HULU SELANGOR – The Youth and Sports Ministry is dedicated to ensuring that Orang Asli and rural children have equitable access to sports opportunities, reported Bernama today.
Hannah Yeoh said that her ministry has been collaborating with the Orang Asli Development Department since last year to ensure that the concept of sports for all reaches the low-income group (B40).
As an example, the Sports Ministry has established the Basic Sports Skills Training swimming programme to teach children in the B40 group basic swimming techniques, aimed at reducing drowning incidents.
“Talent development efforts need to be expanded and not be limited to urban areas only.
“Who knows, the most skilled football player may come from here one day because today the children are allowed to play football.
“We must follow up to ensure that the National Youth and Sports Department will continue to conduct football clinics,” she said while addressing reporters at the Community Football Clinic with the Orang Asli in Kuala Kubu Bharu at Kg Orang Asli Pertak.
Hannah also stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to uncover new talents among Orang Asli and rural children instead of relying on shortcuts like naturalising foreign athletes as citizens.
This approach aligns with the goals of the highest-level committee, involving cooperation between the youth and sports, higher education, and education ministries.
“It means that when there are MSSD (District School Sports Council) or MSSM (Malaysian School Sports Council) sports meets, we need to ensure that participation includes Chinese schools, Tamil schools, religious schools, and tahfiz schools.
“There are many talents in tahfiz schools. I hope that in five to ten years, these efforts will bear results,” she said.
Earlier, Hannah interacted with approximately 70 children participating in the football clinic, distributing footballs to encourage their engagement in the sport.
“This is a collaborative effort with the NFDP (National Football Development Programme), where we have been going to rural areas since last year.
“Children and youth there need sports equipment to encourage them to exercise.
“So far, we have visited six states, held 16 football clinics like this, and distributed a total of 3,427 footballs. We will continue to do so,” she said. – April 20, 2024