MY whole life has been dedicated to sport since my childhood days. I am amazed at how sport can unite us in spirit, mind and soul.

In school, we ate and trained together. Even though different in skin colour, race and religion, we were united in spirit and commitment.

My 27 years in Nestle-Milo, managing sport from 1976 to 2003, has taught me never to underestimate the power of sport in uniting Malaysians.

The nation celebrated as one the victories during the 1975 World Cup Hockey tournament, 1992 Thomas Cup, 1989 and 2001 Sea Games, 1998 Commonwealth Games and the feats of Nicol Ann David and Shalin Zulkifli.

I recall the tears of joy shed by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, then patron of Badminton Association of Malaysia, as she hugged Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiat after they scored the winning point to give Malaysia the Thomas Cup after a 25-year wait.

The whole nation was glued to their television sets celebrating the moment.

Since my retirement in 2003, I continue to hold dear to my values of helping nurture grassroots sport by reaching out to children via SportsUnite with my partner Tan Sri Noordin Hassan. SportsUnite is dedicated to promoting unity through sport.

We focus only on team and doubles events. All team events must be participated by children of different races.

To date, we have organised no fewer than 100 small events over the last four years with success not only in terms of participation from children but also moral support from parents.

The positive comments of parents continue to inspire us to pursue our vision. Parents enjoy seeing their kids having a great time and making new friends.

There are no winners or losers in our events.

All are winners in promoting camaraderie and unity through sport. The support of sponsors keeps us going.

I would like to suggest the organisation of an annual National Unity Games (NUG) under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee on Sports, and managed by the Youth and Sports Ministry, Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage.

The basic principle of NUG is that it must be a team event where all teams must comprise participants from at least two races at all playing times.

The NUG can be a youth under-21 interstate championship, but the goal is to improve the spirit of unity, patriotism and excellence through sport.

It could be held over five or six days as part of the Merdeka Day celebrations.

The NUG will focus only on team and doubles events.

For the first year, we could start with a limited number of games and over the following years, grow in size and impact with experience, without forsaking the core values of NUG.

It must not be politicised. Hence, the need also for OCM and national sports associations to be involved.

I suggest the NUG be held yearly in Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya with the Federal Government funding the event, and support from government-linked companies and the private sector. Let NUG be a truly Malaysian incorporated event in every sense of the word and deed.

DINA RIZAL ABDULLAH, SportsUnite Puchong, Selangor

Source: NST – October 5, 2008