A message of hope and grit even in adversity

YOU know those good morning greetings that clog up your phone’s memory? I get plenty of them from friends, relatives or contacts – some every day.

They may be a nuisance to some people but I have learnt to appreciate the kind wishes.

I don’t really answer every one of them but once in a while, I try to respond to the positive messages.

One such person is our former cycling great Shaharuddin Jaafar. He was the country’s first cycling gold medallist at the 1965 SEAP Games in Kuala Lumpur and he pedalled to victory without a coach or full-time training.

We have kept in touch after several interviews over the years and I’ve visited him at home too, but what makes him stand out is his positivity despite adversity.

This Jan 26 will mark his fourth year of undergoing dialysis. There had been times when his health had gone south but he would always come out of the painful episode without grumbling or complaining.

Instead, the hardy Shaharuddin uses his difficulties to encourage and motivate others.

In fact, in his recent text to me from the dialysis centre, the 84-year-old said he wants to give a talk on what dialysis is to the public. Isn’t that just amazing?

His bright outlook on life and the ability to stand tall despite his own pain is indeed commendable.

We can see the same positive attitude in our national bowlers Rafiq Ismail and Natasha Roslan.

Rafiq’s dad was wheeled into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while Asia’s No. 1 male bowler was battling at the World Cup in Hong Kong.

He was deeply troubled – who would not be – and even contemplated taking the first flight back home but he knew his father would not want that.

He turned his worry into motivation and went on to roll down a silver in the singles and led the team to a gold – to the delight of his dad, who is a pillar behind his bowling career.

Rafiq’s father is out of the ICU and is slowly recovering. I am sure his son’s success helped.

Natasha too had to cope with her mother being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. She had wanted to put bowling on hold to care for her mum.

Her mother, who had encouraged her to take up the sport when she was eight, however, was not having any of it. She continued to encourage her, and this week, Natasha became the country’s first woman World Cup winner.

The 28-year-old Natasha showed that one can overcome inner struggles with the right support and guidance.

And just look at mixed doubles shuttler Toh Ee Wei.

Last year in September, she injured her hand after a freak accident at the gymnasium, and now, months later, she is ranked third in the world with Chen Tang Jie and just keeps going strong.

There are many others in the sports fraternity like Shaharuddin, Rafiq or Natasha or Ee Wei. Each has had their fair share of troubles but never allowed it to get them down.

Many times, challenges like illness, accidents, injuries, misfortunes, loss of a person or even racial and religious persecutions are beyond one’s control.

No one is spared from it – from the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to the top officials, or senior or junior athletes, everyone goes through it.It’s how we stand amidst these hardships and calamities that makes us different and sets us apart. Not by blaming others or undermining others, not by ridiculing others, and for sure not by giving up without a fight.

Staying positive like Shaharuddin is the way to go; turning grief and pain into positive outcomes like Rafiq, Natasha and Ee Wei is courageous.

Let’s encourage one another even when the challenges of the world weigh us down – may it be through a positive message in the morning, or a phone call in the evening or even an inspiring show on the sporting battle ground.

After all, kind words and good deeds cost nothing yet their values are beyond silver or gold.