Sports Camp For Juniors A Roaring Success

THE Boss — Mirnawan Nawawi — was impressed with Milo junior sports camp at Taman Menara Maju, Klang, Selangor recently.

The former international hockey player, who had featured for Malaysia in the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic, was the guest of honour at the launching of the first leg of the six-leg camp themed Play More Learn More organised by Milo and the Taman Menara Maju Rukun Tetangga.

Posing with the boss: Mirnawan (third left) with a group of coaches

Mirnawan said he was happy to see about 300 youngsters involved in the camp involving three sports - netball, football and kabaddi.

“I am pleased to be given the honour to launch this meaningful event. We hope the organisers will continue their training programme weekly. The children showed a lot of enthusiasm and enjoyed themselves,’’ he said.
He also took the opportunity to mingle with the coaches as well as children and parents.

Milo sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong said the camp was their commitment towards reaching out to children and bringing to them the simple joys of sports.

“We have to commend the Taman Menara Maju RT community for making the event a success. They were the ones who played a big part in gathering the young kids for the camp.

“The theme — Play More Learn More — is yet another corporate initiative to inculcate good sports values among children so that they can grow up to faces life’s challenges with greater confidence.

“As children play, they learn more about sportsmanship, unity, teamwork, respect for opponents, self confidence and many other positive traits which are important in helping develop a well rounded personality and good character in our children to become better citizens in the future.

 

Easy does it: Choo Kon Lee showing a participant the correct way to throw the ball.

“We believe sports can play a big role in inculcating these positive values, the spirit of patriotism and racial integration in our children.

“Our humble initiative too is in support of the Government’s vision of one Child one Sport which is planned for implementation in schools next year,’’ said Ng.

Selangor kabaddi coach R. Akilan, who guided the Red Giants to the historic two gold medals in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Malacca, and four senior players — S. Thiagu, J. Komathi, A. Sathya and J. Jananiejay — conducted a coaching clinic.

For netball, the organisers had invited Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) coach Choo Kon Lee and several seasoned players for the clinic.

In the first two hours, the participants were taught the basics involved in the respective games. Following the session, competition was held for them.

Akilan, who is a qualified coach and technical official, said about 40 children attended the programme and showed interest in kabaddi.

“They learnt the basics in the game and were able to play,’’ he said.

All the participants were rewarded with T-shirts and certificate of participation, Taman Menara Maju RT chairman T. Kanniappan said they appreciated Milo’s efforts in bringing together the children for a sporting activity.

“The children had a wonderful time. The memories will linger for a long time. All of them were winners in making new friends, learning new skills in the game and enjoying this wonderful event,’’ said Kanniappan.

The next sports camp will be held in Taman Saga in Alor Star, Kedah today followed by in Johor Jaya, Johor (Nov 27); Mentakab, Pahang (Dec 5); Matabai Kepayan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Dec 11) and Taman Cheras Perdana, Kuala Lumpur (Dec 18) and the sports involved are football, netball and basketball.

Kon Lee Lauded For Her Work

KUALA LUMPUR: It is never easy for any coach to groom a junior team to four consecutive titles.

But that is exactly what junior netball coach Choo Kon Lee has done.

And for her tireless, selfless and outstanding efforts, she was deservingly named as the recipient of the 2010 Women and Sports award yesterday.

Proud moment: Junior netball coach Choo Kon Lee (centre) is all smiles after receiving the Women and Sports Award from Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil last night. On the right is OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar. — GLENN GUAN / The Star

Under her strict and no-nonsense approach, the Malaysian junior netball team emerged as Asian champions for four times in a row.

Last night, Kon Lee received the award from Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil at the OCM Indoor Sports Complex.

The 46-year-old Kon Lee, who has been involved in netball for about two decades, said she was honoured to win the award.

“It does feel good to be selected out of the many passionate women officials who have contributed so much for sports. It is an honour,” said the former Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) physical education graduate.

“It will be a motivation for me to continue to do what I love – to train the youngsters not only about the game but also to educate and guide them to stay on the right track in their lives.”

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice-president Low Beng Choo commended Kon Lee for her contributions.

“This coach has done well to produce good results for the country consistently,” said Beng Choo, who is also the chairman of OCM’s women and sports committee.

“There are many who have worked hard to promote sport but their efforts have gone unnoticed. Today, most of the winners are people who have been working hard in the back-ground. We are pleased to recognise their contributions.”

Yesterday, national woman shuttler Wong Mew Choo’s parents – Wong Loy Choy and Kok Mee Foong – were also honoured for their support and sacrifices, which have been instrumental in Mew Choo winning one of the most prominent titles – the China Open in 2007.

“Parental support is also a key to the success of an athlete.

“We hope parents will continue to provide good support for their children – especially the women athletes,” said Beng Choo.

Roll of honour

Women and Sports Award: Choo Kon Lee (netball).

Leadership: Christina Chee Shin Liang (table tennis).

Development of Sports in the Community: Normala Abdul Rashid (former national women soccer player, working as a development officer with the Perak State Council).

Grassroots development: Lucy Lao Puong Siong (squash).

Sports Journalism: Jamhariah Jaafar (Berita Harian).

Partnership: Wong Loy Choy and Kok Mee Foong (Shuttler Wong Mew Choo’s parents).

IOC Achievement Diploma: Zaiton Othman (National Sports Council Athletes Welfare unit director).

Malaysian Arowanas Emerge Champions In Singapore Netball League

MALAYSIAN AROWANAS, comprising students from the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), had a great outing in the Singapore National Super Netball League in Singapore recently.

Malaysian Arowanas had 11 players from BJSS and four from BPSS. The two-round league had seven teams, including Malaysian Arowanas, in the fray.

 

Warm up: The players going through a stretching exercise.

Malaysian Arowanas won all their 12 matches in the preliminary round. As the top team in the league, Malaysian Arowanas qualified for the final against Mighty Mannas, who had several national players on their side.

Malaysian Arowanas put up a gallant performance, with lanky Norashikin Kamal Zaman playing an inspiring role. They defeated Mighty Mannas 49-44 to win the challenge trophy as well as S$10,000 (RM25,000).

Norashikin was voted the Most Valuable Player while coach Choo Kon Lee was named the Most Valuable Coach. Both Norashikin and Kon Lee received S$500 (RM1,250) each.

Part of the prize money will be given to the players as an incentive while the remaining amount will be saved for participation in other competitions.

Kon Lee said the final was a close affair and the Malaysians were at their best to match their counterparts.
“Mighty Mannas had several national players on their side. They had lost to us in the league and were gunning for revenge in the final. But our players kept their cool and played exceptionally well,” said Kon Lee.

 

Proud players: The players, with their medals, admiring the Challenge Trophy held by coach Choo Kon Lee.

The BJSS’ next competition will be the International Schoolgirls Challenge in Adelaide, Australia from May 21 to 29. The challenge, for Under-18, will have six teams — National Schools Australia, National Schools New Zealand, Maoris, Pacific Island Schools, Indigenous and BJSS.

Kon Lee said the competition was an excellent platform for the Malaysian players to gain exposure.

“It is expected to be very competitive and we hope our players will return richer in experience. We will not delve into the subject of becoming champions. We prefer the players to give their best in the competition,’’ said Kon Lee.

The players (Singapore Super Netball League): Nurul Adha Abu Bakar, Nur Syafazliyana Mohd Ali, Izyan Syazana Mohd Wazir, Siti Nor Farhana Mustaffa, Yang Farha Farhani Fadzarahman, Nurul Husna Akbal Amad, Norashikin Kamal Zaman, Noramirah Dayana Noor Azhar, S. Shandralekha, Norfarahana Nawi, Nur Shamilia Md Samsudin, Noor Atikah Mat Salleh, Noor Atika Md Radzi, Fazira Mesnan, Siti Saripah Maizun Suhaimi.

The players (International Schoolgirls Challenge): Nurul Adha Abu Bakar, Nur Syafazliyana Mohd Ali, Izyan Syazana Mohd Wazir, Siti Nor Farhana Mustaffa, Yang Farha Farhani Fadzarahman, S. Shandralekha, Nurul Husna Akbal Amad, Norashikin Kamal Zaman, Noramirah Dayana Noor Azhar, Norfarahana Nawi, Nur Shamilia Md Samsudin,Nurasrinah Adnan, Alia Najwa Mohd Sazali, Pow Mei Foong, Siti Nabilah Mohd Idrus.

Hectic Time for BJSS Netballers

THE Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) netball team is gearing for a hectic season this year.
According BJSS netball coach Choo Kon Lee, they would be taking part in six international competitions, including the Singapore Super Netball League, as well as local events.

“We have six international tournaments lined up and four local competitions. So, our players will have be on their toes throughout the year. The players are aware of the tough schedule and they must be prepared to work diligently,’’ said Choo.

Take this: The players going through the paces in training.

The international competitions are the Asian Youth championships in New Delhi (July), Asean Schools Sports Carnival in Kuala Lumpur (July), International Schools Challenge in New Zealand (May), BJSS International Invitational in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore Youth Sports School Challenge and the Singapore Super Netball League.

The local competitions are the Milo-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships, Malaysia Games (Sukma), National Junior Open and National Open.

Besides the tournament, BJSS will also be taking part in other local competitions.

Currently, 22 players, including four new recruits - Nur Natasyaamira Mokhtar, Wan Ainee Wan Johari, Nurul Khalida Mohd Noor and Nur Syafiqah Khanum Mohd Fuad - are training five days a week. The new recruits were selected based on their performance in the MSSM cham-pionships as well as the Sports School carnival.

Choo said they had invited five players but one was unable to join due to health problems.
“The four new recruits have adapted well to the training programme. They are tall and have the basic skills. With the training and guidance from the seniors, we expect them to be better players,’’ said Choo.

Setting the pace: The players going through strategic drills watched by Choo.

The rookies will get the chance to gauge their progress when the BJSS entertains the Hong Kong Under-21 squad from Feb 26 to 28.

Choo is expected to give all the players in the team a chance to display their skills.
“We will be playing three matches - one on each day - and the matches will be important to evaluate the players,’’ added Choo.

Two players - Nur Shamilia Md Samsuddin and Nurul Husna Akbal Amad - will rejoin the squad for the Asean School Sports Carnival. Both Nur Shamilia and Nurul Husna, who are waiting for their SPM examination results, have returned to their home state.

For Choo, the Asean Schools Sports Carnival, involving 13 sports in the MSSSM programme, is an important competition.

“We want to win the gold medal,’’ said Choo.