THE National Sports Institute plans to educate youths on the dangers of smoking.
Unlike the "Tak Nak" anti-smoking campaign which cost RM100 million, only to go up in smoke, the NSI is starting its own initiative to get young athletes off the butt.
Malay Mail learnt that NSI is starting with a pilot project testing sports schools students for nicotine.
This was confirmed by NSI director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz. "It's about education. There is no point preaching to the converted but we hope this will be a good way to educate our sporting youths on the dangers of smoking," said Dr Ramlan.
"We would like to start with the Bukit Jalil Sports School first. I'll meet up with the principal (Marina Chin) soon to get her approval and hope for us to work out a way to the top to get the required clearance.
"I'm optimistic of the support we will receive and hope we will be able to do the same in Bandar Penawar."
The NSI decided to initiate such a programme after several national athletes, especially from team sports, recorded low performance and fitness levels, no thanks to their smoking habits.
It is no secret that even schoolchildren taking part in local zonal meets light up prior their match. Some have even been caught red-handed puffing at stadiums.
According to the 3rd National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006, there were almost three million smokers in Malaysia, with 10.2 million being minors below 18.
"Optimum performance simply cannot be achieved if an athlete smokes," Dr Ramlan said.
So what happens if the NSI does find young athletes who test positive for nicotine?
"The schools will have their regulations with regard to those who smoke. As for national athletes who test positive, the National Sports Council tought to take the necessary disciplinary action.
"For those who come up to us admitting their problem and genuinely want to kick the habit, we're willing to work with them closely and in confidentiality. I must stress again that our main purpose is educating our young athletes."
Dr Ramlan admitted that the implementation of such random tests in public schools remains to be seen. "It involves jurisdiction. Let's start off with the sports schools first and see how it goes. I would like to see this as a first step in promoting a nicotine and drug free generation."
BJSS principal in the dark
NO SMOKING
THE Bukit Jalil Sports School has yet to hear from the National Sports Institute (NSI) regarding the proposed nicotine tests on its students.
NSI director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz is in the midst of initiating a programme to test sports schools’ students, starting with Bukit Jalil Sport School, in a bid to educate young athletes on the dangers of smoking.
“I’ve not heard from Dr Ramlan and I guess it’s unfair for me to say anything,” said Bukit Jalil Sport School principal Marina Chin. “So far we’ve not caught any students (smoking) red-handed but I guess it’s only best for me to comment
once I’ve spoken to Dr Ramlan about this.”
Smoking was also considered to be the contributing factor in the dip in performance and fitness levels of athletes especially in team sports.
Smoking retards play
SMOKING is certainly detrimental to athletes, especially in team sports.
In an extensive two-part series carried by Malay Mail last October, National Sports Institute director general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz explained how "one smoker in a team can be the weakest link in the chain".
Smoking relates to cardiovascular and cancer related illnesses. Also, athletes addicted to nicotine are unable to reach the apex of their true potential unlike their non-smoking peers.
"To get optimal physical performance, you simply need good air (more oxygen).
Why subject your body to chemicals that will only destroy your capabilities?" Dr Ramlan was quoted as saying then.
Among the current national athletes who are able to record extraordinary fitness levels include squash queen Datuk Nicol David, badminton world no 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei and top female shutter Wong Mew Choo.
Smoking was also said to be one of the reasons why our hockey team failed at the pre-Olympic tournament last year.
Some athletes point out that legendary icons such as Diego Maradona and boxer Ricardo Mayorga performed well despite being heavy smokers.
However, Dr.Ramlan added that our athletes cannot be compared with those immense talents and they too could have been better athletes if they had not smoked.
Each year, some 10,000 Malaysians die from smoking- related ailments. Analysts predict smoking is set to kill 6.5 million people worldwide in 2015.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/6228-nicotine-tests-young-athletes
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