Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that there is no room for hooliganism or violence in sports, particularly football, as such behaviour goes against the spirit of sportsmanship. He said sports should serve as a unifying force among Malaysians of all backgrounds and must not be tainted by unruly or divisive conduct.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and spirit of sports. ‘Everyone supports their team or their state or their province, but that does not allow them to create chaos and tolerate hooliganism. So we’ll make a difference. Don’t import that culture of hooliganism in sports as you read and see and watch on television from the experience of other countries,’ he stated during the groundbreaking ceremony of Olympic House. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh was also in attendance.
Anwar further elaborated that while passion in sports is natural, it should not lead to behaviour contradicting the values of sportsmanship. He noted that greater tolerance is essential, as intolerance contradicts the spirit of sports, which is about bringing people together and sharing a deep passion.
Highlighting sportsmanship’s unique role in uniting Malaysians across racial lines, Anwar pointed out that such values are often absent in politics. He remarked that sportsmanship involves working hard to excel and win, yet also accepting the outcome graciously.
Reflecting on Malaysia’s history, Anwar recalled how sports like football and badminton served as unifying forces during periods of racial tension. He emphasized the importance of promoting unity while striving for excellence, humorously noting the pressure on Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Olympic Council of Malaysia President Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria to secure a gold medal in the Olympics.
Anwar shared a personal anecdote about advising his grandchildren on handling defeat in games, stressing that the essence of sportsmanship is to strive for victory while gracefully accepting loss.