Jivan banks on experience to help athletes shine at the Sea Games
He is now keen to help national athletes fulfil their full potential in a new role as deputy chef de mission for the national contingent that will be competing at the Thailand Sea Games (Dec 9-20).
"Of course I feel honoured to be given this opportunity. I would like to help our athletes perform at their best," said Jivan when contacted yesterday (July 9).
"I have won the Sea Games gold medal twice, once as a player during the 2013 Myanmar Sea Games and once as a coach - under head coach Arul Selvaraj - during the 2015 Singapore Sea Games.
"Being deputy CDM will be a new experience for me and I am keen to do what is necessary to help our athletes achieve their full potential in Thailand.
"The (medal) target for the Sea Games this year has yet to be announced but I am confident our athletes will be hungry to do the nation proud."
Jivan was also part of the national team that won bronze at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He is currently vice president of the Royal Malaysian Police Hockey Association.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), with approval from the Youth and Sports Ministry as well as the National Sports Council (NSC), named Jivan as one of three deputy CDMs for the games alongside former national sprinter Nazmizan Muhammad and badminton administrator Datuk Kenny Goh.
Swimming great Nurul Huda Abdullah will lead the contingent as CDM.
Jivan expressed his gratitude to OCM for providing former athletes with the opportunity to help guide the contingent.
"I definitely think this is a positive move by OCM, the ministry and NSC," he said.
"Former national athletes have experienced first-hand what it is like to compete for the country. They have tasted the highs and lows, they know what it is like to compete under pressure.
"This is something we (former athletes) can share with the current athletes. We can relate to what they are going through and can guide them based on our experiences.
"For field hockey, Malaysia usually fields its junior or backup squad at the Sea Games, mixed with a few seniors. I remember how nervous some of the young players would get, especially during tough matches.
"This is where an experienced hand can help guide them."
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