YOUNG and energetic kids and teenagers have been urged to join the Penang Sailing Association (PESA) and become successful sailors.
PESA chairman Malik Faisal Abdul Rahman said sailing is often pictured as a dangerous water activity among many to embark on.
“To be honest, being a sailor can be as rewarding as any other career. Any path that you wish to take in life with full honesty and dedication, will bear fruit provided you have passion for it.
“Same would apply for sailors. If you are not interested, you won’t be able to enjoy the sport as it is,” Malik Faisal said in an exclusive interview with Buletin Mutiara recently.
Malik Faisal, who was appointed as chairman in 2019, said that moving forward, the association aims to motivate and encourage young kids in rural areas, especially the ones with high energy level and are super active.
“There are many children in hard-to-reach communities that may be interested to venture in this field. There can also be kids without any purpose or direction in life that can benefit from the trainings we organise.
“We hope to make a difference in their lives. Rather than just roaming around without any kind of purpose in life, they might as well do something useful.
“Who knows, the kids might turn up to be gold medal winners in future national or international competitions. Never try, you never know,” Malik Faisal added.
According to him, there are 52 athletes and three active coaches at the association for now.
“Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all the trainings have been stopped until further notice from Penang State Sports Council and relevant authorities,” he added.
There are currently three training centres for PESA under the supervision of PSSC, namely in Tanjung Bungah, Bagan Ajam and Teluk Kumbar.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of PESA