Changes To MSSM Programme Aimed At Nurturing Talent

For better results: Ee Hong launching the MSSM 2014 calendar. With her are Nestle products sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong (left) and Education Ministry Sports Division deputy director Abdul Halim Ismail.

THE Under-12 age group events for six sports in the Milo-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) programme, will be held during the off-season in September and October.

Previously, the six sports — bowling, sepak takraw, netball, hockey, football and volleyball — were part of the main event, which also catered for the Under-15 and Under-18 age groups.

However beginning this year, the Under-12 events will be held after the UPSR.

This will allow the participating teams to concentrate on their examinations during the first-half season and give all their attention to the sports events in the second-half season.

Education Ministry Sports Department director Ee Hong said that the new format would allow the pupils involved in the six sports to develop their full potential.

“The focus is on developing their skills. We are confident the new format will bring out the best in the children,’’ she said after launching the MSSM calendar for 2014.

This year’s MSSM will have 24 sports — cross-country, cricket, sailing, golf, archery, chess, squash, rhythmic gymnastics, aquatics, table tennis, bowling, athletics, netball, sepak takraw, softball, tennis, badminton, artistic gymnastics, hockey, football, handball, rugby, volleyball and basketball.

The MSSM programme for the year will kick off with the Milo-MSSM Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 26.

The MSSM will also be taking part in international competitions, namely Little Athletics championships, Asian Schools Hockey Tournament, Asian Schools Football Under-15 championship, Asian Schools Volleyball championships, Asian Schools Cross Country championships, Asian Schools Tennis championships, Asian Schools Football Under-18 championship and Asean Schools Games.

Malaysia will be hosting the Asian Schools Hockey tournament.

The Asean Schools Games, to be hosted by the Philippines, consists of 12 sports — athletics, sepak takraw, badminton, basketball, volleyball, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, aquatics, table tennis, golf, tennis and wushu.

The MSSM, Ee Hong said, would work with all the state education departments in ensuring that the sports programmes were successful.

“The district schools sports council has also initiated training programmes. We are also working closely with the National Sports Association for the development of sports. We are grateful to have sponsors supporting our programmes,’’ she said.

Besides Milo, the other sponsors are Asia Pacific Sport, Gajah Emas, Pallas, Challenger, Sunlight, Vik Network, Salbros, Cita Usaha Jaya Resources, Ossia World of Golf, Figos and Astro Arena.

Ee Hong said they were also pleased with the performances of several students in the Myanmar SEA Games.

“High-jumper Nauraj Singh, diver Mohammad Nazreen Abdullah and archer Haziq Kamaruddin have benefitted from programmes initiated by the MSSM,’’ she added.