THE  16TH  COMMONWEALTH  GAMES
    MORE  THAN  GOLD
     
    In the 68-year history of the Commonwealth Games, this year's - the 16th - stands out.  Come September 11, stirring times await every Malaysian when the Games' final run in the last lap of the 20th Century begins.


     

    In 1930, the first British Empire Games was held at Hamilton Canada.  It marked the birth of a series of sporting events that were held ever since once in four years for ten days between the Summer Olympic Games.  The name was subsequently changed to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, before it finally became known as the British Commonwealth Games.  The Commonwealth Games, as it is known today, is traditionally known as the Friendly Games, because unlike other games, the spirit behind the sporting event is one of true sportsmanship.

    This year, approximately 300 each of the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be given out for individual sports, while around 70 each will be given to team sports.  The gold medal is every athlete's dream.  It is a crown of glory that brings pride to his nation.  For this reason, every athlete strives to achieve the Gold medal.
     

    "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize ?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever".  1 Corinthians 9: 24, 25
     

    We are also running the race of life to achieve our 'golds' - the goals we set for our lives.  What is your gold medal in life ?  Is it money ?  success ?  a bungalow ?  a Mercedes Benz ?  career ?  power ?  fame ?
     

    JONATHAN  EDWARDS
    - will be competing in the Triple Jump in the 16th Commonwealth Games.
     
     

      A world class athlete with a World Cup Triple Jump title, Jonathan Edwards won a World Championship bronze medal in 1993 and a Commonwealth silver medal in 1995.  His record in 1995 was 14 competitions, with 14 wins, World Championship Gold Medal, New British record five times, New World record three times.

      Jonathan has also had a major disappointments to endure.  He went to the 1992 Olympics with a good chance of winning a medal and failed to qualify, something described as "probably the worst period of my life athletically.  I was absolutely devastated.  All my hopes and dreams had been blown out of the water."

      The key to his reaction in disappointment is his faith in God :
      "Essentially, my relationship with Jesus is fundamental to everything I do.  Man is sinful and separated from God and can do nothing about that and God of His own will sent His Son to die to the cross for our sins.  He rose again and by virtue of having faith in Him, we can be reconciled to God, as a gift, not something we can earn but as a gift, and then out of that gift, we give our lives in service to God".
       

    A Letter from Kriss Akabusi -
    an athlete from the Great Britain.
      Before I became a Christian, I had a materialistic view of life.  The purpose of my life was to accumulate as many "things" as possible: fast cars, a nice home, a good music system.  But the result was always the same.  Once I had gotten something, there was something else I wanted.

      I began to think there had to be another meaning in life.  Over a period of about 10 months, I investigated the claims of Jesus in the Bible.  I'd heard about Jesus before, but I never realized that he'd walked on earth and he claimed things like "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father excepth through me" and "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

      I finally became convinced that Jesus is the Son of God and that He loves me and died for my sins.  I was excited to grasp that Jesus promises eternal life to anyone who believes in Him.  I made a decision to give my life to Christ and follow Him.

      When I committed my life to Christ in 1987, I received a prize worth more than all the glory of winning a gold medal.  God forgave my sins.  He took away my dissatisfaction, and He became the meaning of my life.

      I just want to say to anyone who is not a Christian that you are faced with the biggest decision of your life.  When you are ready to make that decision, you can just talk to God about it.  Tell Jesus you believe in Him.  Thank Him for dying for your sins and tell Him you want to give your life to Him.  Ask Him to forgive all your sins and to give His power to live the Christian life.

      When you do, in that moment, you become a child of God.
       

    There is a lot we can learn from the world of sports.  Values like discipline and perseverance, for example.  But above all, there is a treasure that will help you be a winner in life - the greatest race of all.  The joy of life is being winners in life.  This is really what counts.  And life's reward for being a winner is something worth infinitely more than gold.  We hope that through this page, beyond celebrating world records, you will have the chance to know this treasure that is more precious than gold.
     


     
     
     

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