By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: There will never be another triple international in Malaysian sports, like Daphne Boudville.
Yesterday, a book was unveiled on the athlete who died a month ago at the age of 77, and the whos-who of Malaysia's golden sports era attended the function at the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
In her heydays, she represented Malaysia in hockey, athletics and soccer.
Former National Sports Institure CEO Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz, one of the invitees, said: "Yes, there will never be another triple, or even double international in Malaysia because times as well as priorities have changed over the years."
According to Ramlan, less competition, as well as less didtraction was the key those days.
"Competition was limited, and when an athlete excelled in one sport, she or he were also asked to play another and so they became double and triple internationals.
"Nowdays, the competition is very keen and even though we (NSI) encourage children to play all sports lke swimming, running and ball sports -- but they must specialise when they mature to become successful.
"Also, emphasis on studies as well as other entertainment and virtual games has made it much more difficult to excel in more than a sport at the international level," said Ramlan.
Daphne was the only Malaysian women to become a triple international, and it looks like the title will remain with her forever.
