KUALA LUMPUR – Former national athlete and London Olympian Noraseela Mohd Khalid urges young athletes to be patient in their development, set goals and dreams and not let early setbacks define their sporting careers.
Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony at Tennis Development Week 2026, Noraseela emphasised that success in athletics requires a long-term developmental perspective rather than short-term victories.
"To be a champion is not a day, a month, or a year of training, it is about long-term development," she said.
Reflecting on her own journey in the 400m hurdles, she said she started her career in sports relatively late at age 14 and never won major junior competitions such as the Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) during her early years.
"I never won the big competitions when I was young. Only after the age of 19 did my career bloom. So, you have got to be patient, you need to have goals and dreams," she said.
She urged state associations, local coaches and the broader community to foster patience and encourage young players who walked away empty-handed, reminding them that early losses do not define their potential to progress into world-class competitors.
Addressing common concerns regarding the balance between elite athletic training and academic pursuits, Noraseela rejected the idea that sports require sacrificing educational goals.
Drawing from her international experience competing alongside Olympic medallists who hold doctoral degrees, she described the claim that academic performance must suffer for athletic success as an outdated excuse.
"I do not think we should make excuses that to become a champion, participate in the Olympics, or win a medal, you need to forego your studies," Noraseela said.
She highlighted the necessity of proper guidance, strong support systems and structured motivation to help student-athletes excel in both the classroom and sports arenas.
The former Olympian also pointed out the critical role of psychological preparation and mental toughness for young athletes aiming for international success.
She said building resilience and learning to handle internal and external pressure require as much intentional practice as physical training.
To ensure long-term progress, she stressed that independent development initiatives are vital for providing young athletes with continuous exposure beyond standard association programmes.
Closing her address with an inspiring call to action, Noraseela issued a direct challenge to the junior tennis players present at the event.
Noting that Malaysia has yet to produce an Olympian in tennis, she urged all participants regardless of whether they took home a medal to aim high, embrace long-term goals, and strive to become the nation's very first Olympic tennis representative.
"We have not got an Olympian in tennis in Malaysia yet, so please take the challenge. I am challenging all these tennis players to become the first Olympian in Malaysia in tennis," she said.
A total of 16 standout participants were formally recognised during the ceremony.
Four champions hoisted their respective trophies, alongside four runners-up and eight semi-finalists acknowledged for their spirited performances throughout the intensive competition.
While the spotlight naturally shone brightest on the trophy winners, the narrative of the event extended far beyond immediate podium finishes.
Tennis Development Week 2026 is organised by Duta International Tennis Academy in collaboration with Florida’s world-renowned IMG Academy.
Running from Aug 21 to 31, this inaugural collaborative event brings world-class training programmes, competitive tournaments and educational seminars to local courts.