Give Henry Gurney School students chance to represent country in sports — Syed Saddiq
MELAKA: The Youth and Sports Ministry is ready to give students of the Henry Gurney School in Teluk Mas here the opportunity to earn a place in any of the national teams.
Its minister, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, said that previously they could only compete in the Malaysia Games (Sukma), with one of them even winning a gold medal in boxing, and that their talent should be honed to help them to reach a higher level.
“I was informed that there’s a student here (Henry Gurney School) who recently qualified to represent the country in the World Muay Thai Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, but according to the law, he cannot leave the country as he is still serving a sentence.
“To overcome this problem, I will discuss with (Home Minister) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin to find ways to prevent such cases from recurring,” he told reporters after making an official visit to the school yesterday.
Also present were Prisons Department director-general Datuk Zulkifli Omar and National Sports Council director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.
Syed Saddiq said the ministry would also hand over the boxing ring presented by world champion Manny Pacquiao (of the Philippines) to the Henry Gurney School as a token of appreciation for the students’ efforts.
“They are an asset to the country and must be given the chance to represent the nation,” he said.
The minister said that sports was the best alternative in creating a civil society, especially among the younger generation, as seen from its successful implementation by several western nations, like Ireland, in combating gangsterism among youths at one time.
There are 61 Henry Gurney School students involved in the ministry’s programme, 25 of whom are in boxing, 18 in Muay Thai and 18 more in weightlifting.
Syed Saddiq said the ministry would also strive to raise the skills of Henry Gurney School students through a pilot project with the Higher National Youth Skills Institute (IKTBN), which was expected to be launched next month.
“We will initiate the pilot programme with the Chembong IKTBN in Negeri Sembilan and, if successful, it will be expanded nationwide. This can help youths with problems to move forward,” he said.