May Mei Aims To Represent Country In Asian Games

SYNCHRONISED swimmer Tan May Mei, who was recently presented with the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Principal’s Gold Award, will continue to be active in sports.

The 21-year-old May Mei, one of the 61 students who have completed their matriculation programme in BJSS, is pursuing an accountancy course at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Seri Kembangan.

May Mei said she would continue her training programme and hoped to represent Malaysia in the 2010 Asian Games in Guanzhao, China.

Best of the lot: May Mei (left) receiving her Gold award from Jame Alip while BJSS principal Marina Chin looks on.

“It will not be a problem for me to devote my time to studying and synchronised swimming. In fact, I have been doing this for the past six years, since I joined BJSS in 2003.

“I will have to draw up a training schedule in accordance with my timetable at the UPM,’’ May Mei said.

The Selangor athlete is now training two sessions a day at the National Aquatic Complex in Bukit Jalil.

Her last competition was the Japan Open in April. Tan was a member of Malaysia’s bronze medal winning team.

Education Ministry sports department director Jame Alip, who presented the certificates, said the students, who excelled in sports, would make good leaders.

“They are not prepared to lose. They will strive for excellence.

“In the end they will be good icons to youngsters.

“For them this is the beginning. We hope these students will excel in their respective sports as well as in their studies,’’ said Jame.

The recipients

Tan May Mei; Mandy Yeap Mun Xin; Chai Fong Wei; Durratun Nashihin Rosli; Noor Amira Mohamad Nafiah; Cheong Jun Hoong; Yeo Pei Ling; Nurul Asfahlina Mohamed Johari; Yshai Poo Voon; Nazrin Aizad Mat Nasir; Nurul Huda Ali Noor Raziff; R. Elaiyaraj; S. Kannan; Stephanie Shalini Sukumaran; Saritha Cham Nong; Irene Chong See Win; Noor Aziera Taip, Errizal Othman; Melinder Kaur; V. Kavichelvan; Arman Fareez Mohd Ali; Mohd Ibnu Kassim; Fatin Azreen Abdul Rahman; Sabri Nullah ; Koo Chee Zhong; Mohd Harfizi Mohd Noor; Mohamad Akmal Amrun; Nur Hariena Azhar; Mohd Romzi Muhamad; Nur Izzati Yaakob; Sharon Koh Suet Len; Norbaini Hashim; Moh Chaw Teng; Evy James; Nurul Nadia Mokhtar; Hazwan Hazim Dermawan; Mahali Jasuli; Mohd Bunyamin Umar; Mohd Hafizulldin Mohd Noor, Liong Ming Chang; Mohd Hafizuddin Sahadan; Azrul Azmi; Nurul Ismayanti Nordzuan; V. Jayaseelan; Adi Aliffudin Hussin, Ahmad Hakhimi Ahmad Shukri; Yazzman Irffan Yahaya; Mohd Azlanshah Ismail; Ng Say Yoke; Ruszatul Nanariah Mohd Yusof; Mohamad Asyraf Esa; Ahmad Khairi Isa; Nazurah Zairol Hisham; Nor Shafeeqah Yahya; S. Mathilagan; Mohd rafiq Arumi Abdul Latif; K. Ganthimathi; P.T. Pushppa Devi; Noorrerffani Abdul Malick; Khairul Anuar Md Isa; Cheah Liek Hou.

Mighty Marina

PETALING JAYA: It is tough bringing up a kid these days. What’s more when you have almost 500 of them under your care. It can be really intimidating.

Just ask Marina Chin, the former pin-up girl of Malaysian athletics in the 70s. She should know.

She is after all the first woman principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

Proud achievement: Marina Chin showing some of the results that her students achieved at Bukit Jalil Sports School

Being a mother of two herself, Marina knows what it takes to keep children in check.

She knew she had to be a strict disciplinarian, otherwise she risked the students climbing all over her head, literally.

Thus, her serious and tough demeanour.

And that has earned her the nickname of ‘Iron Lady’ among the Malaysian sports fraternity.

She says the reason she brooks no nonsense from her students is because “I treat them like my own children and, deep down, I really care for them.”

And her students know that. After all, some of them also call her “mother” – something her own kids could not comprehend at first.

“My children (Jasmine Kaur Bhatt and Ashvinder Singh) were not that amused in the beginning when the other kids started calling me mother. Eventually, they got used to it,” she quipped.

Pin-up girl: Marina when she was crowned Sportswoman of the Year 1876

“Some students still keep in touch with me when they leave school. Some hug me when they see me. Some are successful in both sports and studies.”

The beginning, however, was an uphill battle for Marina. The students, and even their parents, could not accept and comprehend Marina’s vision.

“As a teacher, mother and a former athlete, I know the importance of striking a balance between studies and sports. Both sporting and academic excellence is important to me,” said the 52-year-old Marina, who is married to former national rugby player Jagjit Singh.

“My vision is for the school to produce well-behaved and educated athletes. Discipline is very important to me. If an athlete cannot conform to this, they can forget about their sports career.

“I made all the boys go for a “number three” hair cut. Their hair is now short and well-trimmed. But I had a lot of resistance initially.”

The BJSS athletes also have a tight schedule to follow. They have classes in the morning, training in the afternoon and night classes too.

And if an athlete misses three classes he or she will be banned from taking part in one competition.

“There has to be sacrifices if one wants to pursue sports in this school. This is not a school for one to have free food and lodging,” she said.

“It can be taxing on the athletes but it is a choice they have to make. We are here to guide them to manage their time.

“The athletes may not be happy with us now but, 10 years down the road, I am sure they will thank the BJSS,” added Marina, who won a total of seven gold medals in the SEA Games.

Marina admitted that it became a big challenge when she had to meet the different expectations of the major stakeholders – athletes, parents, National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the Education Ministry.

“People in sports do not regard academic excellence highly. But whether we like it or not, BJSS is a school. And it is my job to ensure that the students get through their studies. It will safeguard their future,” she said.

For instance, Olympian diver Pandelela Rinong had to miss studies for seven months during the PMR last year because she was based in China.

But the ever-concerned Marina made special arrangements for a tutor to be sent to China and Pandelela eventually came through the PMR with 3As, 3Bs and IC.

Marina said that the school had also invited former athletes and legends like Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan and Dr Farah Hani Imram to inspire the athletes to excel in both sports and studies.

On the school’s thorny relationship with the NSC and NSA’s in recent times, especially on the selection of athletes into the school, she said: “Fortunately, Datuk Zolkples (Embong, the NSC director general) understands what I am trying to do. He knows our policies and we try to understand their constraints. We try to strike a balance.

“We do not interfere with the plans and programmes of the NSAs but try to complement them.”

This can be seen from the off-and-on-field success achieved by her students last year. While four students scored 7As in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), the school’s students were also major medal contributors at the Korat SEA Games.

Marina’s vision is slowly taking shape but she hopes that the athletes will be more proactive.

“Personally, I know that we have the talent and potential. But the students nowadays expect a lot to be done for them. During my day, athletes were very independent. I used to take two buses to go for my training. How I wish athletes these days have that extra drive and initiative,” said the Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977.

During her heyday, Marina was known as the queen of hurdles. Now, she faces the mother of all hurdles – changing the mindset of the public about excellence in sports and studies.

Given her background, no hurdle is too high or too difficult for her.

Her Personality (Her World)

RUNNING THE SHOW

Sports icon Marina Chin speaks about her role in building the nation’s new generation of athletes, and her hopes for the future of Malaysian athletes.

You don’t have to be an ardent fan of track and field to recall the woman who, at one time, was South East Asia’s fastest. Former sprinter and hurdler Marina Chin certainly held court during those days. Today, the 54-year-old is still fiercely committed to the Malaysian sports industry –she is now the dedicated principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School. The former sprinter and hurdler is now in her element – nurturing young athletes. Marina isn’t just concerned about how well her students perform in sports. “I want them to become confident communicators, to speak English well and to know how to handle themselves when interviewed by the media or by others they meet,” she explains.

EARLY DAYS
“I was 15 years old when I first realised I could run. In retrospect, I realised that running and winning made me a better student in university and then later when I underwent teachers’ training. Running gave me the confidence to excel in other areas because I learnt the discipline of balancing my time,” she adds with a smile.


PERSONAL LIFE
“I’m grateful for the exposure that being an athlete gave me and how it allowed me to contribute to the Malaysian sports arena,” says Marina who is one to shun the limelight. “I’ve run my course and even got a chance to carry the torch for the 2008 Olympics. It’s my time to help other young talents make their way in the sporting arena, the way I was once mentored and coached a long time ago. To be able to do this is a real gift.”

A LIFELONG VOCATION
As for the future, 2010 to be exact, Marina has plans and more importantly, hope. “I want the school to produce well-educated, well-behaved, wellspoken athletes, who aren’t intimidated by their competitors. I also want them to be humble with their victories and get better when they don’t do as well as they know they can. I have another four years until I’m ‘forced’ with mandatory retirement. I’ll use the time to support the Ministry of Education, the school, the teachers, and the students of course. After that, maybe I’ll accompany my husband (former Malaysian rugby captain, Jagjit Singh) on his golfing trips!”

Honouring Sports School’s Best

WUSHU exponent Chai Fong Wei won the All-Round Student award of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) during the Excellence Award presentation ceremony recently.

Fong Wei, a Pre-University student, was adjudged the winner ahead of diver Cheong Jun Hoong and taekwondo exponent Nurul Asfahlina Mohamed Johari, It was the second time Fong Wei, who hails from Malacca was presented the award. Her first was 2006.

Besides getting excellent results in her studies, Fong Wei was also impressive in local and international competitions this year.

In the Sukma in Kuala Terengganu, Fong Wei won the gold medal in the Chang Quan event while she was a bronze medallist in the Dao Shu event in the World Wushu championships in China and Asian Wushu Championships in Macau.

Well done: Fong Wei holding up her trophy after receiving the All Round Student award from Noor Rezan (right). Looking on is BJSS principal Marina Chin (in purple baju kurung).

Fong Wei also won bronze medals in the Dao Shu and Gun Shu events in the Beijing Wushu championships during the Olympics.

Badminton players Ow Yao Han and Yew Hong Kheng won the Sportsboy award while diver Elizabeth Jimie was named as the Sportsgirl.

The Most Promising Sportsboy award went to athlete Muhd Ajmal Aiman Mat Hassan and the Most Promising Sportsgirl award went to diver Pandelela Rinong Pamg.

The BJSS hockey team received the special award for winning the Malaysia Hockey Federation (MHF) junior league.

Promising bunch: (From left) Pandelela Rinong, Muhd Ajmal Aiman Mat Hassan, Elizabeth Jimie, Yew Hong Kheng, Ow Yao Han and Chai Fong Wei raising their fists in triumph after being presented with the BJSS Excellence Awards.

Education Ministry deputy director-general (general education operations) Datuk Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim, who presented the awards to the winners, commended the students for excelling in both studies and sports.

“But I would like to remind the students to always respect the elders. The Ministry is also proud of the success achieved by students from not only the BJSS but also from the Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS). We hope more students from these schools will excel in sports and studies,’’ said Noor Rezan.

Bukan Satu Beban

DANIEL (tengah) diapit penerima anugerah Putera dan Puteri Sukan, Ahmad Amsyar Azman serta Chan Sau Wah pada Anugerah Sukan Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia-MSSM-Milo di Putrajaya semalam.

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TIGA acara yang akan disertainya pada Sukan Olimpik XXIX di Beijing tidak dianggap satu beban besar buat perenang sensasi negara, Daniel Bego.

Sebaliknya, perenang kelahiran Sarawak berusia 19 tahun itu percaya dengan kemampuan yang ada pada dirinya untuk bersaing dalam acara 200 meter gaya bebas, 100 dan 200m kuak kupu-kupu pada temasya Olimpik yang akan membuka tirainya 8 Ogos ini.

Jelas Daniel, dia masih yakin mampu mara ke separuh akhir walaupun terpaksa mengerah keringat beraksi dalam tiga acara.

"Saya tidak pernah berganjak dengan keputusan ini meskipun ada yang memberi pandangan supaya memberi tumpuan dalam satu acara.

"Apa yang penting saya mahu bekerja keras," kata Daniel selepas majlis penyampaian Anugerah Sukan Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia-MSSM-Milo di Putrajaya semalam.

Daniel yang juga bekas pelajar Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ) berkata, dia yakin dengan keputusan untuk menyertai tiga acara tersebut kerana telah berusaha keras untuk melayakkan diri secara merit ke Beijing.

Menurutnya, alasan penat tidak menjadi persoalan kerana acara yang akan disertainya itu tidak dijalankan secara serentak dalam tempoh sehari tetapi dalam tempoh lapan hari.

"Tempoh saringan yang dijalankan selang sehari dan ini akan membantu saya," tambah Daniel.

Daniel turut berjanji akan memberi fokus dalam setiap acara yang disertainya dalam usaha untuk meraih pingat buat kontinjen negara pada temasya kali ini.

Terdahulu, Daniel menerima Anugerah Emas berdasarkan pencapaian cemerlangnya sepanjang tahun lepas termasuk memenangi dua pingat emas, satu perak dan dua gangsa pada Sukan SEA XXIV.

Sementara itu, Pengarah Bahagian Sekolah Harian, Kementerian Pelajaran, Zulkifli Mohd. Wazir berkata, pihaknya sedia menimbangkan insentif kepada pelajar yang berjaya meraih pingat di Beijing.

Katanya, antara insentif itu ialah pemberian hadiah wang tunai, biasiswa dan peluang melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat lebih tinggi.

Lima pelajar di bawah Majlis Sukan Sekolah Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) yang akan ke Beijing ialah Bryan Nickson Lomas, Elizabeth Jimie, Pandelela Rinong (semua acara terjun), Khoo Cai Lin (renang) dan Azizulhasni Awang Muda (lumba basikal).

Ahmad Amsyar, Sau Wah Julang SSBJ

PUTRAJAYA – Dua pelajar Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ), Ahmad Amsyar Azman dan Chan Sau Wah diumumkan Putera dan Puteri Sukan pada Anugerah Sukan Kementerian Pelajaran MSSM-Milo 2007 sekali gus meneruskan penguasaan atlet dari sekolah berkenaan sejak beberapa tahun lalu.

Ahmad Amsyar memenanginya atas pencapaian satu emas dan satu perak akuatik terjun papan anjal Kejohanan Peringkat Umur Asia di Jakarta, tiga gangsa Festival Olimpik Belia Australia di Sydney dan dua perak Kejohanan MSSM selain pernah bergelar Olahragawan Harapan SSBJ.

Sau Wah pula diiktiraf atas pencapaiannya ah memungut sebutir emas, sebutir perak dan sebutir gangsa gimnastik artistik Sukan SEA Korat; dua perak, dua gangsa Terbuka Vietnam; tempat kesembilan dan ke-10 Piala Dunia di Shanghai dan dua emas, satu gangsa Kejohanan Kebangsaan.

Kejayaan Ahmad Amsyar bergelar Putera Sukan turut mengulangi pencapaian penerjun negara yang berpengalaman dua Sukan Olimpik 2004 dan 2008, Bryan Nickson Lomas yang melakukannya pada 2004 selain Farah Begum Abdullah sebagai Puteri Sukan 1999.

‘‘Saya tujukan kejayaan ini dan berterima kasih khususnya kepada bapa dan ibu, Azman Hassan dan Rozita Ibrahim selain jurulatih dari China, Can Wein. Inilah yang terbesar dan amat membanggakan saya sejak menceburi sukan terjun ketika tahun enam.

“Anak jati Kangar, Perlis yang lebih menggemari acara 1m papan anjal dan meminati penerjun China, He Chong ini menambah, anugerah itu memberikan perangsang yang lebih kuat dalam mencapai cita-citanya, menyertai Sukan Olimpik 2012 seperti yang dilakukan oleh Bryan,’’ kata Ahmad Amsyar.

Sementara itu, Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Sekolah Harian Kementerian Pelajaran, Zulkifli Mohd. Wazir berkata, kementerian bersedia memberikan ganjaran lain kepada atlet pelajar sekolah yang berjaya membawa pulang sebarang pingat Sukan Olimpik Beijing sebagaimana yang dilakukan bagi Sukan SEA Korat tahun lalu.

“Ia bagaimanapun bergantung kepada kelulusan permohonan kami kepada Perbendaharaan tetapi bagi Sukan SEA lalu, kami berikan RM1,000 kepada pemenang emas, RM700 perak dan RM500 gangsa malah kami mempunyai skim biasiswa MSSM tertentu untuk atlet pelajar yang cemerlang melanjutkan pelajaran,” ujarnya.

Lima atlet pelajar sekolah yang bertanding di Beijing ialah Bryan Nickson Lomas, Elizabeth Jimie, Pandelela Rinong ( terjun), Khoo Cai Lin (renang) dan Azizulhasni Awang (berbasikal).

A Relay To Savour

KUALA LUMPUR: The past greats and current top Malaysian athletes all shared in the joy of being part of the Malaysian leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay here yesterday.

Flame on in Malaysia: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tuanku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar, the first torchbearer in the Malaysian leg of the Olympic torch relay, running with the torch surrounded by security personnel at Dataran Merdeka Monday. There were few incidents in the relay that ended at KLCC.

For some of the Beijing-bound athletes who took part as torchbearers, it was the perfect tonic before they compete in the biggest sporting event on earth in August.

Shuttler Lee Chong Wei, who carried the torch for the section near Istana Hotel, said: “I’m now motivated to train harder and prepare for a good outing in Beijing.”

Chong Wei is Malaysia’s best bet for a medal in the men’s singles.

“It reminds me of my goal in the Olympics. There is only slightly more than three months remaining before the Olympics and that was what flashed through my mind while I was holding the torch. I am inspired to train harder after this,” said Chong Wei.

And 18-year-old diver Bryan Nickson Lomas, who was the youngest of the Malaysian torchbearers, said he felt honoured to be taking part in an Olympic Torch Relay.

“Hopefully, it will boost me to put up a good performance for the country in the Olympics,” said Bryan, who became the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the Olympics after reaching the men’s 10m platform final in the World Championships in Melbourne last year.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah lighting up cauldron at the KLCC to mark the end of the Olympic torch relay Monday. Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar started off the torch relay at the Dataran Merdeka. The flame from the cauldron is transferred to a canister and taken to Jakarta for the next leg.

World number one woman squash player Nicol David, who also carried the torch along the section near Jalan Sultan Ismail, said it was as close as one could get to the Olympic Games.

“It’s really a good feeling to be an Olympic torchbearer, especially when I don’t get the chance to compete in the Olympics. I will not miss it for the world. I really hope squash will get into the Olympics one day,” said Nicol, who flew back from her training base in Amsterdam just for the occasion.

Like Nicol, top woman bowler Shalin Zulkifli was also excited to be among the 80 torchbearers.

“It is another way to be involved in the Olympics. Bowling is not in the Olympics and this is as close as I can get to feel what it’s like to be involved,” said Shalin.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar was the first person to carry the torch in the relay which kicked off at Dataran Merdeka at 2pm.

It ended with Sultan Azlan Shah, the Sultan of Perak, as the final torchbearer and he lighted up the cauldron at the Esplanade area in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).

Proud moment: Datuk Soh Chin Aun, the former national footballer, carrying the Olympic torch at the Merdeka Stadium Monday.

Malaysia last hosted a leg of the Olympic Torch Relay when Japan became the first Asian country to host the biggest sporting event in the world in 1964.

All five Malaysian Olympic medal winners – shuttlers Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock and the Sidek brothers – Razif, Jalani and Rashid – also took part in the relay.

Soon Kit-Kim Hock claimed the men’s doubles silver in the Atlanta Games in 1996. Razif-Jalani bagged a bronze when badminton made its debut in Barcelona in 1992 while Rashid was the singles bronze medallist in 1996.

OCM deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan hailed the event as a big success for Malaysia.

“Considering all the apprehensions following protests in most of the previous cities where the torch visited, I am glad to say that we managed to pull it off without any hitches. There were no major incidents. It’s just a pity that the rain fell in the later stages and drenched everyone. Otherwise it would have been a perfect show.”

The list of torchbearers

1. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar, 2. Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah, 3. Mohd Kadri Mohamed Taib, 4. Wang Ji, 5. Datuk Tony Fernandes, 6. Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan, 7. Datuk Mohd Yasin Salleh, 8. Karu Selvaratnam, 9. Datuk Ramlan Aziz, 10. Shaharuddin Jaafar, 11. Teng Mui Ngee, 12. Lim Keng Liat, 13. Soon Lay In, 14. Shi Fangfan, 15. Cheah Soon Kit, 16. Yuan Yufang, 17. Christopher Charles Moses, 18. Rashid Sidek, 19. Ng Ping Loong, 20. Abdul Ghafar Mahmud, 21. Datuk Zolkples Embong, 22. Francis Toh, 23. Shalin Zulkifli, 24. Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood, 25. Liew Kian Meng, 26. Bryan Nickson Lomas, 27. Yap Kim Hock, 28. Datuk Ho Koh Chye, 29. Datuk Soh Chin Aun, 30. Wilfred Vias, 31. Mohd Raduan Emeari, 32. Neo Chwee Yeen, 33. Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji, 34. Datuk Punch Gunalan, 35. Razif Sidek, 36. Muhd Salam Sidik, 37. Fu Chee Cheng, 38. Jalani Sidek, 39. Lim Yee Chung, 40. Seow Swee Pin, 41. Mohan Gurusamy, 42. Faridah Abdul Rahman, 43. Johnson Tan Soo Lim, 44. Ang Shiao Chin, 45. Nik Lazaridis, 46. Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir, 47. Ras Adiba Radzi, 48. Min Yong Ho, 49. Nicol David, 50. Suh Dug Kun, 51. Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina, 52. Lee Chong Wei, 53. Fu Choong Sin, 54. Teh Muhd Amir, 55. Tan Sri Azman Hashim, 56. Balakrishnan Vishalache, 57. Jamali Johari, 58. Tan Ming Sen, 59. Thomas Kok, 60. Khairussaleh Ramli, 61. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukhor, 62. Datuk Kamal Harun, 63. Datuk James Selvaraj, 64. Gerry Jaya Simhan, 65. Maya Heng, 66. Rohana Rozhan, 67. Teo Hong Beng, 68. Datuk Dr Hashim Abdul Wahab, 69. Dr Reza Azmi, 70. Khadijah Abdul Rahman, 71. Aznir Malek, 72. Karam Singh Walia, 73. Datuk Dr Mikaail Kavanah, 74. Marina Chin, 75. Nurul Huda Abdullah, 76. Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, 77. Tan Sri Musa Hassan, 78. Hashim Wahir, 79. Cheng Yonghua. 80. Sultan Azlan Shah (Sultan of Perak).

Marina Comes Full Circle

KUALA LUMPUR: Her first day as principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) completed a circle of sorts for former national sprinter Marina Chin.

Familiarising herself: Chin taking a closer look at student activities in a classroom on her first day as principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“I was quite excited when I was appointed (BJSS principal) as I was the desk officer in charge of developing and planning the sports school concept in the Education Ministry.

“I remember travelling all over the country with the ministry architects to look at residential schools in order to plan this school,” she reminisced yesterday.

Now, more than 20 years later, Chin has the opportunity to help shape and direct BJSS' course as the country’s premier sports school.

Used to starting work at 7.30am, the former principal of SMK Sultan Abdul Samad, Petaling Jaya, arrived at BJSS bright and early, even before reporting to the Federal Territory Education Department.

Chin was given a tour of the school and later attended her first assembly.

“It’s not altogether new for me as I’ve never been completely away from sports because of my involvement with the sports programme with the National Sports Council and Education Ministry,” she said.

Chin's first speech to her students was short and sweet – she reminded them that their studies and character were as important as sports training.

Chin, who is the first female principal of BJSS, took over from Saidin Osman, who has been transferred to SMK Datuk Abdul Rahman Talib in Lumut.

Marina Chin's First Day At Work

Rayzam, Nabihah terbaik MSSM

KUALA LUMPUR – Atlet olahraga Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian dan gimnas Nabihah Ali masing-masing dipilih sebagai Putera dan Puteri Sukan Majlis Sukan Sekolahsekolah Malaysia (MSSM)-Milo 2006 di sini, semalam.

Rayzam Shah dipilih atas kejayaannya memenangi pingat emas dan perak olahraga Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah ASEAN di Chiangmai, Thailand dan emas Kejohanan Olahraga MSSM manakala Nabihah memenangi enam emas di Kejohanan Gimnastik Artistik MSSM 2006.

Muhammad Rafiq Ismail daripada acara tenpin boling dan pemain skuasy, Yong Sue Ann memenangi Anugerah Tunas Harapan manakala Anugerah Khas diraih Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang daripada sukan lumba basikal dan Chai Fong Wei, yang mewakili wusyu.

Menang
Anugerah Pendidikan Khas pula dimenangi oleh Md. Parhan Dahlan dan Siti Noor Iasah Mohamad Ariffin, hasil kejayaan memenangi emas di Kejohanan Olahraga Pendidikan Khas Peringkat Kebangsaan 2006.
Anugerah Guru Berjasa pula menjadi milik Low Siak San dari Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) St. Paul, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan dan Foo Wai Choodari dari Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tengku Bariah, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu.


Pemenang membawa pulang trofi, pingat dan sijil yang disampaikan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Noh Omar pada majlis penyampaian anugerah di sini, semalam.

Rayzam, Nabihah Terima Anugerah MSSM-Milo 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Julai (Bernama) -- Atlet lompat pagar negara Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian dan gimnas artistik Nabihah Ali dimahkotakan sebagai Putera Sukan dan Puteri Sukan MSSM-Milo 2006.

Rayzam, layak ke pusingan separuh akhir Kejohanan Remaja Dunia IAAF di Beijing, China, tahun lepas dan memenangi pingat perak pada Kejohanan Atletik Remaja Asia di Macau tahun lepas.

Nabihah merupakan pemenang enam pingat emas di Kejohanan Gimnastik Artistik Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) dan memenangi tiga pingat perak pada Kejohanan Gimnastik Sekolah Asia di Manila, Filipina tahun lepas.

Bagaimanapun kedua-dua mereka tidak hadir pada majlis penyampaian anugerah yang disampaikan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Noh Omar di sini hari ini.

Rayzam sedang menyertai Kejohanan Trek dan Balapan Asia di Amman, Jordan sementara Nabihah sedang menjalani latihan di China.

"Saya berharap pemenang pelbagai anugerah hari ini akan terus cemerlang dalam lapangan yang mereka ceburi. Kita tidak mahu melihat mereka hilang selepas setahun dua mencapai tahap membanggakan dalam pertandingan," kata Noh.

Pemenang kategori Anugerah Khas Putera dan Puteri Sukan, Anugerah Pendidikan Khas Putera dan Puteri, Anugerah Tunas Harapan Putera dan Puteri serta Anugerah Guru Paling Berjasa Lelaki dan Wanita turut menerima anugerah masing-masing.

Noh berkata bagi melahirkan lebih banyak atlet berbakat, Kementerian Pelajaran akan membina tiga lagi sekolah sukan di Pahang, Sabah dan Perlis daripada dua yang ada sekarang iaitu di Bukit Jalil di sini dan Bandar Penawar di Johor.

Senarai Penerima Anugerah:

Anugerah Putera Sukan: Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian (atletik)

Anugerah Puteri Sukan: Nabihah Ali (gimnas artistik)

Anugerah Khas Putera Sukan: Mohd Azizulhasni Awang (basikal)

Anugerah Khas Puteri Sukan: Chai Fong Wei (wushu)

Anugerah Pendidikan Khas Putera: Md Parhan Dahlan (atletik, Fespic)

Anugerah Pendidikan Khas Puteri: Siti Noor Iasah Mohamad Ariffin (atletik, Fespic)

Anugerah Tunas Harapan Putera: Muhammad Rafiq Ismail (boling)

Anugerah Tunas Harapan Puteri: Yong Sue Ann (skuasy)

Anugerah Guru Berjasa Lelaki: Low Siak San (akuatik)

Anugerah Guru Berjasa Wanita: Foo Wai Choo (sofbol)