PENANG is gearing up to host the ‘Mental Sports Conference’ this month, the first event of its kind, bringing together athletes, coaches, parents, and professionals to promote a transformative dialogue that places mental fitness on par with physical fitness.
The event is organised by Global Edge Consultancy and Global Edge Pharma, co-organised by the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP), and supported by the state government.
Conference organiser Bharati Suresh Chand said that with 100 participants already registered, including coaches, parents, and athletes, an additional 50 seats have been opened due to strong demand. She is co-organising the event with her husband, Atul Kumar.
“Registration will close on November 15, and only a limited number of seats remain available.
“The conference is HRDC (Human Resource Development Corporation) claimable.
“We encourage corporate companies, multinational corporations (MNCs), and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to send their employees, and to support our local athletes by sponsoring them to attend the conference,” she said during a press conference held at Komtar today.
Bharati, mother of two squash players who compete in tournaments, highlighted the importance of athletes’ mental health, stressing that their emotional and psychological well-being deserves equal attention to their physical performance.
“I had to face a difficult truth, our intentions as parents and coaches do not always align with the emotional needs of our children. That moment changed everything.
“It motivated me to study, train, and create this platform, ensuring that no parent or coach faces this journey in silence or isolation,” added Bharati. She is also the founder of Global Edge Pharma and Global Edge Consultancy.
Meanwhile, State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi highlighted that an estimated 35% of elite athletes struggle with mental health concerns, including burnout, depression, and anxiety.
Gooi said that these athletes also face the heavy burden of mental health stigma, so prevalent that only 22% seek help.
“The message we send today must be clear and the time for silence and stigma is over. In light of this pressing issue, I am proud to officially announce and share the details of an unprecedented event.
“This conference, themed ‘Championing Resilience: Stronger Minds, Stronger Athletes, Stronger Futures,’ will take place on Nov 21 and Nov 22 at the Bayview Hotel Georgetown.
“Penang government is proud to partner with Global Edge Pharma and Global Edge Consultancy, alongside the MSNPP, to host this conference in Penang.
“This is more than just an event. It is a declaration that the mental health of our athletes must be prioritised, recognised and actively cultivated,” Gooi added.
Apart from that, Gooi said in the past, mental health in sports was often an unspoken struggle, a taboo topic overshadowed by the tough it out’ mindset.
“Athletes were once told to suffer in silence and keep going. Today, we know mental fitness is crucial not only for sporting excellence but for building the clarity, discipline, and balance needed to succeed in both academics and athletics,” he said.
Gooi cited inspiring examples from Penang. In 2022, two young squash athletes, Ishant Shah and Teoh Lee Yen, not only competed at the highest levels but also excelled academically, earning admission to Harvard and Princeton while continuing to play varsity squash.
According to MSNPP director Harry Chai, negative remarks on social media about athletes can directly affect them, so athletes need mental strength and a positive mindset to overcome such criticism.
Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Lee stressed that mental health matters equally for both male and female athletes.
Also present at the press conference were state athletes Delwina Cheah (Judo), Nur Azwa Qariesya Mohammad (Beach Volleyball), and Poh Yu Tian (Chess), as well as representatives from strategic partners of the conference.
It is learned that world-class experts, including Harvard’s legendary squash coach Mike Way, will be present alongside prominent Malaysian figures such as Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz and Dr Mahesh Appannan, highlighting the international significance and prestige of the conference.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En