Young lifters sought after by NSC

04/10/1998

NATIONAL Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad is keen
to promote weightlifting at schools, but the logistics for a nationwide
programme might be too costly.
"The idea of taking weightlifting to schools is very good but a
nationwide programme is not feasible because it is a very specialised
sport. It would be better if the lifters pick up the basics at the State-
wide centres of excellence and then move into the Bukit Jalil or the
Bandar Penawar Sports Schools," said Mazlan.
Soccer is the most popular sport at schools, but still, the FA of
Malaysia find it hard to form a decent national side.
"First of all, champion weightlifters have a specialised build, like
short arms, strong backbones and steady knees. We have to search for such
builds before they are taught the finer points of weightlifting.
"This is where the schools can help by identifying pupils who have the
right build. Only then can the coaches and the NSC step in."
To further help the country source athletes for Olympics and world class
tournaments, the school Physical Education (PE) system will revert to the
old system.
The Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSC) pressed for more hours for
PE last year and their proposal has been accepted.
The present practice of combining PE with the kesihatan (health)
classroom subject where the students are required to exercise and play
games one week while the following week it is a classroom subject, was
found to be unsuitable. This is why the Ministry of Education will revert
to the old system where students will undergo physical training at least
once a week.
The move is seen as a good step to prepare athletes for the 2008
Olympics which Malaysia will bid for.
"For the Olympic bid, it will be better to concentrate on schools
because by then most of our present batch would have retired."
Mazlan is serious about injecting young blood into weightlifting.
"If anybody out there feels that they have friends or family members
that have the build of a weightlifter, they are welcome to contact the NSC
for a trial."
A sports college is also in the pipeline to continue the good work of
the sports schools, which means that those who take up sports on a serious
note will not miss out on higher education.
"A proposal was made back in 1993 to have such a college, but after a
while the idea died down. Now it has been revived and the plan is to enrol
students by the end of next year," said Mazlan.
(END)