Her Personality (Her World)

RUNNING THE SHOW

Sports icon Marina Chin speaks about her role in building the nation’s new generation of athletes, and her hopes for the future of Malaysian athletes.

You don’t have to be an ardent fan of track and field to recall the woman who, at one time, was South East Asia’s fastest. Former sprinter and hurdler Marina Chin certainly held court during those days. Today, the 54-year-old is still fiercely committed to the Malaysian sports industry –she is now the dedicated principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School. The former sprinter and hurdler is now in her element – nurturing young athletes. Marina isn’t just concerned about how well her students perform in sports. “I want them to become confident communicators, to speak English well and to know how to handle themselves when interviewed by the media or by others they meet,” she explains.

EARLY DAYS
“I was 15 years old when I first realised I could run. In retrospect, I realised that running and winning made me a better student in university and then later when I underwent teachers’ training. Running gave me the confidence to excel in other areas because I learnt the discipline of balancing my time,” she adds with a smile.


PERSONAL LIFE
“I’m grateful for the exposure that being an athlete gave me and how it allowed me to contribute to the Malaysian sports arena,” says Marina who is one to shun the limelight. “I’ve run my course and even got a chance to carry the torch for the 2008 Olympics. It’s my time to help other young talents make their way in the sporting arena, the way I was once mentored and coached a long time ago. To be able to do this is a real gift.”

A LIFELONG VOCATION
As for the future, 2010 to be exact, Marina has plans and more importantly, hope. “I want the school to produce well-educated, well-behaved, wellspoken athletes, who aren’t intimidated by their competitors. I also want them to be humble with their victories and get better when they don’t do as well as they know they can. I have another four years until I’m ‘forced’ with mandatory retirement. I’ll use the time to support the Ministry of Education, the school, the teachers, and the students of course. After that, maybe I’ll accompany my husband (former Malaysian rugby captain, Jagjit Singh) on his golfing trips!”