AFTER having spent a big part of her life in squash, former world champion Nicol David is now planning to set up a foundation called the ‘Nicol David Organisation’.
Nicol, during an exclusive interview with Buletin Mutiara, said the foundation would focus on empowering the youth (girls and boys) in Malaysia through the values of sports and education.
“Sports gave me a lot of strong values that will stay with me for all my life, and I want to create a place where the young people can gain these values through squash and to help their proficiency in English to open more opportunities for them in their future.
“Apart from that, I do hope to continue with my motivational talks to inspire more people to keep striving towards their full potential and just go for it.
“Before I retired, I have always wanted to give back in some way. So, right now I want to continue to stand for women, youth and sports in the near future through my upcoming activities which I am truly looking forward to,” Nicol told Buletin Mutiara.
In her heyday, she bagged major international and national-level championship titles and gained stardom like no other player in the game.
She also urged young people to consider sports as a career. Importantly, she said one needs to walk away first with heads held up high when negative critics or comments flush like blistering barnacles.
Let alone an individual’s personal desire to make it big in sports, Nicol said Malaysia is a country with growing development in terms of sports facilities, and that the people need not worry about that part.
“It has grown so much since the time I started off competing for Malaysia when I was 11 years old. The development, facilities and experts around for the national athletes are at the very best currently.
“Then and now, we have had a lot of top assistance from all over the world to push the level up for our athletes’ development, and constantly together with grooming our trainers and expertise too for high performance training.
“There are not many countries that may necessarily have everything in place for their athletes to take on their career path in the field of sports as like in Malaysia.
“This (sports) can now become a career path to be considered as well. I am living proof of how an investment in an athlete that has potential can get the benefits through national funding to pursue my passion for squash.
“To all aspiring young sportswomen and sportsmen, I would say just go for it and give yourself a chance to try.
“If there is something that is burning inside you to explore your potential, then work hard for it and take those steps to achieve the small goals you set for yourself to build up to your bigger goals.
“Step by step, things can go your way with dedication and hard work,” Nicol added.
Separately, when asked to comment about Penang’s development in multiple sectors over the years when she was away making headlines as the world’s best in the game, Nicol said Penang still feels like home despite its growth due to its culture of conserving important and its incredible identity.
“Penang is truly home to me and to see it continue to blossom in more ways now with its beauty, nature, and cultural growth that comes through wherever you go brings so much pride to us fellow Penangites.
“It continues to keep striving for great things and yet the atmosphere does remain homely as it has always been. Not forgetting the quality of our local food, which is still top-notch as many continued their tradition for generations in fulfilling their legacy,” Nicol added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Nicol David