Cooperation between ASPIRE with Malaysia explored

Aspire inks deal with Malaysia

Malaysian Minister for Youth and Sport Azalina Othman Said receives a gift from Dr Thomas Flock (left), Director General of Aspire

A MALAYSIAN Sports Council delegation headed by Minister of Youth and Sports Azalina Othman Said visited the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence this week to sign an agreement towards future co-operation between the two bodies.  Miss Azalina who visited Doha to familiarise herself  with the ongoing preparations for the forthcoming Doha Asian Games, was "very impressed" with what she saw and expressed  hope that the formal agreement would herald many "mutual development programmes, particularly in the area of women's sport."
A passionate and articulate supporter of both youth and female sport, Azalina, at 43 the youngest cabinet Minister in the Malaysian government, described sport as "one of the best vehicles for social change" and commended Aspire in their work of promoting an active lifestyle for the whole community, as well as its elite athlete and comprehensive education programmes.
Keen to share knowledge and experience, Azalina, a former international athlete herself and a black belt in the martial art of taekwondo, pledged her country's support for Qatar's ambitious sports development initiatives.
"We in Malaysia, being a Muslim country, understand the issues that people driving sport in Qatar will face, especially the women athletes," she said. "This is something we should look into together in a positive way."
Director General of Aspire, Dr Thomas Flock, who accompanied the Minister around the Academy, said: "This agreement is a constructive step for both Aspire and the Malaysian government and we look forward to many years of beneficial cooperation. Miss Said's obvious enthusiasm and passion for youth sport means we share many of the same goals and so the partnership is a natural one."
Aspire will host eight sports during the eagerly anticipated Asian Games, including badminton, a traditionally strong competition for Malaysia, and the Minister had a message for spectators attending matches in December.
"I can't predict how Malaysia will do at the Games," she said, "but I hope that, unless they are competing against a Qatari athlete of course, the people of Doha will give the Malaysians a cheer."