RANAU: Young athletes participating in the 53rd Ranau District Schools Sports Council (MSSD) Athletics Championship have been encouraged to pursue excellence with determination, discipline and perseverance while embracing the values of unity and sportsmanship.
The call was made by Paginatan State Assemblyman and Chairman of Sabah Credit Corporation, Datuk Rusdin Riman, when officiating the championship held in Ranau Sports Complex recently.
In his speech, he congratulated the Ranau District Education Office, the Ranau District chapter of the Sabah Secondary School Principals Association (PPSMS), and the Ranau branch of the National Association of Headmasters Malaysia (PGBM) for successfully organising the prestigious annual sporting event.
He also commended the organising committee, teachers, officials and volunteers whose dedication, commitment and teamwork contributed to the smooth and successful staging of the championship.
“The excellence of this championship is the result of careful planning, strong cooperation, shared ideas and the unwavering support of all parties involved. Such commitment is essential in ensuring that sports development continues to flourish in our district,” he said.
Rusdin described this year’s championship as particularly encouraging, noting the participation of athletes from 11 secondary schools, including SK Tibabar Comprehensive School (K9), as well as representatives from eight primary school zones throughout the district.
He said the strong turnout demonstrated that Ranau continues to produce talented young athletes capable of excelling at district, state and national levels.
“The presence of all these athletes here today is proof that Ranau is never short of talent. Our district continues to nurture promising sportsmen and sportswomen who have the potential to shine on bigger stages in the future,” he added.
Addressing the student-athletes, Datuk Rusdin reminded them that success in sports does not come easily but is achieved through sacrifice, discipline and relentless hard work.
To inspire the participants, he cited several renowned sporting figures whose journeys exemplify perseverance and determination.
Among them was Malaysian sprint sensation Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi, who holds the national 100-metre record with a time of 10.09 seconds.
Rusdin noted that Azeem’s achievements were built on years of dedicated training, sacrifices and resilience in overcoming setbacks.
He also highlighted the remarkable career of national cycling icon Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, popularly known as the “Pocket Rocketman.”Despite competing against physically larger international athletes and overcoming serious injuries during his career, Azizulhasni went on to become a world champion and Olympic medallist through sheer determination and unwavering commitment.
Rusdin further shared the famous words of world sprint legend Usain Bolt, who once said: “I trained for four years to run nine seconds. Many people give up when they don’t see results after two months.”According to him, the quote serves as a powerful reminder that success requires patience, perseverance and long-term dedication.
He stressed that the championship was more than just an annual school event, describing it as an important platform for identifying and selecting the district’s finest athletes to represent Ranau at higher levels of competition.
Beyond athletic achievement, Rusdin emphasised the role of sports in fostering unity among students from diverse backgrounds.
He said the championship brought together young people from different schools, cultures and communities under a common spirit of friendship and healthy competition.
“Through events like this, students learn to respect one another regardless of race, religion or background. When athletes compete fairly and support each other, they are building the foundations of unity that will strengthen our nation in the future,” he said.
He expressed hope that the friendships and sense of togetherness forged throughout the championship would continue to grow long after the competition concludes.
As athletes compete for medals and honours, the championship serves a greater purpose than simply determining winners and losers. It is a platform where character is built, talents are discovered and future champions are shaped.
More importantly, it is a celebration of unity, perseverance and the belief that success—whether in sports or life—is achieved through hard work, discipline and the courage to never give up.
