IPOH, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- A total of RM4.3 million has been allocated by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) this year under the Human Capital Development Programme to provide opportunities for Orang Asli youth to engage in sports and fitness activities, as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar said the programme also aims to foster closer ties among the 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia through sports activities and provide exposure to information on rules and regulations of the sports being contested.
“Thirdly, it aims to enhance the physical health and fitness of Orang Asli youth through healthy competition and to cultivate a sporting spirit,” he said in his speech at the opening of the 2024 Orang Asli Sports Carnival (KSOA) at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim, on Saturday.
Muhd Khair Razman added that many athletes from the Orang Asli community have made a name for themselves at national and international competitions.
He said they included cricketers Zumika and Sasha Azmi, national sailor Norashikin Mohamad Sayed, who represented Malaysia at the SEA Games, and Nia Vanessa Suhann, a national endurance cyclist who has competed in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
“The latest is a 12-year-old boy from the Bateq ethnic group in Kampung Aring 5, Pos Lebir, Gua Musang, Sa’ap Baharom, who has been offered to join the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) Academy by JDT’s head of Talent Search and Youth Development, Diego Griffa,” he added.
He said Orang Asli athlete Noorazrul Jamirul Jamrus, 19, won a gold medal for Negeri Sembilan in artistic gymnastics at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak.
“This shows the increasing interest and talent among Orang Asli youth to shine in sports.
"JAKOA has high hopes that new talents will emerge from this edition of KSOA to bring glory to the country in sports, while also encouraging them to compete on bigger stages,” he said.
A total of 384 Orang Asli athletes competed in track and field events at this year's KSOA, the third in a series.
The participants, aged 18 and above, were selected through state-level screenings that began in April 2024.
Pahang emerged champion with 21 medals in this championship, followed by Selangor as the runner-up with 11 medals. The third-place finishers were Perak and Kedah, with six medals each.
Through this championship, JAKOA also collaborated with the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Malaysia Athletics Federation to identify athletes with the potential to compete at the national and international levels.
-- BERNAMA
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