Azeem, Sivasangari step up to inspire Malaysia’s next sporting generation

Having scaled the heights of elite international competition, national sprint sensation Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi and squash champion Sivasangari Subramaniam are setting their sights on a different kind of milestone: mentoring Malaysia’s next generation of athletes.

Fresh from their campaigns at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the duo are leveraging their platforms to advocate for grassroots sports participation, emphasizing that the journey to sporting excellence requires grit rather than instant success.

Their shared message comes as 22-year-old Azeem was officially unveiled as MILO Malaysia’s newest sports ambassador, joining Sivasangari, who enters her third year in the role. Under the brand’s longstanding grassroots sports initiative, the partnership will see both athletes engage with junior development programmes nationwide to encourage wider youth participation on the track and court.

Embracing the non-linear path to success

For 22-year-old Azeem, Malaysia’s national 100-metre record holder, the message to aspiring youngsters comes from hard-earned experience on the track.

“I know what it feels like to be a young athlete trying to improve and wondering how far you can go,” Azeem said, reflecting on his journey from junior meets to the world stage.

“As you progress in sport, you realise that not every race will go the way you want it to. What matters is how you respond, what you learn, and whether you are willing to keep coming back to put in the work. Keep showing up, keep learning, and give yourself the chance to see how far you can go.”

Eyes on LA 2028 and lessons beyond medals

Azeem’s candid take on the non-linear nature of elite athletic development mirrors the journey of Sivasangari, who recently defended her Asian Games women’s singles crown.

The Kedah-born squash star is currently pursuing a place among the world’s top three, with an eye firmly trained on history at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, where squash will make its long-awaited Olympic debut.

Reflecting on her start in the sport at age eight, Sivasangari noted that the life lessons learned outside the podium ceremonies are what truly define an athlete.

“Sport has given me so much more than results,” Sivasangari said. “It has taught me how to deal with difficult moments, how to start again when things do not go according to plan, and how to believe in myself.”

“Of course, winning is special. But I hope more young Malaysians give themselves the opportunity to experience everything else that sport can give them too. You never know where that first step might eventually take you.”

While not every grassroots participant will go on to don national colours, both athletes underscored the fundamental role early exposure to competition plays in character building—hoping their shared visibility will encourage more Malaysian youth to step onto the track and court.