One for the album: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh (seventh from left), followed by Nicol David and Mariana de Reyes at the premiere of the Little Legends programme docuseries at the GSC Cinema in Mid Valley.
KUALA LUMPUR: Squash legend Datuk Nicol David is still in dreamland after fulfilling her long-standing ambition of going to the Olympics.
The eight-time world champion never got a chance to play in the Olympics as squash was never contested on the world’s ultimate sporting stage despite all her efforts to get the sport into the Games.
She will now get to go as the deputy chef-de-mission to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The news of her appointment has yet to fully sink in.
“I was thrilled to receive the news from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh that I will be leading the Malaysian contingent in the Olympics along with chef de mission (Football Association of Malaysia president) Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin,” said Nicol at the premiere of the docuseries on the Little Legends programme in Midvalley, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
“It’s like a dream come true for me as I never got to compete in the Olympics,” she said
“I know squash is not in the Olympics but I’m not giving up hope. I will continue to lobby for it and hopefully, we will get to see it in the Olympics.’’
Nicol is also part of the Road to Gold committee for the Olympics.
The 39-year-old has her hands full as she is running the Little Legends programme as well as being the head coach under the Nicol David Organisation (NDO).
The five-year-programme which was started last year provides opportunities for four primary school students aged 12 from B40 and M40 families within the Bukit Jalil and Sri Petaling vicinity to learn English and be part of squash development programmes designed by Nicol.
Colombia’s former world class player Mariana de Reyes is the co-founder and chief executive officer of NDO.
The docuseries of the Little Legends programme, which consists of five episodes, will be shown on Astro, starting from March 18.
“The docuseries shows the process of the creation and planning of the programme,” said Nicol.
“We have been secretly filming this series for about a year to show what went on behind-the-scenes in this programme.
“It means so much to me to give back to my country.
“Succeeding in squash gave me the belief that I could do anything if I worked hard enough and had the proper mindset to reach my goals.
“Now, my mission is to give all these values back.
Meanwhile, Hannah, who was also present during the event, said: “The Little Legends is an amazing initiative that deserves all the recognition and support from the public. “I believe this is a great way to breach the education gap and improve the lives of these children.”
