Support from the stands
By KATHLEEN MICHAEL From the Star
It is no secret that Malaysians are very passionate when it comes to supporting their favourite sportsmen during major competitions.
Malaysian squash player Low Wee Wern said when the team travels overseas for competitions, there would always be a big group of Malaysians in the audience.
When they compete at the highest levels, no matter where they are, there is always a group of Malaysians ready to support them.
Low said she has competed in many countries and one thing that made her proud was the support from Malaysian fans.
“When we played in countries like the United States and Egypt, there were Malaysian families, those from the embassy and students who came to support.
“We once went all the way to the Cayman Islands for a tournament and there was a group of 40 to 50 multiracial Malaysians who came to show their support and even brought us food to make us feel at home.”
She said the support overseas gave players a feeling like they were competing at home because of the number of Malaysian flags flying.
“Whether we want to admit it or not, supporting one another is second nature to Malaysians,” she said.
No matter how much she travels, Malaysia will always be home to Low.
“We have good weather and people speak English so it is easy for tourists to get around and feel welcomed. Our people are friendly and the country is beautiful,” she said.
Low has been a participant of the #AnakAnak Malaysia campaign for the past two years and will once again take part in the unity walk this year.
Unity to her means everyone standing together as one.
To her, mixing with people of different races is not something that needs to be taught but passed on.
“Coming from a sports background, I think it is good to be competitive to a certain extent but at the end of the day, we all have goals, we all want to be the best versions of ourselves and our category but there is a lot that we can learn from one another.
“It is a learning experience so if the top tiers and influencers are leading by example, then it will fall down the ranks to the people who look up to them,” she said.
For Low, mixing and mingling with people of different backgrounds began when she started out as a child in the sporting community.
“We grew up together, went for team-buildings, shared dorms and during festive seasons, we were invited to open houses. This is a great way of life in Malaysia that you do not get in other countries.
“Everyone is slightly different but at the end of the day, we are all good friends,”she said.
Living overseas now?
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Just head to a foreign landmark near you and share a picture or a video of yourself with the poster, which can be downloaded from here or www.facebook.com/TheStarOnline/.
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E-mail your photographs and videos to [email protected] or upload the pictures and videos on your public Instagram, Twitter or Facebook account with the hashtag #AnakAnakMalaysia2017.
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IMAGE: Low says they once played in Cayman Islands and there was a group of 40 to 50 multiracial Malaysians who came to show their support.
For more on this story go to: http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/08/22/support-from-the-stands-national-squash-player-low-wee-wern-feels-proud-to-see-malaysians-in-the-aud/#OlhxzrC2FceUKd76.99
