Goh and Co champion safe space for athletes in Bukit Jalil as MACE ambassador

Off-court heroes: Former athletes led by Goh Liu Ying (third from left) return as ambassadors to guide younger generation of sporting stars.

PETALING JAYA: Are you feeling stressed? Deeply upset? Over­whelmed by things beyond your control?

Just walk into the My Athlete Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Malaysian Athletes and Career Education (MACE) under the National Sports Council (NSC) have set up a ‘safe zone’ pit stop for national athletes to unwind and de-stress without fear or judgement.

Olympic Games mixed doubles silver medallist Goh Liu Ying is among the 15 My Athlete Centre ambassadors selected to support for the current generation of athletes in need of emotional and mental guidance.

Liu Ying is excited to be part of it, as she felt it was one of the aspects that was missing during her competitive years.

“As a former athlete, I understand that performance is not built solely through training sessions and competitions. It is also shaped by mental strength, emotional balance and overall well-being,” said Liu Ying.

“My Athlete Centre is important because it recognises that athletes need space beyond the court.

“It provides a supportive environment where they can reset, manage pressure and take care of themselves holistically. In high-performance sport, expectations are constant.

“Having a dedicated space that prioritises well-being sends a strong message that athletes are valued not only for results, but as individuals.

Who then can benefit from the centre?

“It is open to all athletes, regardless of gender or sporting background. They have cafe and mini games corner,” she said.

“They can use it as a place to unwind after intense training cycles, manage stress, connect with fellow athletes, or simply step away from the competitive environment for a moment.

“It is not about performance evaluation. It is about providing a safe and comfortable space where athletes can recharge mentally and emotionally.

Liu Ying may have not enjoyed a similar initiative during her player days but she does not want the current group to miss it as she sees great value in it.

“As a spokesperson, I represent the broader mission of MACE, which focuses on athlete welfare, support systems and long-term development.

“My responsibility is to advocate for athletes’ well-being, raise awareness about available initiatives, and encourage open conversations about challenges that athletes face – both during and after their competitive careers.

“It is about being a voice for athletes and supporting initiatives that strengthen the overall ecosystem for them.

“During my competitive years, support structures existed, but they were largely centred around performance, recovery and competition preparation. The mental and emotional reset component was often something athletes had to manage individually.

Liu Ying said she had a circle of trustworthy support team to see her through in the past, but admitted that during some of her toughest moments, she largely had to fend for herself.

“Managing pressure was a continuous learning process for me. There were periods when results were not as expected, and the emotional impact was heavier than the physical fatigue.

“I relied heavily on my support system – family, coaches and close teammates, and over time I developed my own coping strategies to stay focused and grounded.

“Looking back, having a structured space like My Athlete Centre would have provided additional support during some of those challenging phases.”