Cover Datuk Nicol David, Mariana de Reyes, and the team at the Nicol David Organisation at the launch of Ibu Legends in June 2024 (Photo: Nicol David Organisation)
Datuk Nicol David, Mariana de Reyes, and the team at the Nicol David Organisation at the launch of Ibu Legends in June 2024 (Photo: Nicol David Organisation)
1 / 1
Squash legend and founder of the Nicol David Organisation, Datuk Nicol David, launched the initiative this month providing a holistic wellness programme for mothers of children in the Little Legends programme
Retired Malaysian squash champ Datuk Nicol Ann David needs no introduction. An eight-time World Open champion and one of the biggest Asian names in the sport, her resilience, humility and passion have unsurprisingly earned her fans on and off the courts.
In 2019, she and former professional Columbian squash player, Mariana de Reyes, co-founded Little Legends, an after-school programme that provides squash training and English lessons to children aged eight to 12 from low to middle-income families. To date, more than 110 children have benefitted from this comprehensive five-year programme.
Read more: London Squash Classic champion Sivasangari Subramaniam: “Nicol is an icon in this sport”
This year, David and de Reyes have yet again outdone themselves with the launch of Ibu Legends, an apt follow-up to the preceeding initiative. The programme will provide a cohort of 30 mothers of the Little Legends participants with a four-month programme encompassing full free medical checkups, mental and physical well-being workshops, and parenting support.
With its lead programme, the organisation seeks to build a positive environment for mothers to enhance their health and strengthen their mental resilience–an area that is close to David’s heart.
Above Nicol at the launch of the Ibu Legends programme
Nicol at the launch of the Ibu Legends programme
1 / 1
“I have the most admiration for mothers, they’re the centre of every home and they are our heroes,” she said in a heartfelt opening speech. “I have been blessed to have a loving and nurturing mother who taught me the values of humbleness but also to always look out for myself. I know firsthand how much she sacrificed for me and my sisters, but she never once said it or asked for help. She just did it because that’s what mothers do, they keep giving to make sure all of us are okay.”
Nicol stressed the importance of the programme, hoping it would give moms the care and support they deserve. “Motherhood can be lonely, and my wish is that through this programme, we can provide counsel and community to grow together,” she said.
The launch event took place at the VE Hotel and Residence and had a star-studded guest list, including Youth and Sports minister Hannah Yeoh and Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, along with the programme’s first participants, sponsors, and partners.
Above Datuk Nicol David and her mother Ann Marie David together with Youth & Sports minister Hannah Yeoh
Datuk Nicol David and her mother Ann Marie David together with Youth & Sports minister Hannah Yeoh
1 / 1
Partnering with like-minded corporations like Watsons, Cartier, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Hospital Wanita & Kanak-Kanak Naluri, and PPB Group, The Nicol David Organisation (NDO) offers mothers four months of free medical checkups, peer and group support with additional help from hospital providers on further medical examinations if needed, and four full-day workshops to tackle subjects of mental health, parenting, nutrition support and physical wellness.
The mental health workshops will be provided by ThriveWell, a social enterprise that focuses on making mental health accessible to high-needs population.
“This programme is so important to me because my dream is that all mothers are looked after, that all mothers have what they need to be healthy and supported,” said David.
This article was generated with help from AI. We are dedicated to bringing you into our world with more meaningful content, and AI is allowing us to explore this frontier and deliver more content you will love.
NOW READ
19 Asian women in sport to know
What startup founders can learn from one of the world’s greatest squash players, Nicol David
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
