Don’t sprint into danger

Greater expectations: Mohd Azeem Fahmi secured his first Asian Under-23 Championships gold medal in China yesterday. Inset: Marina Chin

Marina warns against overhyping Azeem’s success

PETALING JAYA: Former national track queen Marina Chin is no stranger to the negative impact of expectations that follow after winning a title.

Keeping this in mind, the twice-crowned National Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977 is wary not to overhype Mohd Azeem Fahmi’s recent achievement as he secured his career-first Asian Under-23 Championships gold medal yesterday in China.

“He has set a good baseline for the country. It’s a good motivation for our other young athletes to strive and potentially surpass it,” said Marina, following a committee meeting at the National Sports Council’s (NSC) headquarters yesterday.

Marina, who had a similar achievement with her first gold medal for the nation at the 1971 SEA Games at the tender age of 16, was vocal about how the mental pressure that accompanies success can be detrimental to young athletes.

“It’s easy to just say something and move on, but for them (the athletes), those same words continue to repeat nonstop in their minds.

‘‘That pressure will ultimately disrupttheir mental well-being,” added Marina.

She also drew fromher tenure as principal at Bukit Jalil Sports

School (BJSS) when speaking of her future hopes for the 22-yearold Azeem.

“I used to tell my kids to simply do their best, and the results will follow. He is still very young with a lot to look forward to. I wish him the best and hope he can break 10 seconds soon,” said Marina.

“But remember, he’s also a human being, and it’s okay if that takes time to achieve.”

Azeem, who currently holds the national 100m record with 10.09s, will take to the tracks again at the Nagoya-Aichi Asian Games in September.

Meanwhile, Marina, herself, will be busy leading the newly-formed performance evaluation and auditing panel as part of the NSC’s preparation for the home SEA Games in 2027.