EPU produces video to boost spirit of atheletes

PUTRAJAYA: The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister's Department has produced a video titled "Thorns And Fire" specifically to boost the spirit of national athletes who are competing in the Ninth Asean Para Games.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said other than firing up the spirit of the athletes, the video, which was the brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, among others, was aimed at popularising and bringing EPU close to society.
He said the video was based on the poem of National Laureate, the late Usman Awang, which was written around the 1960s, visualising a struggle 'thorn in front and fire at the back' which meant one was waiting for defeat if one only waited and did not fight.
With the spirit injected by the poem, EPU felt the gist of the poetry could boost the spirit of the national athletes, so that they would endeavour with all their hearts to bring victory for the nation, he said in a statement here today.
Abdul Rahman said after Thorns And Fire, EPU planned to produce more of such videos in future.
In the video, which had a duration of more than two minutes, which could be watched at https://youtu.be/QF1VOtM6n9E, EPU also highlighted several athletes and events such as archery, fencing, basketball and swimming.
The Ninth Asean Para Games, which would end on Sept 23, began today. — Bernama