Basic sports psychology vital

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A must-have for athletes, officials as it is a weapon in gaining an edge over competition

KUCHING: Every official who looks after the athletes competing at Sukma XIII should have some basic knowledge of sports psychology because it is one of the weapons in the athlete’s armoury in gaining the winning edge.

BETTER MENTAL PREPARATION: Lee (front row, seventh right) with (from sixth right) Gagne, Soedirman, Nyurang (third left) and course participants.

BETTER MENTAL PREPARATION: Lee (front row, seventh right) with (from sixth right) Gagne, Soedirman, Nyurang (third left) and course participants.

Sarawak chef de mission (CDM) Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who said this yesterday, felt that it was imperative that they should understand the techniques used in competitive sports on how to maintain, control and optimise the athletes’ performances.

“We need to know how to improve the athletes’ mental skills such as self-confidence, motivation, and the ability to concentrate and relax under great pressure,” he said at the Basic Sports Psychology course for assistant CDMs, team managers and coaches.

The half-day course was conducted by renowned motivator Michel Gagne who was flown in from Kuala Lumpur specially to share his knowledge with more than 50 participants at State Library.

In gearing up for the games, Lee said every effort was being made to ensure that the state athletes were in top gear and well prepared both physically, psychologically and mentally for the tough challenges ahead in Sukma XIII in Melaka.

Therefore, he believed that the course was an appropriate one to prepare the officials to overcome any problem such as stress and pressure as well as interference from the parents.

“A total of 33 events will be competed at Sukma and we are only competing in 29 events. As we are not taking part in four events, we have already lost 45 gold medals even before the competition begins,” Lee said.

This is why the state athletes and the officials should very be focused and work hard to achieve the best results in the events that Sarawak are taking part in, he added.

Lee, who is also Assistant Minister of Sports, said as leaders, the officials should also be motivated and mentally and physically prepared.

“We must give our athletes the best mental and psychological support that we can and ensure that they are in control of their emotions during the competition,” he stressed.

He also urged the respective officials to go down to the training centres to get to know their athletes and communicate with them.

“We must also show our full commitment so that the athletes will follow suit,” he said.

Lee said the 4Cs, namely concentration, confidence, control and commitment are the main mental qualities that were keys to success and achievements  and high performance in most     sports.

“By concentration, we mean the ability to maintain focus, confidence is to believe in one’s abilities while control is the ability to maintain emotional control regardless of distraction and commitment is the ability to continue working towards agreed goals,” he said.

Also present were permanent secretary to Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation Soedirman Aini and Sarawak State Sports Council director Francis Nyurang Ding.