KUALA LUMPUR – In order to boost the competitive spirit of Malaysia’s contingent, the Youth and Sports Ministry has launched Team MAS House, a ground-breaking initiative that will provide unprecedented sports science and medical support to athletes during the Paris Olympics in July.
The pioneering venture aims to provide athletes with comprehensive care and support beyond what is traditionally available within the Olympic Village, where access to specialised services can be limited.
Datuk Lee Chong Wei, a committee member of the Road to Gold (RTG) committee and former badminton singles maestro, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative.
Drawing from his illustrious career, which saw him dominate the sport globally, Chong Wei emphasised the significance of providing athletes with familiar support systems.
“I went to four Olympics between 2004 and 2016. Food was a problem for me in Athens (2004) and Rio de Janeiro (2016). It is important for athletes to prepare well, eat well, and sleep well.
“Getting access to extra food that we are familiar with will definitely be a big help to the athletes who are fighting hard for the country overseas. We also have physiotherapy services on hand.
“In short, Malaysia House is for the athletes to feel at home,” said Chong Wei after an RTG committee meeting at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The sentiment was echoed by squash legend Datuk Nicol David, an NSI board member, who underscored the pivotal role of the National Sports Institute (NSI) in ensuring athletes’ fitness for the Games.
“We will have our support staff everywhere, and the athletes will be more comfortable in the house (Team MAS House) with a nice environment.
“We will have NSI staff around the venue, the Olympic Village, and all the other venues that are required. Our contingent will be very well looked after.
“NSI has always been a true supporter in my career as a squash player, and they have also been the same for all our athletes in the RTG programme.
“We are very fortunate that now with RTG, we will have specific services for each sport catered to every athlete in the programme,” said the eight-time world champion who is also a member of the RTG committee.
So far, only five Malaysian athletes have qualified for the Paris Olympics. They are diver Bertrand Rhodict, sailor Nur Shazrin Latif, recurve archer Ariana Nur Dania Zairi, road cyclist Nur Aisyah Mohd Zubir, and shooter Johnathan Wong.
The 2024 Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11. – March 1, 2024