BJSS Second Stringers Excel In Thailand

By Y.P. SIVAM sivam@thestar.com.my


IT WAS a fruitful outing and learning experience for Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) at the Thailand Schools Sports Games in Sophanburi recently.

The BJSS contingent, led by vice-principal Kon Chen Choong, had a strength of 17 athletes and five officials and took part in athletics and tennis.

Besides Chen Choong, the officials were Ithnin Mahadi, R. Shankaralingam, Abdul Karim Jasman and Siti Shahida Abdullah.

The athletes were Muhammad Zulhiman Zulkeply, Nor Hafiezie Awang, K. Prakash, Mohd Afiq Afandi Che Azman, Arafat Mudir, Muhammad Irfan Shamshuddin, Muhd Khairil Anas Abdul Rahim, Mohd Nor Faezzam Said, Muhd Saiful Azry Samsudin, Muhd Hussaini Mansor, Nur Izzati Akmal Nazrilazadin, Ling Wen Yi, Aina Fadhlin Syahmina Abas, Intan Safinas Samad, Yap Sean Yee, Norezatti Shasha Mohd Rosli and Bibi Nuraishah Ishak.

 

Made it: Wen Yi (in red shorts) in the girls’ 100m semi-finals.

The BJSS contingent’s participation in the games was funded by the school’s Parents-Teachers Asssociation (PTA).

Chen Choong said they were grateful to the PTA for providing the sponsorship to be part of the games.
“All the athletes were taking part in an overseas competition for the first time. They were second stringers and we wanted to expose them to foreign competitions. The stint was a valuable exposure for them.

“We are confident they had gained valuable experience against their Thai counterparts,’’ said Chen Choong.
In athletics, BJSS won five gold, four silver and one bronze medal. The gold medals came from Prakash, Muhammad Irfan, Aina Fadhlin and Bibi Nuraishah.

 

Gung-ho: The BJSS team during the opening ceremony of the Thailand Sports Schools Games.

Prakash cleared 1.90m to win the gold medal in the high jump in the boys’ Under-16 age group. Muhammad Irfan won two golds in the discus and shot putt (boys’ Under-16).

Little Aina Fadhlin clocked a personal best of 10:58.96 in the 2,000m walk in the girls’ Under-14 group while Bibi Nuraishah’s gold was in the shot putt in the girls’ Under-16.

Chen Choong said they were pleased with the athletes’ results.

“We had set personal bests as targets for them. Some did not meet the targets but won gold medals.
“However, the stint was a learning mission and we hope to see them train harder and excel in other competitions,’’ said Chen Choong.

In tennis, the trio of Mohd Nor Faezzan, Muhd Khairil Anas and Muhd Saiful Azry had to play in the boys Under-16 age group as the Under-14 category was scrapped.

While in Thailand, the students, under the supervision of the teachers, had to sit for their examinations.
But the most exciting programme was the contingent’s visit to the famous Bridge over River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.

Chen Choong said he had to explain to the students the Death Railway’s historical link to Malaya.
Bibi Nuraishah, who hails from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, said she was happy to win the gold medal.
“More importantly I had the chance to learn more about Thailand. I hope to continue training and do well in other competitions,’’ said Bibi Nuraishah.

For Muhammad Irfan, it was a memorable outing as he won two gold medals inside two hours on the opening day of the championships. After winning the gold medal in the discus, Muhammad Irfan rushed to the shot putt pit and also won the gold medal.

The winners
Gold: K. Prakash (boys’ Under-16 high jump); Muhammad Irfan Shamshuddin (boys’ Under-16 discus and shot put); Aina Fadhlin Syahmina Abas (girls’ Under-14 2000m walk); Bibi Nuraishah Ishak (girls’ Under-16 shot put).

Silver: Arafat Mudir (boys’ Under-16 400m hurdles); Norezatti Shasha Mohamad Rosli (girls’ Under-16 pole vault); Yap Sean Yee (girls’ Under-16 high jump); Muhammad Zulhilman Zulkeply (boys Under-14 triple jump).

Bronze: Arafat Mudir (boys’ Under-16 110m hurdles).