MENTAL fitness is increasingly recognised as an essential pillar of athlete development, said Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen.
Delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of the Mental Fitness Sports Conference 2025 (MFSC 2025) at Bayview Hotel in George Town today, Gooi noted that mental health challenges among youths and athletes are rising at a concerning rate, both in Malaysia and globally.
“While physical training, strength, and endurance remain vital, the ability to manage stress, maintain focus, and build resilience has a profound impact on performance and long-term well-being.
“In Malaysia, around 30% of individuals aged 16 and above report mental health concerns, reflecting the pressures commonly faced by students and youth athletes.
“Internationally, retired elite athletes experience anxiety at more than twice the rate of the general population, while depression rates are nearly 2.6 times higher.
“These statistics underscore the urgent need to equip athletes with strong coping tools from an early age,” he said.
Gooi emphasised that MFSC 2025 plays an important role in empowering athletes, coaches, and parents with practical strategies to strengthen mental resilience, manage stress effectively, and remain focused in high-pressure environments.
The state government, he added, is firmly committed to supporting initiatives that promote the holistic development of Penang athletes.
“We recognise that nurturing mental fitness not only strengthens individual athletes, but also enhances the broader sporting ecosystem and community.
“Let this conference be a catalyst for stronger collaboration among athletes, coaches, parents, and stakeholders, and for embedding mental fitness into sports at every level.
“Together, we can cultivate resilience, well-being, and a stronger future for Malaysia’s next generation of athletes,” Gooi said.
The two-day conference, held from Nov 21 to 22, is organised by Global Edge Consultancy and Global Edge Pharma, co-organised by the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP), and supported by the Penang government.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Mulia Toh Puan Raja Datuk Seri Utama Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.
Also present were Penang Health Director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin, MSNPP director Harry Chai Heng Hua, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng and organising chairperson Bharati Suresh Chand.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud