The nation is at a serious crossroads. We want to become world class but are often satisfied with being ‘kampung class.\’

What do I mean? I chanced upon an advertisement in the NST wherein Telekom Malaysia (TM) advertised the following message:

\”Datuk Lee Chong Wei, runner-up of the 2011 Yonex BWF World Badminton championships: You will always be our No. 1\”.

It was a full page advertisement sponsored by Team Malaysia, Majlis Sukan Negara and TM.

Maybe I am not an advertising person and cannot understand subtle messages, but can someone who understands the show business world of media please tell me, what is the real message here to other world class Malaysians of (squash champion) Nicol David\’s calibre?

\"NONE\"

To me, we are being emotional and not rational. How can you be ‘runner-up\’ and No 1 at the same time?

Unless of course, we are satisfied being always there for the show business but never to really win. Of course, to TM it is enough of a win. We are their customers.

Please allow my reflections. Even before the game started, at dinner with my family, I predicted that Chong Wei ( right ) may not win because:

1. Lin Dan is a better player and with a greater range of strokes.

2. Lin Dan is a fitter and more muscular player.

3. Lin Dan has a stronger psyche and make-up from what I observed at the China Olympics performance by him.

Then my 19 year old added, \”Dad, also Malaysians do not have fighting spirit.\”

I was shocked at my son\’s observation as he had said the same thing I once wrote to the Malay Mail when I was 18 and also won a RM50 award for the best sports letter.

My affirmation to my son was: unlike Indonesians, who fought for their independence we only negotiated for it by organising marches and agreeing to compromises.

Even as we approach Merdeka Day let me simply say, I believe we do not know how to fight and stand up for the truth of what we believe without getting emotional and compromising truth, even when it denies who we really are.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was a maestro at this and often conned (as for convinced) the rest of the world doing it; but he did speak with equal passion and conviction.

Therefore, dear sponsors, rather than merely settling for second best, let us demand only their best and please do not settle for being second best and kampong class at the same time.

For example, what if your advertisement said: \”Chong Wei we are still with you! You did try your best, but it was not good enough! You can do it next time.\”

 Logic 101

Allow me to defend my thesis above and classify it as Logic 101.

Chong Wei is a Malaysian Chinese unlike the rest of us.

But Lin Dan is a Chinese Chinese. What do I mean? As a citizen of China, he probably grew up with military discipline and developed his physique and stamina.

Those early years of physical and dietary nurturing defines both physical and mental capabilities in later life.

I once wrote, \”Rabuan Pit lost the Olympic 100 metres dash to the American even before he reached the start line because they were fed and trained to win from the start.\”

I am not saying that Chong Wei did not eat well or was badly nurtured. It is just that global competition and standards are so high today that if you do not start with the end in mind, you are not meant to be in that game or industry, especially if you want to become world class.

\"nicol

This where I think Nicol David ( left ) is a class of her own today and, if she does not lose sight of her goals, will one day become the greatest squash player that the world has ever produced.

Did Malaysia or the Malaysian government or CIMB or other Malaysians have much to do with it?

Yes and no. Yes, in terms of those who took note of her early development and began to finance and encourage her \”growth phase.\”

No, in terms that, no one other than her family must have been her greatest supporters in times of greatest needs. They made the greatest sacrifice, and they supported her with the toughest choices.

 Nature and nurture

If she was my daughter, I am not sure that I would have let her go off to Europe for training after scoring 9As in the SPM; without doing some kind of scholarly activity attached with the training.

But, with the support of her family and closest relatives and good friends she did just that and today others can even claim credit for nurturing her.

You see, in sociological theories, they talk about both; \”nurture and nature.\” Nature defines genes, muscles, stamina, endurance and strength but nurture defines psychological make-up, spiritual endurance, intelligence and strategic thinking and opportunity assessment.

And because we are all human beings, we also set goals, targets and have purpose. All these define intentions. The next big test is whether we can convert intentions into action.

The gap between good intentions and actual actions, I call the personal integrity gap. Often there are many theories for why there is lack of integrity and consistency between intentions and actions.

Most worldviews offer some theory or other about the nature of man and why such gaps exist in lived life.

It is the personal integrity gap that defines preparation and the ability to perform at the highest level of competition, especially globally!

Often, we lack either physical endurance or often also, spiritual endurance. This reminds me of the movie ‘Chariots of Fire\’. The hero of the movie says something like this: \”I run because it makes me experience the presence of God.\”

Therefore, my question to both Chong Wei and his supporters and cheerleaders is: Why do you want to win the Olympic gold?

Let me propose one plausible answer: Chong Wei should aspire to be the first Malaysian to become world class and demonstrate that through an Olympic gold medal. I believe that could be an excellent answer; and it can become the basis of all preparations from today onwards.

Dear Chong Wei, I really believe you can. In fact, I watched the last game closely and I can say you matched Lin Dan on most counts and Lady Luck even smiled for you a number of times, but you lacked that final bit of audacity to go for the kill.

Yes, I lack this killer instinct too! That is not a bad trait in life, but for the Olympics and when you want to win this medal for the nation, you will need that killer instinct. Go for it.

In the modern world of many challenges and hindrances what we need most is the \”audacity to be different and unique, but with genuine authenticity.\”

I think you have come a very long way Chong Wei, and you almost won this time. You can and will do it the next time.

At least I will be praying so! So, please go for it. You are world class and can become a world champion one day soon. All Malaysians will be proud of you that day.

May God truly bless Malaysians with that wish.