Role Model Crucial To Producing Successful Women Athletes, Leaders - Sharon

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- It is vital to have a good role model in sports as it can be the catalyst to producing more successful women athletes and leaders, said former national squash player Sharon Wee.

The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) deputy president said sports legends like Datuk Nicol Ann David and several other women athletes have proven to be sources of inspiration that contributed to the birth of more talented athletes.

"We can see, for example (in squash),  how from Nicol, Low Wee Wern and myself to (now) S. Sivasangari, Aira and Aifa Azman - all of us successful because of the existence of strong role models.

"This is crucial because it gives women athletes the confidence that they can achieve success, be it as an athlete or as a sports leader,” she said when met at the 2024 Women In Sports National Seminar today.

She said that women's roles as leaders and administrators in sports must also be appreciated because they have an innate ability to have a deep understanding of an athlete's emotions.

In addition, Sharon also advised athletes to be wise in managing the use of social media so that they can stay focused and not be affected emotionally.

"Socia media these days is a part of our daily lives and we can't avoid it. So, athletes must be smart in managing their social media platforms and remain focused on the main objective so that their on-court (or on-field) performance is not affected,” she said.

The two-day seminar, which began today, aims to provide a platform for women sports enthusiasts and women athletes to get together to share experiences and provide motivation and support to advance national sports.

-- BERNAMA