Racing ahead: Kaveeshan (in blue) in action during a tournament.
“ON your marks, get set, go!” shouts the official as he fires his pistol.
From the powerful pump that propels your body out of the blocks to the exhilarating rush of adrenaline surging through your veins as the crowd cheers you on, a track run is filled with magnificent highs.
But once that adrenaline wears off, the real challenge begins – the tightness in your chest as your lungs burn, the heaviness in your arms as you struggle to keep them swinging, and the lactic acid searing through your legs in the final stretch.
In a way, those excruciating lows mirror the journey of track athletes striving to reach the top.
One of the biggest hurdles faced not just by me, but by many other aspiring Malaysian athletes, is the lack of free, high-quality training facilities.
While Malaysians have access to numerous public parks, as well as basketball and badminton courts, the same cannot be said for field tracks.
Aspiring track athletes like me also can’t rely on our schools for training, as government schools with proper running tracks are few and far between.
As a result, my coach often scrambles to find a stadium, and I’ve had to travel long distances to train on tracks owned by universities and colleges.
Add in the standard entrance fees and peak-hour traffic in the evenings, and my athletics training often becomes a hassle for both my family and me.
Almost every aspiring athlete runs with a dream – no matter how slim the chances – of one day wearing our country’s colours on the track and standing on the Olympic or World Championships podium.
However, the hopes and dreams of our country’s athletes alone are not enough.
Despite the number of young Malaysians participating in athletics rivalling that in badminton and vastly outnumbering that in cycling and diving, consistent success – particularly in the Olympics – remains far beyond our reach.
In fact, no Malaysian has ever reached a final in any Olympic track event.
As an athlete who has competed in various local tournaments over the past few years, it is disheartening to see a country with such great potential being so limited in this field.
For Malaysia to achieve success on the track, it must be a collective effort.
Everyone involved – from the Youth and Sports Ministry to the parents of athletes – must do their part in building a solid platform for future generations.
After all, there’s no point in trying to build dreams on shaky foundations; they will only come crashing down.
Our athletes need new, free, high-quality training centres spread across the country. They also require more accessible, high-quality coaching, as talent alone is not enough without proper technique and guidance.
Parents and coaches must also play their part by providing a supportive environment, shielding athletes from distractions that could jeopardise their sporting careers, while not placing excessive pressure.
We cannot simply assume that young athletes will transform themselves into world-class track and field stars. As a nation, we must work together to support our bright talents, providing them with everything they need to stride towards success. Only then can we truly turn dreams into reality.
Since joining athletics at age 13, I have only competed at the state level for Petaling Utama. My goal now is to represent Selangor at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships and eventually compete overseas.
It’s good to have big dreams, but it’s even better to set realistic short-term goals and push forward once those goals are met.
I used to tense up and struggle to move on competition days. I had even vomited my meals before races due to the overwhelming stress of disappointing my parents and coaches.
Thankfully, with my family’s support, I am now much less affected by the pressure I once put on myself.
This wonderful sport has given me so many new experiences.
In my maiden year, I didn’t just break my school’s 400m record and compete at the District Schools Sports Council (MSSD) meet – I was also fortunate enough to be called up to represent Petaling Utama at the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) games.
At athletics meets, I have made new acquaintances and formed friendships, regardless of ethnicity or gender.
Track and field has also instilled values that are now embedded in my personality.
For starters, it has motivated me to be more mindful of my health. I have become more conscious of my sleep schedule and my diet, as these factors can greatly affect my performance.
Simple dietary habits, such as prioritising carbohydrates, are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing quick exhaustion.
The nature of athletics has also sparked a fire that fuels my competitive spirit. Seeing another athlete overtake me or hearing that someone else’s personal best surpasses mine drives me to get back on the training track.
But more than anything, this sport has taught me patience.
While we may crave instant results, progress takes time. It takes hundreds and thousands of hours of hard work for an athlete to see real improvement.
Sometimes, I wonder if my efforts will ever pay off. But thanks to the belief and patience instilled in me by my coaches and parents, I have never strayed far from my path, and I will continue on this journey for as long as I can.
Kaveeshan, 16, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1. What is your favourite sport to watch? Why?
2. Look through today’s StarSport pages. Cut out pictures of sports players who inspire you. Then, find adjectives in the newspaper to describe them and paste these around the cutouts. Once done, display your motivational poster on the class noticeboard. Be as creative as possible!
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
