KUALA LUMPUR — Fostering the growth of young athletes in Malaysia extends beyond talent scouting and training sessions; it also demands support from dedicated corporate figures invested in sports development.
Illustrating this commitment is Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, a prominent corporate figure, who recently made a noteworthy personal contribution to the Nicol David Organisation (NDO), founded by Malaysia’s legendary squash player, Datuk Nicol David.
Salim said his donation is aimed at raising awareness about the crucial need for external support in advancing the sport’s future.
“The progress of squash in the country has been very positive. So, I decided on this personal contribution because I wish to see more Malaysians becoming world champions and Olympians.
“I was talking to Datuk Nicol about organising a bigger fundraiser so that we could raise more funds for what her foundation stands for.
“We are trying to get more corporate players involved so that we can raise more funds for squash’s overall contribution,” he said when making a contribution of RM10,000 to NDO during a charity squash event today.
Salim added that the ultimate goal of the contribution is to tap into the potential of young athletes, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to succeed in the sport.
Meanwhile, Nicol thanked Salim’s continuous support over the past two years.
“Tan Sri has been gracious in supporting us for the last two years. This is a real honour. Our foundation is about empowering girls and boys through sports and education,” said Nicol.
The Nicol David Organisation, which currently supports 114 boys and girls, particularly from the B40 income group, focuses on empowering youngsters through a unique after-school program.
This program combines sports training and English tutoring classes, catering to low to mid-income children who aspire to explore squash while enhancing their English proficiency.
“We want to teach them the values of sports. So, every bit of support matters.
“I think with sports, it can help build the kids’ confidence.
“To have this charity fundraiser using squash as our vehicle, we hope to create more awareness about the purpose of the foundation and at the same time, we want to use sports to change children’s lives.
“We hope to grow bigger and reach out to more schools as we are constantly looking for more collaborative partners,” she added.
Salim’s contribution extended beyond Nicol’s foundation, as he also donated RM5,000 to former national squash player Kenneth Low.
Receiving the cheque on Kenneth’s behalf was National Athletes’ Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed.
Kenneth, currently battling multiple sclerosis (MS), is undergoing treatments to manage his condition. — December 9, 2023