MILO® Hidup Bola inspires Values of a True Champion
KUCHING: MILO ® Hidup Bola, the annual futsal carnival, returned for the 14th year with its recent leg in Negeri Sembilan which was nothing short of glorious.
Nearly 600 kids from 72 grassroots teams competed in two categories ( Under-12 and Under16) for the state title and a shot at the national championships in June.
One of teams – and a long-time supporter of the carnival since year one – was CT Nur Nilam.
Calling the Sri Sarawak Flat in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur their home ground, the team comprised players put together by founder and coach Ramli Sanusi.
“I coach the kids from a very young age, some as young as five. Sports bring them together and I believe in starting early when it comes to nurturing their passion and talent,” said Ramli who teaches the kids for free.
Winning championships may be the target for the kids but Ramli said his role as a coach is more than just about discovering grassroots talents.
“I wanted the kids to stay off the streets and encourage them to stay active through sports. This motivated me to introduce futsal to them 23 years ago. Over time, we started taking part in competitions which led us to MILO ® Hidup Bola when it was first launched until today.
“Seeing the kids grow as well as stay active and healthy with MILO ® Hidup Bola makes me proud. Although we didn’t win today’s ( March 16) tournament, I reminded them that champions never give up, and that’s the value that I want to instill in them.
“I am grateful to MILO ® Hidup Bola for showing them that there is more to sports than winning and that determination, teamwork, respect and humility are measures of a true champion,” Ramli said while adding that he and his charges will continue on their MILO® Hidup Bola journey with the Melaka leg on April 13.
Believing that sport is a great teacher, MILO ® has made grassroots sports development its perennial mission for over 60 years in Malaysia.
MILO ® Hidup Bola is among the many wel l- loved sports programmes that MILO ® has introduced to keep Malaysians active, on top of imparting positive values and life lessons through sports.
“We recognise the importance of an active lifestyle in creating a healthy nation and the growing need to address sedentary lifestyle that is prevalent among Malaysians, particularly adults. This led us to launch the MILO® Aktif Negaraku movement last year,” said Nestlé Products Sdn. Bhd MILO ® & Milks Business Unit executive director Kumaran Nowuram.
MILO ® Akt i f Nega raku consolidates all of MILO® sports programmes, including MILO ® Hidup Bola, under one banner in hopes of spurring more Malaysians to get active.
It surpassed its target of reaching out to five million Malaysians in its first year, showing that Malaysians understand the need for a healthy and active lifestyle.
“We are certainly proud of this achievement, and building on it, this year, we will be introducing Fuel. Train. Play, our concerted ef for t under MILO ® Akt i f Negaraku to highlight the role of nutrition in fuelling our champions while continuing to provide them the platform to train and compete,” he added.
Nutrition remains at the heart of MILO ®, and, to this end, it stays committed to providing healthy, nutritious offerings to its consumers in a long tradition of nourishing Malaysians for generations with the energy to go further.
Made from the natural goodness of malt, milk and cocoa, MILO® contains ACTIV- GO®, which is a unique combination of essential nutrients including B vitamins for efficient release of energy from food.
It is also working to improve the nutrit ional status and eating habits of Malaysians by championing the goodness of wholesome eating.
“Our holistic approach to wholesome living is in line with our purpose to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. Wholesome eating is about ensuring balance and variety by adding more of the good stuff, and not just about making reductions, to improve the nutritional value of the food we eat,” reminds Kumaran, adding that MILO ® reinforces the importance of a wholesome breakfast to start one’s day.
“Moderat ion i s e qual ly important, which is why we support the Ministry of Health on its Malaysian Healthy Plate Model of Quarter- Quarter- Half to encourage portion control as part of wholesome eating. We also highlight the role of parents in packing home- prepared meals based on the Malaysian Healthy Plate Model for their kids to take to school.”
To stay active with MILO ® sports programmes and learn tips on wholesome eating, logon to www.MILO®.com.my.