The day many found the Malaysia they long for

 

An extraordinary thing happened at a reunion of sporting greats in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday – a nostalgia playbook opened and carried about 200 people back in time to the 1960s and 70s.

Believe because the Sports Flame event did not just liveve all the hyp up to the eager anticipation – it pole-vaulted past it.

Over the past week, it has been trumpeted with multiple superlatives, not just in Malaysia, but by guests who came from abroad.

All of them accentuated the indisputable power of sport to unite, an experience they are not likely to forget in a hurry.

This was about history, and about the future. Because history isn’t what we leave behind — it’s what propels us into the future.

Yesterday once more was glorious, and victorious for Malaysia.

Here is what we need to remember about sport: it is meant to be fun. It is meant to entertain. It is meant to brighten your day.

Most importantly, it is meant to unite. Living it is a positive experience.

When sporting heroes are cast aside by the very people who should hold them with pride after their playing days, sport has failed.

When you see individuals and a media entity giving them recognition and opening the eyes of those blind to heroism, sport has won.

There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who do nothing, those who sit back and say, “there really needs to be change”, and those who go out there and try to implement change.

What four former sportswriters, George Das, R Velu, Lazarus Rokk and Fauzi Omar together with FMT did to deliver the greatest reunion of sporting greats may not be enough to heal the hurt of forgotten sports personalities.

The four gentlemen have been doing it since 2011. Joining hands with FMT this year, they took it to a higher level, displaying the belief that together we can lift and strengthen one another.

The treatment of Malaysia’s sporting icons is a hoary topic but its antiquity reflects the fact that the issue has never been resolved.

For the moment, Sports Flame has found the power to unite and induce a sense of cohesion. We can all build on that if we try.

The stirring sight of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri giving our legends, many of them north of 70, touching pats-on-the-back proves that there isn’t anything we cannot do, if we do it together.

How good to see a demographic so often neglected given high-powered respect.

By their presence, the King and Queen amplified the unity and bonding of a multiracial crowd.

The best of Malaysia was on show, and for many, it was a rare day when they found the country they long for.

At a time when Malaysians are facing a loss of affection for one another, Sports Flame generated warmth, care and social connectedness.

It was a remarkable window into a bygone age when Malaysians embraced an all-inclusive lifestyle, living a more shared life than we do in present times.

The timing was perfect, a people’s moment that warrants marking in collective cultural memory.

We must learn from the unifying power of such recognition events if we want to find ways to use sport to bridge the gaps that divide us.

The event, its significance, and the many glorious moments it has brought to the fore, leave much for the stakeholders to consider.

Efforts should be stepped up to help sporting legends enjoy a decent standard of living. They should never be forgotten for their impact on culture and sport.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.