Kota Kinabalu: Most coaches in the State are not taking advantage of the services provided by the National Sports Institute of Malaysia (ISN) according to Eduardo Marusin, who is the head of the Sabah satellite centre.He said there are very few State coaches who are willing to let their athletes to train under their programmes.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Datuk Jahid Jahim had recently said that the Ministry would start the mental preparation early for the athletes bound for the Pahang Sukma Games this year.
Eduardo said the proposal has been discussed many times before and so far the feedback from the coaches have been slow.
"We know the Ministry has always encouraged the associations especially those involved in the coming Sukma to utilise our services to prepare them for the competition but so far less than five associations are actually following our programmes."
'It is rather disappointing that not all coaches are supportive of our programme. Sometimes we have to make the call to invite them and even then they are reluctant to come. This is a shame really, as we are not charging any fees for our services."
He said with the games only months away, it is hard to understand their decision of not sending their athletes for the various programmes.
The establishment of ISN is to provide sports science services, conduct research and development in the area of sports and provide continuing education towards achieving excellence in sports.
This goal of excellence is achieved through the systematic preparation of the athletes using scientific principles which is administered by coaches, sport scientists and other sport related personnel.
Sports Psychologist Nursyaditina Ain Darussamin from the centre said mental training has to start as early as possible.
"You don't expect to brainwash an athlete immediately.
You need time to change and the more practice the better that's why mental training has to start early."
She said there are several topics in sports psychology starting with the introduction and followed by the test.
"The test is to determine what are their weak points and then we will have discussion with the coaches to work out a suitable programme."
Ain who also did the mental preparation for the athletes during the last Sukma Games said the locals tend to freeze up and are unable to perform to their full potential once they are out of the State.
She said to be a better athlete does not necessary mean that you must train hard or longer.
One needs to address all the aspects that make up a successful athlete performance - mental as well as physical.
She also disclosed that Sarawak team has already started their second phase training programme under ISN according to her counterpart there while Sabah has yet to make a start.
