BUKIT JALIL - Today’s young generation needs more inspiration in sports since they lack physical activities due to Covid-19, says Hannah Yeoh.
The Youth and Sports Minister encouraged the national hockey athletes to be an ‘inspiration’ to the young generation.
"The young post-Covid generation is not active in physical activities, there were no opportunities for them to explore physical activities.
"The next generation in Malaysia needs more inspiration because they face different pressures and lack role models in sports.
"You (hockey players) are the hero and you represent the next generation.
"Every game is a chance to win and a chance for you to become a ‘hero’,” she said, referring to the Malaysian hockey team.
Our Malaysia national men’s hockey team would participate in Federation International Hockey (FIF) Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
Hannah also said the Youth and Sports Ministry and National Sports Institute would continue to support the national sports team.
"All this while, the hockey team received tremendous support from National Sports Council, Youth and Sports Ministry also National Sports Institute.
"We will continue that and make sure basic support is given.
"In these five years, I also want to strengthen the coordination between the sports agency and ministry,” she said at a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium earlier today.
Commenting further, Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal expressed his gratitude to the ministry for its continuous support to the team.
"Malaysia has participated in eight Hockey World Cup and this will be our ninth. The players are quite optimistic this year.
"Money is never enough but the government had always supported us. That is the key issue of why Malaysia is in the top 10 of World Hockey.
"We need to maintain the rank to show Malaysia that the number one national team in sports is Hockey,” he said.
The team was scheduled to leave for India tomorrow morning for the (FIF) Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, which would take place from Jan 13 to Jan 29.