SIBU: Malaysia Volleyball Association president Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng was all praise for the Malaysian Olympians for their performance at the just concluded 2016 Rio Olympics.
“I feel proud to be a Malaysian and especially happy to see all Malaysians united in cheering for the Malaysian team,” he said.
The achievements, he hoped, should spur more youths to go for excellence and aim for the top.
“As a sport leader, I am willing to do my part to help these athletes if my service is required,” he added.
He admitted that it was never easy to be an Olympian, what more an Olympic gold medallist.
“There is no short-cut to success and one has to work real hard and want success beyond all else if he or she is focused on winning an Olympic medal. It is never easy but once you get it, it will bring tremendous satisfaction.”
Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS) president Robert Lau Hui Yew echoed Hii’s views on Malaysia’s medal tally of four silver and one bronze which is the nation’s best showing in Olympic history.
“It would have been wonderful had we managed to convert a silver medal for a gold medal. But still, four silver medals and one bronze medal is a huge achievement,” he said.
Despite Malaysia failing to win the elusive gold medal, Sarawak Central Region Hotels Association chairman Johnny Wong Sie Lee described the achievements of the national contingent as “historic.”
Like many Malaysians he was also saddened by badminton ace Lee Chong Wei’s loss in the men’s singles final.
He said he was confident that Lee Chong Wei would deliver the first gold medal for Malaysia beating his long-time nemesis Lin Dan from China in the semi-final.
“It was so sad that he was denied the gold medal again by Chen Long in the final losing 18-21, 18-21.”
Still, Wong said all the Malaysian Olympians deserved praise and support, adding sports remained a great unifying factor for the people to come together.