Our athletes need to seize the moment, and chart their own paths

THE word “empowerment” is used so frequently these days, even within my own household. When it comes to life-changing decisions.

We all know what it means – of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.

For Malaysian athletes, it is not just a buzzword. It is a necessity for survival. Above all, it is freedom.

Take women’s doubles players Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah. They have signed a lucrative four-year deal with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), amid swirling speculation about them going independent.

Their decision was not impulsive or emotional. It was calculated, confident. They believed in themselves, negotiated well – and emerged with what they believe was best for them.

That is empowerment – the willingness to take part in discussions, despite the opinions of fans, media – or even their own shadows – and still push forward.

As Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) says in F1: The Movie, the optics, the noise, the tweets, the posts ... they do not matter. What matters is the race.

For our athletes, that race is growth, on the field and in life.

But not everyone is like our badminton pair. Many of our footballers are just sitting on their hands, waiting anxiously for the transfer window to toss them a lifeline.

Some are clubless, others are loan-hopping – and many have handed their careers over to agents. Those agents are now empowered to act on the players’ behalf. And the players have lost their empowerment.

Don’t get me wrong – agents are doing their jobs, and their phones are always buzzing.

But players must realise it is their career, their names, their future. From taxes to contracts, from insurance policies to brand endorsements, how many of our players truly understand what they sign?

How many are aware of their medical rights, or can speak confidently during media interviews? I have seen players who lack even a basic football resume, a document that should be as ready as their boots.

Then there is the issue of transparency. Athletes deserve the essentials to excel – quality amenities, cutting-edge facilities, and technology to improve training and match performance.

This is professionalism. And professional sports must have it. In Malaysia, it looks like only Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) really have what it takes.

We have seen players like Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo, and Nacho Mendez all joining JDT, sparking debate on social media.

When a player of mixed heritage chooses JDT over staying in Europe, there’s inevitable noise.

People will say they wish these players had remained in Spain, Portugal, or Turkey, fighting for a spot, competing at a higher level. I won’t lie, I have thought the same.

But who can ignore the allure of a club like the Southern Tigers? A club backed by vision, leadership, and substantial resources. Those players did not make impulsive decisions – this is a career-defining moment driven by choice.

We hope they maintain the same level of intensity when wearing national colours, although exposure in the Super League is not as great as the leagues they once played in.

Meanwhile, Dion Cools is leaving Malaysia for Cerezo Osaka. The J-League is not just a league, it is a battleground – fast, ruthless, and technically top-tier. The Harimau Malaya defender is not going there because it is comfortable. He is going because it challenges him.

National coach Peter Cklamovski once said Malaysians need to test themselves in leagues like Japan.

He’s right. It is only under real pressure that you discover who you truly are.

So to all Malaysian athletes, it is time to believe in yourselves. Stop outsourcing your futures. Learn to make your own decisions.

If Pearly and Thinaah can sit at the negotiating table and sort their deal, so can you.

If Cools can choose the harder path to become a better player, so can you.

The road to greatness starts not just with talent, but also with taking ownership – of your game, your story, your life.

Empower yourself because no one else, not even the agent with the best intentions, will do it for you.