olympic Games,” he said on his Facebook page yesterday.
Khairy said that although the Negaraku was not played at the Games, he was still proud of the athletes' accomplishments.
“They have united the people and gave hope to all” he said.
Khairy knows Datuk Lee Chong Wei was saddened by the badmin­ton final result, having to shoulder the burden of the nation’s hopes for more than 10 years.
‘To Chong Wei, you are still the pride of the nation. You are still our hero, the people of Malaysia. Thank you for your struggles all these years. You have the respect of every Malaysian,” he said.
Khairy also expressed his grati­tude to the athletes who won medals: badminton men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem and Tan Wee
e posted: “Well done to our Malaysian Heroes who fought the
Kiong, mixed doubles pair Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon, divers Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong and cyclist Azizulhasni Awang.
“Thank you for being the nation’s pride, by standing on the world stage as champions. You’re all the best and you have inspired genera­tions of Malaysian athletes to come,” he said.
He praised all the athletes, coach­es and officials for making it Malaysia’s best ever Olympic Games.
He added that years from now, he would look back at the Rio Olympics with tears in his eyes and pride in his soul “because you all made me believe that we can achieve great­ness and a united nation”.
“To chef de mission Tan Sri Al-Amin Majid, thank you for your leadership,” he said, while also praising former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek for starting the Road to Rio programme after the London Olympics in 2012.
Khairy added that the focus now must be the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“The 2020 Olympic planning has started with the launch of the Podium Programme in February. I will emphasise the development of
dminton in the final, “Congrats for Malaysia’s three sil­vers,” he posted.
athletes and sports science applica­tion through the Podium Pro­gramme and the Programme Kita Juara,” he said,
Khairy stressed that with good planning, Malaysia’s wait for a gold medal will end at Tokyo 2020.
Ahmad Shabery said the Road to Rio was a continuation of the Road to London programme.
He said the Road to Rio was spe­cific to the types of sports in which Malaysia had a realistic chance of winning, such as badminton, di­ving, track cycling and archery.
“I only inherited the traditions built by my predecessors, not only from the ministry but also other institutions such as the National Sports Council, Olympic Council and the Nationi Sports Institute.
“Other organisations such as the Badminton Association Malaysia also played a part,” said Ahmad Shabery, who is now Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister.
“As a country that is limited in resources, the Road to Rio has prov­en to be cost effective. It has reduced wastage and focuses only on group of athletes in certain fields. ,
“In the future, these sports should be maintained while at the same time, we should also start looking for talent in other fields,” he added,

Malaysians applaud the national athletes for their success at Rio 2016. 
Here are some comments on The Star Online's Facebook page:
The Star/Nation/Monday, 22 August 2016
Paul Ariff Maggs: “When you bring 30mil Malaysians together, that's worth more than any gold medal."
KC Lee: 'Though no gold, these Olympic events have helped us Malaysians to take a better look at our own identity again. I can only say to our athletes there: You guys are Malaysian heroes!"
Syed-Kasyfullah Syed-Dawilah: "Thank you for.Inspiring millions of younger Malaysians. Thank you for making millions of Malaysians proud. Thankyou for showihg us great determi­nation, outstanding world class performance, and never give up. That is gold."
Hazizan Khairuddin: "It is befitting that our Independence Day shall be celebrated soon. It is time once again for us to be proud to be Malaysian."
Rattan Roy: "It's an outstanding moment where all Malaysians get together to cheer for our nations team. Religion & politics were not in the way."
Yin Kx: "After 4 years there are more joys and celebrations compared to 2012! Let us put away all the political and religion issues, stay united and cheer for our great athletes! Please don't make silly statements while we are enjoying the pride of being a Malaysian!"
Lua Wei San: "You did us proud! We have among the best in the world!!! from a small 30 million population only."
Sivalinga Madhava: "Hero is called hero because they rise from falling but you have not fallen from your achievements."
Ishan Patel: To all our Olympians at Rio, u guys are awesome. Thanks for making the world know that we exist Proud to see that our Jalur Gemilang Qfficially wave 5 times in this Olympics."
Rem Chua: “We should cry tear of happiness and spur them on to better things to come. You are our heroes and please believe i yourself as we believe in you."
Rosiah Razlan: “With or without medals, regardless gold, silvers or bronze we Mslans are really proud of you.”
Lieu Jinky: "You have done ur best! U unite all Malaysian spirit through sports..U are one of the biggest achievements of Malaysia's sports.. thank u for the efforts & sacrifices.”
Ee Wah Chong: "You have given your best and that’s what matters for true sportsmanship. In sporting events, u either win, lose or draw but to do it gracefully am sporting is what the game is about."
Karu Aru: "Malaysian Hero....! Bravo because you guys made me feel a Proud Malaysian!?

Nicholas Koh: ‘The colour of the medal doesn’t matter! you hv made us proud as we of all colors of skin stood united as Malaysia to support you all the way"

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